When I left my teaching role in July this year a lot of friends and colleagues commented on all the time I would have to meet up for coffee, catch up on those box sets I'd left by the wayside and generally swan about doing what I pleased.
One thing is true - I am now in charge (to some extent!) of my own destiny and it's a lovely feeling. It means that one day I can be meeting up with clients to find out more about their loved ones or their hopes and dreams for their relationship, or I can be finding out the best venues for ceremonies. With the rise in direct cremations, choosing beautiful venues can be just as relevant for saying goodbye to loved ones as it is for making vows to a partner or new baby.
Today I'm home, doing all those jobs that get left behind. Despite getting excited about my new diary, post it notes and other gorgeous stationery, it hasn't actually made me get on with the job in hand. Luckily, Charlotte from https://thewilkinsonva.co.uk is on hand to get me back on track. Book keeping is done, social media and website is getting there and plans are afoot for the next step on the Celebrant path. I've even managed this blog post (has it really been that long since the last one?!). It's been great to revisit thank you cards and emails I've received and I'm honoured to have been part of so many occasions in my community over the last year. I'm constantly reflecting on my authentic self (because apparently i have to!) and what I can offer my clients and at a recent Loop, Chesterfield networking meeting my response to 'Why do you do this?' was clear. For me it's about creating strong communities, being there for each other, celebrating our little lives in this big universe and making our time here mean something. If I can help to create ceremony and ritual to celebrate this, all the better.
I look back at what i've achieved in the last few months and it makes me more excited for what the future will bring. It's been great to meet so many lovely people, forge relationships with fabulous, creative people who supply a whole wealth of services and products, learn more about the industry I'm part of (an endless quest), and I even managed to reconnect with my teaching (the good bits) to help out as a consultant, moderating students work. It was a joy to see my students and colleagues again.
It's a good job I like to keep busy! But I have also been reminded of the value of having some holes in my stress bucket, so dog walks and the occasional meet up for coffee with friends has of course, been essential!!
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