Neglect

I've neglected a lot of things lately. This blog, for a start. The garden, running, any pretence at housework, my friends, knitting, eating properly. 

This hasn't been just idle neglect though. I've spent much of the last few weeks writing a job application, preparing for an interview - and celebrating after being offered an exciting new job. I start in January, and I can't tell you how excited I am. It's full time, so I'll lose my beloved Fridays off (sob) but it's walking distance from home, so I'll regain my early mornings and evenings. 

I've always thought of autumn as a time of change. I love the start of the new school year - always have, even when I've not been at school. There's a sense of possibility in the air - new stationery, a library full of new books, and the chance that this year might just be the one where you're organised and do all your homework on time. 

My new job doesn't start until January, so this autumn for me is more of an ending. I've got nine weeks left at work, and I'll be finishing projects, sorting through papers, clearing out my office, collecting things and saying goodbye. Nine weeks feels like a long time to wait, and yet no time at all to do what needs to be done. 

I've had a week now to get used to the idea of my new job, and so my attention is starting to turn back towards other things in my life that have taken a back seat. Today I answered the nagging voice in my head that has repeatedly been reminding me of the half marathon I'm doing in four weeks, and went for a run. 

I took a detour across the golf course and through the woods, which were hilly and full of rocks, and slowed me down so much I had to take a detour home. But nothing beats the atmosphere of a misty run through the trees on an autumnal Sunday morning. 

I feel mentally revived (and also a bit sleepy). The immediate sense of excitement and giddiness has passed, and I can think more clearly now about what needs to be done. 

I have plenty of priorities at work, of course, but they stay within working hours. Outside of work, well, for a start, that half marathon won't run itself. There are people I'd like to visit while I still have all my Fridays free, so there are trips to organise, starting with a new passport. 

And resting, of course. Most important. I don't want my last few weeks at work to be characterised by stress and grumpiness, and I want to start the new job feeling bright and lively, not harassed and worried. 

I started knitting again yesterday too - prompted by being cold and not being able to find my shawl, and by being invited to a friend's house for a craft evening. I'm making, unsurprisingly, a shawl (and still hoping my old one will turn up eventually). This is alpaca wool - gorgeously soft, and, it turns out, very easy to tangle if you're not paying attention. 

And for those of you wondering whether the house move will go ahead now I have a job round the corner from our current house, here's a picture of our kitchen. 

Hmm. It'll be a long process, but yes, we will still be moving. Probably not in the first few months of my new job, but eventually. 

I feel so much brighter with something new to look forward to. I do need some sense of stability, but there's also a part of me that thrives on novelty and change. I'm impatient to get started now, but know I need to s--l--o--w d--o--w--n and enjoy what I'm doing right now, rather than always reaching forwards to the next thing.