A Week of Two Halves - W/E 9th August 2025

The second half of this week began in a more positive way. I was off work on Wednesday and could have a lie in reading and finish this book that I took on holiday.

It was a great book. The author, a botanist by profession, and an indigenous American by birth, writes beautifully about both subjects and tries show how we could combine scientific knowledge and indigenous wisdom to create a better world view, rebuild and sustain what is left of the world that we live in, after it has been ravaged for centuries by capitalism and greed. I loved reading about the indigenous wisdom and beliefs of not taking more than you need from the earth, giving back to the earth and being grateful for the bounties it bestows upon us. 

It was a fascinating read from start to finish and being a plant lover myself, I enjoyed learning about the different uses of the plants she describes in it and how they were used by her ancestors to feed, clothe and sustain their lives. It really brought into focus just how badly we treat our planet today and how ungrateful we are for the gifts it offers up to us. How greed and the never ending quest for more wealth, has decimated beautiful habitats and species and how we can learn a lot from plants to help us live in more harmony and with gratitude on our planet.

Anyway, after finishing the book I got up and ready and decided to put some laundry away and put some more in the machine, so that I had some work clothes for later in the week. I then did a bit of cleaning in the sewing room, as we are having a visitor to stay in a couple of weeks and I need to get the house into some sort of order.

After lunch, I did a bit of financial stuff, transferring some savings for the month, moving some savings around to avoid tax on interest and rounding up some savings in another account. I then hung out the laundry and went back to a bit doing more cleaning. It was nice just to be home and have time to catch up on jobs around the house. I applied for another job tonight, but I don't think I'll hear anything back. I just felt like I needed to get back on the job hunting wagon.

In the evening, OH was out cycling, so I got to catch up on three weeks worth of The Great British Sewing Bee episodes, which I enjoyed. We then watched one episode of 1923 before heading to bed.

On Thursday, I had a long lie in and read for a while, before getting up and getting ready for the day. After breakfast, I made another batch of jam, two large jars this time. There's still a couple of packs of berries left to process, but I made lots of space in the freezer and rearranged everything so it was more organised.

I was due at work in the evening, so I didn't get stuck into doing anything much before getting ready for work. I wasn't really looking forward to going back.  Something has shifted, either in me or the workplace, and it doesn't feel like a positive shift.  I'll just have to see how it goes.

Work was okay, as we seemed to have more staff on duty for once, but I'm still considering my options for the time being. I'll let you know if anything changes in the near future.

Friday, I got up and ready to go to the gym. I enjoyed my workout. I then did a bit of top up shopping for things we'd run out of, before stopping off in the local shop LB works in to say hello. I'd not seen her in the morning, as I'd gone out to the gym before she surfaced.

I then came home, had lunch, sorted some laundry and then got ready for work. I set off a little early, as I needed to put some petrol in the car and also pick up a few more groceries from the ASDA  store near work.

Work was busy, but not as intense as it has been lately, so we had time to get everything done and leave a bit early, which I was glad of.

Saturday morning, I had a lie in again and then eventually got up and ready. I was due at work for 3pm, so I spent the morning chilling and watching a bit of YouTube before having lunch and getting ready for work. 

Work was okay for the first time in weeks. It was quite busy, but not overwhelming. In spite of this, I decided to hand in my resignation at work today. It's time for a change and a new adventure. I need to work two weeks' notice, which will start from tomorrow. I do feel slightly anxious, as I really don't know if I'll ever find another job, especially when I'm fast approaching 60, but I'll just have to see what happens. Sometimes, you just have to go with your gut and I'm afraid that mine is currently telling me to get the hell out. 

Going forward, money will be tight, but maybe I need a challenge to make me be more careful and responsible with the money I do have. I hope I can find another job that I enjoy at some point, where I can achieve some kind of balance between work and personal life. I'll keep you updated with any progress.

It's been a difficult week and I did not anticipate this outcome when I returned from holiday last week. Sometimes, something happens that just changes everything and that something happened this week. It wasn't big or particularly dramatic, but it was enough to change my perspective on a job that I did once enjoy, but also had some reservations about. At least the events of the week helped me to finally make a decision and move on. I'm grateful for that.