In my opinion January is the most unproductive of all the months in the year. We are all coming down from the holiday high and trying to get ourselves back into work mode. In the midst of that, those of us that are parentals have to get our brains into gear and gather stationery and uniforms and all the other bits our darling offspring need to start their new school year. And while you trying to scramble over the mad dash for those last of Christmas sales and 2-for-1 stationery specials you are also tripping over all the damn hearts and Cupids in the run up for Valentines on 14 February and the happy bunnies for Easter .... IN APRIL!!!!!!
It has to the be the most mixed up month there could possibly be. Yet we do survive it in our own ways. For myself I've come to the conclusion I will in future officially start my new year in February. January will just become 31 days of getting the necessary done for the year ahead and from February my year proper can start. Perhaps that way I can retain a bit more sanity.
My January was an odd month. I didn't get a lot of stuff done that I had planned to but I'm okay with that. It isn't going anywhere and I'll deal with it as I can. Although I didn't achieve as much as I wanted to I do have a clearer idea of the direction I'm headed in. I've spent a lot of time in my head. I've done a lot of reading. I've done a lot of planning. And it's all good. I feel in control and on track.
It wasn't a bad month. Just a complicated one.
February brings changes for me.
- New offices in a quieter part of town. Instead of looking at blinds and the corner of the wall (or an empty parking lot and back of workshops if I open the blinds) my view will now be of green trees and sky.
- No more popping out to the garage next door for a convenience lunch... because I forgot to make time to make lunch... will now have to do some planning and take lunch. My diabetes will thank me.
- I will be working full day again after working until 2pm for the last 3.5 years. My health too will thank me as I will now take part in the walking club I joined in December but have been too lazy to drive back down to after leaving the office at 2pm. It is 5 minutes from the office and starts at 5pm... I finish at 4.30pm.. change, hop in car and show up, 3x a week, no excuses really...
A lot of friends have sympathised that I will be working full day again. I'm actually looking forward to it. A new challenge in way and one I relish. Time to stretch my brain again. Just like everybody else I too get frustrated at the office over a variety of things but on the whole I am lucky in that I enjoy my work. It is challenging and each transfer unique through the people you deal with.
Of course it will be an adjustment to work full day again but I think if anything challenge or change is faced with at least some enthusiasm and anticipation you are halfway there already. There is no point in being negative. It is happening regardless. Life brings us what we need. We just have to be receptive to the message... even if it isn't packaged the way we would like it to be. And trust me 99% of the time it is not going to be packaged the way we want it to be!
So goodbye January 2015. You were another turning point for me. Some good lessons learnt. Some wonderful experiences and new sights which I shall treasure forever. Special times and memories with special people. Good photography. Some not so wonderful moments and some incredibly infuriating and frustrating ones. Yin and Yang. Good and Bad finding balance.
So hello and welcome February - I look forward to challenges you will bring me and and will facing them head held high and filled with courage and anticipation.