WTF… How Is It Almost May?!

Early spring morning up Pen y Crug

Honestly… how is it almost May?

I say this every time I sit down to write a blog, but seriously…. how the fuck is it?!

What have we actually been doing with our time?

We’ve definitely been filling it… but are we filling it meaningfully?

It’s a question I’ve been asking myself lately.

So… what have I been doing?

I actually had to sit down and write this out because, hand on heart, I couldn’t remember off the top of my head.

January was a bit slower than usual. I had an operation, so I took some time out to recover… although “time out” isn’t entirely accurate.

True to form, I ended up using that time to get a few online courses done that were due for renewal, all from the comfort of the sofa, wrapped in a duvet.

Not the worst way to tick things off the list.

Then it got… busy

After that, it was straight into coursework.

Head down. Properly buried in counselling books. Writing assignments. Trying to remember how on earth to reference properly (and yes, I did question more than once whether I was just too old for this 😅).

There were practice skills sessions with peers, friends, family and honestly, anyone who would sit still long enough for me to practise on them.

It was full-on.

And of course, all of this was fitted around my business.

Because clients don’t pause, they still need support. And like most of us, I’m working full-time hours… if not more (let’s be honest, it’s always more).

Alongside that, I also stepped in to cover for VA colleagues in March and April while they took a well-earned break. Being trusted with their clients felt like a real privilege and I genuinely loved it.

There’s something quite refreshing about stepping into someone else’s world for a few weeks, doing something a little different, and keeping things running smoothly for them.

Which has led me to this… I’m now offering holiday cover.

Not for loads of people obviously, I am still only one person 🤪 but if you’re a VA or a business owner who wants to properly switch off and know things are in safe hands, I’m here for it.

The final weekend…

March brought the final assessment weekend.

And when I say intense, I mean intense.

Proper sweaty armpit territory as my tutor observed my counselling session (nothing like being watched while trying to look calm and competent!).

Then came the write-up and self-assessment.

And that was a whole thing in itself.

Learning to reflect without completely tearing myself apart is definitely still a work in progress. Being constructively critical instead of just critical? Not easy.

But… I did it

The good news?

I passed. And not just passed, I passed with flying colours.

Which, if I’m honest, felt really bloody good.

What’s next?

I’ve got a bit of a breather now before starting again in September.

And this time it’s in-person at Cardiff Uni.

Which feels… slightly terrifying if I’m being honest!!!

And the bigger question…

One of the things I’m thinking about now is what this looks like moving forward.

I can now start to use these skills and offer listening therapy.

But I haven’t fully decided what that looks like yet.

It’s something I want to think about properly, how it would work, how it fits alongside everything else I do, and most importantly, how it would best support current and potential clients.

And then there’s… life

As if all of that wasn’t enough, we’ve also got a year of big moments in our family… and I’m not entirely sure I’m emotionally prepared for any of it!

My daughter Isla turned 18 in March.
I turn 50 in May (FUCK).
My husband Frank hits 60 in July.
And my son Will turns 30 in August.

And just to really top it off…

Isla starts university in September.
And Will is getting married towards the end of the same month.

I mean… what?!

Someone please tell me how I’m meant to cope with all of these emotions, because they are HUGE.

Pride. Excitement. A bit of “where has the time gone?”
And if I’m honest… a touch of “can everything just slow down for a minute please?”

And just to really round things off nicely… let’s not forget the fucking menopause, because why not throw that bad ass into the mix as well 😅

Honestly, it’s a lot.

A really beautiful, meaningful, slightly overwhelming lot.

Final thought

So yes… time is absolutely flying.

But when I stop and look back, it hasn’t been wasted.

It’s been full. Challenging. Stretching.

And actually… pretty meaningful.

Even if I do still occasionally think, how the hell is it almost May already?