Saturday 7 January 2017

Hello 2017

Hope everyone has had a great Christmas and New Year. We had a fab time here, but once 2017 hit, so did illness. Feverish and sick is not the best way to be to usher in a new year. But the family are now finally surfacing from the arena of the unwell.

Have you made any New Year's resolutions? I need something to change in my life. My number one priority is to get some purpose. Those of you who know me personally will know I do a great deal of voluntary work, and obviously I also do and enjoy the sewing intern work too. However, making the jump from voluntary to paid work in my chosen sphere (public sector) has eluded me. Over the past three years I have applied for more jobs than I can remember, each application taking days to fill in. I am not even getting close; not even an interview in three years. Feedback is always the same: you are a strong candidate with good experience, but we were inundated and can take our pick.

To say it gets me down is an understatement. I have given up a large portion of my adult working life to raise my beautiful babies, but they have all started school now, and I need to do something challenging. But here's the rub... I need it to be part-time.

So, why am I writing about this on a sewing blog? Sorry folks, I just needed to say it 'out loud' to hear myself think, and this is a space I feel safe in. The sewing won't stop, I love it, but I need to acknowledge that life cannot carry on like this. So what next?  Short term, more voluntary work with different charities to gain more skills. Long term... I don't know; back to university, maybe? Expensive, but possibly worth it if I finally get to use my brain again.

Well thanks for reading if you got this far. I just needed to put it out there to make myself realise that I need to find a solution.  Come on 2017, reveal your secrets.  Louise xx

P.S. As far as sewing resolutions go, mine is to sew what I enjoy, plus to try hard to use up the fabric I already own before buying more!

17 comments:

  1. That's a really difficult position to be in, and pretty common regardless of your chosen field. Although I am lucky enough to be able to work part time (4 days, it's still 30 hours!), I do sometimes feel trapped in my role. My reduced hours wouldn't necessarily travel with me, even if I stayed within the company. And they wonder why there is a pay gap!!! Anyway. Good luck. I hope something works out for you this year. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry to hear you can feel trapped too. Its just not a nice feeling is it?

      Delete
  2. Happy new year Louise! Glad to hear everyone is getting better - family sicknesses are the worst!

    I went full time at work a few months ago after many years of working part time. However, I originally got the job as a full time role. My impression over the years, looking for other jobs I might apply for internally, has been that it's very hard to get taken on part time - I wonder if people want you to prove yourself in a role before they agree to your going part time? And yet I work for a company that's well known for its family friendly policies and support for part time and flexible work - once you're in a role, if you want to go part-time because of carer responsibilities they will generally have to agree to your request. So I don't know if starting off full time is an option at all for you, but if it is it might help?

    Good luck!

    Gabrielle x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your advice, I totally think you are right but I am not in a position to work full time. My middle child really struggles and I couldn't leave him in childcare neither he or the carer would cope. The other two would be fine. Its really constraining.

      Delete
  3. This is a difficult situation Louise, and one I share with you. My life stopped when I moved to Newcastle to marry John 15 years ago. No-one wanted to know me. I did another degree, but again, it was not going to open doors at all. I am now resigned to the situation at age 60. I do John's support work, and find it dull and boring, but it puts money in the bank - but as for me, I'm invisible or seen as the good little wife, not as someone who has two degrees who is capable of much more! I think you are young enough though to make changes now. But it will be a risk, so do make sure you are happy in the moment too. I think many people are in this boat, as Helen above has also said. While at the same time we are told we can be what we want to be and to follow our dreams! Anyway, I do understand, and I hope you find a way through this. Being rejected all the time does not help, of course. Have you explored the options around finding help with the children so that you can do full time if needed - which I suspect you will have to do. You may also need to work in any area and capacity in order to get your foot back in the door, maybe not at a job you like. You may also find practical skills updating something to consider as well - employers often look for someone that can do the job and solve their problems. Good luck, stay determined.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You sound like you totally understand. Thanks for your support, its really kind. I am feeling more upbeat for having written it down. xxx

      Delete
  4. Happy new year Louise! I'm sorry to hear you're having such a struggle getting back into work part-time. I hope 2017 brings you s change in this field and you find paid work.
    Glad to hear you're all feeling better though!
    Good luck with using up your fabric stash! I did use some last year but also added to it too of course!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks lovely. I need to have a plan now and map out my options. xx

      Delete
  5. Wishing you a wonderful 2017. All the best for job-hunting and applications this year Louise!
    Good luck with your sewing ambitions and busting that fabric stash too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Caroline. It feels like a positive step saying it out loud. Planning next.

      Delete
  6. It sounds like a difficult position, but it also sounds like you're dealing with it in the best way possible. All your voluntary work will make those applications even stronger, and the contacts that you make may well come in handy too. I hope that 2017 brings you better luck on the job front!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's my thinking Ruth, The more I do the more I have to write about on applications. xx

      Delete
  7. Happy new year! I hope 2017 brings you everything you desire. It is easy for me to say keep positive and not so easy to do when you have been trying so hard. I am a heat believer in fate and think the right thing will happen at the right time. Would any of the charities you have been volunteering at consider you for a part time paid osition? Even if it was just a few hours a week it might get you on the employment ladder so to speak? Wising you all good things.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am so sorry to hear about your situation. Your children are lucky to have you and so is everyone you encounter through volunteering. My mom would always tell me that there are always doors (i.e. options) you just have to keep on knocking until one opens -- I find myself understanding what she meant the older I get. Hopefully a door will open for you in 2017.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Louise, I totally sympathise with your situation. Doing voluntary work is great though, I think the connections you make are so valuable and of course you will get up to date references. I was at home with children for nine years and ten months ago started working part-time as a carer in people's homes. I am hopelessly overqualified for this but couldn't get an interview for any other jobs. My partner had a crisis and walked out of his job a year ago so there was a pressure to find work quick. I want to find a better paid, better hours jobs but it is not easy. So sending you lots of support and hugs. Maybe we need a returning toworkmothers network??xx

    ReplyDelete
  11. It is a hugely tricky situation, I had to go back to work after 18 year break. Child grown up, seperated from my husband who's career always took priority and moved us all over the globe and found myself in an almost unemployable position. There is a happy ending after finding and working at one very dull job part time job, did find someone willing to give me a chance. Think Minnado is right a returning mothers to work network!

    ReplyDelete