Single hen

[Redwing]

I have worked for the same company for 11 years and have spent the last six years madly scrambling up the career ladder. Four promotions later in June last year I was offered the job of my dreams as a national level manager and was relocated in October to work in Luton, we found a nice house and I got my chickens

 

Unfortunately moving house has changed my life completely, I have turned in to a more chilled out mellow person from the driven workaholic I was when I led a city lifestyle and worked late in to the night in generic hotel rooms

 

I have become increasingly unhappy in my job and have worked long, long hours and was close to burning out trying to keep everything going, I got home too late to see my girls and felt I was neglecting my lovely OH and gorgeous dog

 

I admitted to the company that I felt that I was struggling and after some discussions I have taken a job that will allow me a better work/life balance, its not the job of my dreams but will at least allow me to live out some of my dreams instead of being in work

 

I think I spent so many years banging at the door of promotion I didn't stop and ask myself if thats what I wanted from life and if I would be happy once I got there

 

Its a huge relief and for the first time in a few years I actually feel like I can leave on time

[jess]

good, work to live not live to work! whats your new job?

[Couperwife]

yay

 

good for you.

 

enjoy the time, chickens, OH, sleeping in, etc, etc, etc

 

cathy

x

[ClaireG]

Woohoo more you time and more chicken time

[Janty]

Good for you.

 

Hope you'll be much happier now. It must have been a hard decision in lots of ways and a very brave one.

 

Jan

[Guest]

nice one Tash!

 

Work to live not the other way around!

[Plum]

Brave decision, but quality of life is worth a lot. Its not worth pushing yourself hard if you end up burnt out. You are a young person and have to keep going a bit longer. Good on you to recognise it. Is your new job local and will it mean you can stay in your new house?

[Chickvic]

Good for you

[Redwing]

My new job means I will be reporting to my replacement so I will still be in Luton and can stay living in the same house

[The Dogmother]

That's great news Tasha , I know that you weren't especially happy.

 

I had to downsize 6 years ago to get a job nearer home so that I could take Rosie to school. It meant dampening my ambition and taking a £5k pay cut. I still work a 40 hour week to earn enough to bring Rosie up, but it is 5 mins walk from home, so I get to sit in the garden with my lunch in the summer and talk to the chooks.

[chelsea]

sometimes you need to do it to realise just what you want in life. I am happy for you that you have discovered what makes you happy. sometimes its just the simple things in life!

 

Enjoy it

[Falkor]

Hope you will be much happier

 

More time for WIR building?

[Snowy]

Well done Tash, you won't regret it. Getting pregnant forced me to re-prioritise and I gave up my crazy job. We are now skint, but are far happier and more relaxed. I still work part time, but I have time to spend with and on the children and my husband and they are far happier as a result.

[Lisa]

Good for you Tasha!

 

There are a lot of people at my school who are feeling stressed and burnt out. The work lfe balance needs to change and I have been looking at my work life balance. Once DD finishes her A levels in 2 years time I can do whatever I want!!

 

Roll on 2011

[redhotchick]

Well done Redwing. I hope you will be very happy.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Sounds like a very sensible decision - a good work/life balance = good health, I reckon . More forum time and chicken-chat . Can't be bad .

[mostin]

Well done Redwing. I burnt out in 2007-8 and ended up with massive depression and then hospitalised with severe glandular fever. I got chickens at the end of 2008 and they have really helped me sort out my priorities as well as getting me back to health. I am still on a 3 day week which has scuppered my promotional chances. 2 years ago this would have destroyed me, but now I care more about if I can build a new raised bed and how many more chickens can I fit in when my OH's back is turned .

 

Life doesn't always turn out the way you plan, but that doesn't mean it isn't going to be better than you could have imagined. It sounds as if your new lifestyle is going to suit you down to the ground .

Edited February 25, 2009 by Guest

[bigmommasally]

Congratulations! I'm glad you've decided to work to live and not live to work.

[Olly]

good for you. It's easy to work so hard at climbing the ladder that you never stop to think whether it's leading where you want to go.

 

I'd like to drop down to a 4-day week, but it would not be regarded well where I work, I'd get given all the rubbish and lose the stuff I enjoy doing. I'm glad your employer was understanding. One day, maybe.

[Egluntyne]

Fantastic news.

[MedusA]

Well done you for taking such a brave step.

 

I left the NHS 18 months ago, after a fabulous career in nursing, and don't regret it one bit. Sometimes it's good to have the time to do what you want to do and not feel that pressure.

[Karen & co.]

Congratulations Here's to a much happier less stress life

 

Karen x

[Cooks]

congratulations Tasha, here's to a much more enjoyable times ahead for you.

 

I hope that cold is getting better and you haven't eaten all the animal chocolate biscuits in your area

[Old Speckled Hen]

Well done. Enjoy your life while you are fit and young.

I worked too hard for too long only to retire and have my hard earned pension anihilated by the current economic climate.

[Tiggy]

good for you, its something I need to seriously consider, I love my day at home with the garden & my chickens. We are all hearing about the ecconomic downturn and so many people are in fear of losing their jobs and then some of us are doing the work of 2 people, its crazy. I'm glad your company has been so understanding but then they don't want to lose you