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I woke up this morning to a very unusual sight – Snow in Harrow!
So unusual, in fact, that I took a couple of pictures – one from the front window and one from my back window to send to my son. He lives in the country and had no snow. I live in a suburb of London and it's very rare for snow to even fall – let alone lay, as it has done through the day.
Call me feeble, but I changed my plans for the day – one of the beauties of being semi-retired and working from home. Instead I just hunkered down in front of the PC to catch up on some “stuff”. I know my friends in the USA and Canada, and even some parts of the UK, will be rolling on the floor laughing at this point, because they know what REAL snow falls are like.
But it was partly a relief because for the last few days I have felt myself slipping into, what I call……
My Overwhelm Mode
It's been a funny old week and I have gradually been slipping into what I now recognise as my “overwhelm mode”. This has meant I've felt a bit grumpy when I have absolutely NO right to feel so, because the things that are keeping me “overwhelmed” are all things that a “normal” person would feel happy about!
Instagram Project
There was some really good free training in our Facebook group about Instagram and I finally started using it, but honestly I don't have much clue what I'm doing with it yet. Nor have I much time to do more than make our recommended four, non-monetized posts a day to build a following.
My username is: homebusinesswithjoyhealey and if anyone here uses Instagram, I'd be most grateful if you'll “Like and Follow” – assuming that's the right terminology LOL.
I bought Instamate software a while back and am only just getting round to watching the many tutorial videos in it, so that's long-term Work In Progress.
Bitcoin Profits
As Bitcoin has been on a roller-coaster ride this week, the tiny fraction that I had carelessly stored in a wallet online (purely to pay for adverts) has suddenly become worth enough that I needed to learn FAST how to get it stored securely in a paper wallet and that paper taken away from my house. I also learned how to take out my initial stake, so that whatever happens now is pure profit. PS It really is small, but having finally made Bitcoin profits I intend hanging onto them. Top priority and done.
How To Spend Crypto-currency
One reason why I have been previously been very reticent about crypto-currencies is, where do you spend it?
I have a solution now. Although the way BitCoin is going, I am going to HODL – which I learned today means “Hold On for Dear Life”!
Crypto-currency is a steep learning curve for me but I am picking up lots of tips from a group of people I have worked with (profitably) in the past.
I'll admit that my son tipped me off about BitCoin a couple of years ago, but I ignored him and have (maybe?) become interested in it too late.
My Offline Work
What is actually taking up most of my time is that an offline client has come up with a mass of paid work for me and as always I have to put that first, because it's still my biggest earner. I'm a little frustrated because I'm excited to work on my Instagram project AND learn more about the new currency…. but “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” so paid work comes first.
However, having changed my plans and caught up a little, I'm feeling better already. I have even been inspired to write this blog post, which – earlier in the day – seemed a bit of a pipe-dream.
Am I the only person whose mood is improved by working rather than by relaxing?
Taking Time Out To Reflect
Earlier this morning as I looked out of my back window at the snow, feeling a little sad about missing what I had planned to do tonight, I reminded myself just how lucky I am that I am inside and warm, and have just eaten a hot meal.
I remembered hearing a Radio 4 Christmas Appeal to help those who are homeless.
I'd heard it a few times and put it to the back of my mind, but looking out of my window this morning and imagining being on the wrong side of it, with nowhere to call home, I just HAD to go and make that donation.
In case you think that homeless people may be “partly to blame”, I heard about people who lost good jobs through recession, illness or some other family crisis. After that everything spiralled downwards.
Many people are only a couple of missed pay cheques away from financial disaster. Are you?
Have you got enough money to live the life you hope when you approach retirement? Can you afford to retire, or will you have to work on, and on, and on?
And anyway, even if they did make a mistake or two, I think most of us have blundered occasionally in the past. So let it be “pay it forward” time to help someone get back on their feet again. It's coming up to Christmas after all!
Even if you're not able to donate to Radio 4 Christmas Appeal personally, please share this, so others can.
