This year, I made the decision to leave my job of managing a community pharmacy. After reflection, I decided that, although the sixteen years I spent there had been such a massive part of my life and one that never stopped being rewarding despite the stresses, it was time for me to move on. There is much I miss about the job, mainly the people. And the outpouring of thanks and heartfelt goodbyes from the many patients I helped over the years genuinely moved me and made me realise how much I love working in healthcare. As for where I go next, 2024 will hold the answer. With a clinical diploma and independent prescribing qualification under my belt, the opportunities available are certainly exciting.
Being technically unemployed for the first time in my life has felt odd and at times scary but I now view this time off as a sabbatical, during which I have managed to achieve so much I could never have done while in work. As a keen runner, I was able to train most days, and in October I ran the Manchester Half Marathon in 2 hours 2 minutes 20 seconds. The final few kilometres were brutal but the brilliant crowds really drive you on. (Not literally, that would be cheating.) I started off running with Couch to 5K several years ago and I never imagined I could achieve this. The feeling afterwards is incredible. Next year, I'm 'fortunate' enough to have a place in the London Marathon. I look forward to that with a mixture of excitement and terror, lots of terror.
And now to Christmas! I wish all my friends and readers a happy and healthy festive period. From today (19th Dec) through to 23rd Dec, I've made most of my Christmas reads FREE on Kindle. And if you don't own this e-reader, you can still download the books free of charge onto your device using the Kindle app. The free selection includes my ever popular Maureen festive shorts and a laugh out loud Christmas coming out tale. And if you prefer your stories a little darker (or perhaps a lot darker) try The Anniversary, also free to download. The links to all these are below.
Christmas freebies
Mo Mo Mo! Merry Christmas, Maureen!
A Surprise for Maureen
Maureen Gets Crafty
A Christmas Outing
The Anniversary
Jonathan