Phil McAuliffe
Your life audit
Are you feeding connection and starving loneliness? Let's check.
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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.
Phil McAuliffe
Mar 4, 20236 min read
On managing overwhelm
Let's explore why you and I feel so frequently overwhelmed. Our lives may depend on it.
Phil McAuliffe
Dec 3, 20228 min read
Connection and the modern diplomat
Connection is a big deal
You need connection to survive
Why aren’t you prioritising it?
Phil McAuliffe
Nov 5, 20228 min read
Why hit rock bottom?
Hitting rock bottom is messy. Why do you wait to hit it to make change?
Phil McAuliffe
Aug 14, 20216 min read
Checking our privilege
Words can mean different things in different contexts. Privilege is one of those words.
Phil McAuliffe
Aug 7, 202110 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
Nov 14, 20204 min read
Being awed
Hey, office-dweller, how often are you left awestruck by nature?
Phil McAuliffe
Oct 17, 20206 min read
Becoming a happy diplomat
Here’s how to be a happy diplomat.
Phil McAuliffe
Oct 3, 20209 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
Sep 17, 20206 min read
Why you're not getting the connection you need
What frequently passes for connection in this diplomatic life is weird and is not enough to feel connected.
Phil McAuliffe
Aug 22, 20205 min read
The Lonely Diplomat: on our soulgasms
Who, or what, in your life sparks joy? Who, or what, in your life gives you a soulgasm?
Phil McAuliffe
Aug 1, 20207 min read
The Lonely Diplomat: on our soulaches
I have an important question to ask you. Please, only read this if you’re prepared to be honest with your self.
Phil McAuliffe
Jul 11, 20207 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
Jun 20, 202011 min read
The Lonely Diplomat: lessons from my social media detox
It was time to take my own advice and use social media for good. Is it time for you to do the same?
Phil McAuliffe
May 30, 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 9, 202011 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
Apr 18, 202011 min read
The Lonely Diplomat: on bullying, harassment and discrimination in diplomacy
Is bullying, harassment and discrimination rife in diplomacy?
Phil McAuliffe
Mar 28, 202010 min read
The Lonely Diplomat: supporting you through COVID-19
Advice to help those living their diplomatic life through these crazy times.
Phil McAuliffe
Nov 2, 201911 min read
On being gay and living a diplomatic life
Let's explore what can it mean to be a same-sex couple who is living their diplomatic life.
Phil McAuliffe
Oct 5, 20198 min read
Loneliness and the absence of real connection
Loneliness often gets confused with being alone, but they're very different. Read Vaughan Carder's reflections on loneliness he shar
Phil McAuliffe
Sep 7, 20198 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
Aug 10, 201912 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
Jul 20, 20196 min read
Your life under a microscope
What you know is valuable. People want to know what you know. What you say, do and think is interesting. This is not a normal way to live.
Phil McAuliffe
Jun 23, 20199 min read
Friendship and diplomacy
Making friends and maintaining friendships can be tough when living the diplomatic life.
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