This, too, shall pass.

They say that anything worth having never comes easy. Who were these people, and why did they not leave some clearer instructions?

My Potatoes, I hope you are well in whatever part of the world you are in. I’m based in the UK, and we’ve had our first snowfall of the year. While it’s beautiful, I am not looking forward to the chaos ICE always brings with it. Also I’m not a cold person. The holiday season is upon us soon and I wish I had more exciting news to share with you but unfortunately I don’t.

I have been a “free” woman for nearly a whole month. To be honest with you, it’s been a rollercoaster. I thought I’d be in utter panic, and yes, I am 70% of the time; the other 30% has been liberating. I’m regaining my sense of wonder and appreciation for the small things—like a warm cup of tea or homemade food. The UK job market has been brutal as ever, I’m hoping as the Christmas period arrives more people will find their inner kindness and do better.

Is this what it’s like in the normal world? Perhaps I have been under the wraps of a toxic environment so long that I’ve forgotten what it’s like to enjoy life itself.

The other 70%

There was a study that was done a few years ago i came across on TED talks that stated people (kids) that had grit/persistence got ahead in life. Lets talk about that same persistence in today’s life please.

Imagine being damn good at whatever it is you beautiful potatoes do. Getting up and leaving because that environment you did it in was becoming very suffocating. Disrespect and degrading day by day. You puck up the courage and leave with nothing but belief in yourself. You spend your days OBSESSING over job posts and applications only to be met with daily rejections – roles that would have had you in a heartbeat. Not being considered for jobs that require a pay cut!!

When you finally make it through to the 0.01% of the jobs you applied to..going through three rounds of selling yourself only to be rejected at the last hurdle – FOUR TIMES. Ultimately that one other person was that bit experienced or bit more technical…that bit more than you.

Taking these hits daily and still showing up smiling and ready to take on the world the next day is the real grit here, my loves. It is not easy. The financial pressure, the emotional shame, and the guilt—the guilt that you chose your mental happiness over security—are gut-wrenching. Well, the day they start appreciating resilience and perseverance, you’d best believe I’ll be TOP of the line.

There is an African proverb (I think it’s African?) that says the day you plant the seed is not the day you eat. It’s stuck with me throughout this damn ordeal. I hope the seeds I’ve sown come to fruition because this stress and disruptiveness is not how I imagined life.

Its not ALL doom and gloom my loves, I’ll end on a happy note to say that I do have some exciting prospects ahead of me – mainly a lot of self-development-type activities. I guess that’s the phase of life I’m in right now and any win will have to do?

Sending all my love,

CP xx