#ResearcherRenew is done! Thanks to all who joined in with the activities for 2026. I hope you found them useful and enjoyable. If you didn't get time to try them all or have only just found out about this, don't panic, all are listed in the thread below. Go well into the rest of the year.

And that's the end of #ResearcherRenew for 2026! Thanks to all who joined in. I hope you found it practical and comforting.

Next year my goal is to have an activity for every day of the month to then create a small activity book for 2028 when #ResearcherRenew celebrates a decade of care.

Your year of treats - The Research Companion Treat yourself throughout the year - because you're worth it!

The end of January brings the last activity of #ResearcherRenew and it's time to think about ways to enjoy the rest of the year.

Thanks for joining me for the 8th #ResearcherRenew. I hope you found it helpful. Remember you can use any of the tasks any time.

theresearchcompanion.com/treats

Thank you notes - The Research Companion Kindness costs nothing. Start with yourself and spread thanks from there.

'Thank you'.
Two small words that can make big difference. We feel good when our efforts are appreciated and acknowledged. But when we're busy, focused, stressed, or sad reciprocating is hard. Today's #ResearcherRenew celebrates the small act of giving thanks

theresearchcompanion.com/thankyounotes

#researcherrenew | Petra Boynton If you've been to some of my talks or workshops or read 'Being Well in Academia' you'll recognise I make use of quotations based around the idea of 'hope'. Like the one from Raymond Williams you can s...

Today's #ResearcherRenew is an idea I'm still developing.

Rather than it being a task to try, it's an invitation to reflect on 'hope'.

Do you find quotes about hope inspiring or do they irritate you? Is encouraging us to have hope enough? All thoughts welcome.

www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

Make yourself comfortable - The Research Companion None of us can focus or relax if we're feeling uncomfortable. This task encourages you to find ways to embrace the cosy!

You can't focus if you don't feel comfortable or centred. Today's #ResearcherRenew invites you to get cosy as you care for yourself.

theresearchcompanion.com/get-cosy

Rest time! - The Research Companion We all need a break. You'll be a better researcher if you make time to rest.

Did you start the year with good intentions to prioritise rest and go slow? Have you stuck to that plan? Whether you have or you haven't, today's #ResearcherRenew is here to help you put your own recuperation and recovery first theresearchcompanion.com/rest-time

Build your support network - The Research Companion Start building your squad!

In tricky times it's easy to feel alone. Powerlessness blocks connections. Community is the thing that keeps us strong and lets us heal. Today's #ResearcherRenew helps you find and build your support network to tackle loneliness and increase shared care.

theresearchcompanion.com/build-your-s...

Sort your training needs - The Research Companion Build your confidence this year by increasing your skills. Start by working out what training will help you succeed.

Worried about future employment? Actively job seeking? Seeking promotion? You'll benefit from training. Whether that's to demonstrate skills you have, acquire new ones, or gain certification. Today's #ResearcherRenew focuses on this essential act of self care.

theresearchcompanion.com/trainingneeds

btw you don't have to be doing a research job, a student, or working in a uni to do today's #ResearcherRenew task ⬆️

'Circles of Control' is a technique all of us might find helpful. The post above has free resources, guides and a video explaining how it works.

Feeling frazzled? Give it a go.

Circles of control - The Research Companion The world may feel scary right now and you may feel powerless. Today's activity helps you identify what you can control and let go of.

Feeling stressed or anxious? Unsure how to navigate these challenging and ever-changing times?

'Circles of Control' is a technique that might help, explored
in today's #ResearcherRenew

It's a technique to help you calm, or support others in distress.

theresearchcompanion.com/circles-of-c...

We're half way through January and #ResearcherRenew

If you're still wanting some gentle encouragement to begin your year, or some comfort if things are difficult, all the activities so far are linked here ⬇️

Show yourself some care and pick what you'd like to try now or at some point in the future

Clean your data - The Research Companion Data cleaning is a hugely underrated skill. Learn how to clean up data and your future self will thank you.

Data cleaning is not something you'd associate with wellbeing. 'Boring' probably springs to mind. Or 'what's data cleaning?'

Yet this little guide on data cleaning for #ResearcherRenew remains one of the most appreciated activities of the month.

theresearchcompanion.com/cleandata

Letting go - The Research Companion We hang onto things for all kinds of reasons and sometimes it's healthy and sometimes it isn't. Here's how to let go in positive ways.

End of the week and a perfect time for today's #ResearcherRenew which is all about endings, letting go, and moving forward.

theresearchcompanion.com/lettinggo

Back Up! - The Research Companion Did you hear about the woman who didn't bother with backups and lost an entire book? Today you can learn how not to make the mistakes I did.

Have you ever lost an entire dataset, a draft paper, precious photos, or an email you'd spent ages delicately crafting? Today's #ResearcherRenew is all about backing up your work and records so you don't lose what's important to you.

theresearchcompanion.com/back-up

Self-care often doesn't include health care. But it should. This #ResearcherRenew task is all about prioritising your physical health, treatment and support.

bsky.app/profile/petr...

Prioritise your health - The Research Companion A gentle invitation to check your physical and mental health and prioritise essential appointments, investigations and treatments this year.

Today's #ResearcherRenew task is to consider your physical health and any care needs you have and encourages you to look after yourself as well as you would a good friend.

theresearchcompanion.com/wellbeing-in...

Plan your time - The Research Companion Where do you start when there's too much to do? Today's task invites you to think of ways to plan your time and start scheduling!

