GRAZIA LIFE SKILLS
WORK WISDOM
Elizabeth Uviebinené is author of five books, including The Reset and Slay In Your Lane, and founder of Storia
We all enjoy a bit of workplace chit-chat and, considering how much time we spend there, it’s part of surviving. However, we’ve all likely found ourselves in a situation of oversharing. Downloading details about your weekend adventures might seem harmless, but it can quickly turn into gossip and judgement from colleagues.
So, how do you keep things friendly but not too revealing? First, make a call on who gets to know what about you – your work wife is different from your nosy colleague, for example.
Set boundaries with those who are the latter; a polite but firm ‘I like to keep my work life separate, it helps me focus’ can work wonders. Second, think twice before hitting ‘accept’ on that friend request from a colleague. Social media is a minefield of your personal information. If you wouldn’t shout it out in a meeting, maybe don’t let it sit on your timeline. Or keep your profiles private.
Finally, master the art of the swerve when colleagues ask about your weekend. A cheerful response such as, ‘Oh, just the usual, saw friends and family, watched some Netflix, how about you?’ is just enough. Remember, keeping your cards close to your chest creates a space where you’re in control of your narrative.
ASK THE EXPERT
Kimberley Walsh is a presenter, singer, actor and keen decorator
I’ve always thought if you want to redecorate you should absolutely have the confidence to do it yourself. After collating ideas on Pinterest, I was inspired to install panelling in my guest room, finishing with a coat of colour to make the woodwork pop. I couldn’t believe how cathartic I found it. My thoughts are constantly racing at 100mph, but painting encourages me to be in the moment. I’ll shut myself in a room, put on some music and just paint – I like to see it as self-care. It’s great because you can always pick up from where you left off. It’s something that can be done during those rare 10 minutes of me-time.
If you’re new to DIY, never fear, the best thing about painting is that, should something go horribly wrong, it’s easy to fix. As far as DIY projects go, paint has the biggest pay-off, too – for the minimal skill level involved it has the power to totally transform a room. Sage green is having a moment within the world of interior design. It’s one of the few colours that can transition a space from modern to industrial and back to traditional without skipping a beat.
It’s why I’ve collaborated with Wickes to launch my new colour, Subtle Sage. It has a vintage vibe, with delicate hues of grey running through the green, giving it that slight edge. The beauty is in its versatility; it completely transformed the mood of my guest room. Paint is
