My "New Year" starts in September, not January. It must be a fall back to those long-distant school days. Although I loathed school, and my school-days certainly weren't the best days of my life, I still have fond memories of buying a new pencil case each new school year and filling it with fresh goodies.
It seems to be a universal phenomenon; various glossy magazines ran articles about this during September. I always thought it was just me!
So when Rhiannon starts back to school in September, I go into overdrive trying to "sort out my life". It's this time of year that I start new projects, try new things and so on.
My New Year / New Me was slightly postponed this year as Mum came to stay for a fortnight just a week into the new term. It was also delayed a little due to my mood.
It's no secret to my friends that I've found this move unsettling and difficult for various reasons. I found myself on the verge of plunging into depression and resolved to buck myself up before it became fully-fledged. While this attitude (sometimes) works for me, I do realise that it's not a solution for others. Also, I recognised the signs that are relevant to me and was able to catch it in time... I hope.
So. What have I done about it?
Social Media
While we were away in the UK during the summer I was mostly internet-free. I did have my lovely new iPad and 3G to play with but the 3G didn't always work. This meant I was able to break my addiction to social media. I haven't been anywhere near as active on Twitter as I was before the summer. I will get back into that at some point as I find it immensely useful and informative, but the 24/7 habit has been broken.
Facebook remains, for now. It's a great way of keeping in touch with people even though the new layout is irritating and I'm sure certain people have access to my updates even though I think I've made it private.
Forums
I was a member of a few forums - fabulous time-wasting places - but have now whittled them down to occasional peeps at one or two. That was actually very easy to do. I worked behind the scenes for a couple; one work-related one and a parenting one.
Unfortunately, when you have to be on there all the time for work reasons, you see a side of people you really dislike: bitchiness, dishonesty and favouritism. For a long time I've wanted to 'get out', but a misguided sense of loyalty prevailed. Anyway, I have now properly left their clutches and the sense of relief I feel is amazing.
There is a downside to leaving these places though. I no longer have a support network of people living in my computer. Perhaps I have cut of my nose to spite my face, but I truly do not think so.
Work
I can no longer call myself a freelance writer. I have resigned from my two regular jobs.
With the fixed monthly deadlines and several articles to complete each month, it was time to call it a day on this career. For now, anyway. I want to concentrate on trying to settle into my new life. There was so much I missed out on in Japan by having this work that I regret not doing this sooner. Blame the money. Not that it was much, anyway.
I felt quite nervous about telling the employers I'd written my last pieces for them, but I need not have worried. One, the longest running employer, didn't even bother to respond to my email. Nice. The other one was very kind and gracious. I know which one I'll be going back to if I get the opportunity.
There are more changes I've made, but this post is long enough already.
For the first time in eight years, I do not have a deadline to work towards. This is most unsettling, but also extremely freeing.
Procrastination now has a different meaning; it's something I can do without guilt!
Yes, of course I still faff around. But without the accompanying guilt that I should be writing something it becomes almost pleasurable to do some housework. Note, I said almost! I'm still not fully domesticated.
Now, how does the vacuum cleaner work?