Turning lots of corners - DaB35 Part 8

[DaB35]

Hi All,

Haven't been here for a while - lots on! Just checking in to give a positive update.

I got a promotion at work recently which means another pay rise. I passed my first exam to further my career at my job, which is good. I have two more planned leading up to summer, then hoping to do a third one in November. Work is going really well and I'm finding myself less anxious about potentially stressful situations; I get bothered a lot less and get on with my tasks whilst taking regular breaks.

I'm now an uncle - my sister gave birth towards the end of last year. We haven't been able to see the baby much - maybe two or three times briefly.

Exercise is going very well: I have biceps! And also a small six pack. Going to keep at it. I can now do 100 push ups a day.

I've also signed up to do a "virtual walk" - there are various things you can do all over the world, but I've gone for a walk from Land's End to John O'Groats. For the non-UK people that's basically walking the most southern part of the UK right up to the most northern bit of Scotland. About 1100 miles. I'm about 12% done according to the app. I've set myself a long deadline to complete it by (Autumn), so 2-4miles a day. Exercise and cycling counts towards it too. When the gym opens up again I will get back into the cycling/spin class. At the end of the journey you get a medal and T-shirt. Along the way, at every 10% marker achieved the organisaion plants a tree for you - a nice touch.

My Youtube channel is now over 110 subscribers which I never anticipated. I'm working on a long 30min info-vid at the mo, so learning about more editing software.

I've also devoured lots of info on investing money. I realised that I've been given terrible advice from my parents and never made my money work for me. My dad will think nothing of leaving £15k in a basic current account with no interest. I got an hour's free consultation with a financial advisor last month who helped me put together a plan for the next year; stuff like increasing my work pension payments, investing in stocks, moving my money into better savings accounts, etc. It's been really interesting and I feel empowered when I check something, do my research, and make a decision.

I still have a problem with a dry scalp. I'm going to book a doctor appointment soon and get referred to a dermotologist. It's not itchy any more which is great; but it's still annoying. I will not put up with it any longer! I am considering doing a blood test too to check if I have any deficiencies at all.

I'm increasingly seeing the way my parents' way of bringing me up affected me. Only now when I've had time alone to reflect on things have I been able to evaluate it all. They haven't neglected me at all, but I'm sad that they didn't support me as much as I thought they did. I do try to better the situation but they're such hard work!

I feel really confident and content in general. I'm looking at just bettering myself even further and learning more skills. One thing I plan on doing is touching up the leather seats on my car. They're fine, just a bit 'dry' and cracked. I bought a restore kit and have watched a few vids on how to do it, so I'll tackle that when the weather warms up a bit in March.

Stay safe everyone.