Work / Life Balance!

I really can't believe how active I am at the moment, I have very little time to myself and whenever I get a few hours like today, I am blogging away. A friend said to me the other day, that I really should take some time out; well maybe I should, but I spent too long sat on my laurels in Spain and have a lot of catching up to do. Hard work doesn't kill anyone and I am enjoying myself more and more each day. In today's entry I want to talk about my working week and what I am doing at the moment. On top of this I do have a family life as well and somehow manage to fit this into my busy schedule.  I am also blogger and Columnist for a newspaper in Gran Alacant; all of which make for a busy lifestyle. This is the most assiduous I have been in many years and I am relishing the opportunities ahead.

I am fortunate enough to still be volunteering for Cancer Research in Portsmouth. I have set myself goals and top of that list is to give something back, to the community in which I live. I am lucky to be working with a great team, who are always positive and have been a great support during some particularly low points in my life. Despite my work load I am determined to keep helping this busy retail outlet. My Manager here has put a lot of faith in me and is allowing me to do jobs normally reserved for Managers and Supervisors, something I am happy to do, if it helps them. Monday is reserved for my voluntary work and I intend to keep it so. Thankfully I have two good employers who are more than willing to allow my continued commitment to a cause, so close to my heart.

---

My main job is of course working for Britain's largest supermarket, a position I am enjoying immensely. So far my time at this large superstore in Fratton has been a success; the positive feedback I have received from those in charge and customers has been far more than I could have ever wished for and I can't thank everyone enough for their encouraging, continuing, genuine and unquestionable comments.

Yesterday I was jointly awarded a certificate for my outstanding customer service contribution, something I was happy to accept, pleased that my efforts were being recognised, in complete contrast to jobs I have done in the past. I am working every spare hour I can with this supermarket, there is always overtime available and I am more than willing to do it. Being happy in ones job helps also; in my case I am just pleased to be working at all after such a long period of stagnation in Spain; it is a welcome change to be in such a good position, financially and mentally.

I am also working at the Newcome Arms Public House in Portsmouth, a job I absolutely love. Not only does it give me extra money, but it also gets me out and about in the evening, meeting new people and getting to know the community in which I live. I am well used to bar work now, with my skills improving every day. I am only doing a few evenings a week in this local pub, but already have been welcomed with open arms.

This Saturday was the beginning of the new football season, so after working in the morning, I then went to work at The Newcome, just after the Portsmouth and Luton match, at 5.30pm. It was packed, there were supporters everywhere and I was in for a busy six hours, after being up since 6.30am. I finally got home, exhausted at midnight; on Sunday I would have to do it all over again!

---

Tomorrow I have made time to sit down and write my third article for the Gran Alacant News. After speaking with the owner of this new English language newspaper, I agreed to write a fortnightly column, discussing issues important to the Expat community. Writing is my number one passion as anyone who reads this blog knows, so any opportunity to put pen to paper is welcome and I would like to thank all those who have read my first article 'New Horizons.' I was delighted to hear from many who receive the GA News, saying how delighted they were to once again be reading my words, in a new column entitled 'Postcards From Britain.'

Despite no longer living in Spain, I think it is important to keep a connection to this fantastic place. I made many friends there and hope to visit soon, before Darrell leaves the Country. Gran Alacant News is a new publication and I wish its proprietor Dave Bull well. Do keep up to date with my thoughts and muses from the UK, all feedback is of course very welcome.

---

With all the working and writing you could be forgiven for thinking I have no time for anything else, well I am trying to achieve a kind of work/life balance that I am happy with, still spending time with family and friends when I can. I have managed to get one day off a week; spending time with those close is more important to me now than ever. 

I see my Cousin Rachel nearly everyday and although my Aunt and I can be a bit like passing ships in the night, I do manage to see her when I can. All of us lead very busy lives, so it goes without saying, that we have to make time for one another. With the school holiday's in full swing and the summer hotter than usual, this isn't just a time to work, but it is a time to enjoy family life.

This could be the last prolonged period I spend with family in the UK, so I need to make sure I use my time here wisely, doing everything I need to, seeing who I have too and enjoy quality time. Working everyday is OK in practice, what what am I achieving long term. Well like most people I need the money in order to survive while living here in Portsmouth, but I am also conscious of my family commitments and values and want to spend as often as I can living life as I used to, before my family took a back seat.

Achieving the perfect work/life balance can be challenging. Most of us work extremely hard these days and have very little time for our immediate families, let alone those in our extended network. Living in a family home does help increase contact, but it is more than that. I am intent on forming bonds that I never used to have, unique relationships with my kinfolk that have been lacking for one reason or another. Had my life not gone the way it has, I would not be here today, rebuilding bonds. Despite the anxiety, stress and lack of direction I am experiencing, there has at least been an upside and I have grown close to family once again. The longer I remain in the UK, the closer I will become with Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. I am mindful that I will be moving on at some point and am taking each day as it comes. For now I am content with my path in life; I have the balance just about right and I look forward with anticipation at the future laid before me!

---

---