+++ Divide By Cucumber Error. Please Reinstall Universe And Reboot +++

redofromstart

Speaking as someone who loves window shopping on R1ghtm0ve and who got to live vicariously through the property choices that Greenbee had available I can confirm that she did indeed buy the least project like option.

Queen_of_the_hive that sounds like an excellent choice. We did a week in a cottage near Staithes some years back and really liked that coastline.

Everybody laughs when I say 'no more projects' after the last two houses but the reality is I don't have the skills, money or the enthusiasm to do it again, it was very much his thing rather than mine. Prior to that relationship I did in fact live in a tidy new build. I struggle here because of the sheer amount of stuff he had, and the bit where I gave up even trying to stay on top of things when I went back to work full time in 2018.

Anyway I was at the 'nothing left to give' stage by Friday and I gave myself most of the weekend off from the house stuff. A lovely time was had with a friend and I feel much better for it. I made gyros and flat breads, and realised that I actually like HM tzatziki which is much nicer than the bought stuff. I also made some cheese scones yesterday to use up the rest of the yoghurt which have all vanished. I made a fresh fruit salad for breakfast which was lovely, and is something I should do more often. Very little food and F&V left in the house though so I need to go and do some food shopping today really. The c0-0p has gone really poor quality and bare shelves so a longer drive seems inevitable.

I am very late with documenting what I want from this year but I have given it quite a lot of thought. I have a diary full of things to look forward to over the next six months, several of them out of my comfort zone, but it should be a year of adventures rather than just dull resignation to the day to day grind like the first half of last year.

Specifically:

I want to get the house fit to be on the market in the next few months. Stretch target is Easter

I want to take cuttings and pot up the plants that are important to me so that they can move with me.

I want to maintain weight wise, but improve tone and general fitness. Cycling will be key to this. Stretch target confident in a specific dress I have ambitiously bought for a wedding later in the year. I fit into it but it is not forgiving of lumps and bumps and it really needs heels.

I want to strengthen the ankle of doom, last time I damaged it badly enough to not be able to walk was October 24. I know what I need to do physio wise, and have seen significant improvements as a result. Stretch target will be wearing shoes with a heel for that wedding.

I want to eat better. I know I regularly say this but in times of stress I revert to UPF, junk and eating mindlessly. I can cook, I enjoy cooking, I just need to find some mojo again. My aim is to eat a proper balanced meal once a day, at least five days a week.

I want to complete the full 12 months alcohol free target that I set myself last year. This will take me to mid March.

Finances are a little bit painful and I need to be more careful or find a job. The challenge is that I am still a bit fragile, the house takes a lot of headspace and my line of work is stressful and all consuming.

Emotional resilience seems to be key. I can do this, I have a lot of support around me now and many positive things to look forward to in between the stress of the house stuff. It isn't 'head down batter on' like last year, this is more 'face to the sun' and look for the small pleasures of everyday life that we sometimes miss.

in_need_of_direction

your face to the sun approach reminds me of a sunflower. So pretty but with a very robust stalk

doingitanyway

Brilliant post. Very forward facing and admirable.

Our local C0op is also a bit rubbish and I'm annoyed with my planning if I end up having to use it.

Watty1

What a great post. Admiring of it.

beanielou

Fantastic post 🤗

Sun_Addict

What a lovely positive post.

WelshmansDaughter

Could you find a job not in your field? Maybe something part time or gentle to top up the coffers?

PennysIntoPounds

Those are fantastic and achievable aims. I'm looking forward to hearing you celebrate smashing them

KajiKita

That’s an impressively self aware and reflective post. You seem to be getting much clearer about what you want and need to live your life well. Bravo 😊👏

I second WelshmansDaughter’s suggestion of getting something low key as a role to bring some money in. You don’t even have to mention it on your CV if you decide to ‘get a proper job’ in six months time after all 😊 Have a look around at local, admin type jobs. Part time should limit the tax impact? And might be a gentle way of building up your work-muscle-resilience before going full on back into what is a tough specialism that you are so very good at.

KK

jwil

Good luck with the aims, they sound great.