1271 Sophie’s Life Update May 2020

How 2020 has been the weirdest year of my life and how I have kept busy during LOCKDOWN.

So, 2020 is officially the weirdest year of my life so far. Does anyone else agree? For me, a lot happened in the first two weeks of the year. By the 11th I had walked out of a crappy job and was looking for a new one. Many things happened last year in my workplace, Police had to be involved, Human Resources got involved and all of that is a story for another day. Either way, in January 2020 I decided enough was enough, I was sick of the condescending, the bullying, the intimidation and the weird, twisted ways of the company. I must be fair there were a few nice things about working in the company. However, there was way too much bad stuff going on. It’s a shame because I did enjoy the job I was doing; it was remarkably interesting, and you did get some funny phone calls but just wasn’t worth it.

The office manager was just not my cup of tea, you were constantly treading on eggshells until you knew what mood he was in for the day. I would say there was not a lot of professionalism at all because you constantly had to have your back up, ready for a burst. I found myself trying to ask for help but getting shut down or told they didn’t have time, were too busy or had to be left alone etc.

Turns out I started my new job on February 10th. Was that good timing or what? In total, I had about 4 job interviews, and I met about 4 recruitment agents. I am quite proud of myself out of the 4 interviews I got three offers, one was temporary, so I just picked out the other two. One of the jobs was working with the music industry in London (cool right?) and would have been close to my dream of working backstage in the theatre. The second job was closer to my home, working in an office in the finance department and a higher salary. So, the best thing I could have done is walk out of my old job, I got a better salary and a much nicer environment. There are a few little cons to my new job, I couldn’t walk there (it’s a 10-15-minute drive), the start was slightly earlier, and I couldn’t go home for lunch anymore.

It was a big culture shock when I started at my new job but in a good way. Everything was ready, everyone is super friendly you cannot walk anywhere in that building without someone saying hello, how you are doing? etc. The constant pleasant language and inviting tones used put you in a good mood.

Anyway, shortly after I started my new job, this pesky coronavirus hit the UK, and it hit the UK with a sledgehammer. I think I was at work for a total of 5 weeks before it I was put on the furlough scheme. I haven’t been to work since the 20th of March! I have been at home for about 65 days or something now (which I am kind of enjoying), I love not having to get up and get ready. I can get ready whenever I want to. I am not one to sit around and do nothing if I find myself not doing something, I start looking around the room, or the house looking for jobs to be done. I like to keep busy, no matter what. I mean I am often running around like headless chicken!

I thought I would share with you what I have been doing so far during the lockdown, hopefully, you find an idea or two in here to get your bums moving.

1. Went through all my skincare (I had been desperately needing to do this) Does anyone else have a mountain of the stuff? I had a ridiculous amount. Some bits I got rid of because they were old and gross, some bits I gave away to a better home and the rest I am on a mission to use all.

2. Stripped the wallpaper off my walls (I had wanted to do this for at least 6 years.)

3. Moved my room around about 5 times (we are decorating, so must keep rearranging so I can live in between the decorating.)

4. Moved my light switch (My dad did most of that, I just helped and watched.)

5. Sorted through my notebooks (again, I had around 30, why, I don’t know.)

6. Sorted through my perfumes (these guys never really had someone to stay with, so I would lose them and buy new ones, now I have too many and I am on a mission to use these up.)

7. I have rearranged my wardrobe.

8. Later we moved the wardrobe so, I rearranged it again.

9. Done some online food shopping (so much easier why was I not doing this before).

10. Sorted through my nail polish (I went through a stage where I did a different colour every week so I got into some crazy colours, neon orange, lime green, bright purple etc, well I don’t use them so they have gone to someone who will use them).

11. Done some cooking, good chance to up the level of difficulty!

12. Done some eating, especially in the evenings so I have started to write in the evenings to avoid eating. What is your favourite takeaway food?

13. The cat had to go to an emergency vet appointment because he got cellulitis from a bite but is doing okay now. But he was in Sophie’s intensive care unit for a few days.

14. I had an emergency doctor’s appointment because my face got all swollen again (it was a sinus infection. A course of antibiotics later and I am as good as new (well mostly).

15. Sorted through my jewellery, some of the items I have no idea where they came from.

16. Cleaned up, put things away, and found permanent homes for items that had been floating around the room with nowhere to go.

17. Writing, I am trying to get as many stocked up as I can for when I do go back to work, you know, getting ahead of the game.

18. Taken some pictures, for the posts. Of course.

19. I have sorted through my computer (not an apple, its windows) and deleted junk

20. Started painting my nails again to use up some of the colours. I kept the ones I do use and like, but I still have around 20 which is too many.

There are probably a few other bits as well that I can’t think of but as you may be able to tell have been keeping busy. I don’t like wasting time because you can never get it back. So, I choose when to waste time carefully, it does happen, just not very often!

I don’t think there has been one day that I have just sat around the house without some sort of goal. The sun has come out in the UK which I LOVE. I get grumpy when I am cold, but I like the dullness of the winter. You can stick on ten candles, grab a blanket and be all cosy in the dull weather. I haven’t gotten burnt yet this year, which is good, I seem to burn or do nothing. I wouldn’t mind a little tan.

The room decoration/renovations have resulted in some sore muscles, dusty hair, and a lot of climbing over furniture which is lots of fun but also kills a day here and there while your body catches up with you. Right now, I have an irritating sort of shoulder.

I have this motto/saying, I dunno what to call it but I believe “There is always something to do”, no one has an excuse to be bored and moan there is nothing to do. There might be nothing to do if the stuff that needs doing you don’t want to do but tough, get off your butt and do it. Trust me you will feel 100 times better about it. Just think once it is done you don’t have to do it so you may as well get it out the way right? You are called LAZY in my book if you don’t get stuff done.

There is ALWAYS something you can clean or reorganise or sort out. Unless you own nothing, and your home is empty there is something to do. Granted it might not be fun, but it is something to do.

Anyway, I know I have kept saying that I am back on track and posts will be coming but my room keeps getting in the way and I am getting distracted. I am trying to improve my writing so hopefully, in the next few days, you can look forward to some new and improved posts. There are a couple of projects that I am working on that are taking a bit longer because there is a lot to them as well. Bad excuse but that is the reason I haven’t been so active on here. I have written over 20,000 words. You should be looking forward to some new photography posts as well!