2022 Book Resolutions:
I gave up reading challenges a couple of years ago and haven’t looked back. But I have been reflecting of late on some personal reading challenges, one being, finish that series. I have a few (*a lot) series that I haven’t finished. I have all the books here on my shelf, but I’ve just never gotten around to actually finishing them. The majority of offenders are the third book in a trilogy, but I also have a few longer series that I’m only part way through. I would like to try and focus in on this and spend some of my reading time this year finishing them off.
Another personal challenge is to read more from my classics book shelf. I have some beautiful classic editions on there and each one has been bought with the intent to read, not just display. The first one I’m going to tackle is The Woman in White, a story I am familiar with, from having watched an adaptation a couple of years back, but the book has remained unread. This I will set out to address in January/February.
2022 Personal Resolutions:
I’m really not one for making New Year resolutions. However, in the spirit of oversharing, this week has been one of deep reflection for me. In March of last year, I quit my job with the Education Department and decided a change was in order. I applied for and was accepted into a Bachelor of Speech Pathology, a four year full time degree. I have since had a couple of casual jobs and have settled into working at Big W, which surprisingly (for me), I actually really like. Now, the thing is, last year, when the proposed study was just something I was doing ‘next year’, I was all for it. But next year is now this year, and after looking through the course material and thinking about the next four years of studying and how that might look in terms of the disruption to my current life, plus a lot of really deep thinking about myself and what I do and don’t want to do, the study is in the don’t want to column. And I’ve decided that I’m okay with that. I already have two degrees and further certificates. I was a career advisor for 10 years and I know the value of education. But I also know the value in being on the right pathway and wanting to do what you are doing. So I withdrew from the course and felt this enormous weight I didn’t realise I’d been carrying just float away. I have always been guilty of thinking I need to be doing more, being more, striving for more. Maybe I can finally just look at my life and how far I’ve come through so many changes in such a short time and breathe out with relief and gladness, content in the satisfaction that I am living a good life and making the most of each day as they come. I am definitely a different person now than I was in March of last year and I’ll probably be a different person again next year. And I think I’m actually okay with that.
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What Zeus has been up to:
Well, Zeus has been doing some reflecting of his own. Specifically, reflecting on the fact that just because the garage door malfunctions and opens of its own accord, you don’t need to run away. After a frantic 45 minutes of searching and panicking and crying and thinking he was surely dead from being hit by a car, I saw Zeus directly across the street walking up the neighbours stairs. I called him home, called the search party off, and called an electrician to fix that damned door. All’s well that end’s well…but even so, a little loyalty and obedience wouldn’t go astray Zeus! Here is Zeus, reflecting on his own behaviour…or reminiscing about that time he hung out at the neighbour’s house?
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What I’ve been watching:
TV has been about watching one thing with my daughter and another thing with my son. Which I love. With my son, I watched The Tourist on Stan. Very good. Plenty of plot holes, but still a great Aussie show. He loved it and we enjoyed watching it together.
With my daughter, I watched season two of Emily in Paris. We both agreed it was better than the first.
Speaking of my daughter, she flew back to Brisbane on Friday only to be informed on Saturday that the college where she lives is closing on the 16th for a month on account of the current Covid outbreak. So she will drive back home end of next week and we get her for a month at least. I can’t say I’m disappointed!
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What I’ve been reading:
This week was a disappointing one, reading wise, with these two books.
Things are looking up though with this one!
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Until next week! Stay safe, read plenty, and be happy.
Theresa Smith Writes 
A heartfelt post Theresa. Sometimes it’s enough just to be. I have a few of the clothbound classics on my shelves and they are beautiful just to look at but I too want to read them one day.
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They are very easy to collect, those beautiful clothbound classics.
And thank you xo
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You know, I did exactly the same thing with my law degree which I was studying part time because I was discontented with teaching and I saw it as an eventual career change. I was progressing well with my studies, and not a little proud of myself for getting high distinctions in such a difficult subject. But then one day I was hosting an author for book week and I told her I had always wanted to be a writer. Well, why aren’t you? she asked. Because of study, was my answer, and I realised not only that it was stopping me from doing what I wanted to do, but also that I didn’t particularly want to spend my working days among lawyers! I tossed the degree, and within three months I had my first article published, and within three years I had a book published and went on to self-publish teaching materials for Indonesian. I did go back to part-time study eventually, but in a completely different field and I’ve never regretted that decision…
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This is very validating to read! Thank you! Your decision to toss might have been harder than mine given you were already partway though. I want to spend more time this year being creative again too. I still haven’t unpacked my craft and art supplies from the move!
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Thanks for sharing Theresa. It’s sometimes hard giving up things you’ve signed up for and think you should do. I did two years, part-time, of a second arts degree in a different major, when I was in my late 20s, but managing that and a full-on full-time job was causing so much stress that my chronic health condition was flaring, so I pulled the plug. I got a huge amount out of those two years, but I’m not sorry that I pulled out. Those two years have really made a big difference to my wider cultural knowledge so who cares if I didn’t get that degree.
