Happy Monday!

I’ve been completely absent over the last couple of weeks (so much for my Get a Grip goals in September!) because October is hard and I am tired and there is more change at work.

However, we have just entered the ‘dead cat bounce’ part of the year. For those of you that don’t know, it’s when the clocks go back and its lighter in the mornings for a bit. I struggle generally with light levels in winter but the dark mornings are the worst thing for me. So while everyone else complains about it being dark at 5pm (which is hard) I’m marginally happier because I can wake up in the light. It’s a dead cat bounce because the cat is still dead, there is no good news, in a month’s time it’s going to be dark at 7:30am and there is no stopping it, but for the next week or so, I’m a tiny bit more able to cope…

It other news, good change at work but I’m giving some support to others, in addition to my actual job. I do want to help but I’m also wondering about my capacity for stretch (at work and in my life in general). After a chat with my boss, we’ve come to the conclusion that we’ll (ok I) will carry on until Christmas and then, assuming I haven’t had a nervous breakdown, we’ll review for the New Year. There are only 66 days until 2026 and that’s only actually 40 working days if I take out weekends, bank holidays and leave, it’ll be fine!

In addition to work being busy, I did a day in Southampton which involved a 5am wake up, which I really don’t recommend. Ma and I went to the farmers market, we’ve had haircuts and I’ve assembled furniture for her (and witnessed her doing actual housework!) and I have bought more than one of the many birthday/Christmas presents that are required for the coming season. Last week, I gave blood, I’ve started to donate regularly, inspired by a colleague who has a goal of 50 donations before he’s 50 and the shortage in the summer, if you can donate, I would encourage you to do so, it does really help and it’s easy to do.

This week is going to be very quiet, I spent a fair amount of time getting myself prepped for the week, there’s a Grace meal on Monday, and other than that I have no plans to be social!

Have a good week!