In the Meantime

doingitanyway

Thanks everyone 

jwil said:

Sorry to hear you've been ill, and it's really unreasonable to expect people to commute in the heat if the job can be done at home or somewhere cooler.  A bit of flexibility inspires positivity and loyalty and benefits both the business and the worker.

I think your comment sums it up really....

savingholmes said:

I had a boss like that once. I've already mentioned. I really badly hurt my knee and it swelled up massively. I had a 2.5 hour commute in snow. They insisted I went in anyway. I tried - it made it worse so I went off sick. Sadly I only got incapacity benefit - and spent most of it on physio but that was still better than going in. As I posted earlier - indirectly led to where I work now as I quit and got a more local job... 

It is the attitude that I find hard to comprehend...HairyHandofDartmoor said:

I've missed a lot on your diary in my absence as you have a new job and have found a house to buy 😊 . Well done on both of those and I hope the house purchase goes smoothly. Does it have a garden?

Yes it has a garden! A courtyard type of garden but I'm sure I can make it lovely.

doingitanyway

So, the big news is travelling 3 hours in severe heat was the final straw and I resigned. I now have no job. It isn't ideal, but my health was being impacted and after a few really difficult years I didn't have anything in the tank.

The house isn't in jeopardy as I move to plan B. Once I am in the house I will have a very small guaranteed income. It is a bit more than state pension but with being DF and MF I should be ok. However, I want to be more than ok.

I am going to spend a year being creative, creating a small creative business, working on my mental and physical health and being frugal. 

I will need to build an emergency fund quite quickly!

I am ok and feel more like myself again

I hope everyone is ok

MovingForwards

I'm really pleased you made a decision, one which works for you and you tried it.

A regular PT job such as admin a couple of days a week paying NMW, or even a couple of weeks temping FT here and there, is possibly something to consider after moving, that way it boosts income without impacting on being creative.

Main things are get the house purchase out the way and recover from this job. 

I was overly critical about my spends when having the 'study break' and even with a mortgage to pay, got my outgoings down to less than SP. If I had lots of little monthly payments eg car and home insurance etc, it would have been harder.

Now go and enjoy your weekend!

jwil

Well done on looking after your own health and wellbeing.  There are always options in the future if you need them, and good luck with your new business venture

maggiem

You sound glad to have made this decision. Hope the house completes soon and you can get on with your creative work. 

mark55man

well done  DIA - I was struggling just reading what you were putting yourself through

I do feel public transport is more stressful per minute than driving especially with multiple legs

Chrystal

Glad you're out of it, and hoping that the better phase comes around quickly.  Enjoy some rest and creativity.  XXX

doingitanyway

Thanks @MovingForwards and @jwil for pointing out there are always options in future.

Thanks @maggiem for good wishes on the house completion

Thanks @mark55man. There were too many stresses, travel, new work and systems, office politics, management...it got to the stage where I was under so much stress I worried for my health. I had to pull the plug as no one would do it for me. Money is great, but health is much more important. 

I still have a bad cold and seem to be sleeping a lot!

Staying in today until the weather breaks tomorrow. I will be packing as I have a week housesitting next week.

Wishing you all a relaxing Sunday

Sunshine_girl2

Just caught up with your news. No point in making yourself ill DIA sounds like you made the right decision. 

in_need_of_direction

You have been so brave doing the right thing for you.  I completely applaud this.