I realised I needed to rediscover my identity, find out what I did and didn’t like, what I wanted to do and what it was that would make my heart and soul happy.

I’m sure, that like myself, many people find work takes up a lot of their time and more often than not, it can be uninspiring and dull. Some of us are lucky enough to be doing our dream jobs but most of us are just going through the motions to pay the bills.

I’ve had a varied career to date. I have been fortunate in that I have had opportunities to do what were my dream jobs – working with racehorses and running riding schools. These positions enabled me to feel worthwhile and although they could be quite stressful, I basically got paid to do something I enjoyed. I have also had several unsuitable jobs that I hated.

My current positions rank somewhere in the middle. They are not dreadful, the conditions are reasonable but the work can be monotonous and I do not feel as though I am doing something worthwhile or putting my skills to good use. Work takes up a lot of my time and on occasion I have noticed that thoughts of work creep in to my free time and taint it. I decided this had to stop.

I suppose for me, the problem is that my job used to define me. I was once ‘Tara: Travelling Head Lass’ or ‘Tara: Riding School Manager’. I lived and breathed those roles and my life revolved around them. ‘Tara: Personal Assistant’ just doesn’t cut the mustard!

I realised I needed to rediscover my identity, find out what I did and didn’t like, what I wanted to do and what it was that would make my heart and soul happy.

First of all, I am very grateful to have my current domestic situation. I live in a lovely old country cottage, in beautiful Cornwall, with my fabulous fella who has been putting up with me for over five years now. We have a bit of land which enables me to keep my horses at home and gives my cats their own kingdom to roam in safety. It wasn’t too many years ago that I was living in a freezing caravan, up in Aberdeen in the middle of winter with none of life’s little luxuries. Whenever I am feeling low about the lack of career development opportunities, I remember my work is stable, has allowed me to get a mortgage and fund my random flights of fancy.

All about balance

I believe that in order to be truly healthy and at our best, we need to be in balance. The work-life balance is very important and often overlooked. I used to make myself constantly available to my employers. Now, I do not get involved in work-related issues during my free time – those texts and emails can wait until I’m back on the clock! Instead, I try to use my free time in ways that feel worthwhile to me.

Live and learn

Over the past couple of years I’ve felt my brain becoming sluggish through lack of use. I didn’t want my remaining grey cells to shrivel up and die, so decided to learn a new skill. I have always had a mild fascination with the Middle East and have enjoyed visiting Jordan, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and most recently Palestine. I would love to be able to converse fluently in Arabic and have been attending weekly evening classes at Truro College since September 2018. I’m a long way from being fluent but I am improving and am able to communicate with people when travelling around Arabic speaking countries.

Nature will nuture!

I have always loved nature and the great outdoors. Cornwall has so many beautiful areas to explore and I regularly walk, ride or run around the bridleways, beaches, woodland and meadows. Once out in the natural world, I find that the cares of the day are soon forgotten. I follow a Pagan path so nature is very significant to me. I also find great comfort from the company of my feline and equine friends.

We do not live in an ideal world and life is not perfect. However, there is always something positive, beautiful, inspiring or amusing to be found within our daily life. Treasure these things and the moments of light relief, no matter how small and fleeting they may be. Let them bring you hope for the future and a reason to carry on.