January 23

Clear boundaries

Current mood:


source: gabbybernstein.com/superattractordeck

I did a lot of work (from my day job) this weekend. I’ve noticed I’ve been falling behind in the week… but the weekend is a cocoon of quietness and I’m working so much better in this time.

I’ve been trying to work around my partner’s teaching and work meetings. But although his teaching is scheduled, his meetings often are not. So I often hear my partner and his colleagues’ voices echoing around our flat. It’s far from conducive to my workspace needs.

So I adapt.

January 22

Redirect

Current mood:


source: gabbybernstein.com/superattractordeck

I don’t know what it is about Friday but I always seem to end the week / start the weekend with intrusive thoughts. I think to myself “I’ll catch up on art/work tomorrow“, but I never feel up to it.

Next week is Personal Development Week. It’s a week organised by my previous department, and it’s my favourite event they do (aside from the Partners in Learning conference). I missed Personal Development Week last year but the year before I had such a great time. Next week I have filled up my schedule and I’m looking forward to learning something new. I can’t wait!!!

January 20

Appreciate

Current mood:


source: gabbybernstein.com/superattractordeck

I’ll be starting my next module next week. I’m superexcited but also a little worried about next year. This year I am doing two modules (as I already have a PGCert) but next year I’m doing four modules. I’m doing really well at the moment and feel pretty good. However I am aware that next year my workload will double. I’m confident I’ll manage… but I am also aware that change is often a trigger for me. And next year is a landmark birthday and the end of my current work contract. I don’t want to sound dramatic… if anything, I’m sure my contract will be renewed or I’ll sidestep nicely into another job role… and it’s likely that my landmark birthday will be no big deal.

But I also need to be prepared. I can see a potential trigger in the not-too-distant future. I know that, even though I feel resilient now, multiple and/or overlapping changes take a lot out of me.

I am so looking forward to my next modules, and in eight months I’ll be putting in an application for an EdD! I had planned to do it in Canterbury Christ Church University but the more I’ve been writing the more I feel like I should stay with University of Brighton (and the alumni discount is looking good too).

I keep having vivid dreams about Brighton. Mostly about places in Kemptown where I first lived when I moved to Brighton, thinking about Sidewinder summer evenings with work colleagues, the old Taj (and when it was occupied and briefly had a banner outside reading Sabotaj), the superthick hot chocolates they used to do in RedRoaster (with the Lady of the Cake cakes), the Reclaim the Night ’13 (I just watched a video and cried when I saw myself in the footage), my bedsit above Bayleaf, the Laundry Centre (the cheapest laundrette and therefore – IMO the best), the flea market

… and twittens! I dream in twittens.