Twinklies mortgage journey 2.0

twinklie

Well the workforce is increasing massively with the aim to be fully staffed by Christmas. My grades not increasing by much but the next grade down and the one above is massively increasing. Theoretically I could go for a promotion. But I feel like I'm nervous about that given I don't know what the 'new world' is going to look like.

I'm also concerned that DS1 is going to be going his options next year, then it's on to GCSE's. DS2 is in year 6 next year and then transitions to high school. So I've a lot on with them. Neither are remotely able to do school stuff on their own, so I need to ensure I'm available to support when necessary. Plus, our parents aren't getting any younger.

Promotion would me I'm less frontline, but also less flexible in structuring my working week (if that makes sense). So I don't know if I'm interested. Plus it would be managing people, as opposed to just sorting myself out. I think I'm inclined to stay put - I hope that's not fear talking though. I think what I might ask to do is some management/leadership courses in the meantime. So if the opportunity arises again and the kids don't need me as much I can think about it then and have put myself in the best spot to do it. I just don't think that's now, if that makes sense?

beanielou

That makes perfect sense.

twinklie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81912115#Comment_81912115

Thanks beanielou. I really feel like I needed someone to tell me I'm being logical rather than fearful. So that makes me feel much better.

Had a great workout this morning with the kids at our exercise class. It's a really fun way to start the weekend. I'm exhausted now though - I really went for it. DS1 was complaining he felt his chest was tight and that he was struggling to breathe. Both DH and I have asthma (although I have an additional lung disease as well), so I guess I'm going to have to take him to the Dr's to explore it as he's mentioned this a few times now. Especially on days where it's cold. I was about his age when it kicked in for me. Sooo… I also need to get him an appointment to discuss ADHD, it's something he really wants to explore.

I've been feeling very burnt out this last couple of weeks, life just feels a lot and I've been exhausted. So I've decided to strip it back. What do I HAVE to do? What can I drop? What do I want to do? I'm still working it all out in my head, but 'I need to get my own oxygen mask on or I'm going to die before I can help anyone else'. So self preservation mode has been activated.

Any top tips for self preservation greatly received.

debtfreewannabe321

Aw twinklie I feel your stress with exhaustion, kids, life and just holding on till April. I'm heading for burn out at the moment too, I can feel it coming on, am shattered all the time. I'm at the same stage of needing to stop and think what helps me when I feel like this....lots of downtime for me, alone, and trying to get out into the garden to ground myself (which I did do today for the first time this year). It's so hard when all your energy is spent on working and kids stuff though.

For what it's worth I wouldn't have gone for promotion in your shoes either.

twinklie

Thank you @debtfreewannabe321, it helps. Everyone keeps saying I should go for it etc, but I just don’t have it in me. I know I could do it, but I think I needed to hear people say I was being logical in my decision making.

Decided to cheer myself up by looking at some stuff for when we go on holiday. 34 days and counting. Honestly, I cannot wait. I hope the weather is okay - we are going to Yorkshire again (same place as last year). So everything is mostly outdoors. I found the pool there too cold last time though so I’m bringing a wetsuit this time. 😂

Humdinger1

@twinklie when I have too much on, I make myself laugh by asking 'well, what shall I neglect today'. Give yourself permission. You really do juggle all the plates, no?! Love Humdinger xx

TallGirl

It is a hard one if you go for promotion or not. Here are some of my thoughts as I found myself in the same situation and I did not go for it at the time. Originally they thought the senior position would end up being filled by internal candidates but they did not. If they had I would not have minded as they were all good people. As it happened it ended up with someone coming in externally and although nice knew very little and had to be trained. Luckily I did not have to train them but you could end up doing just this only for them to be paid more than you or even manage you at some stage. Just my thoughts on that one. One a different note You could go for it but reduce your hours further as you would still be paid the same if that is a possibility? I would take managing people over direct customer or client interaction. Far easier in my book supporting someone else to do it and you just do it from a distance.

Take care

twinklie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81918612#Comment_81918612

It's a fair point @TallGirl. Some of ours will be filled internally and some will be external. We have an 'academy' to train up TMs. Their role is significantly different enough from mine I wouldn't be involved in training them. However, they would be responsible for signing my stuff off and I find new managers are either really hard to convince to do stuff, or you can talk them into your way of thinking. They have have ft posts and 2 pt posts which would end up in my taking a pay cut for the first couple of years - so not worth it.

I think I'm fully talked out of going for it. If I regret it later I regret it, but home life has been giving me ALL the signs I needed this week that it's not a good idea if I'm honest.

Still had a semi productive morning:

• Big dog walk.
• Ordered repeat prescription.
• Booked 2 Drs appts for DS1 - 1 to look at if he has asthma. 1 to look at a referral for ADHD.
• Sent a 'lengthy' email to school re: DS1 SEND stuff.
• Ironing and laundry now.
• Put new gardening bin stickers on bins.

Later I'm going to clean out the pantry swivel cupboard as it looks like we have a visitor - lots of things have been, nibbled. Fun times.

Excitingly I got a cordless hoover - why I didn't do this sooner I'm not sure. It's soooo much easier than dragging the massive Henry round and I got the stairs done in no time.

Next potential purchase on the agenda - walking pad. Not just for me when I'm at work to fit a bit of extra walking in. But to help the boys get more exercise in. Walk whilst watching your tablet and it would even work in bad weather! Still deciding whether to do it though and which one to go for if we do.

twinklie

Okay, so it's been a productive Easter so far.

Completed tasks:

1. DLA form is finally complete and ready to send - it's all in the envelope, just waiting for the Post Office to open on Tuesday. **The relief it's ready to go, gives way to the horror of the wait.
2. CEA renewal sorted for DS2.

Next on my hit list:

1. Make sure we have all clothes needed for holiday.
2. Make sure DS1 has all clothes needed for France trip with school.
3. Buy Euro's for France trip.
4. Catch up with clothes washing.
5. Clean the house.
6. General sorting and sifting.

I've now started my new job, but not really. I have but we are in the change over period, so it's not yet happened. We are just trying to swap things round and move on the cases so that they are sat with the right people. That has been a mammoth task in and of itself. I'm in 2 days this week and am then off until 20th April. I cannot wait for the break. I'm feeling very burnt out. Give it a month or two and hopefully I'll have a better understanding of where I actually am with it all and my new caseload.

I've been to loads of meetings for the kids recently at both schools. Also DS1 has been to the doctors to look into whether he has asthma or not. We have another appointment for that on Friday morning. He's also been referred for an ADHD assessment. So we shall see what comes of that.

DH has got Disney+ added on to his bank account (he's not changed account its just a new benefit. So that's been nice, we get to watch stuff we've not been able to watch for a while. Yay us.

I really need to OP the mortgage as well. I've dropped off that one because life got too busy.

twinklie

Okay just did an OP for £200. It leaves me 100 behind where I wanted to be in OP's for the year so far, but I'm okay with that for now. I'll make it up later down the line I suspect. And it means we are on track to be below the figure I wanted to be for my birthday (which isn't for a couple of months).