He Tore A Hamstring Dot Mee Dot UK

The Return to Innocence

It’s been an ever so slightly busy week!! A day of interviews in each of London, Manchester and Birmingham, followed eventually by a well deserved day of rest.

I could not describe myself as mentally or physically tired per se, but constant travelling and ‘getting yourself up’ for interviews takes its toll over such a condensed period.

What has helped is the pure relaxation that I have felt since handing in my notice last Wednesday. This is not a slight on Reed Specialist Recruitment, a company for whom I am privileged to have worked over 3 years.

However, the last few months have seen me worn down, maybe by familiarity, and certainly by the need for a rest, the first such period of type that I have had since the death of my fiancée last November. Fatigue and frustration have prevented me from producing my best work, which is fair neither to myself or my colleagues.

Quite simply, I feel that I needed a change, a fresh start and renewed impetus. For that alone, I had no fears in handing in my notice when I did, despite not having confirmed what my next move was. The bottom line is that there was an existing offer on the table, and furthermore, I have worked hard enough to put myself in a situation where a couple of months without work would not cripple me financially, and would possibly be of great benefit to my health.

As much as I will miss some wonderful people with whom I have shared so much over the last 3 years, I literally felt the weight of the world lifted from my shoulder within minutes of leaving for the last time.

Of course, with interviews aplenty, I could not be accused of resting too much this week, but that will be a necessity in the weeks to come. Besides, a weekend which will include my leaving do, a trip to the Notting Hill Carnival, and the annual cricket club barbeque, cannot be a bad thing.

Difficult decisions await, but I count myself fortunate to be in a situation where I have decisions to make. By the end of September, I could be writing this blog from Manchester, or still be in Birmingham … decisions, decisions!

Life choices aside, Birmingham may face an interesting period over the next few days. Am not sure whose idea it was to have Villa and The Blues both playing at home tonight … am sure the West Midlands Police are braced! And if that isn’t enough, they will both feature on Sky Sports’ Super Sunday this weekend … I’m sure that the Publicans of the City are absolutely delighted!

By the time I next update this blog, I may have accepted a new job, and may be relocating. I might also be in a city ravaged by footballing civil-war, although I suspect Birmingham will survive the fixture computer!

I will definitely be relaxed, I will definitely be optimistic and eager for my new challenge, and I will most probably have consumed a few glasses of my favourite tipple in the intervening period!

The last year has taught me much about myself, and life in general. The most important of these has been never to afraid of admitting when things are becoming too much, for grief is not to be encountered alone. Furthermore, do not be afraid or too proud to smile, enjoy your life, and empower yourself to make decisions.

Don’t be afraid to be weak
Don’t be too proud to be strong
Just look into your heart my friend
That will be the return to yourself
The Return to Innocence
(Enigma: “The Return to Innocence” ~ 1994)

This past week, just maybe, I found my return to innocence. I made the decision to embark upon a new challenge, but was happy not to conform to the recognised manner of doing so. I have relaxed, have recognised myself, spent some wonderful moments with great friends, and been like the proverbial kid in the sweet store looking at the options in front of me. This is the beginning, not the end.