Work is going really well; I’ve got two clients who I really enjoy working for, the hours are great and I’m loving the challenges that working at SX level brings. I have realised that the last 11 months of my 5-years at Barclays had completely jaded my view of how much I enjoyed working at that level within the corporate arena. I can safely say that I wouldn’t want to go back to it for the full 9-5 lifestyle – however good the money – but keeping my toes in the water is certainly a good feeling. I just need to pick up some more clients, hopefully a couple of small businesses and a couple of domestic PA slots for a couple of days a month each, and I’ll be a bit more comfortable from a sustainable income point of view.
My health and fitness are much improved on where I was even a year ago, despite a recent blip in increasing tiredness levels. Actually, having had this most recent bad patch hasn’t been entirely bad, it has made me realise how much willpower and determination I have if I put my mind to it. I now just need to put that towards not jumping off the diet wagon and I’ll be sorted! I’ve also realised, whilst house and dog-sitting for friends, that I’ve let my baseline activity/steps level drop significantly since my pedometer broke. I have now ordered a replacement and will be back on the road to the 8-10k steps/day target.
I’ve made some really great friends in the area, as well as getting back in touch with some good friends who I hadn’t seen for a while, and I’m really enjoying being involved with the Fordingbridge Players and getting out and about in the town a bit more.
I have a great family who love me, and very, very (very, very, very) supportive parents without whom I wouldn’t be where I am now.
I am still able to indulge my passion for horses, I have a gorgeous kitten who thinks I’m the most amazing plaything (after the dog) and a beautiful dog who greets me at the door with a wriggle and a bark.
All the above, and more besides, makes me a very lucky girl.
Which is why I’m giving myself a figurative slap and feeling that I should be turning my ‘independent young woman who doesn’t need a man’ badge in at the door because I’m sitting here feeling sorry for myself over my appalling luck and/or timing with guys. Aaaaahhhhhh
Get up. Dress up. Turn up. 
I may be calling on you for any tips, etc, for the self-employed life. Not sure when, but I’m inching towards it. Slowly. I keep getting pulled back into thinking the 9-to-5 is the only way. Really happy to hear self employment’s working in your favour.