It’s been over six months since I shared a personal catch-up post, so I thought it was time for an update. When I shared my last life lately post in August, I was in what I described as a good place and I felt like I was finally starting to get my shot together.
As my last life lately post turned into a bit of an essay, I’ll do my best to keep this post short and to the point. Last time I observed how most life lately posts seem to begin with a photo of the author looking pensive while clutching a cup of coffee. I haven’t taken any ‘normal’ selfies since last year so here’s a photo I found on my old camera.
Work – I’ll be starting a new job at the start of April. I applied for the job before Christmas, was interviewed via MS Teams in January, and was offered the job a couple of days later. I’ll be working for the organisation I currently work for but on a permanent rather than a fixed-term contract. After spending more than three years employed on a series of fixed-term contracts, I’m looking forward to the hopefully increased stability of being employed on a permanent contract.
I haven’t talked about my new job on social media very much. To be honest it felt slightly insensitive to be happy at a time so many people have either been furloughed or have been made redundant. I’ve helped quite a few of my friends with CV writing and interview prep. I wish I could do to help people.
Injury and running – I’m still injured and therefore not able to run. I’m not going to lie, being injured has sucked. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve wanted to head out the door on a stress-busting and mental health boosting run. Except for a small amount of running during my failed attempt at the virtual London Marathon, I haven’t run since the start of last July.
I haven’t given up yet. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to strengthen my core and my fragile left knee. I’ve spent a lot of time on my exercise bike and aim to complete three 30-minute training sessions a week. I’m not feeling like an ex runner just yet as I feel confident that I will be able to tackle the Couch to 5k for what feels like the millionth time this summer. I still want to achieve my long-term goal of completing 50 parkruns so I know I’ll start running again as soon as I feel I’ve recovered from my knee injury.
Adulting – It took a while, but I’ve crossed off most of the tasks on my ‘Adulting Tasks to Complete 2020’ spreadsheet. The two outstanding tasks – getting my eyes tested and paying the dentist a visit – can wait until I’ve had my COVID-19 vaccines.
Since my last life lately update, I’ve been saving rather than spending. At the start of the year, I set myself a series of personal no-spend challenges and, in an attempt to make myself accountable, I’m sharing monthly updates on here. It’s only March but I’m managing to avoid spending money on stuff I don’t need.
Buying a house – Like last time, I could and probably should have included buying a house in the previous section.
The all too predictable questions have unfortunately continued. I’m asked when I’m going to get on the property ladder at least once a month. Landing a permanent job has added to the pressure as in theory I should now be able to get a mortgage.
The reality is that until life returns to something resembling normality, I’m not even thinking about moving. Even if I move up to Warrington later this year, I’m planning on renting somewhere to start with so that I can get a feel for the area.
Social media – I’ve found myself gradually drifting away from Twitter. I was finding the constant negativity on there mentally draining. I occasionally check out what’s happening on Facebook, but I stick to reasonably safe places such as the Run Mummy Run Community and TK Maxx gallery of horrors groups.
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I’m still persevering with Instagram as it feels slightly ‘safer’ than Twitter and Facebook. I find the what I call the follow and then unfollow game frustrating but now block people. Since my last life lately update, I’ve been spending a lot of time on YouTube. I’ve watched Next of Kin, The Upper Hand, Keeping Up Appearances, and a few other 90s sitcoms. Anything to temporarily forget about what’s happening in 2021.
Blogging – Is blogging dead? Am I wasting my time writing and publishing this life lately update? Does anyone read this blog? These are all questions I’ve asked myself while writing this update.
I’m not going to lie; I’ve seriously considered calling it a day when it comes to blogging. This year my blogging mojo has been slightly missing in action. After spending 8+ hours a day Monday to Friday staring at a computer screen, I’ve been trying to give my eyes a break when I’ve finished work.
I’ve got a lot to thank blogging for and I love writing, so I think I’ll stick with it for now.
Once again, apologies for what turned into a rather lengthy catch-up.
Do you enjoy reading life lately posts?
Do you think blogging is dead?
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I love these posts, so thank you for writing them/it! And huge congratulations for the promise of a permanent job. More than the potential to buy a house / ‘achieve security’, I hope it makes you feel more secure and valued as part of a team, as a permanent member of staff.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and to comment on my Life Lately post. Knowing that people enjoy reading my random thoughts on here does make me feel happy. I can’t wait to start my new job next month as at the moment it feels like I’m trying to do two jobs. This week will be tough but I’ll get through it. And yes, being on a fixed-term contract has often made me feel less secure and less valued than my colleagues on permanent contracts. I’m sure I’ll feel more secure once I’ve seen my new contract.
I always wonder about that with my blog too! But I like writing it even if no-one reads it.
I like reading these posts 🙂
Good luck with the new job!!!
I’m a little relieved I’m not the only blogger who feels this way. I read all of your blog posts. It feels like I’m trying to do two jobs at the moment so I’m looking forward to starting my new job in April.
Congratulations on the permanent job! And good luck with your efforts to save for a house.
Please keep writing as and when you can, I enjoy reading. As for your question about blogging being dead, my impression is that commenting on blogs (except ones with huge followings like John Scalzi’s Whatever), is something that people no longer do much. Which is a shame, but I suppose social media takes the role that leaving a comment used to have?
Hope your knee injury gets better soon.
Thanks so much for commenting on my life lately update. How are you? I hope you’re managing to stay safe. Yes, I’m so relieved that after spending what feels like such a long time on a fixed term contract, I’m about to start a new job on a permanent contract. It’s a small old world as I realised that I’ll be working with someone I met at a conference when we were PhD students. Instagram and twitter are great, but I do enjoy writing and reading blogs more. I must admit that I’ve stopped commenting on blogs as much as I used to. I’ve been struggling a little with my eyes so try to avoid spending my free time staring at my laptop.
My knee injury is getting better. I think the only thing stopping me from running is the slightly irrational fear that I’ll injure myself the second I start running.
Definitely enjoy your blogs! Not too long ago, I had a trying day at work, and on the way home, I thought it’d be nice just to chill and read a phdrunner blog. Low and behold, you just posted that day. Made my day so much better!
Ah, thank you. Your comment has really cheered me up after a slightly challenging day of working from home. Apparently some of my work colleagues have been enjoying my blogs which is a little concerning. I hope work has been less trying for you recently.