I have been a writer for 14 years now, I'll figure it out one day.
Most jobs will come with some form of pressure. Whether it comes from the role itself or the people you work with. So a little pressure is normal in some jobs. But pressure and stress are very different. Pressure is when you have the resources to cope, but you know something is at stake. Stress is when you don’t have the resources to cope.
I have been a counsellor for the past 2 years and I offer a free online email counselling service. Some of my clients have kindly agreed to share their details so that they might help someone else going through the same thing they are. They have given full written permission for their problems to be shared.
Imagine waking up in pain every single day. Think about how horrendous that would make you feel. Imagine the kind of effect it would have on your mood and your general outlook on life.
So anyone who knows anything about our van life journey knows what a freaking mess it’s been. We were on the road 23 days and locked down for 103. We spent 103 days cooped up with other full-time vanlifers in a car park in Falmouth, Cornwall. Just want to shout out to English Heritage for not kicking us out. We are all so very grateful. And I have to admit that I learned some very important lessons serving my time in lockdown. Things that will stay with me forever.
Even people who like doing housework don’t especially like doing laundry. It’s a 4 step process, so it’s like doing 4 jobs in one. Plus, folding is a real pain in the arse. Especially if you suck at it like I do. And believe me, the first time you do a whole load of laundry by yourself, it’s pretty overwhelming. There’s the constant worry of colours running and the threat of clothes shrinking to deal with. And you just feel like you’re going to have done something wrong. Especially if it’s not your clothes, you’re washing. But as long as you read the washing instructions, everything will be fine.
If you suffer with anxiety, then you’ll know how even the smallest things can set it off. So something like a global pandemic is bound to bring about a massive spike in your anxiety levels. The world is changing and change is scary.
You might not think it’s a necessary thing to write a 600 word minimum article about. But believe me it is. There are people out there who don’t know how to make a cup of tea or coffee for people because they either don’t drink it or have just never had to do it before.
Having a basic grasp of first aid is sensible. It just is. If something goes wrong or someone gets hurt, then knowing how to deal with it can literally be a lifesaver. But some parts of first aid are intimidating, and I totally understand people’s reluctance to learn them. People are afraid of being more of a hindrance than a help. But having even a basic grasp of first aid can be the difference between life and death (no pressure.)