Blog#1: My Life

1.    Please begin by introducing yourself!  Write a couple of paragraphs that tell me about you, your family, your interests & any work or activities you are involved in.  What are you passionate about & why?  Then, upload a few pictures - at least one of yourself and a few other “life in action” pictures that help me better understand your life and what’s important to you.

My name is Joanne, I am 46 years old and I live in Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK with my partner, Dave and 2 daughters, Emma and Jasmine. I started my own business in 2001 and I work as a self-employed Recruitment Consultant/Director. My family consists of my partner Dave who is 49 years old and my 2 daughters, Emma who is 5 years old and Jasmine who is 3 years old. I have very little time for hobbies, however, I enjoy cycling, swimming, eating out, walking, reading, surfing online, shopping, holidays and family time, which is my main pleasure. See attached pictures - one of me and 3 family holiday pictures. 

2.    How would you describe your personal philosophy or approach to life at this stage?  This can be in your own words or inspired by a quotation.  Please explain this philosophy, why it resonates with you and how it plays out in your life?  Has your philosophy/approach to life changed over time – if so, how & why? 

My personal philosophy/approach to life is treat every day as if it were your last and work hard play hard. This resonates with me because I have tried it and it works for me and it helps me to get the most out of life. It is not always possible/feasible depending on what is planned for the day and existing commitments. I have had this philosophy/approach to life for a long time and I have tended to stick to it as it gives me a good feeling.

3.    For fun, imagine that your adult life through today was captured in a book:  

a)    What would be the 3-4 key chapters?  For each key chapter, please provide a headline that describes it, upload an image depicting how you feel about that chapter & explain why.  [Images can be from the internet (such as Google Images), from a magazine/newspaper or your own.] 

Chapter 1 - My Younger Days from birth

Chapter 2 - Time at University

Chapter 3 - A Working Singleton

Chapter 4 - A Dedicated Working Mum of 2

Chapter 1 - I have very happy memories of my youth and my early days which was the creation of who I am today.

Chapter 2 - I am proud of my 3 years spent studying at Lancaster University, coming away with an honours degree in Management, I am thankful of my education.

Chapter 3 - After leaving University, I have worked extremely hard, I had a successful career and spent may nights travelling the world working away from home. Had passport, will travel !

Chapter 4 - My happiest and most memorable time, I had 2 wonderful pregnancies, both my 2 daughters were born on their respective due dates and became a first time Mum in my forties. My parents became grandparents which they were delighted about. 

b)    Tell me more about your current chapter.  What are the best parts so far – why?  What are the biggest challenges in this chapter – why?  What has surprised you about this chapter – why?  If you had a magic wand, what would you change or at least “tweak” in this chapter - why?

Best parts - My 2 x kids and making my Mum and Dad very proud grandparents.

Biggest challenges - Balancing everything, 2 properties, own business, 2 x children, doing all the school/nursery runs and caring for my Mum.

c)    Now provide a preview of the next chapter.  Imagine what the headline might be, choose an image that depicts how you feel about that chapter & explain why.  What do you envision?  Most look forward to?  What do you potentially worry about or think could get in the way of your vision?

Next chapter - Headline: Reflection and The Next Era

I most look forward to seeing my 2 beautiful daughters grow up and I constantly worry about my very ill Mum whose time is short.

4.    Think about your relationship with the senior parent/loved one for whom you help provide/arrange care currently: 

a)    If you had to give yourself a job title for the role you currently play in his/her life, what would it be, why & describe that role in more detail.

Carer/Counsellor - I care for my Mum with regards to her day-to-day wellbeing and I listen to her/try to advise the best that I can.

b)    Upload an image (e.g.: from Google images) that depicts how you feel about your current role & why?

I feel broken/the role is breaking my heart as I can see how she is deteriorating day by day.

c)    What do you find gratifying about this role?  Challenging?  Why?

I find it gratifying because I would do absolutely anything/go to the ned of the earth for my Mum, it is challenging because it is very upsetting. My Mum is my best friend and I hate to see her suffering.

d)    How does serving this role impact you, your life and even your day-to-day?  How do you feel about that?

It is a massive drain on my time, however, that's fine, my Mum takes priority because I know her time is very short and I want to do everything I can for her and spend as much time as I can with her. 

e)    Now imagine your ideal relationship with your senior parent/loved one (now & in the near future).  What would your ideal job title be & why?  If different from now, in what way/s & why is that important?

My ideal job title would be Personal Shopper - When my Mum was well, we used to spend hours together shopping until we could shop no more. We loved it. It is different to now as my Mum is not well enough to go shopping.