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Martine Ellis

Sustainable productivity starts with wellbeing. Each weekend, I share practical strategies, short essays, doodles, and recommendations to help you live and work in a way that supports your wellbeing.

Featured Post

šŸŽ‰ Celebrating a Personal Milestone

Hello friend, I hope this week has been kind to you. As you can see from the subject of this email (and my first doodle essay AND this week's podcast episode 😬), I celebrated a little personal milestone this week: a year off the booze. I was always a bit nervous about sharing my intentions to take a break from alcohol, as people are always going to make some uncomfortable assumptions. But I'm glad I did, and I am also happy I got past those tricky first few weeks and am where I am now, as I...

Hello friend, I hope you've had a good week. This week's doodles suggest running has been on my mind. Can you tell? Whether or not you’re a runner, we can all learn something from elite athletes (and even slow runners like me): building in rest is essential if we want to perform at our best. By the time you read this email, I’ll be getting ready for my first Parkrun. Wish me luck. Before I share this weekend’s digest, I have a quick question. As you may know, I’ve been experimenting with...

Hello friend, This past week, I've been thinking about hobbies. I have a long list of hobbies (some on the quirky side, as shared in my latest podcast episode) and, at times, I've felt a little guilty about the time I dedicate to them. I think the guilt comes from the fact that hobbies are sometimes framed as self-indulgent, "for kids", or something you do when you don't have much else on. But hobbies are important, and their positive impact on our wellbeing is significant. The links between...

Hello friend, Did you know it’s Mental Health Awareness Week? This year’s theme is community, so I have been reflecting on how much being part of various communities has supported my mental health over the years. It really is a privilege to have you as part of this newsletter community—thank you for being here. Much of today’s digest touches on mental health. I hope you find it useful. And if you haven’t already, take a moment to check your stress bucket. Finally, a gentle reminder to book...

Hello friend, Yesterday was Liberation Day here in Guernsey; a time of remembrance, reflection, and celebration. I spent it quietly: lunch with good friends, a bit of gardening, and plenty of relaxing. I felt a twinge of guilt for skipping the livelier celebrations in town, but then I remembered that freedom is choice, and I chose what I needed. I hope you can do the same for yourself today. Before we get to this week's digest, a gentle nudge: My live Weekly Review Workshop is happening on...

Hello friend, Happy weekend to you. My favourite doodle this week was a "note to self" as I had noticed my previously healthy email habits slipping. I was leaving my email app open, checking emails often, and replying too quickly. Can you relate? I am pleased to report that previous positive email behaviour has been restored, but my point is this: sometimes we all need a reset. And that's OK. Before we get to this weekend's digest, I have a housekeeping note: The link in last week's email to...

Hello friend I hope you've had a great week. Mine has been action-packed (by my standards, at least!) and I'm delighted to share an update with you. It was my birthday yesterday. Usually, I keep quiet about it, but the older I get, the more I start to appreciate how an extra year is a reason to celebrate. Each year is a gift (hence the title of this newsletter, and my favourite doodle essay this week). Thank you to everyone who attended my Daily Routines Workshop on Thursday. I've now...

Hello friend Welcome to the weekend. I’ve always loved April (and not just because it’s my birthday month). There’s something about the seasonal shift that lifts my energy and makes change and progress feel more achievable. Maybe you’re feeling it too? I’m looking forward to delivering my Daily Routines workshop next week. I’ve also been thinking about the podcast again. I’ve missed recording episodes, and a refresh—perhaps with a new name and sharper focus—feels like it might be on the...

Hello friend Welcome to your weekend and this weekly digest. I hope you've had a good week so far. My highlight was hosting a session for the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce called "How to Find Focus in Busy Times". If you are interested, here is a short article recap: How to Find Focus in Busy Times. I've also enjoyed planning my Daily Routines Workshop (happening online, on 24 April). I'm particularly excited about using Butter to host this session. If you're unfamiliar with Butter, it is a...

Hello Welcome to your weekend. I hope that you've had a wonderful week. For me, it’s been a week of thinking about the small things that make a big difference—breaks, boundaries, and remembering that sustainable productivity isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing things in a way that works for you. This week’s doodles orbit that theme in different ways. I hope you enjoy today's update (and if you do, why not reply to this email and say hello? I always love to hear from you). āœļø Doodle...