So, about 12 months ago I spent a couple of months unemployed. Let go from my last placement (locum) 4th April 2020 when practices didn’t need me any more and only worked again June onwards iirc. I wasn’t sad tbh as I was a bit worried about the whole pandemic thing and happy to hide in my hovel for a couple of months. My unintentional time off (hurrah for the self-employed in covid!) coincided with a heat wave. So, I treated myself to a hammock (paid in instalments, no money coming in). I spent many an evening in that hammock in April and May as the light faded and the temperature dropped, firing up the chiminea to digest the fruits of my gardening labour while keeping me warm as the stars came out.
Fast forward to now. I’m now employed, no longer self employed as job security suddenly more important than getting paid my worth, plus tax law changed (or rather didn’t but certain companies are using it as an excuse) this March and I’m letting them lie in the beds they’ve made. I’m earning less but also spending less, just about staying solvent.
And today, as for the last few days when not working, I’m in my hammock, watching the light fade, listening to the birds, waiting for the stars to come out.
