I finally got around to coming back to my blog. The last post was in 2015! So much has happened since then.
I'll provide a summary of what's gone down:
- I completed my nursing upgrade program August 2016 with Honours and eventually went on to graduate from university last April. It was a wild ride being a Gen-Xer living a Gen-Zer life!
- I finalized the divorce about a month before finishing my upgrade program. It had been a constant nightmare battling to break free from my ex. At some point I will sit down and write about the sordid tale. My marriage tied in to having non-existent self-esteem.
- One week after the divorce was finalized, my boyfriend-turned-spouse's father passed away from cancer. I'm glad I had the opportunity to inform him that I finished my program and finalized my divorce before he died.
- I started out my nursing career in community/home care. It was a wonderful experience to do non-hospital nursing. I have gone on to working in the hospital since June 2021 in mental health (which is something I've always wanted to do!).
- I suffered burnout and put my life on hold March 2017. The burnout actually started November 2016 but I unfortunately ignored it. It took some time but I was able to get myself to a decent functioning level and have been good at maintaining that level since recovery. I'll also discuss this in a future post.
- I got engaged December 2016. While we already had an idea that we wanted to be together long-term it still came as a surprise. Because of other things that happened (school, buying a home, CoVID), the date got pushed back. We're considering next October to make it all official (even though we've been together 10 years this October and living together for just under 8 years).
- Bought a house. It was a bittersweet time. The place we first moved into holds a lot of memories for us. We had been there 5.5 years. At the same time, we're happy to have our own little place to hang up our hat and develop it into our dream home (lots of renos since the start of the pandemic!).
- Last but not least, we became parents to 3 beautiful and sweet kitties, and a whole bunch of fish. Having pets, whatever they may be, help to make your house a home.
I finally have my life back (for the time being. I've got plans cooking in the old noggin'). But until I'm ready for that 3rd and final phase, I'm going to stop and smell the roses. I'm going to travel again. I'm going to have get-togethers. Pursue my interests (yes, that includes this blog!), and most importantly, enjoy life again.