As the year starts to wind down for the holiday period and more people share their year’s highlights, I have a slightly different post this time. Its less about work and more about the personal.
In my old job as a Practice Manager, I enjoyed writing my annual newsletter to the team, to thank everyone for their hard work, to reflect on the milestones and achievements of the year, to acknowledge the special people who had joined or left our team, and also to include what was coming up in the next year. I’ve never done that at Redmoor, maybe because I as always felt I was in the team, rather than the Team Leader.
This year has been full of ‘stuff’ – events, milestones, launches, people joining, others moving on, NHS reorganisations (again), new Government etc. But I’ve come to the realisation, that whilst these lovely people will always be amazing friends, some of the work stuff is less important to me these days, and that I have other things to think about, take joy from and look forward to.
A few family and life events have really sharpened my focus on what I want to spend more time doing. When I look in a mirror and an older larger version looks back at me, I’m not sure I recognise myself, because in my head, I’m less wrinkly, and obviously a different shape. The mirror is reminding me that my life clock is ticking on though.
We are moving home in the New Year, and clearing out the loft, garage, kids rooms (they are now grown men), finding photos, favourite toys, school homework and special books has resulted in lots of wonderful memories surfacing, along with a few tears. Anyone who has moved house will recognise this; it’s not wrong to say that its one of the most stressful times of your life. Currently dealing with 4 solicitors, 2 estate agents, planners, then removal companies, arranging and travelling the ferry is brain draining. Trying to do it all in the evening and weekends, after a full week’s work is just hard work – solicitors must wonder ‘who is this mad woman that emails at 5am’. And I’m a bit tired.
So, after discussing my life priorities with Marc and Matt, we’ve agreed that I refocus on just a few key things, that allow me more flexibility and still provide Redmoor with the help that I can do easily. I am grateful for their understanding so, I’ll be scaling back any operational and public-facing work and watching others take centre stage, with proud encouragement from the wings.
Practical as ever, when I move, I’ll have rubbish broadband and in the current climate, I don’t feel like lining Musk’s pockets for Starlink just yet.
Also, when you work in health, it’s too easy to forget your own health and I’ve got to get fitter and stronger quickly for our family trip to the slopes in February, as I don’t want to be holding people back. I will have the joy of seeing my two fabulous nieces catch up with my sons again, and watching my youngest in his element in the powder, forging his own future, as Jasper rebuilds itself after the forest fires last year.
As the spring approaches, I have my bulbs in pots and plants ready for the new garden, and I’m already planning the best place for a few more chickens – I’d flipping love a goat or two but that might stretch Mr D’s tolerance. He’s got his sights set on the new golf course and I have many beaches and forests to walk with my eldest son and his brood of dogs.
So, I’m swapping my evening sunset views with a glass of wine, for these new morning sunrises and maybe the yoga mat, and that feels like a good omen – getting up each day to enjoy more nature and much as I love the team, hearing less Teams calls.
Now these 3 are ready for their breakfast, so I’d better get cracking for the day. It’s our Christmas Quiz tonight, so its Christmas Jumper day
2025 – I’m looking forward to meeting you!
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