[233/366] this last year

[cosmolinguist]

Facebook tells me that a year ago today, diffrentcolours and I were trying to show my visiting friend Kat the statue of Abraham Lincoln (I posted a very good photo of this).

Almost immediately after Kat left, I went to Minnesota. I came back, made a surprise trip to Bournemouth at the last minute for Lib Dem conference, and got back from that just in time to start uni.

I didn't get a break over the semester holidays; I needed extensions on essays then too. I was writing them during my frist week of my new classes; I remember trying to find lecture rooms and then in between just frantically writing.

And I've been working all summer on essays, which all had to be handed in by Monday, with my last exam yesterday.

I literally haven't had a break, a time when I wasn't thinking "I should be working," in a whole year.

And finishing uni at the same time as I've lost my biggest volunteer role, with LGBT+ Lib Dems, something I've had every year but one since 200...8? 9?, has left me honestly baffled as to how to spend my time now. This stuff has always been there, and now it's not.

I know I need to really start jobhunting, the house is a disaster I can always work on, I need to finish Andrew's PIP application and think about more benefits myself, sure. But I also maybe need to find a hobby or something?!

Comments

[rmc28]

Hurrah for being Done! With! University!

I think you are allowed to give yourself some 'time off' to think about what hobby etc you might like to do.

(I, perpetual overcommitter, made myself wait three months between finishing my OU degree and taking up any other long-term commitment.)

[cosmolinguist]

Oh yeah I'm not expecting it today. But today feels weird. :)

[annofowlshire]

I second this comment. All of it.

[cosmolinguist]

Well I'd really like to have a long-term commitment in less than three months because I need a job. :)

[annofowlshire]

Valid. But I was thinking more about long term volunteer or hobby or such ^_^

[polyfrazzlemented]

Congratulations on finishing!

[cosmolinguist]

Thanks!

[diffrentcolours]

Maybe it's worth separating the ideas of "hobby" from "commitment". Since stopping being involved in LGBT+ Lib Dems, I've had more time for things like video games, reading books etc. None of them have any commitment or pressure involved, but I can spend more time jumping around as a Russian doll or being a PI in spooky tentacle city or whatever which I find to be pleasing and relaxing distractions.

[cosmolinguist]

Well as you know video games are solely a spectator sport for me but I have been really looking forward to being able to read for fun again. :)

[ewt]

Hurrah for being done!

When I finish, I am really looking forward to spending some time on better self-care than I have been able to manage alongside my studies.

If you are interested in freelance sensitivity reading/accessibility consultancy stuff, I'm very happy to write a positive review after my own stuff is out of the way. (There are many arguments for and against freelance work of this sort, which I'm assuming you can find yourself/ask about if you want advice; I'm not saying it's something you should or shouldn't do, or that you should or shouldn't want to do it. Just saying I am happy to vouch for you if so.)

[cosmolinguist]

I couldn't make a living freelancing -- my anxiety would eat me alive -- but I'd be delighted to do it a bit, I certainly loved the experience of working with you on that, so it's definitely an option. Thanks for your offer, I'll keep it in mind (and good luck with all your own stuff!).

[silveradept]

Congratulations! Well done you on finishing. You have certainly earned a rest from anything that's not an immediate (or needs to be started now so it will get in on time) need.

[ludy]

Congratulations on finishing

[otter]

Hooray, you get a break now! Well done.

I like the 'or something', because it can vary day to day, mood to mood.

[barakta]

RAR You Finished!

Well done!!!!!!!!

Would it help to give yourself a set time not to think about 'adulting' and just to do nice things like watch films, chat to friends, read books, go for walks, etc...

Happy to help with A's PIP if that's any use.

[cosmolinguist]

I might try to pick your brains about it in that case, it's been a while since I've done this! Thanks.

[jesse_the_k]

Hurrah for the end of your current college career! (Nothing wrong one going back to college in 30 years.)