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Be a connected diplomat
Photo: Michael White Photography
the lonely diplomat
blog
No one else writes about the highs and lows of this diplomatic life from both the perspective of the posted diplomat AND the accompanying significant other like the lonely diplomat.
Read one, two - or binge them all - of the articles to be supported, challenged and inspired through Phil's lived experience, wisdom and insight.
They're all here for you as you live your diplomatic life and want to reconnect with yourself and the world around you.
You're not alone.
On managing overwhelm
Let's explore why you and I feel so frequently overwhelmed. Our lives may depend on it.
Phil McAuliffe
Mar 4, 20236 min read
Why hit rock bottom?
Hitting rock bottom is messy. Why do you wait to hit it to make change?
Phil McAuliffe
Nov 5, 20228 min read
On belonging
We humans - even diplomats - can hustle to feel like we belong and to feel worthy. Let's talk about that.
Phil McAuliffe
Aug 7, 202110 min read
My resilience reset
A whole lot of life has happened for us in 2020 and 2021. We need to process it in our way.
Phil McAuliffe
Jul 31, 202110 min read
Diplomats and Olympians
What do diplomats and Olympic athletes have in common? Let’s find out.
Phil McAuliffe
Jul 24, 20214 min read
Change, diplomacy and you
You are the key to the change you want to see in diplomacy.
Phil McAuliffe
Oct 31, 20205 min read
Becoming a happy diplomat
Here’s how to be a happy diplomat.
Phil McAuliffe
Oct 17, 20206 min read
7 tips for first postees
If you're getting ready to go on your first posting, I crowdsourced some wisdom for you.
Phil McAuliffe
Oct 3, 20209 min read
The Lonely Diplomat: Who gets lonelier: diplomat or spouse?
Who gets lonelier: the diplomat or the accompanying spouse? Let’s have a look at both cases.
Phil McAuliffe
Jul 11, 20207 min read
The Lonely Diplomat: a letter to myself about change
Change is scary for me too. I can doubt my own bravery.
Phil McAuliffe
May 30, 20207 min read
The Lonely Diplomat: on breaking up
This diplomatic life is tough on relationships. It's a fact that some don't survive.
Phil McAuliffe
May 9, 202011 min read
The Lonely Diplomat: on bullying, harassment and discrimination in diplomacy
Is bullying, harassment and discrimination rife in diplomacy?
Phil McAuliffe
Apr 18, 202011 min read
On anxiety and being a diplomat
Let's have a kind and honest conversation about mental illness and mental health and well-being in diplomacy that moves beyond platitudes.
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Jan 25, 20209 min read
The Lonely Diplomat: on competition
Our diplomatic lives can be dominated by competition. What can this do to us?
Phil McAuliffe
Nov 30, 20199 min read
'What will people think?' must end
'What will people think?' silences innovation. Here's how to challenge it and work through fear.
Phil McAuliffe
Sep 7, 20198 min read
Find balance to avoid burnout
You must find a balance that works for you if you are to avoid burning out
Phil McAuliffe
Aug 10, 201912 min read
On leaving diplomacy
There's nothing like a career in diplomacy. It's tough to leave. What if it's time to do something else?
Angela Pickett
Jul 6, 20198 min read
Thrive through your mid-life crisis
Resist the sportscar, the affair or dramatic career change. Welcome your mid-life crisis and thrive.
Phil McAuliffe
May 26, 20198 min read
A clarion call to the leaders of diplomacy
I've a clear message for the leaders of diplomacy: your diplomats are struggling.
Phil McAuliffe
May 12, 20197 min read
'Big' vs. 'Little' resilience
How the diplomatic life tests your big and little resilience each day and how you can respond
Phil McAuliffe
Apr 14, 201911 min read
Finding time for fitness
Finding time for your fitness is an act of self-care. The trick is in having the time, right?
Phil McAuliffe
Mar 31, 201910 min read
The stories we tell ourselves
We are all fantastic story creators. The stories we tell ourselves can become our truths. They're often wrong.
Phil McAuliffe
Mar 3, 20199 min read
Say what you mean. Mean what you say.
Stop being diplomatic. Sometimes you actually need to say what you mean and mean what you say.
Phil McAuliffe
Jan 6, 20199 min read
Stop glorifying exhaustion
Might there be more to that exhaustion you're feeling? There's a strong link between exhaustion and burnout with loneliness
Phil McAuliffe
Dec 2, 20189 min read
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