This Time is My Time

Well hello there blog.  It's been a while...and so much has changed :)

There's me, banging on about making changes (and being utterly miserable with it) for so long...and now I've only gone and done it.  I LEFT MY JOB.  I RESIGNED!  I can't go into the details, but let's just say I'm OK....

Making the changes was by no means easy, but they were essential.  I have always said that people generally don't change things until the pain of not changing is more significant than the pain (or fear) of not changing.  This is exactly what happened with my work.  I had to leave.

So, what now?  I have been off for nearly 3 months and a lot has happened in that time.  First, I ended up in interviews for jobs a distinct step up, in the same industry.  And, I started one.  However, I quickly realised it wasn't for me.  It felt like settling.  And, I am too long in the tooth now to settle.  I hadn't left my steady, reliable, boring job to walk right into another; however well paid.  Once I realised that the politics were the wrong side of friendly, I knew it wasn't for me.  So, I QUIT.  Just like that.  I walked away from a super-well-paid job.  And, I am planning to quit more often.

Because I am worth it! (gosh, I really hate that slogan ;), but it is true....life is indeed short.  I want to be happy, fulfilled and motivated every single day.  Is that too much to ask?  Hehe - probably...  But, I want to be happy and fulfilled enough that I can ride the bad days out better - without feeling like I'm trapped and the my whole life IS A MESS.

This time is my time!

We went to Maderia shortly after I decided to leave my job - it was amazing to have that time to reflect

It's like a gorgeous reflexologist and healer said to me the other day: "You've looked after others and kept things going for years; now it's time for you."  I breathed a massive sigh of relief and promptly fell asleep while she massaged away my worries.

I'm excited.  I've been trying out different things.  I set up my own business and built a website - coachandconsulting.co.uk - which has been fun.  I got myself some work already - I am hoping to gain a few clients to coach- I'd love to branch out into workshops and stuff.  Ultimately, I want to work for myself full-time, but I will have to do some well-paid part-time stuff at the same time for a while, and there's a job or two like this in the pipeline.  Exciting projects too!

The home page of my website - I have done a couple of marketing jobs already :)

I have even been doing a bit of dog sitting...and paid writing! Here's my article for Ethical Surrey: http://ethicalsurrey.com/the-virtual-vegan/

So change then, yeah......it's not been easy.  In fact, it has been quite traumatic.  But, change is absolutely essential for growth.  And I am definitely growing again ~ and I'm happy.  And I'm fine with the uncertainty.  I was completely exhausted - now I am looking forward to the next day....and the next....and enjoying being in the moment too.

I am awakening once again, I am balancing the yin and the yang, and I am so grateful for the new opportunities.

Do you feel stuck too?  If you want someone neutral to talk to and maybe try out a few techniques, please contact me for a free intro sykpe session: 

 http://coachandconsulting.co.uk/contact

With love and gratitude,

Rebecca

Time is a Valuable Resource!

4th March - Vbites - Brighton

It's my last day of being 40.  I am in Brighton - enjoying a date with myself.  I see a tradition in creation; last year I spent the day on my own in Windsor.

And, on my 21st birthday I did the same:  a day in Leeds - some shopping, some lunch in the Victorian quarter...

Doing this helps me to re-group and re-focus my priorities, which re-affirms my search for balance (is if a sign or a coincidence that the yoga studio above this cafe is called 'About Balance'?!)

In Maya Angelou's book 'Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now', 1993, she writes about the benefits of having a day away - catching a train alone somewhere new and exploring.  It's stuck with me ever since.

I read it in my late teens, so for over 20 years it has been one of the nuggets of advice I have carried with me ~ as I get older I want away days more and more!

Maybe this is just because my attention span is wavering? Or is it that work is unfulfilling and age has no choice but to remind me that time is a valuable resource I want to spend wisely?  In my 40th year I have worked this desire.  What a year!

It kicked of with a fundraising party on March 5th - money to go to my chosen charity for the London Marathon, which I was running the following month  - Able Child Africa.

It was amazing.  So great to celebrate with Ron and the kids, the rest of my family and friends, and my lovely work colleagues.  I felt wanted and loved and supported.

But mostly I felt free and alive!  It was almost as if this was the wedding party I never had....but that life was fake, and now, here I was, awakened and alive - allowing myself to be real and true.  It was liberating.

Some party-people!

Then in April we took a trip to Sri Lanka.  How lucky I felt - how wonderful to experience this great, diverse island - now in peace, but still somehow bore the wounds of atrocity that had been revealed in Channel 4's The Killing Fields and of course the tsunami that devastated the south coast.

There, we travelled simply.  I loved hanging out in the cabana with no mod cons and sleeping outside, meeting lovely gentle people and eating really tasty food.

I was training for the London Marathon along Unawatuna beach, and two days after I RAN IT!

Us in Sri Lanka - super chilled!  And me and Tiff marathon-ready!

And the world continued to present me with wonderful opportunities throughout the year:
I spend a fantastic few days with my best mate in Marrakesh....in a riad, up a mountain, and in the Yves St Laurent gardens - an absolute oasis....the stuff of dreams....with wonderful food and conversation.

Me and Tam - it's nice here innit?! ;)

We spent a few sunny days camping near Swanage with other lovely friends - drinking bubbly overlooking the beach was a highlight!  

 Love a bit of camping and champagne by the sea 

And at the end of the summer we travelled to Estepona (which has the most outstanding street art)...staying in a private villa with a pool (and a menagerie of animals, beautiful garden and the best meditation chair and spot EVER!)  For two weeks we entertained family from England and Gibraltar.

Then our camping friends, whom I introduced, tied the knot in September....and two months later WE BOUGHT A HOUSE!  Which is a whole other (good) story all in itself :)

We had Christmas we the lovely Baileys in Portsmouth and then over to my family in the Cotswolds, New Year was in the best place - BED!  And in January we went to Ibiza - where I got a Taijitu tattoo! And, it was also January 1st when my vegan adventure began.

My girl settled in well at her new school and my boy, turned 18 and knuckled down to his A levels.

The only thing that has been truly rocky is been work - specifically my ability to cope with the monotony - despite the freedom it brings.  And my health actually.....I've gained over a stone since this time last year.

So, what's the conclusion?

40 HAS BEEN GREAT! I am VERY lucky.  I am secure in my home, with my family and in my relationship.  I am not gloating.  I hope it doesn't come across that way.  I am truly grateful. 

In the coming year, I strongly believe I must keep moving towards a more ethical way of living.  I would love one day to earn a living doing something that truly nurtures my soul and contributes to the world.

And, I want to be healthy.  Exercise and diet need to remain more consistent.  I want to live well for as long as possible!!

BUT....I am going to get back on that tip on Monday!  The abundance of vegan eats in Brighton has seduced me into two cafes today - once for a 'cheese' burger and chips - at The Loving Hut http://thelevel.lovinghut.co.uk/ (which was amazing) and then later for a gluten-free carrot and orange cake and tea - which I am eating while writing this!  In Vbites http://www.vbites.com/

Super yummy vegan food!

Anyway, tomorrow is another day.  BRING ON 41!  I am ready now..... can't wait to see what you have to offer!

A sunny September day by the Bailey's beach hut in Portsmouth.  Good times!