Today, the teachers in the council I work in returned to work. Meanwhile, I met up with my teaching bestie, who retired last year. I know I will miss the children this year while I take my career break. I’ll miss the craic in the Staff Room, but I won’t miss the long hours spent marking, training, assessing, planning and preparing lessons. I won’t miss the sleepless nights worrying about ‘that’ child. I won’t miss the observed lessons. I won’t miss the exhaustion of trying to spin multiple plates to meet everybody’s needs in the class.
When I met my bestie, I told her that I was having a life detox. She gave me a knowing smile. Later in the conversation, she told me that she was ’living her best life’. It seems that this is a good time to pause and reflect on the last few weeks since beginning my career break.
Week One- Sleep
At the start of the summer holidays, I was waking up in the wee small hours with my restless legs and sore joints. My teeth were clenched, and I wondered what I had just done. Initially, I was reluctant to tell people about my writing adventure. It felt a bit pretentious- “Hey, I’m writing a book!” But once I found the courage to tell people about it, they seemed quite accepting.
Like most teachers, I spent the first week of the holidays sleeping. It’s not that I meant to spend the first week sleeping. It just happens. Watching television-zzzzzzz. Reading a book-zzzzz. sitting down-zzzzzz.
Week Two-Panic
I knew that one of the things I would need to do was begin having an author social media presence. Panic set in. What was I doing? Could I really write a book? What was I supposed to write on Substack? Panic set in. Then I decided to do something. I went to bed plugged into a Hypnotherapy session about productivity on Spotify. I woke up in the morning, and ideas were flowing. I got out my phone and started taking notes. Something had changed in my Mindset.
Shape-shifting
I decided to embrace my newfound freedom. I could be whatever I chose to become. Life has given me a rare opportunity, and I need to enjoy the journey. I celebrated by writing this poem:
I am a shape-shifting woman
Scientist, teacher, writer, seeker
Beekeeper, mythkeeper, knowledge keeper
Listener, observer, nature explorer
Guardian of secrets, memory storer
I am a shape-shifting woman
Historian, poet, singer of song
My power is weak yet my power is strong
Protector and friend, wife and dog mum
Breadmaker, gardener, involved in humdrum
I am a shape- shifting woman
I am free to soar
To make my choice
To find my voice
To create, to imagine, to roar
I am a shape-shifting woman
With the power to control my destiny
To learn, to find, to become, to be
I am a shape-shifting woman
I am on a journey
I am free.
Weeks 3-7: Living
So what have I been doing with my new chance at life? I began making sourdough bread and made some jam. I began eating healthier and exercising. I began taking the dog out for long walks and taking moments to pause when I was outside. There is a wild flower garden around the corner from where I live. In the evening, everything is quiet in my little village. I can hear the plants and grasses hum. I have processed honey (I have three beehives in my garden). I’ve begun writing on Substack. I have learnt how to use Canva. I’ve been doing research for my book, and I’ve worked on updating parts of the website I run along with my husband (SpookyScotland.net ). I’ve listened to Podcasts and pasted Character profiles and plot details into the writing software I am using. I’ve been learning Gaelic, Welsh and Italian and brushing up on my French. It has been fun!
Looking to the Future
This week should be exciting. I have signed up for ‘The Speculative Fiction Writers’ Summit 2025’, which begins on the 20th of August. Then on Sunday, I will be heading to the Pictish Fort at Burghead, where the University of Aberdeen’s Northern Picts Team have an Open Day for the public with tours of the archaeological dig. On 26th August I am signed up for an online lecture from Fiona Campbell-Howes. Fiona is one of the powerhouses of the Picts Arts Society. She grew up in Moray where I hail from! You can find her here:
On the 13th of September, I will be attending the Elgin Museum Archaeology Conference. Then later in the month, I am going on holiday to Skye. Lots of exciting things are happening! And of course, none of this would be happening if I didn’t have an amazing and supportive husband.
This is wonderful! I’m a children’s author and teacher too! I had a break and returned last year to the classroom. Interesting to see what’s changed, what hasn’t and how I think and feel differently having been an author-entrepreneur to now being an author-employee. Would love to connect! Excited to see your journey.
We are also in a life shift, looking forward to seeing where yours takes you and the progression of your book!