Monday

New life goals

Today was my last day of teaching. I'll be honest, my emotions are split. On one hand, I'm utterly, devastatingly heartbroken to be saying goodbye to something that I genuinely always believed was my calling in life. I'm angry that things have turned out this way and, if I'm brutally honest, a little ashamed too. Despite this, I'm also incredibly excited to be starting a new chapter in my life. It feels like this huge weight has been lifted- I'm finally free. With this freedom, I've set some goals to really make the most of it.
Ram headband
STUDY MORE

This is the big 'un! Officially, the reason I resigned is so I can start my masters. Admittedly it's not as simple as that, especially as I haven't even been offered a place yet, but this is what I'm hoping to concentrate on. Of course, I'm anxious that I won't be accepted, but in that case, I'll work even harder and apply for next year instead. Wish me luck! My course is distance learning which, although not what I would have preferred, does mean I won't be wasting time travelling to and from campus. 

TRAVEL MORE

The main trouble I had with teaching was those restrictive term dates. Don't get me wrong, the long holidays were lovely, but it did mean that I had to pay out a bomb every time I travelled. Now I have the freedom- and time- to go wherever I want, whenever I want, and I fully intend to make the most of it, starting with Austria next month.  

Read more: 2016 Travel Plans

READ MORE

Reading is one of my great pleasures in life, but teaching is so tiring that I haven't been able to do as much of it as I'd like. My goal for 2016 is 60 books but I'm hoping I'll be able to exceed that. I'm envisioning days of curling up in bed, reading a great book with a hot chocolate at my side!

CREATE MORE

I love writing, drawing and painting, but I don't get a huge amount of time to devote to these. Of course, I have this blog but I'd also like to write more personal works- essays and fiction for my own pleasure. I'm also thinking of giving short stories a go. Nothing I'd try to get published, just for the challenge. I want to venture further into freelance copywriting, something I've dabbled in a little over the past year. Picking up my pencils and paintbrushes again will feel liberating and I'm considering giving YouTube a proper go. Anything creative and I will be exploring it!

EXPERIENCE MORE

I'm only 27 but it feels like I've been letting my life slip away without actually doing anything. On my days off, I sleep until lunch time and then spend all day holed up inside on the internet. I want to shake off this routine and actually experience things. As of next week, I'll be setting my alarm at 7am every weekday, putting the radio on, having a shower and getting ready for the day, even if I don't leave the house. I'm going to visit more museums and galleries, try out new places to eat, explore local villages and investigate more cemeteries. Those ice skates Rich bought me for Christmas are just begging to be used and we've even raised the possibility of joining a local amateur dramatics society. I've also already offered to volunteer at my school on a weekly basis and for special events, as I couldn't possibly walk away from there without looking back.

Of course I'm not naive. I know that studying- should I get a place on the course- will be exhausting and time-consuming, and that I'm being very ambitious here, but it feels amazing to know just how much I'll be able to do free from the shackles of full-time professional employment. I'll be reviewing these goals in a year and hopefully I'll be a happier, healthier and all-round better Becky! 

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15 comments :

  1. It's as if I wrote this post- I felt all the same feelings! I resigned from my teaching position as y6, ks2 leader, literacy lead and SLT member last May. It's not been easy, but I'm now on the other side healthier and happier. You can do it! Good luck xx

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  2. I love that you took this step! I'm not a teacher but I get the feeling a lot of teachers are being overworked and underpaid and it's really putting the pressure on people, I don't know if that's the case with you but I'm not at all surprised people are leaving the profession.

    I think absolutely good luck with all you do in your Masters and spare time. I miss reading and actually getting out seeing the world too.

    You've taken a brave step, I'm so pleased for you! :)

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  3. Good luck on your new chapter! Starting over is never easy, but you never know where it will lead you!

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  4. Best of luck with your new adventures Becky :)

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  5. Yay! Good for you for going after you want! Good luck! ❤

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  6. Sounds like exciting times ahead! It's always scary to let go of that last chapter for fear of what's ahead, but soon you'll forget you ever felt the fear - enjoy the journey! Can't wait to see what you get up to over the next few months!
    Laura | collectinglabels.com

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  7. sounds like your ready to grab hold of all these new experiences! I'm excited to see your travelling posts :) x

    hannatalks

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  8. YAAAY I hope you complete all your goals Becky <3 <3 You're the best.

    hellomissjordan.com xx

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  9. You can do it babe! No matter what the future holds, we always have to take the first step :) best of luck on your endeavors

    www.arisachow.com

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  10. Good for you, Becky! It's sad that teaching has become so stressful. Can't wait to follow your adventures!

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  11. Good luck with your goals and for the new adventure ahead! x www.aimeeraindropwrites.co.uk x

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  12. Congratulations on some freedom lovely, and good luck on your new journey! I have to admit I don't blame you for leaving teaching behind. It is such a stressful, target drive job with so little room for free creativity with the kids now - hopefully that'll change in the future though. I cant wait to read some travel posts from you, and more book posts too!

    Kara

    ❤️

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  13. Wishing you all the luck for your masters and the next things you go on to do! Changing career paths or journeys doesn't mean you've failed - you've just changed as a person and have different priorities and wants. It's a lovely idea to still volunteer at the school you were with.

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  14. Well we need to go to New Orleans for Halloween... maybe not in 2016 but I'm the next few years.... you forgot hang out with me more.... xox

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  15. Good luck with everything, Becky! A change can feel so refreshing :)

    Jess xo | The Indigo Hours

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