Three weeks ago, I returned to work, after taking twelve months leave due to Covid. My plan was to work one or perhaps two days a week, so that I could ease myself into retirement. You know what they say about plans. You always need a plan B! As it turns out, since I’ve been back, I’ve worked about 25 hours each week. I’m not unhappy about these hours, as I love my job, but I do feel ready to cut down to minimal hours. I have now worked out a Plan B with my manager that pleases me. I’m going to continue working these longer hours until the end of June. But from July 1, I will only be working one day each week. That’s the new Plan A, and there is no Plan B.
When I went back to work, I wasn’t expecting to be working these longer hours, so I wasn’t as organised as I’d like to be when heading off to work each day. Disorganisation causes me to feel stressed and slightly overwhelmed. I’m happy to say that for the first time since being back, I have two days off in a row this week, so that will allow me to get myself better organised.
Another reason for feelings of overwhelm is the April AtoZ Blogging Challenge. For those who don’t know, this challenge involves publishing a post every day in April, except for Sundays. This year, I am doing the challenge on my family history blog, Tracking Down The Family. I was very organised by April 1, with all 26 posts written, edited and ready for publication, so you would think that April would be cruisy. There is no such thing as cruisey with this challenge. One of the things I love most about it is the opportunity to visit other blogs, many on topics that are quite obscure. As well as bloggers that are new to me, I’ve been visiting genealogy bloggers. Some of these blogs, I’ve been following for many years, and others are new to me. This is always a highlight with the A to Z Challenge but it does become time consuming, even though I do love creating and rekindling connections with bloggers.
Due to all of the above, and that overwhelming feeling of time pressure, I didn’t publish a post last week. I just didn’t feel that I had the extra energy needed to think clearly about writing an interesting post, with everything else that was going on. Each week, I usually link up with Denyse’s Life This Week and Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share. These linkups are the highlights of my blogging week, so I missed making the connections that are necessary when participating in a bloggers link up. Don’t get me wrong. I love the link ups and I love reading and commenting on other blogs, but last week just didn’t work for me. I was dreadfully disappointed not to have taken part, and I missed the connections, so I’m very happy to be back this week.
When I was on Covid leave, I took on a lot of extra things. Some of those extras were important because they are important, others were important because they’re fun. I’ve done a bit of soul searching and have dropped a few of the extras, to take pressure off for now. It’s possible that I will pick them up in the second half of the year, so it’s not forever. Importantly, I’ve kept room for the fun extras that I very much enjoyed last year.
Even though I’ve been really busy, or perhaps because of it, I did make sure that I took time to get out into the fresh air. During the week, I went walking near the Pink Cliffs, which are about an hour from home, but quite close to where I work. It felt great to get out into the fresh air, to clear my mind and feel the joy again.
I love the above quote, and think of it often when I’m walking. Bushwalking means joy to me. It doesn’t matter what I’m feeling, if I take time to get outdoors and exercise, I always feel joyful. I came across this quote, many years ago, shortly after my son died, and it became my mantra. I had many days at the time that I feel dreadfully sad. Exercise was my saviour as was this quote. I still do have those days when I call on the quote to help me through. It doesn’t help me forget but it does help me to get through the darkness until the light begins to seep in again.
Another time that this inspirational quote came to mind, was while walking the Camino de Santiago. I walked alone, so some days were a little tedious. Most days I walked about 30 kilometers, and sometimes more, but there were the days that I only wanted to do a short stroll. I needed to keep walking long distances as I had a limited time frame to walk distance. In my mind also, was the fact that my father was seriously ill at home and quite close to death. I needed to get that walk done so that I could get home. There were a few days that I felt under pressure and didn’t enjoy the walking as much as other days. On those days I thought of the ‘Joy’ quote and was able to keep going. Usually after a day of feeling this way, I would wake the next day, with the joy back in my heart and feel that nothing could stop me. That feeling would usually stay with me for days and days.
Most times, what works for me, is to try to ensure that any decision I make feels joyful. I know that doesn’t work for everyone, and I understand that it probably sounds frivolous to some. However, I am fortunate enough to be one of those people for whom positive thinking really does work, and I feel thankful for that.
This post is linked up to Denyse’s Life This Week
and Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share
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Oh that’s really hard that you’ve been put in a position where you’ve had to work so many hours. It’s no surprise you’ve had less time (and headspace) for blogging. I’m glad you’re saying there’s no plan B after June and you will only do the one day.
I’ve read a few things now about ‘life after Covid’ and the fact it’s given us time to reassess our lives and do things we’ve not done before, and NOT do things we usually do. I like to think we’ll learn from both as things get back to some semblance of normality.
