There are two particular moments from 2014 that spring to mind when I consider this.
The first was when I was considering applying for a job. It was the same as my current role but closer to home, so would have saved me 10 hours travelling time a week (and a small fortune in petrol). My work life balance from these two factors alone could have changed hugely. I confided in someone and was told not to go for it, that I should stay where I was for a while longer, and I shouldn’t try to move on before I was ready. My confidence was completely shattered and so I didn’t apply. A couple of weeks later this person confessed that of course I could have got the new post, but they hadn’t wanted me to.
The second moment was 3 months after my anxiety was diagnosed. I said to someone that I wanted to dedicate some of my time to do something for Mind, and I was told that I didn’t want to do that, and I wouldn’t be able to make the difference that I wanted to or thought I could. 6 months later and now when I think of that conversation it makes me so angry. Who says I can’t make a difference?
So, for 2015 here is my plan. I shall have no set plans.
Ok, old habits die hard, I shall have no set plans other than the following...
My focus needs to be on building myself back up, that’s an exciting and large enough goal for me. I will continue to talk about my anxiety, as if it reduces the stigma for just one person then that is a real difference. Lastly, for every order I receive through BuBakes in 2015 I will donate 25p to Mind. I think that will do for now…
Our lesson to start the year with...