Be happy now , not later

Today my Open University books arrived for the coming academic year , I am studying for a BA Hons Social Sciences …So many people spending most of their time at work or looking for work, or running a home business feel that they do not get nearly enough time to do what they want to do. Many people feel and even experience depression as a result, that they do not have the means to have leisure time and activities such as hobbies and so they work harder because of this pressure.

There is never a perfect time to do the things you want to do and fulfil ambitions, there will always be something that makes it not quite the right time, finances, family circumstances etc. However, what about the things you have achieved so far? Was it ever a good time? If you’re a parent, then was it a good time to have a baby? Was it a good time to get married? A good time to start a relationship? A good time to buy a house?

When we have to, we make things work. There’s never a perfect time so do it anyway.

It can be easier Than You Think

Many of the dreams we have are much easier to fulfil than we might initially think. For example, if you want to travel then you don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune or take a year off work.

How about identifying places a little nearer that you can travel to?  Want a better home? You don’t need to spend millions – just empty out your property of things you don’t need and clear out clutter, do a bit of decorating and you will be surprised what a difference small changes can make!

Do you want to do a course but are put off by the cost? While adult education has had massive budget cuts, there are still available online, several reputable sources of free online courses, including Open Learn from the Open University and Vision2learn, with whom I gained an Equality and Diversity level 2 qualification. Just Google free online courses, for more opportunities.

maybe you have a craft or hobby such as writing and want to start a business, but for now you must stay in your current job? why not do what you enjoy doing at weekends and then when you retire or are in a better financial situation, you can turn that craft or hobby into a new career. 

Rethink your time

Right now, your job, your business or looking for a job or starting a business … or studying, takes up most of your time. You will be spending 10 hours at least doing these, then add in chores, laundry, cooking, cleaning, shopping etc, plus you spend 8 hours sleeping too, so that means you have around 4 hours max to yourself.

Your job is only likely to get more stressful, starting a business of your own can easily become a 24/7 job and looking for a job IS a job, it must be the priority as you meet the demands of social security, welfare and work programme obligations and deal with the issues that arise when you are unemployed such as debts, money and housing issues ...

As most of us try to gain a better income, we are forced to take on more responsibilities and this ends up meaning we work longer hours and feel more stressed and more burned out at the end of the day.

The problem is that many of us don’t realize we have a choice. We assume that the only way to feel like we’re accomplishing something is to work harder, achieve something or achieve more

The Alternative

There IS an alternative: how about you aim to make your day as easy as possible and in the meantime, you get your enjoyment and even extra income from a hobby?

Would you like to be a writer, to paint perhaps, or take photographs for an income, make and sell handmade cards or other crafts? Plan your day, do whatever the day job is that for now pays the bills, look for a job if you must, then with what time is left write and paint or whatever gives you enjoyment and satisfaction. One way to make more time is not to stay up into the early hours, at least I have never found this works, for me, but going to bed at a reasonable hour and getting up at a sensible time does work. If you then manage to sell some articles you have written, photographs you have taken or paintings or crafts, then you will be supplementing your income and maybe even beginning a new dream job.

Valerie Hartland

Be happy ..even though its Monday ...and a freebie from Amazon

So many people spending most of their time at work or looking for work, or running a home business feel that they do not get nearly enough time to do what they want to do. Many people feel and even experience depression as a result, that they do not have the means to have leisure time and activities such as hobbies and so they work harder because of this pressure.

There is never a perfect time to do the things you want to do and fulfil ambitions, there will always be something that makes it not quite the right time, finances, family circumstances etc. However, what about the things you have achieved so far? Was it ever a good time? If you’re a parent, then was it a good time to have a baby? Was it a good time to get married? A good time to start a relationship? A good time to buy a house?

When we have to, we make things work. There’s never a perfect time so do it anyway.

It can be easier Than You Think

Many of the dreams we have are much easier to fulfil than we might initially think. For example, if you want to travel then you don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune or take a year off work.

How about identifying places a little nearer that you can travel to?  Want a better home? You don’t need to spend millions – just empty out your property of things you don’t need and clear out clutter, do a bit of decorating and you will be surprised what a difference small changes can make!

Do you want to do a course but are put off by the cost? While adult education has had massive budget cuts, there are still available online, several reputable sources of free online courses, including Open Learn from the Open University and Vision2learn, with whom I gained an Equality and Diversity level 2 qualification. Just Google free online courses, for more opportunities.

Maybe you have a craft or hobby such as writing and want to start a business, but for now you must stay in your current job? why not do what you enjoy doing at weekends and then when you retire or are in a better financial situation, you can turn that craft or hobby into a new career.