I’ve read about life changes people are making pist covid too Deb. It’s a positive to come out of the pandemic. I chose to help out until the end of June so it was my choice. Once I get organised all will be good.
Hi Jennifer, I’m glad to hear you worked out a new plan A. I totally get how bushwalking brings you joy as walking and cycling bring me joy, too. Have a wonderful week! #lifethisweek
Yes I know you would understand Natalie. Hope to see you at #weekendcoffeeshare this week
Great to see you at #WeekendCoffeeShare, Jennifer. I hope now that the AtoZ Challenge is finished, you have time to relax. Have a wonderful week!
Thanks for popping in Natalie
Positive thinking is the key to everything I think. Love your bush images too!
Thanks for popping in Jody
Hi Jennifer – well life is certainly full on for you atm and you seem to be coping with it all quite well. I feel tired just thinking about it all! I haven’t done an AtoZ challenge for the last few years because it was so time consuming (especially as Easter and family always get caught up in the mix). I hope your Plan B works well for your job and things settle into a nice new routine for you x
You’re right Leanne that AtoZ is a challenge. It seems that no matter how organised I am, i always end up being time challenged. This may be be my last year
Lovely post Jen and I’m so glad to hear you’ve decided on a Plan A for your future working hours. I totally understand the feelings of overwhelm and blogging can be fun but it can also take over a bit. Well done on the A-Z challenge, you’re almost there. I agree that quote if fabulous 🙂 #lifethisweek
Thanks for your support Deb as always. Motoring in strong to the end of A to Z
This was a timely post for me. I haven’t linked up on Monday for the last few weeks – not because I haven’t blogged, but because I like to visit (if not all) most of the linked blogs and knew I didn’t have the time. I’m feeling stuopidl overwhelmed at the moment and there’s a flutter of something in my tummy constantly telling me I either have missed something or haven’t done sonething in the day job – and I’m really struggling with that. I’m wondering whether it’s because I haven’t seen my colleagues in about 15 months or something else. There’s certainly no joy there though.
Perhaps time with your colleagues to debrief a bit could be what you need Jo. The past year has been so difficult. I get stressed too when I don’t have time to read and visit but some weeks are just too challenging time wise
Oh dear I was concerned when I read your post title Jennifer and then in seeing the post unfold I know now that you are putting things right. I am glad for you.
I have, at times, put myself into voluntary positions in recent years that end up with me doing all the hard work and then thinking “why?”. I have made some great choices to leave one group – amicably and be delighted now that the gig helping Yr 12 students on line did not work out because of the incompetency of the organisation.
More time for me, to explore outdoors again, actually sit to have a coffee in a cafe, do some art and just enjoy time out…and to blog, of course.
Thank you for sharing your post for Life This Week. I am always appreciative of the blogging community and you are one of those people in my blogging life. Next week, the optional prompt is Taking Stock. The new set of prompts is on my home page should you want to follow. Looking forward to see you again next week hopefully too. Denyse
It’s so easy to take on too much and become overwhelmed. I’m looking forward to July when you can step back and hand over to someone else. I’m off to check your prompts. Thanks for all you do for us Denyse
Hi Jen, I did miss you and also I didn’t receive any of the AtoZ challenge posts. That is a huge commitment and I find that the time consuming part is visiting and commenting on other blogs. I’m so pleased you have come to an arrangement regarding your work hours . Bring on July! Take care and enjoy your weekend. #weekendcoffeeshare
Sue I did the A to Z on my family history blog which is why you wouldn’t have received posts. It’s definitely the reading blogs and commenting that takes the time. Enjoyable but time consuming
I’m sorry you have to work so many hours, at least for the time being. I bet you will work out a Plan B. Hiking in nature is my go-to source of joy. Love the Joseph Campbell quote. He is the source of a lot of wisdom.
I agree Laure. He’s great
I can’t imagine squeezing an extra 25 hours in my week. It must have been tough returning to work after a year off courtesy of COVID. I work on a website but at home. I really can’t imagine going into an office. Right now I suffer with anxiety attacks if I have to go inside.
The A-Z challenge is one hell of a commitment! Many years ago I participated in the WordPress post a day challenge and that was tough!
It’s not easy to find those extra hours. It means I have to be very organised as I have a lot going on other than work. Take care
Sometimes we just have to do what we have to do…I almost didn’t post this last week because of life, but then there was a part of me that thought, I’m just now getting into a habit of this and I don’t want to miss out. I wrestled, but got it done. Sometimes I have a hard time NOT doing something even if it might be the best decision. Ugghh..lol.
I know exactly what you mean Kristin. Missed a week recently and regretted it. Well done on getting your post up. I’ll pop over