Everyone else's needs are met, but yours are an afterthought.

Executive function struggles or exhaustion are overwhelming.

New year, but same old feelings of stress and anxiety.

Sounds familiar? #ResearcherRenew is here to help with priorities and planning

theresearchcompanion.com/timeplanning

Sort your workspace - The Research Companion Feeling overwhelmed by household chores? This task encourages you to tackle the chaos and the clutter while caring for yourself.

Is your workspace getting you down? Are you distracted by clutter? Do you need a refresh? Or do you hate advice to tidy up? Whatever your situation today's #ResearcherRenew is here to help.

#AcademicSky #AcademicChatter #PhDChat

theresearchcompanion.com/tidyup

A photo of a coffee pot, mug and books. Below it reads 'Researcher Renew - January 2026' and on the right is a calendar showing the daily activities for Researcher Renew in January this year: 2 - Researcher Renew begins 4 - What went well last year? 6 - Centre Yourself 8 - Sort your workspace 10 - Plan your time 12 - Prioritise your health 14 - Back up! 16 - Letting go 18 - Clean your data 20 - Circles of Control 22 - Sort your working space 24 - Build your support network 26 - Rest time! 28 - Make yourself comfortable 29 - Cultivate hope 30 - Thank you notes 31 - Your year of treats

#ResearcherRenew runs throughout January.

Join in with others in a friendly and supportive way to try uplifting, inspiring and practical tasks to ease you into the year.

No charge.

Schedule in the image below and updates in the thread ⬇️

#AcademicSky #PhDChat #AcademicChatter #PhDSky #HigherEd

Centre Yourself - The Research Companion You may have heard the phrase 'fit your own lifejacket before you fit someone else's'. Today's #ResearcherRenew task is about putting your needs first.

Centre Yourself. That's your third #ResearcherRenew activity, one to enjoy when you like this month that you don't need to share publicly. Just keep it as something lovely for yourself.

theresearchcompanion.com/centreyou

What went well last year? - The Research Companion Praise begins with you. But that might feel challenging. Here's how to take stock of all you've achieved and celebrate how amazing you are.

Your second #ResearcherRenew task is a gentle and hopefully uplifting one.

Think back over the last year and acknowledge something you enjoyed or that went well.

Your initial reaction may be 'nothing', so challenge yourself to identify one small thing.

theresearchcompanion.com/what-went-we...

Thanks @petraboynton.bsky.social !!

Mine for today is this piece of pure beauty:

#ResearcherRenew

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmes...

Researcher Renew - The Research Companion #ResearcherRenew What's that all about then? Here's an introduction to the coming month - and your first, lovely, task.

Welcome to #ResearcherRenew 2026!

Today's task is very easy. Pick a piece of music or a song that brings you comfort, lifts your spirits, energises or inspires you, or simply makes you smile.

Add it to this thread if you feel like sharing.

Happy New Year

theresearchcompanion.com/researcher-r...

A photo of a coffee pot, mug and candles beside a tub of grey wool and half finished knitting. Above it reads 'Researcher Renew - January 2026' and on the right is a calendar showing the daily activities for Researcher Renew in January this year: 2 - Researcher Renew begins 4 - What went well this year? 6 - Centre Yourself 8 - Sort your workspace 10 - Plan your time 12 - Prioritise your health 14 - Back up! 16 - Letting go 18 - Clean your data 20 - Circles of Control 22 - Sort your working space 24 - Build your support network 26 - Rest time! 28 - Make yourself comfortable 29 - Cultivate hope 30 - Thank you notes 31 - Your year of treats

#ResearcherRenew starts again on 02.01.26.

You're invited to a friendly, supportive and practical start to the year. No charge.

#AcademicSky #PhDChat #AcademicChatter #PhDSky #HigherEd

Find out how it works here:
theresearchcompanion.com/researcherre...

Full schedule in the pic below.

#ResearcherRenew is done for another year. If you want to catch up on the free, gentle, useful and unifying activities they're all listed below. It may not seem like it, but in challenging and difficult times the most basic things might turn out to be more important than you know. #AcademicSky

Your year of treats - The Research Companion Treat yourself throughout the year - because you're worth it!

#ResearcherRenew Task Sixteen - Your year of treats

#AcademicSky #PhDSky #PhDHelp #gradschool #AcademicChatter #HigherEd #MedEd #PhDChat

theresearchcompanion.com/treats

Your year of treats - The Research Companion Treat yourself throughout the year - because you're worth it!

It's the last day of January and so we reach the end of #ResearcherRenew. Thanks for joining in and I hope it gave you some practical support and lots of comfort. Let's end by planning your year of treats.

#AcademicSky #PhDSky #AcademicChatter #gradschool #PhDChat

theresearchcompanion.com/treats

Thank you notes - The Research Companion Kindness costs nothing. Start with yourself and spread thanks from there.

#ResearcherRenew Task Fifteen - Share your appreciation

#AcademicSky #PhDSky #PhDHelp #gradschool #AcademicChatter #HIgherEd #MedEd #PhDChat

theresearchcompanion.com/thankyounotes

Thank you notes - The Research Companion Kindness costs nothing. Start with yourself and spread thanks from there.

When you're busy, tired, frazzled, or fed up it's easy to forget to credit others who've helped or otherwise made a difference to your life. Today's #ResearcherRenew is an invitation to thank them and acknowledge your own efforts too.

#AcademicSky #PhDSky

theresearchcompanion.com/thankyounotes