Anyhow, loved your story about Zeus, and about what you are watching with your kids. Nice family stories and times. I look forward to the next instalment in what you decide to do, whenever you decide to do it.
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Thanks Sue. I like sharing these things because I always get so much back from others and it’s so validating to know we have shared experiences and that there are others who ‘get’ where you are coming from.
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“The Maid”. Thanks for the tip (pun not intended). I’m a third of the way, and it has been delightful. Even suggested to the wife she might enjoy it!
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It’s caught me by surprise, The Maid. I thought it was going to be more sinister for some reason but I’m thoroughly enjoying it.
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Good for you for making the choices that work for you!
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Thank you!
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I love this, Theresa. There’s so much freedom in shaking off the ‘shoulds’ and realising what’s true for you. (I dropped my psych degree after 4 semesters when I had exhausted all the units that interested me, and was facing all the mandatory units I didn’t care about at all, and realised I did not actually want to be a clinical psychologist). Good for you! May 2022 keep showing you your own happy path 🙂 xx
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This is why I like to share. So many people have been through this or are contemplating it and it’s such a relief to have these shared experiences. I wish the same to you for 2022! 😊 xo
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That sense of relief when you make a big decision NOT to do something you think you should is all the sign you need Theresa.
When I realised I couldn’t teach anymore, I thought I would take on a non-teaching leadership role such as Director of a centre. I went for two great roles, was invited in for interviews and second interviews. But each meeting left me feeling nauseous and at the end of the second interview, I went home with a tremendous migraine. I realised my body was telling me something and I declined both positions – and never felt happier!!
I started working in the local bookshop while I decided what to do next. Thirteen years later I’m still there, now as manager and children’s specialist.
You never know what your next thing or next opportunity might be. 2022 is a new year full of possibility and potential – good luck 🙂
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Thank you for sharing that! And you’re so right, both about that feeling of relief being a telling sign and about keeping my mind open to whatever is out there. Following my instinct might be just the trick. In the meantime, at least I have a job I look forward to doing in place of one I dread showing up for!
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That says a lot Theresa – dreading going to work is the pits.
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Hi Theresa, I would agree with all the comments above and congratulations on having the courage to make decision that is right for you. Four years of full-time study is a big commitment, along with all the other things we have in our lives, and it can turn out to be a big burden if you’re not totally motivated. I finished my Arts degree last year and this year I am commencing Honours in History, but I had to do some deep reflection too – what is my heart telling me? All the best this year, you don’t need to be anything more than who you are and be content “to be.”
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Thank you Karen. All the best for your Honours, I hope it’s all you wish it to be!
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Thanks, I might think otherwise when I am head down into the research and thesis writing, but I am looking forward to the challenge.
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That you’re looking forward to it is a good way to start!
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Congratulations on the deep soul searching and for having the courage to stop and alter course. It’s much easier to go with the flow and stick to your original plans, and a lot harder to review your plans and admit to yourself they will no longer take you where you actually want to go. Love the oversharing, it helps us all! ❤
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Thank you! ❤
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Oh wow, how wonderful that you’ve been able to really consider what it is you want to do and ‘know’ what you don’t! I think that’s really important as we’re often reticent to pull the plug on things we think we should do, or that we should want to do.
I’m in a better place re that stuff as well, though the job I’ve been in for the last 6ish weeks is still a bit unsettling. I’m just not sure about it but don’t feel – after being unemployed for sooooo long – I can just walk away. And given it took me so long to find this, I’m not sure other options will come knocking.
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Before this, my job in the education department for 10 years was as a high school career advisor. I spent a lot of time counselling kids onto the right pathway, so common to see people committing to courses they only half want to do or their parents want them to do. The signs were very clear to me, but I still kept talking myself into it for ages!
I understand where you’re coming from with the new job, sometimes it just doesn’t feel right but being unemployed is tough, not just on your finances, on your well being as well. Three months is a good easing in and judgement run, maybe you will be more settled after that.
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GOOD! ON! YOU!! I’m thrilled that you’ve made a decision that brings you joy and relief. We congratulate people on saying “yes” every day (engagements, new jobs, purchases, whatever), but it’s so rare that we think to congratulate people on saying “no” to something that’s not right for them, which is just as important. So CONGRATULATIONS, and I’m looking forward to seeing where life takes you next!
Ah, Zeus – what a cheeky boy! He just wanted to say hi to the neighbours, I’m sure, but very rough on you. Did he make it up to you with lots of sooky don’t-be-mad cuddles?
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First, he ate youngest son’s spagetti that was sitting on the coffee table abandoned for the search. After that, he was very smoochy. 😂 Priorities and all that!
Thank you!! I believe in No. It took me a long time to start saying it, but I’m using it more and more and it’s really rather liberating.
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