Isn’t that how the saying goes?
Diabetes has definitely been on the back burner since I last wrote here on my blog and embarked on a new career 18 months ago.
I used to have a lot of structure in my day as a shift worker. I’d wake up and start work at the same time each day. I’d have my breaks at set times, and I’d always clock out at 4 o’clock on the dot. I’d come home and do some variation of coffee, snack, walk, exercise, dinner, study, write, read and bed. Can you tell I’m a creature of habit?
My day to day is a lot more spontaneous now. I don’t have to be at work by a set time each morning. I definitely go out a lot more, whether that be for coffees, lunches or Friday drinks. For those times where I just need a day or two at home? No problem. Then there are also times where I’ll have to work past 5pm. I have to try a lot harder to set those work/life boundaries that just used to be there.
The last 18 months or so have been challenging, but also incredibly rewarding in terms of personal growth. Like being outside of my comfort zone. Learning new things. Meeting new people. Doing stuff I’ve never done before.
Between full time work, Accounting busy seasons and progress toward a Graduate Diploma in Chartered Accounting, the reality is that I want to spend my spare time offline. Walking along the coast or going for a run, spending time with my family, grabbing a coffee with friends, making a nice lunch on Sunday or just looking after myself.
I have a friend at work who I always tease for having the Group teams chat on ‘mute’ and never participating, to the extent that I forget she’s even in the chat. Until I see her in person and she’s up to speed on everything about everyone.
I’ve been around in the DOC and peer support spaces for long enough to know that people’s needs evolve over time, just like my own. One of the best things about the diabetes community is that it’s big and wide and broad enough that it’s always going to be there in whatever shape or form I need it.
Like my friend at work, I’ve been more lurking quietly in the background these days. I’ve also been reading more and getting my peer support in person.
I’ve had a few conversations about this blog over the past year or so, and one friend in the diabetes community recently put all of this into perspective for me. She thought it was fantastic that I didn’t feel the need to update my blog so often. It meant that diabetes was in the background, and not at the forefront of my mind. Second to life.
I think that’s a pretty good note to start the New Year on.
Happy New Year. Wishing you the very best for 2023.
Let me try again, must have pressed the wrong button. Well done on making the changes to your life, and taking time to be more off than on line. I have missed reading your blogs as they are so well written and to the point. Wishing you a happy and healthy 2023!
Thanks, Sally. Appreciate the nice words. Happy New Year!
Great to read your posting Frank, and great that life has been getting in the way of your blog posts! You carry on living your life Frank and wish you all the very best for 2023. Whenever you put a few words down that will be super to read – be that in another year down the line or even longer or shorter – we will always be here to enjoy your life with you. Take care Jan C
That’s really nice of you to say, Jan! Thanks for reading and all the very best to you for 2023.
Frank! AS your biggest fan I have ofcourse missed reading your insights and blogs, but I am so happy you are living a full rich exciting life. Go you!
Thank you for being my biggest fan 🙂
Frank, I always say write for yourself. If it is not exaclty what you want to do and about, I always say do not do it. It sounds to me like youa re doing exaclty what you wish. So bravo !!
Oh and by the way, sure it looks all summery in your picture. But listen we only have 4 months to get to spring. Four months? Oh goodness that sounds like a long time.
Thanks, Rick. Believe it or not – that road trip was actually during our Winter!
Happy new year, Frank! I am full of gratitude for you and all you do with and for the world. I can totally relate to wanting to be offline when possible. I also agree 100% that our blogs should serve to be a release and a place that fulfill us. They should never become a(nother) source of stress in our lives. With that in mind, I think it’s great to update when the mood strikes, and equally great to leave it aside when not in the mood.
Nice to read you again! Regards from Amsterdam
I’ve missed your musings Frank but fully understand why and wish you well in your future studies. Good on you for stepping back from diabetes being at the forefront of your life; wish I could do that but after 50 years I prefer my routines and at 64 feel the need to continue being a creature of habit.
Like most older people I don’t like change, so it’s for the best that you’ve started changing your routines now, before they become totally ingrained. Wishing you all the very best for 2023 Frank!