Prosperous & Creative Soul Year 4

savingholmes

I went into work today. Had  good catch ups with people I rarely see in person. I took a leaf out of Jwil's book and requested compressed hours. My boss agreed it. So in about a month's time I should have Mondays to myself - so a 3 day weekend. I'll also get some of the bank holiday benefits to use on other days. I hope to use some of the freed up 'mental processing' time to recover from my work days and do some work on my new business without burning out. It may also make it easier to go away for odd days / long weekends or if relatives need care/help etc. 

I feel almost euphoric at the idea of reclaiming a day a week - even though I'll have to work longer days. Given I'll be working mostly from home - the impact should be minimal - for what feels like a big reward. Will see how it goes. I considered whether to reduce my hours but until my business can pay me the difference (including pension and holiday equivalent) - the answer is no. Something to aspire to.

I have a busy week. Work, counselling, seeing a specialist, my art group, going to the hairdressers and seeing DD Saturday and then a friend Sunday. I have a half day off Thursday but still it feels a lot to fit in. Any time in between I need to try and resolve the chaos I created in my move round of stuff at the weekend.

I've also been painting a brown office chair white. I felt it over-dominated the room before. It's had three coats and looks hugely better. It needs one more coat... I talked to a friend about my YT ideas - and she gave me some seemingly easy ways to get started - so will try those. I want to ensure I set up my business in this tax year so if there are any future losses / profits they can be transferred between years etc.

lucielle

That’s brilliant news on the compressed hours. 

L

beanielou

Heard lots of good things about compressed hours. 

KajiKita

Well done on the compressed hours 😊👏 Everyone I know who has gone on them has found they some adapting to (though probably less for you as you are primarily based at home) and then really appreciate it 😊

Well done as well on the YT inspiration conversation 😊👏 I hope that helps you get into it.

I had no idea that you could paint leather furniture. I have learned something! 😊

KK

LadyWithAPlan

Great news on having Mondays and a whole extra day for your business focus 

savingholmes

Thanks LWAP, KK, Lucielle and Beanie.

KK - you can use chalk paints on leather / pleather. But you may not like the 'feel' after so make sure you spot test somewhere hidden or on a sample to check that before you begin. This office chair was from the Swedish shop so probably pleather.

I think the longer days in a row will take some getting used to. There are already days when I work this length of time though (as well as shorter days).  I am glad I have the light summer to get used to it before the darker winter which I imagine may be more difficult. I often take Mondays off after busy weekends e.g. if I've seen relatives so this will give me more time back for 'proper holidays' as opposed to 'recovery' days.

My internet connection here is really poor which is making video editing slower. Auto captioning seems to work well. I have a first video I mostly like. I could potentially add some 'transitions' into it - so it's not just me talking - but my friend suggested I just launch and do that for future videos instead... I still need to give it a 'thumbnail' image people click on. I want to make sure I have a batch of at least 4 videos ready to go - so have my first month covered before I launch. My first video is 19 minutes long. So could be good for a mini podcast episode too. For YT I may see if I can split that into two or not - as that is a long time in YT world... especially if people don't already know you.

Right I'd best get on. Stock market is unhappy currently in the funds I've chosen which will sadly negatively affect my net worth calc for this month. However overall my AVC fund has grown over £3K due to investment growth since Nov 23 - despite that initially having an input amount of just £450 a month and more recently £1K. Have to stick with it and ride the wave.

Best get on and logon to work.

TallGirl

So much to learn with video editing and social platform sounds like good advice just to launch and see but have some ready so you can be consistent. Can you show some bits speeded up they seem to do that in DIY ones to make them smaller. 

Compressed hours are used a lot at my place of work. Some do one a week some 1 every 2 weeks. It does take time to get used to but can work really well. If you are having to take time off to recover after weekends it makes total sense and you get proper longer time off to actually relax not just recover. 

jwil

Brilliant news about the compressed hours.  I love it.  It does make a long day but the extra day off is so worth it.  I'd recommend trying to take a decent lunch break rather than working through to try and reduce the length of the day.  Having a proper break makes me much less tired.  It can be hard though when people seem to love booking meetings during lunch hours!

savingholmes

Thanks TG and Jwil - some good tips there thank you. 

My specialist appointment went well - nothing sinister - but something I might opt to get done. 

I enjoyed my art group this evening and found out about another one on a Monday where we'd take turns drawing each other (clothed). So going to give that a go. Hoping it will help me make friends and hone my skills. That one is free - so I'd just have fuel and parking to pay. It's a bit of trek - but it feels easier as I should know at least one other person. That should work well as it is the day I am due to have off - from a few weeks' time.

I'm happy as it gives structure to my week. I'm gradually moving away from work being my main social structure and support - partly because my MH has improved and partly because I'm not sure who will still be there in a few months to a year's time. I'm trying to make sure I've already started weaning myself away... Similarly when I eventually leave - I will have other events and people in my life outside of work which is essential to my happiness anyway. Plus art is my all consuming passion... At some point I hope to unchain myself from working for others... but trying to be sensible and wait until I have a sufficient safety net in place - of both money and a social network. MSE (you guys) still plays a role in that plan too.

I'm not enjoying the stock market dips - but sent £100 to my S&S isa anyway today. But I spent more than that on a CC so very much swings and roundabouts. I have a Mr A delivery tomorrow. I'll do an end of month round up once I've updated my spending diary.

jwil

Glad the appointment went well.