I spent most of my 20s working for an electrical contractor on construction sites on the mainland. Building things that would likely outlast me was a satisfying job, and I get a feeling of permanence when I drive through Glasgow seeing the lights on in people’s homes knowing I fitted Continue Reading
Shetland Life
Decision Fatigue
Ever felt unable to decide what to have for dinner after a long day? That’ll be Decision Fatigue at work, the gradual deterioration of decision-making skills over your day meaning a simple and usually pleasurable choice can end up feeling complex and tiring. The more decisions we make in succession, Continue Reading
Zeigarnik Effect – finish your tasks to clear your head
Have you ever been bugged by an incomplete or interrupted task that keeps popping into your thoughts? Or felt the need to keep reading a book you’ve nearly finished, or tune in to the next episode of a TV program that finished on a cliffhanger? If so, you’ve experienced the Continue Reading
100 Word Philosophy – condense your thoughts into a nugget of wisdom
I have a ‘100-word philosophy’ statement that I read every day. It’s a collection of short phrases that remind me what is important and keeps me focussed when I get caught up in day-to-day trivialities. I suppose it’s a kind of personal mission statement, but that sounds a bit too Continue Reading
Changing minds – a brain like a meat computer running buggy software
How can we have opinions that are contrary to facts, and why is it so hard to change our minds once opinions have taken hold? Basically, humans can’t think straight. We jump to initial conclusions based on gut instinct and incomplete information. Often we don’t really know why we hold Continue Reading
Sitting in silence – We haven’t evolved to deal with noise
I spend a lot of time sitting in silence looking at my kitchen wall. I love it. Not the wall, the silence. It’s relaxing and clarifying, and it gives me the opportunity to contemplate the big stuff. After years living in Glasgow with noisy neighbours, Orange Marches, shouty football fans Continue Reading
Auntie Sheena, Jedi Master
Back: Sheena Leask, Peggy Campbell (auntie Sheena’s friend ‘from sooth’),Sunniva Henry (my mam)Front: me, Karen Peterson (my sister) My first cinema visit was the zenith of an arduous expedition made in 1983 by a small and intrepid gang of adventurers from Shetland. The group comprised great Auntie Sheena (Leask), my mother, Continue Reading
Punctuate the day with an info full-stop
I used to struggle to switch off at nights. When I should have been closing down my brain I was indulging it with new information. Our brains are always hungry for info and stimulus, and mine doesn’t seem to want to taper off into slumber. One idea for a google Continue Reading
Netiquette, and don’t feel that you need to have an opinion on everything
Debate and opinion seems to me to have become particularly polarised recently, notably on social media, and with endless controversial subjects to fall out over (Trump, Brexit, Up Helly-Aa… anyone?) Conspiracy theories, fake news, alternative facts, online abuse and a lack of basic etiquette all lead to a hostile climate Continue Reading
The solution to punctuality – a pre-appointment meander yarn allowance
I’ve made a vow to be a punctual person. Over the festive period, with loads of social appointments to fulfil, I became aware that my family and friends make allowances for my apparently inevitable lateness. I was a little taken aback, but not surprised, as I don’t want those dear Continue Reading