Wednesday 22 February 2012

Lent

Wednesday 22 February 2012
I don't usually give anything up for Lent but this year it's a bit different because today I'm giving up work.

I guess you could argue that actually work is giving up me given today is my last official day at work due to redundancy but the decision to take the redundancy and not fight the gits that I worked for was my own so I am now a stay at home Mum by choice.

I can't believe this day is finally here (it was obvious last April that redundancy was on the cards) but I couldn't be happier.  Yes, the future is unknown but isn't it for everyone?  I just know that I'm happier now than I have been for the past 12 months and that must mean the right decisions have been made.

The last 12 months have been pretty horrible for me one way or another. My work environment sucked (to coin a phrase) and if it hadn't been for some of the people I shared an office with I don't know what I would have done.  I won't bore you with the details but I've been working one way or another since I was 15 and this last 12 months was officially the worst working year of the 25 I've had.

Also, the affair that 'friends' of ours had at the beginning of last year blew our social circle apart and caused me no end of stress.  Thankfully both parties have moved away now - he to make a 'new start' (yeah right, he'll be back fooling around soon enough, he can't help himself) and her leaving her husband and moving half an hour away.  I don't think the saga is fully over - both cheated on spouses still don't know but the information is out in the public domain and these things never stay secret forever.  The aftershocks are still booming away too but thankfully we don't feel the force of them that much.

Money was a constant worry last year too but, although I'm no longer bringing in a salary, we're in a better financial situation now I've stopped working thanks to the extortionate cost of childcare for Connor so I can stop worrying about the next unexpected bill for a while.

To top off the year we lost two close friends, one who took his own life and one who lost a battle with cancer.  Both our age and both totally devastating.

To quote the Queen, it's been an annus horribilis in many ways.

Don't get me wrong, me, DH and the kids have been fine and in the grand scheme of things that's what is important but the world around us has been particularly trying to say the least.  I don't think it helped that we didn't have a holiday or really spend time together as a family, we just lurched through the weeks dealing with whatever came up.

So, even though New Year is officially long gone, today is the first day of the rest of my life and giving up work (for a short while) is the first of many positive changes that will hopefully make the rest of 2012 a much better year than 2011 was.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Speaking from experience as a stay at home mum for over 15 years now, I personally have no regrets about walking away from the workforce. It's been wonderful being able to step back, slow down and be there for the kids 24/7 without worrying about babysitters, sick days and all the other stresses that come with being a working mum. Yes, there have been times when money was tight, but the benefit of that is that you learn to "squeeze the last drop of blood out of a turnip" and teaching your kids to be mindful of spending too. You find out what your true self is able to do in such a situation and what you are truly willing to sacrifice and compromise with. Whether or not this is going to be short or long term, enjoy it. Personally, materialistic things are not worth all the money in the world compared to the time spent with the kids. Optimistically, this sounds like a fantastic time to step back, take a deep breath and refocus. A new path awaits. XD

...and with your friend's affair...ugh! what can you do...some brains just don't function properly as you thought they did.

Sheila said...

That is probably one of the best Lent give-ups I have ever heard....YAY.

As you say - today is the first day of the rest of your life...ENJOY :)

geeky Heather said...

You are my hero. Enjoy!!

Mad about Craft said...

Enjoy!!!

More time for craft now!

Lesleyanne said...

Happy New Year! The best lent give up I have ever heard. Sorry last year was sooo bad for you.

Jo said...

It sounds like you made a good decision - enjoy your time at home with the kids, and the many crafts you may find more time to do... and never let the b*****ds get you down.

Kaisievic said...

It definitely sounds like you have made the right decision. Enjoy this time at home with your family. You deserve it.

hugs, Kaye xooxx

Erin (moviemuse) said...

I hope the rest of the year goes much better for you!

Caitlin @ Naughts Cross Stitches said...

good luck with the rest of your year and hope you enjoy your new decision.

 

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