My house is now officially sold. I have the flexibility to live wherever I want now… 3 weeks ago

This may work out perfectly for me. It looks like there could be a lot of good options in the place where I want to live! I’ll have a better idea of how this will play out in a few months time but for now everything seems to be going to plan! 1 month ago

The day after I post about how I’ve learned to work without being consumed by my job, and the day that the real estate sign goes out in front of my house is the day I find out my job is now under review. Funnily enough the job is a new one that came about as a result of a review. I don’t think I’ll lose my job but I don’t have a full understanding of the process and whether it means I can apply for jobs elsewhere within the organisation at this stage. This could be a very good thing and could mean that I could relocate without feeling guilty about it. 2 months ago

I’ve been back just over 24 hours and I feel so down in the dumps about being here and I guess just plain lonely. Buying a house here has been one of my biggest regrets. What was I thinking?! I thought it would help me become more settled but it’s felt like a millstone round my neck more than anything. I like my job and that’s a really good thing. But because of that I feel like I’m committed to being here for another 2 years. All I can think of now is what I need to do to get through the next two years (particularly around getting rid of stuff and selling the house) rather than enjoying my life and all that it could be right now. This is also probably exacerbated by the fact that it’s summer here and the garden is going nuts. I am not a gardener and am used to living in apartments. There are no apartments here so I seem to spend a lot of time gardening. It’s not getting easier or more enjoyable. 4 months ago

I got the job and as predicted it was because I was a “known quantity” rather than my less than optimal interviewing skills on the day. Definitely something to keep in the back of my mind next time I’m going through the interview process. Well that and prepare a whole lot better than I did this time round (I did this time but was struck by nerves I guess).

• painting 2 bedrooms
• painting the garage
• putting down new flooring in the kitchen
• still need to decide the extent of the work to be done to the bathroom which needs the most attention (but how far do I go??) 9 months ago

If I get the job it will be because of the interview panel’s knowledge of my previous work not because of today’s interview. Today was a shocker in every possible way and I blew it. In my defence it was a phone interview so I was very mindful that I had no idea what the panel were thinking or how they were responding to my answers. On the other hand I’ve done a bit of recruiting and probably wouldn’t employ me based on today’s efforts.

Back to Plan A I suspect. I just want to feel settled. 9 months ago

So I’m not quite following the plan but the end goal is still the same – I need to go back to my home city. I just can’t stay in my current workplace where underperformance and misconduct is accepted, where staff aren’t protected and where I’m in a job that is slowly crushing my spirit.

The good news is I’ve applied for another job and I’ve got an interview. So I’m still moving towards the end goal but in a longer, more relaxed timeframe, and in a way that will be much healthier for me. 9 months ago

I’ve been living here for a year and I have a good job (which is a blessing in this economy) ... but … I really don’t like it here. I moved here to pick up new skills which I have done but I really don’t see myself staying here. I chose to leave the city I come from because there are a lot of job losses and things aren’t great there economically at the moment, but my parents are there (and not getting any younger) and I want to settle down properly. There are still jobs. I’m sure I won’t end up on the poverty line.

I made a huge mistake in buying a house here and now need to do some things to fix it up and get it ready to put on the market in a few months time. I’m giving myself 9 – 12 months to sell the house and be in a position to move back. I’m hoping it’s the right thing to do. I don’t necessarily regret coming down here and having the experiences I’ve had but I do regret buying the house. 10 months ago