So it’s time to take blogging more seriously. Life is about to get pretty tough. But I’m going to embrace this life change, and do great things.
What a month I’ve had.
Car crash. You can read about my experience here. Scariest day of my life.
Fast forward 4 weeks and I’m made redundant without notice. Yep that’s right. I turned up to work and they sent me home, unemployed.
I won’t go into details. I was almost made redundant in January but they managed to keep me on. So this didn’t come as a shock, I was however, shocked that it was instant. No warning.
Anyway I’m not dwelling on that.
I’ve got to look forward, and fast.
We’re down to one income, one very small income. If you read my post on redundancy at the beginning of the year, you’ll know my husband was made redundant in December. He’s now working as an apprentice electrician and is at college one day a week.
I couldn’t be more proud of him. He’s 30 years old and starting again. Everyone around us are pretty much in established careers, and well, we’re both now starting from scratch.
Both of us. Not one, but 2 redundancies in the space of 10 months. What are the chances?!
So what’s in store for us?
Financially I have no idea. I have bills, quite a few. I need at least £300 a month to cover them. I’m hoping we’re entitled to benefits to cover this. I’ll be calling them tomorrow, but I’m not holding my breath.
I could look for another job, but part time jobs that pay 20k pro rata are impossible to come by. Trust me I’ve looked, a lot. And said job would need to take on a mum with a toddler and responsibilities… Yeah good one.
We have a small amount of savings that will help pay the mortgage for a couple of months, but this won’t last long.
I’ll be able to claim for unpaid wages, redundancy and notice. So should have a bit of money by December, but hey us part timers don’t earn much you know, so this won’t be much.
I can however, see a silver lining to this awful situation.
I get to work harder at blogging, build up my following and hopefully get some paid work. I’m already registered self employed as I’ve earned a tiny bit already (I mean really tiny), so I’m going to push to earn more.
I never thought I’d be a stay at home mum. Ever. I didn’t spend 6 years in further education to stay at home. But I’ll embrace the time with my son. I love him more and more each day and miss him when I leave him. It’s just not something I saw myself doing.
Then there’s my little business venture I haven’t quite announced yet (other than a few comments here and there and photos on Instagram).
I’m launching my own Lamb & Bear clothing line.
You may be reading this thinking, there’s your new career, what are you worried about?! But trust me when I say, I won’t be earning an income from it for a long, long time. And who knows if it will even take off? Although I’m confident it will, or I wouldn’t be doing it!
I’ve got to grab this opportunity with both hands. I’ve been given something so precious to parents. Time.
I now have more time to design for my clothing line. To write for my blog. To promote my brand. To spend time with my son.
My mother-in-law looks after Lamb on Mondays, and will continue to do so, he also goes to nursery on a Thursday (we’ve put him down to one day a week for obvious reasons).
I can’t take him out of nursery altogether. It’s taken us over a year to get him to a point of being happy to go to there, and he will be going for free in April anyway. So we’ve agreed to find the money each month to keep him in. He’s our priority.
That gives me 2 full days a week to work on the brand and blog.
It’s time to get organised. It’s time to schedule my time.
I can do this. It’s going to be so hard. Pennies will be tight. But we are both actually in a happy place and that’s what matters. We are spending more time together and strengthening our family bond.
So what if Christmas is cancelled this year? We have supportive friends and family around us that will help make it special.
So let’s raise a glass to the start of our new life.
And hope we can pay the bills!
Ax
Perfect attitude. Embrace it, do it, own that f**king redundancy like it was a gift from above. Show the world your independent awesomeness!! Girlfriend don’t need to be the underling of anyone. She can rock the blog and brand business!! *finger snap* *sassy hip flick*
In all seriousness sending you all the best. It’s never just one thing is it?! Good luck!! x
Wow, what a year! Best wishes; your future sounds amazing. You are making it! Remember if you have everything under control, you’re not moving fast enough.
Oh no! That seems like tbe worst luck on the redundancy front but with everything you have planned already, part of me is thinking that this is what is meant to be for you. I have my fingers crossed that it all works out for you and your family. Xxx
I agree Cara, I totally believe in fate, but at the same time I can’t help but panic about paying my bills! Xx
Oh gosh that’s terrifying. Well done you for being so optimistic, and best of luck with the clothing line.
Thank you 🙂 xx
Oh wow, what a year! You seem to be so strong and taking it all in your stride though. Maybe this is a perfect opportunity to do something completely different – I’m very excited for your clothing line!! Good luck lovely xx
Thanks sweetie, in trying to stay strong for my family. It can’t be easy for the hubby to support us on such a low wage so he doesn’t need me getting upset about everything! X
Wow! Exciting times! Keep focusing on the positive my darling. Sometimes life has a funny way of putting us on a new track and personally I’ve always found that when I up against, things always work out. Give me a shout if you struggle to find paid work. I have lots of lovely clients whom I’m sure I can introduce you to. Good luck! X
Thanks Katie, I really appreciate your comment. I would love you to introduce me to clients if that’s ok? That’s so kind of you to offer. My email is lambandbearblog@gmail.com if you want to email me? You’re a star xxxxx
Bless you lovely what an ending to this year. Although you seem to have a wonderful perspective on it all and that is to make the list of this situation you find yourself in. I am truly excited for you I think things will go so well for you especially because you have two full days to work. Good luck lovely xx
Thank you darling. I have to look at every situation positively or I could realm find myself struggling to cope. I truly believe in fate xx
Ah I wish you all the best, lots of luck and lots of success. Such a tough time for you, but it seems you have taken the bull by the horns and are determined to make it work! Wish you the best of luck in setting this all up!
Thank so much. If I don’t embrace it, I’ll really struggle, so I know which way I’m going! X
This could be such a good thing in the long term but right now it’s pretty pants. Sending love, you can do it! x
Thanks Donna 🙂 xx
Oh my word Alex! You go girl! I’m so excited for your clothing line to launch. Life throws these hurdles at you at times. You’ve totally got this! xx
Thanks babe. There’s definitely a silver lining to this and that’s time to work on the clothing line! Fingers crossed it takes off xx
Wowza, what a totally crazy time you’ve had. I truly believe all things happen for a reason, sounds like your make the most of the redundancy situation and enjoy the little man while he’s young. I’m sure you’ll do fantastic at blogging and the new venture- sounds bloody exciting. Good luck sweetie xxx
Thanks so much Hun. Yep it’s been pretty crazy. No wonder I’m suffering with headaches! Xx
Really sorry to hear this love!! It will all work out somehow. I have been in this position before and there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.
Xxx
Thanks Hun. It’s the sudden no income that is going to be toughest, if I had warning I would of been careful with spending. I literally won’t get paid again! Xx
Oh my… what a whirlwind, but these things happen for a reason! Your future sounds amazing and full of exciting changes… I haven’t worked full time since I finished my MA (now writing a book) and we have just decided to homeschool.. I had so much more me-time two weeks ago, but I have never done so much since life changed, like time was really precious, you know? It will all be ok. I am pushing my blog now too, I want it to be my job, but it’s still early days… we can do this, though… I know we can 🙂 xxx
We sure can, and that’s the exact attitude we need to have. Good luck with your book… and homeschooling! xx