My head feels like it might explode today. Work is growing increasingly stressful at the moment, and I’m not definitely experiencing the wind down to the Christmas break! We have a huge project to deliver in the new year that is seeming more impossible by the day and while I’m not usually one to get stressed about work, it’s starting to weigh a little. It has been a while since I’ve felt so stressed about my job!
It’ll all work out one way or another, I know, but I’m struggling to shake out the stress hormones tonight. With work being so intense I’ve not been making the time to exercise, or even walk at my desk, which is definitely not helping. I did go for a walk in the dark after work which helped a bit, I probably should have gone for a run because I still feel pent up!
I’m hoping focusing on the positives will help!
10 Good Things
Here are some GOOD THINGS from my life recently.
1. Since I had to cancel some annual leave to take as sick when I got COVID I had enough left to make 12 whole days off work over this Christmas, which is the most I’ve had in 8 years (since I had a term time only school job!). I’m very much looking forward to it!!
2. Wedding plans are being made and it’s exciting! We have a venue and a wee Scottish honeymoon booked, and I found a dress that I love – in a sale no less!
3. I’ve also got a little “hen” weekend booked with my friends. I’m excited for a chill weekend in a nice cottage with hopefully some craft activities. It’s been too long since we had quality time together, and it’s also going to be Eurovision weekend so I’m excited to watch that with the original group from Uni days!
4. I’m really in a Star Trek: Deep Space 9 zone at the moment. I’m in season 3 which I think is really where it hits its stride, I’ve been loving it! I love Odo, Quark, Bashir, Garak… Gal Dukat! So many great characters!
5. We put up our Christmas tree and I’m enjoying the atmosphere! We have agreed we take it in turns picking decorations for it, and it was not my turn this year but I have to learn to compromise now we live together (and will be married next year!).
6. When not on DS9 I’ve been making my way through the Netflix Christmas rom-coms. I may write a blog post about this, but I’ve watched Lovehard two years in a row and really enjoyed it! I liked the new Lindsay Logan one too, Our Little Secret. I’m happy she’s having a revival!
7. When I’ve been watching all this TV I’ve been doing lots of embroidery again! I started one project to make felt gingerbread ornaments but abandoned it when I realised how long it was going to take! Now I’m working on a wreath. I should post soon.. it’s going ok but I think I’m going to run out of floss which is stressing me out a bit…
8. I made the most delicious red pepper spiced red lentil soup! I tried to recreate my favourite one from Sainsbury’s and it turned out great. Roasting the red peppers, red onion and carrots in the air fryers first made all the difference. Then I just sauteed some celery with harissa paste, then cooked that up with peeled plum tomatoes, lentils and the roasted veg. Then blended about 1/4 of it to make it creamy.
9. We’ve also been in a jigsaw zone lately! We completed another Magic Puzzle Company one, which took a while! They’re hard puzzles but I love them, plus I lost a piece and found it a week later in my jumper pocket! We also got into watching Karen Puzzles on YouTube and now I really want to try speed puzzling… But equally OMG I already have way too many hobbies with no time!
10. Tomorrow night is the work Christmas party and the good thing is that I am actually looking forward to it! I feel more comfortable with people than last year, and I know to definitely not go into the office tomorrow and save myself for the evening! Even if I wasn’t horrendously busy and need to focus, last year it was too overwhelming to have so many extra noisy people in the office, with everyone travelling in, and I was in meltdown mode by lunch! Plus I know everyone else on my team of introverts felt the same and are also avoiding the office, so I don’t feel weird about it!
