Do you have pictures of your kids/family at work?
The other day I was looking at my desk and noticed I don’t really have anything personal on it. No pictures, chatchkes (not sure of the spelling on that one), or anything that really says anything about me.
I know that I don’t really have any great family pictures to display, but I do have pictures I could frame and bring into work. And even though my department keeps moving locations and my personal space keeps shrinking with every move, pictures aren’t big enough to really make a difference.
I think that deep down part of why I don’t display family pictures is because I feel that pictures of loved ones are personal; too personal to share with my co-workers.
I think that all this would be different if I worked in a frum environment. I don’t think I would need to set such strict boundaries for myself. It’s hard being the only frum person at work.
So, what do you think? Do you display pictures of your kids/family at work? Why or why not?
Until next time,
Shaindy
I felt the same way when I worked in a non-Jewish office in the States before I made aliyah. I don’t think I put up anything personal — it just felt like too much to share with co-workers, when I didn’t want to create anything beyond professional relationships in the office.
I have a few pics of my family on my desk at work. Funny enough, the best family pic that I have (that includes me too!) was at my daughter’s siddur party so her davening teacher and rabbi-principal are in our “family” picture – but it’s the best picture of all of us together!!