Healthcare. Self-care. Everywhere.

Funny how, even during these quieter summer days when the conference-interpreting world seems to slow down, life as a freelancer never really does.

As independent contractors, running our own businesses, we never quite stop. There is always something to do: finding new clients, growing the business, preparing for the next conference, studying, organising — planting seeds that might one day grow into another project.

Which brings me back to the title of this post: Healthcare. Self-care. Everywhere.

It was the title of an event curated by our wonderful principal tutor and mentor @Sandra Liepelt, but largely organised, shaped and brought to life by the students of the MA Conference Interpreting (#MAKD) programme at #HeidelbergUniversity.

There was a message running through that conference that has stayed with me: healthcare should know no boundaries — regardless of heritage, background, race or financial circumstances.

But there was another message, too.

We need boundaries.

Those of us who are independent, freelance, self-employed — whatever term we choose — need to remember to take care of ourselves as well.

So, on this bright and sunny Sunday, with temperatures finally back to something approaching normal, it feels rather good to put down the vocabulary lists. To sleep in a little. To take a long walk through the park. To stop for a cup of tea at a café along the way.

And to read a book that has absolutely nothing to do — or at least not directly — with any of my many professional and creative alter egos: #interpreter, #author, #publisher, #speaker, #coach, #singer, #dancer… Apparently, sitting still is not among them.

Healthcare. Self-care. Everywhere. Sometimes, self-care is simply allowing ourselves to stop.

Wishing you a lovely Sunday.