And here we are ending 2024. It seems only moments ago that I began curating this series in 2019, and I’m about to enter 2025 doing so – but not for much longer. I’m writing this in mid-December but its 31 December for you, and our series will extend into January as usual. Often around 20% of posts are only written in January, perhaps as people have time before starting back at work. So there is still time if you wanted.
Today at home we are packing ready to fly to New York tomorrow, and instructing my eldest son on what to do and what not to do whilst looking after the house for us. We did originally plan on flying today, but there was a £2,000 difference in the price of flights if we went tomorrow instead, and given that neither of us like staying up until after midnight anyway, we didn’t see the point in being in New York on NYE no matter how iconic. Neither of us enjoy NYE much, and we usually get a takeaway, watch a film, and are in bed by 10.30pm – often to be then awoken by nearby fireworks at midnight, and grumpily shouting at the window.
Today’s post is from Victoria Hall. Victoria debuted in the series last year and has returned this year. You can find her on LinkedIn primarily. Victoria is Learning and Development professional soon embarking on a new journey. She had over 20 years of operational experience before moving into L&D with Haven and Warner. She describes herself as an exhausted but happy and proud mother of two, a native of the North-east of England (and a keen Newcastle United fan). We haven’t met, but have interacted for a while on social media, and I hope she can find a new role for herself soon.
Over to Victoria:
I am going to start with a truth.
‘Just because its Christmas (and at Christmas you tell the truth)’.
I didn’t know if I was going to write a blog this year. The theme of ‘I don’t want to go’ has hit hard as I have recently accepted redundancy. Thank you, Averil Price, your blog really helped me embrace leaving my situation and the positives that come with it.
Anyone who knows me well knows I love what I do, I love the teams I work with, and I love adding value and creating impact.
I am writing the blog today sat at Edinburgh Airport. About to embark on my last trip to see my current colleagues. After nearly 8 years it is important to me to thank all those who have supported me, championed me, challenged me, developed me, upskilled me. I was given the opportunity to step from my role in Operations into L&D where my passion has always been.
I love people watching at the airport, I always like to think about where people are going, the reason for the or trip. I hope it is more glamorous than my trip to Luton 😂.
I have my love actually moment, doing my best Hugh grant voiceover (in my head thankfully)…..
There are some goodbyes, there are hugs and tears, there are flustered professionals and overwhelmed parents. But there is Joy, excitement, anticipation, optimism. ‘Love actually……. is all around’.
Over the next few days I know I will have more moments of ‘I don’t want to go’. Especially when I am with the amazing people I have had the pleasure to work with.
As I embark on my next journey (in life, not just down to Luton ;-)) I will be courageous and understand that those feelings of ‘I do not want to go’ show how much I love my what I do, that I care, it shows I appreciate the journey I have been on. I can take this passion, skillset and learning and apply on my next part of my journey and it will be fantastic.
Let’s do this!
I know Victoria was really unsure about whether to contribute to the series, and had declined to do so given the theme, but I’m glad she changed her mind and put this together. Its a good end to 2024 for us.
Victoria isn’t the only one who has talked about redundancy, and the theme does conjure up that notion to many. Redundancy can be a bitter pill to swallow, but one that – in time – can have a very nice aftertaste. Victoria is right to rage against going – it isn’t her fault, but it is easy for anyone affected by redundancy to imagine that it is. Victoria is also right to highlight the opportunities that will come from this, the new paths that will open up, and in the years to come she may come to look back on this period as a defining one for her.
How can you help Victoria?
Till next time…
Gary.
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