Let me start with this: Just because I'm writing an article about the fabulousness of working with women doesn't mean that I bounce out of bed every day.
In fact, most mornings I snooze my alarm four times, then panic when I realise I've overslept, crawl into a bath and think: "Jeez, why do I have to
do this every day?"
But after my first two cups of coffee, I'm in a marginally better mood. Then the first mood-brightening e-mail pops into my inbox:
"
Subject line: OMG. Brad Pitt wore tighty whities in public! Ooooh. Sigh."
I'm sure that not all workplaces have these kinds of exchanges, but in our office, it's the only way to stay sane. We all understand this. And it's just one of the many things that make our chick-team so great.
• "So. Last night, I was talking to my boyfriend and he said…"
If anyone sat in on our weekly discussions, they would probably be amused, embarrassed and horrified all at once. Our love lives are the spring boards for great article ideas, our bank balance issues prompt us to write about money being taboo… It's squeamishly honest. And we love it. Because we know each other so well – both in and out of work – there's a certain level of freedom we enjoy together which is very hard to find.
• "Lili? What
are you wearing today?"
Yep. We go there. We're a jeans-and-tops kind of company, but once in a while,
someone (I'm not naming names) will wear a striped, multi-coloured T-shirt and make us marvel in wonder and, sometimes, worry. But, it's okay girl, I know you're still great at your job. And that's what really matters.
• "Does anyone have lipstick? I have a meeting in five minutes and I look dreadful."
Someone's bound to have a little lippie when you've woken up late, rushed to work and forgotten that they have to attend a PR event that afternoon. Believe me, this helps – especially in emergencies.
• "Oooooh, look! A baby!"
After colleagues have a baby, we
beg them to bring the little nunu into the office. Then we surround her in a hallo of broodiness and "aaaaaaaw" together. We think it's really sweet, and we live in hope that the boys would join our broody bunch.
• "What should I do about this
huge project? I'm dropping the ball!"
I like to think of this as on-the-job mentorship. But there's nothing better than being able to turn to your colleague, admit that you've made a mistake and then be met with absolutely no judgment – just solutions. And a bit of empathy. Not all teams are this forgiving.
• "Sorry guys, I have to run and pick the kids up from school."
As long as it doesn't happen every single day, we understand how chaotic it must be being a mother. I can't imagine how draining, exhausting and fulfilling it must be – all at once. Waking up, putting together breakfast and lunch bags, carting your children to school, doing your job, picking up your kids, play dates, doctor's sick notes, cooking dinner, homework… I thought
I was tired? No, honey, you've totally earned my respect.
• And of course, "Does anyone have a tampon?"
I don't really need to elaborate on this one, do I?
My point is, in a world where there is plenty of information on
Working with Mean Girls, maybe we need to be kinder to ourselves and appreciate the everyday stuff that makes us awesome too.
