Give Betty a round of applause

Hello. I've had an email from a reader, let's call her Betty.

I've had a traumatic few weeks, systems have changed in my job, which have made me feel unable to cope. I've done the job very happily for 14 years, but I just can't cope with the changes.

I was going to give up work when I am sixty (I am almost 58), but I've decided to give up work as from now.

Your blog has given me the courage to do it. I've been working on a zero hours contract for 14 years, no holiday pay/sick pay/pension etc, but I stuck with it because I enjoyed it.  Fortunately my husband will still be working for a little while, so the outlook isn't entirely scary, just a bit.

Anyway, I just want to thank you for showing people how they can manage, without making things too complicated.  I read your blog all the time, and it has been the one bright light in a very dark few weeks. 

I am going to use the extra time I now have to lose excess weight, get fit, strong and healthy.  I am currently fat, weak and exhausted, and to be honest, I don't really know where to start.  I'm going to start walking, and possibly swimming, as I have painful feet.  I already use many of your recipes, and try to shop the way you do.  

Feel free to quote anything I have said, as long  as you don't reveal my name etc.  

Thank you again for your brilliant blog, it has been such a help to me in keeping me sane and in making my decision.  

Hi Betty, thanks for your mail. You have decided to bite the bullet and give up your job, that's a very brave move, but at the age of 58, I fully understand your reason for doing so. I was in my mid fifties and wasn't enjoying my job, so I know how you feel. It was boredom and a feeling of being trapped which prompted me to make a move and cut down my working hours, which eventually led to me having an operation I needed, then losing my job, then retiring.

I never thought for one minute that I might be doing the wrong thing. I couldn't face sitting in one more traffic jam on the M62 and thinking what the heck am I doing here, when I could be doing something else a lot more interesting. That's when it hit me, if I don't spend any money, I don't have to earn it.

When the work is no longer stimulating, when the management becomes really annoying, and when you dread going in each day, that's the time to get out, and get a life. Of course it would be foolish to say everyone should chuck their job up just because they are having a bad day, especially if they have family commitments that they must provide for, but there comes a time when the family have gone and the only responsibility you have is to yourself, and to your other half if you have one.

Actually I am feeling quite excited for you Betty, because now you will be in control. You will be able to devote more time to develop other interests, learn new skills, and plan treats, holidays, and other surprises for the two of you, instead of being frazzled and grouchy. Your mood will instantly lift when you wake up in the morning and embrace a brand new day. You will smile, you will be cheerful, knowing that you haven't got to face those in the office, and do battle with the establishment. No more petty rules, you are the one to make the rules from now on.

You say you are unfit and a bit too large, which is contributing to you being weak and exhausted. Let's get you started tomorrow on a plan. Swimming, a good idea, walking a good idea. You could also tweak your diet now you have time. No more grabbing a takeaway or convenience meal because you can't be bothered to cook, or haven't got time to stand in the kitchen. Now you have time to make healthy meals from scratch.

There won't be miraculous changes to your health in the first week, it will all take time, but look forward to feeling a lot better say next spring when you look in the mirror and see a brand new shape, a lot slimmer you. Keep that in mind, it's not pie in the sky, it's achievable once your stress melts away, and you feel more at peace with your life.

Don't worry about not having enough money, you will have enough. Hubby is still working and you can do your bit by planning how you are going to organize your finances, so that he can give up work as well.

This is a new chapter for you Betty, a new start, I wish you well on your journey. Keep in touch and tell us how you are getting on. Send me another email in a month with an update, I would love to know what's happened. All the best.

We didn't manage to get the rabbit hutch/hedgehog residence finished today, I have to go back next week.

A reader has pointed out to me that some photo's are missing on some of my older posts. That's because I was using Photobucket for a few weeks when my storage limit was reached with Google/Picasa. Photobucket was a free image hosting site, but they then decided to make a charge for it which was way too much. I didn't pay so they removed all the photo's that I posted on here and the two forums I visit. I now pay Google £4 something a year for unlimited storage, so my photo's should stay for as long as I keep paying it.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
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