Researcher Renew
Welcome to #ResearcherRenew 2025!
January is traditionally a time for making resolutions, starting new projects, and quitting bad habits. But, unsurprisingly, many of our good intentions rarely make it past the first few weeks of the year. And sometimes the pressure to make change leaves us feeling anxious rather than empowered, particularly if we’re already overwhelmed, or struggle with change or demand.
Instead of giving you lots more work and loads more worries, January’s #ResearcherRenew is aimed at leaving you feeling stronger, happier and better able to face the year to come; particularly if last year was difficult.
What to expect…
Every other day throughout January I’ll share a post designed to help you:
- feel calmer and more confident
- celebrate your achievements
- plan and structure your work
- care for yourself and connect with others
- look forward to the next twelve months
Within each post will be reflections and suggestions you may use as a one-off activity or link together as a self-directed programme. It may be some ideas are more relevant to you than others; and it’s fine to skip ones that don’t apply or spend longer on the ones you enjoy.
Make sure you check this blog regularly throughout the month so you don’t miss out on any posts!
You can join in with others undertaking January’s #ResearcherRenew on Bluesky, Threads or LinkedIn where I’ll post every time a new task is ready.
Let’s begin!
….with something nice and simple. Your task is to pick one song or piece of music that inspires you. Something you can hum, sing, dance, or listen to when you feel stressed or anxious. Or play when you want to get motivated. Perhaps inspired by the lyrics, artist, or video. Share it on the hashtag #ResearcherRenew and let’s create a playlist of happy to be the soundtrack of our year.
Why start with a song?
We can use music and/or lyrics to uplift, motivate, comfort, or calm. It might be you choose something soothing to help you focus, energetic to get you going, or beautiful to help inspire you. Some of us need absolute silence as we work, but put on music throughout to build in breaks and give us time to move and flex. Others need background music to get their work done. The choice is yours.
Sharing songs and music, lyrics and artists can allow us space to think about what makes our working environment more suited to our needs. If you do this as a group it can also reveal different preferences, growing a conversation, and widening suggestions for how people like to study and relax. That might include the option of total silence, a curated soundtrack, or regular comfort breaks.
While music may not be accessible for all, other options like pausing to appreciate written lyrics, listening to other soundscapes (e.g. birdsong), or having talk radio on may be beneficial. For those who’re deaf or have hearing difficulties, appreciating stories or poems in written form may be more suitable. Others like rhythms, be that in music format; clapped or tapped out by yourself; or even patted on yourself.
Starting with a song, music, lyrics or a rhythm is something most of us can relate to – and appreciate when others share their suggestions. You may want to curate a playlist to go with this year, or to run alongside a particular piece of writing, a project, or programme. Or to accompany your daily routines, special moments, or times when you need to reset, refocus, or calm.
Need some extra assistance?
Many of the activities introduced here are covered in more detail in the following resources that you might want to use alongside #ResearcherRenew and though the coming year
Being Well in Academia: ways to feel stronger, safer and more connected is a self-help book for anyone working or studying in academia with ideas on ways to look after your mental health, rights and wellbeing.
Pastoral Care for the Holiday Season links to sources of support should you, your friends, or anyone you’re teaching or supervising need it.