A Small Slice of Life

In recent months,  there was quite a bit of de-cluttering, filing and most importantly preparing myself to leave behind systems and processes so that someone else can take over and take the work forward. My tenure, my time after 7 and half years of service has come to an end.  As the company is being wound up and as services we offered are taken in some form into the local authority, I decided it was an opportune time to take a leap of faith and see what lies ahead. It was not an easy decision to make, for I knew I was starting over in uncertain economic times. Being older,  being a generalist and not a specialist in any field and being foreign despite having lived in Wales for about 11 years, and having been employed and inherited a role that did not stand me in good stead for career advancement, I  already have quite a few obstacles stacked  up against me.  Then if everything else goes horribly wrong, there is the risk of being unemployed, homeless and quite alone.  

However, as I pondered about my decision,  the one thought that kept coming back to me was ‘What does being employed means to me?’ . In essence, what  and how is the significance of what I do for a living fit into my life.  You would have thought, such a question should have been something I had thought long and hard about all those many years ago.  Unfortunately, this question never crossed my mind.  I left college with a Diploma, worked and was very fortunate to have always had a passion and love for what I did. Everything else was just a progression and consequences of decisions I made along the way.

As life would have had it, in all that time I inevitably succumbed to and subscribed to the notion that a
successful career and all the aspirations that came with that was something to strive for.  It became a default by which I measured my personal achievements. It became a default by which I felt I could be recognised, acknowledged and validated.  Then something happened to me in the last few years that slowly began to change my perspectives. Something caused me to shift my attitude and thinking.  

I am not quite sure I can attribute this change to a particular person, situation or anything specific. Although I can say that by making a conscious effort to engage in activities that make me feel mentally and physically better, has helped me achieve a sense of clarity in decisions I needed to make. It has also helped me cultivate better relationships and friendships with people and I am kinder too, to myself. Cliché as it may sound, but by being a little bit more upbeat about things, means I am able to engage with others who feel the same way and in the process I am perhaps, more opened to new ways of thinking about things. I am able to ditch old worn out attitudes and embrace new possibilities that I wouldn’t have even thought of.

So when I decided to risk unemployment about a month or so ago, I was concerned but I at the same time, I felt a sense of liberation and excitement. For me it also meant, I could explore opportunities that will resonate with me as an individual. Something that would appeal to me without all the bells and whistles.  I was pleasantly surprised that how making that small change in attitude, means I can look beyond the usual 9 to 5 job. I can look beyond full-time employment and beyond the usual sectors.  

After a much thought, soul searching  and some luck, I believe, I have finally found and being given the opportunity to achieve that balance of working and re-training in a sector that I will enjoy. This new part-time role also allows me the flexibility to explore additional possibilities. Now,  I am just awaiting contract and looking forward to a new life that will start in a week’s time. 

Perhaps this is a small step towards a long term vision of living in a cottage or a little house with some garden and a dog, near a countryside. Living and working more outdoors. 

As a trail runner wannabe , you have to say… THAT long term vision if it happens will be a dream come true!