How to make the best of furlough…

Nicola Currie, Business Development Executive, XIC

Thanks to Nicola for sharing her experience of furlough with us below!

I’ve just returned to work after being furloughed since 11th January. Finding myself with a LOT of time on my hands, I decided I really needed to try to make best use of that time. I also realised it was a year since I last wrote a blog, so this was a good chance to put pen to paper again.

So, after a few weeks of furlough and letting the festive holiday lifestyle carry on a little too long, I decided a change was in order.

Prompted by Mike Scotland (HUGE thanks to you) sharing his sister-in-law’s LinkedIn post about goals she set and completed in January, I was spurred on to do the same, albeit a month later.

The first challenge? Running 100km in February on Strava (as of this morning I'm so happy I've completed the challenge – hurrah! Photo evidence in the header)

 After being out of the running game for more than six months for various reasons, this challenge has helped me so much – not just physically but with my mental health, too. Some days I looked out the window and thought: “Oh no, not today…” The days with snow and freezing temperatures were particularly tricky but I didn’t let the negative thoughts win. I knew I’d feel so much better afterwards if I applied a positive mindset and went for it. So I did!

Next challenge: Dry February. Knowing I’d need to be out running most days it made sense and with the help of a great book – The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober, which was recommended by a friend – I actually found it relatively easy. A wee Nosecco on a Friday night is actually quite enjoyable, and I’ve got some low-alcohol beers in the fridge for March.

My last challenge was more fluid – simply to keep busy while on furlough. Always feeling the need to do something, this came naturally to me and I was so pleased to help a couple of local charities - MISS and WeToo. They need support now more than ever, whether in the form of time or money.

I’ve also been involved in the Vanguard initiative and really enjoyed the recent (virtual) meetings and updates. For those not familiar, I've linked more info below. There are some great new projects kicking off locally, and I’m so excited to see where they go!

Keeping my brain ticking was important too, so I ticked the personal development box by finally completing a Google Digital Marketing course while on furlough and – perhaps the most challenging but rewarding activity – we welcomed a litter of puppies to our house and kept one of the girls, who we’ve named Poppy!

Now her brothers and sisters are off to their new homes I’m felt very, very lucky to be heading back to work. Being furloughed again has been so tough and I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that?

But I 100% believe my February challenges have put me in a better place to be more proactive and confident so you’ll be seeing a lot more from me in due course! I'd love to hear what’s motivated you recently?