So this week I started my new job! Being made redundant really affected my mental health and I knew I wanted to get back into work as soon as possible and while I had the best time off with my monkey, I was over the moon to be offered a new job!
I am currently working as a claims handler for used car warranties. It's Monday to Friday 9 -5 which is perfect with Sam's shifts. I've moved jobs a couple of times since Harry having Harry so thought I would share some tips I've learned to make the whole experience easier, because let's face it, starting a new job is never easy!
1. Put your outfit all together the night before.
This one may seem like common sense but honestly, it is the biggest time saver for me. I like to put my whole outfit on one hanger and then hang my weeks worth of outfits in my wardrobe. In the morning when I need to get ready I can just grab the hanger and I'm ready to go! No running around looking for tights or trying to decide which top goes better with my jeans or shoes. Obviously, if you wear a uniform, do this with the uniform too for easy access.
2. Get your bag ready the night before.
I LOVE watching what's in my bag videos on YouTube and watch these obsessively in the days leading up to staring my new job. I then write a list of all the things I need and buy these specifically. I then rewatch the videos while packing my bag the day before to ensure I haven't missed anything. My bag is then ready and all I need to do is to pop my phone and whatever lipstick I'm using that day in as I'm leaving and go! I'll be posting a 'what's in my work bag' soon if you are interested in knowing what I take to work with me.
3. Relax and pamper!
The night before my first day I go up around 7pm just as Harry is going to bed to start my relax and pamper routine. I'm a firm believer in making a good first impression and while you may have already met your new boss at your interview, it is important to me to make a good first impression on your new colleagues too! So the night before my first day I have a long soak in the bath, wash my hair, do my skincare routine and usually a face mask. I will also shave my legs, even though no one will see then because I NEVER have bare legs, but it makes me feel more put together and comfortable.
4. Get yourself used to getting to bed early and getting up early.
If like me you have a while off before starting your new job you may have gotten into the habit of waking up later and staying up late. So about a week before starting I force myself to get up at the time I would normally be getting up for work, I then try to get to bed at a decent time meaning by the time I need to get up and ready for work I'm completely used to it and I'm not in a rush or worried about being late which is a big fear of mine!
5. Plan your route before you need it.
Make sure you know exactly how to get to work, whether you be going by car, bus walking or cycling. Always make sure you know how long it's going to take you and leave in plenty of time. I like to make sure I have time to grab a cup of coffee when I get to work so leave around 10 minutes earlier than needed.
I hope you find these tips helpful next time you start a new job! And good luck to you!
Making the most of having some time off!
Working full-time as a parent, let me tell you, is not easy. So when I was made redundant back in the beginning of July, I was worried about how we were going to cope moneywise but I was a little relieved. I was finally going to be able to spend some quality time with Harry.
As you are probably aware, I went back to work full-time when Harry was 7 months old. While this was totally my choice and what worked best for our family, it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. But now I was getting to have some time with him and I really wanted to make the most of it.
I am now back to work full time and got really lucky that I am working a perfect 9-5 job. I was out of work for a total of five weeks. After my first week, Harry broke up from Nursery for the summer. We had decided this year to take Harry out of Nursery in the school holidays as it would be expensive and my mum was happy to help out. Luckily we did because we would have never been able to pay the bill while I was off.
It took a week or so for Harry and me to get into a routine, working around nap times and Sam's shifts, but when we finally did it felt great, I even found time to do a proper clean of the house which it seriously needed and Harry and I got some fun times in too!
Here are some of the photos we took! We also tried out some of the Free things to do in the summer I spoke about in my last post!
really going to miss these times with my little man but I get every single weekend with him now and am looking forward to some more fun days!
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