JOANNA CAREW

This past month has been completely mental, and I’m not actually sure if I am coming or going at the moment.

These are the “highlights”:

• Several major work projects.
• Buying and moving into my new house.
• Mastering the 300 mile commute.
• Alfie suddenly being ill and requiring surgery.
• Training for my new volunteer role.
• Keeping up with blogging and LinkedIn content.
• Designing and planning the re-model of my new place.

It is a lot to manage and I am feeling totally exhausted. This is also compounded by not having my habitual routines available.

For example, living in a hotel when up north means I have less access to good food, can’t potter on with household chores, and am cramming my diary to maximise face to face meetings and social events.

Then at ‘home’ in Norfolk, I don’t yet know the routes to walk the dogs. Nor the area, location of the shops, restaurants etc, and I don’t yet have social networks down here.

I realise I am drained and slightly overwhelmed. Last night after a painful 7 hour drive I watched a movie in the bath then crawled into bed and slept for 11 hours!

Today I feel human again!

I have cleared my diary for the weekend and am going shopping to stock the fridge with nutritious fresh ingredients, then I’ll grab a map and figure out dog walking routes. My game plan is to bunker down and totally chillax for two days. Bliss!

After a reset I’ll be ready to tackle the new week with gusto … we promote self-care days for all the staff at Carew Dental, this weekend it is definitely time to take mine!