February has been another odd month. There have been plenty of moments to feel grateful for, yet I can’t shake this feeling of trepidation. 

Animal Hospital Update

I’m pleased to report that following last month’s roundup, my trusty companion, Wigs, seem’s to be doing a lot better. She’s discovered a love for Cat Malt which is helping to shift those pesky furballs, and she’s also been back to the vets for her first checkup to make sure the hyperthyroid medication they’ve put her on isn’t having a nasty effect on any of her organs. 

Thankfully, her test results came back fine. Despite making me think she could be on death’s door if I don’t have her operated on, the vet also told me that the thyroid meds she’s on, are almost too high a dose for her, despite them being the lowest amount of mg that exists for that tablet.

I was hoping they would say she no longer needs to be on medication, but they recommended I keep her on the same dosage but take her back next month for another blood test to see where things stand then. 

I suspect that even if her hyperthyroidism miraculously disappeared, that they will still want me to go back with her for regular checks so they can rinse me of even more money.

A Little Bit of Romance

February also saw the marmite celebration that is Valentine’s Day. Love it or hate it, there’s no avoiding it. 

Being the romantic that I am, I’m firmly in the ‘love it’ camp, although I don’t agree with the commercialisation of it at all. Due to lockdown, our celebrations were fairly low key, but it was lovely to spend the day together. Gifts were exchanged in the way we know best – food and flowers – and a selection of other bits that only we would understand (this year’s quirky gifts included a set of forks and a scart lead!). I was treated to a homemade feast for dinner too. Any day I don’t have to cook is a good day.

Weird and Wonderful Weather

We started this month with snow, freezing temperatures, and finished the month digging out our spring wardrobes! The unpredictable British weather made for some lovely walks as we visited frozen lakes, watched deer grazing in the late winter sun, and strolled along the Thames.

Feeling a Different Kinda Love

Not only was I feeling the love on Valentines Day, I’ve also felt the love from some of my lovely new clients this month. 

I remember having a conversation with my coach a few weeks ago about how I should approach getting feedback now that I’m self-employed. I had worked so hard at improving my ability to ask for feedback in a work environment where I was an employee, I wondered how it would work now I was on my own.

At the time, my coach said that the best way of getting feedback when you work for yourself is when a client repeatedly comes back to you for new work. Whilst I’m yet to see if this will happen, I needn’t have worried about how I would receive feedback. People have been so incredibly lovely and generous, that I’ve struggled to know how to respond to it. In all the years I was an employee, I could probably count on one hand the number of times I’ve been thanked for something I’ve done (except for when I’ve left somewhere), so I feel like I’m in alien, unknown territory. 

Moving into a new career can be terrifying and you never really know how things are going to work out. The feedback I’ve received from happy clients makes it all worthwhile and I’m going to take it that that must mean I’m doing ok.

Whilst I’m talking about work – cue shameless plug – one of my clients has launched a brand new podcast. So if podcasts are your thing, check out WorkJoy Jam which is available now and can be downloaded on most podcast apps, or by clicking here.

The concept behind the podcast is to help people to create more joy in their work-life. In each episode, Beth talks to a number of guests ranging from career experts to sports coaches, and mental health experts to indie board game enthusiasts. 

I know I’m biased, but I’ve learnt so much from listening to the podcast, and I would highly recommend giving it a try.

The UK’s RoadMap Out of Lockdown

Last Monday saw our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, announce England’s road map out of lockdown. Whilst there’s lot’s to be excited about, I’m hesitant to get too excited until we start to see the restrictions start to lift.

For anyone reading this outside of England, there are four different stages to the plan. The first stage is set to commence on 8th March when schools are due to re-open, with the final stage of returning to ‘normal’ coming into effect no earlier than 21st June. Provisional dates are in place for each stage, but whether they come into effect will be dependent on several factors, including the number of hospital admissions, as well as how well the rollout of the vaccinations is going.  

I want to be excited about the Governments plans, but you only have to look back as far as Christmas to know that their plans can change very quickly. 

I’m also nervous about what the world will be like when we come out the other side. With so many people desperate to go out and start socialising again, the thought of how many people could be trying to get into the country’s pubs, restaurants, nightclubs and concert venues makes me feel anxious. Of course, I can’t wait to have the opportunity to go out again, but I really haven’t missed the rowdy crowds of a Friday/Saturday night. 

I’m also anxious about booking a holiday. People started booking holidays as soon as the road map was released, but in reality, we still don’t know when it will be safe to travel again. 

As much as I can’t wait for some normality to return, I think I’ll wait for the masses to get everything out of their system first before I venture out properly. 

For now, I can’t wait to get to the stage which means I can go and visit family and friends again.

Signs of New Life

Finishing this month on a high, my indoor plants have started to sprout new life. Nothing makes me happier than seeing new life starting to creep in at the beginning of a new season.

I hope this blog post finds you all safe and well.

I’d love to hear how your month has been?

Hopefully by the time I do my next monthly round-up there will be more positive news to speak of.

In the meantime, stay safe.

The Mindful G