Sick leave
A doctor issued a sick leave certificate for me, so I will be off work for a week. This will allow me to separate myself physically and mentally from the unsafe work environment.
Mental health struggles caused by the unsafe work environment translate into somatic symptoms. It is interesting to observe how the mind and the body are one. Lately I've been feeling cold. It's not cold enough here in southern Finland to wear gloves, though I do notice many people already switching to autumn clothing. I try to wear summer clothes like shorts and sandals as long as possible every autumn, because it separates me from nature so much less. Instead of gloves, I began to wear arm warmers. These can be used as both arm and leg warmers, and they are made from a blend of organic cotton, recycled wool and human-made fibres.
I've been thinking much about what group of humans I represent in my autoethnography. In theory, this research method should give insight into my experiences as a member of a particular group, to illuminate nuance, struggles, etc. So I've been contemplating whether any specific group of humans can relate to my experiences. I believe there are several, and perhaps it is never one identity or group membership. Rather, it is a complex constellation of multiple roles. For example, I'm a practitioner of extreme minimalism, a so-called "early career" researcher going against discrimination and unfair treatment in academia. An expat. A fellow being to the sea, the trees, animals, humans. And so many other things.