This week has been personally challenging, but it has also involved connections with friends and family, the setting of intentions and gradually building a routine. And as someone who has just sent off long Autism assessment forms, completed in a probably more ADHD-way, I do find some comfort in routines.
A lack of work has seen me sign on for Universal Credit, though last time there was less paperwork, and I think I remember getting £30 before I closed the claim, with work picking up again. So, I went in for an initial meeting this week to check ID and then I will meet a “self-employment coach”, who I hope will have some sort of understanding of being self-employed.
When on journeys from seeing family in the midlands and up north, I spent some time writing an autobiographical piece for a submission. Towards the end of it, I wondered what the benefit was and noticed there was a £20 payment if accepted. Every little helps. Though I’m so used to rejections, especially for prose, that I’m not expecting anything. I think it’s been healing in a way, exploring my relationship with stress, through the writing process.
Aside from this I’ve had to do a mock lesson, which led to an interview, and a phone call which has led to booking in another interview with a mock lesson. All to potentially be on the books of different agencies as the current ones aren’t providing me with enough work. I had a spot of temporary work giving interview practice, and have a new student now, taking me to a total of five students. I need at least six more hours of work.
Meanwhile, I’ve been applying for more work, going through emails, doing submissions, and preparing for the upcoming interviews. Whilst ironing one day, I watched the first part of a documentary series called “Defiance: Fight the Far Right”, which was horrific, but important viewing. I finally got round to watching the film Chevalier, and aside from it being in English, I thought it was also an excellent and important film.
So, it has been a somewhat social week with the family visits, but also with the Sylvan Post pub quiz, where we had two teams together – one getting the losing prize of beer cans, which we shared, and one person winning the jackpot of nearly £200, which was not shared! Man, I could have used that money right now!
Watching: Breeders, Girls 5ever, Secret Diary of a call Girl, The Simpsons, Defiance: Fight the Far Right (documentary), Chevalier (film)
Reading: Suffering Insanity by R.D. Hinshelwood, The Complete Short Stories by Saki, Time is Mother by Ocean Vuong (audiobook), Many Different Kinds of Love by Michael Rosen (audiobook)
Podcasts: Creative Codex, What Now? with Trevor Noah, ZOE Science & Nutrition, Who TF Did I Marry?
Music: The Last Dinner Party
Again, if you’re able to share or donate to my crowdfund as I train to become an Art Psychotherapist, or buy some books, please do!
Poet on page and stage. Creator of She Grrrowls. Facilitator. Writer. 