It’s been nearly three months since I took the next step and ventured back to the North. When I decided to move back, I didn’t really have a plan and kind of just believed that things would work out. There’s definitely been ups and downs, but I’m trying my best to make the most of all the free time!
What I’ve Been up To
Three months has absolutely flown by, it doesn’t seem two minutes since I was in Newquay having morning dips in the harbour and coffee in the sunshine. It’s been an odd time as I’ve had no real structure to my weeks, but I’ve tried to get out as often as I can and spend my time catching up with people who I hadn’t seen since before I went to Cornwall. I had a relaxing week in Scotland, an amazing birthday weekend in the Lakes and went for a dip every day in October.
I’ve spent time and money investing in myself, learning new skills and trying to figure out where I’m going next. I’ve been listening to podcasts and reading a lot and I’ve definitely pushed myself out of my comfort zone with attending a conference and finally organising my first group walk. I’ve been trying to use this time to get some clarity about my next steps, but I’m not sure if I’ll ever really know where I’m heading. There’s a new found part of me that feels much more comfortable ‘going with the flow’ they I ever have done in the past.
During October, I spent a lot of time up in the Lakes, however after realising just how much I was spending on petrol, November has been filled with a lot more local adventures. I’ve explored a lot from the doorstep and a bit further afield in the Yorkshire Dales. There are so many beautiful waterfalls and dipping spots that I’ve been spoilt for choice! I’ve been making my petrol money through selling bits on vinted and completing surveys on branded surveys and prolific. It’s not huge amounts, but so far this month I’ve made over £250 which definitely helps.
Jobs
Since moving back up, I have spent a lot of my time applying for jobs. Unfortunately, not with much success. I think this is partly down to me being extremely picky with what I’m applying for, along with the fact that I still don’t really know what I want to do. I feel quite torn at the moment, as part of me thinks I should just get any job to start getting some money in again, but on the other hand, I’m in a very lucky position to be able to take this time to figure out what I really want and find the right next step. I don’t want to rush into something and end up back in the position I’ve been in before, with no time or energy to figure out what I really want.
I had hoped to find some job inspiration at the adventure conference that I attended recently, but as incredible as the speakers and researchers were, there was nothing that gave me that light bulb moment. I think that my social anxiety also had an impact, as I really struggle to network in those kinds of situations.
I know that I want to do something relating to adventure and the outdoors, but I also know I don’t want to be an instructor or mountain leader. I think I need to do more research into the options that are out there, as I’m starting to realise a lot of these kinds of jobs don’t seem to be posted on the standard job’s sites – or I just don’t know what I’m looking for!
Snowy Adventures
I potentially have two pretty incredible trips coming up over the next two months, which also makes it difficult to plan for a job. One is still TBC, but the second is an epic Finland adventure with Sidetracked Adventures and some of my closest friends. This trip includes chasing the Northern lights, ice hole dipping, an overnight ski trip to a wilderness cabin and so much more. I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited about a trip before!
Finland is something that we’d discussed a while back, but straight away I’d said I wouldn’t be able to go because I couldn’t justify the costs. But the more I thought about, the more I realised life is too short. I have missed out on opportunities like this before and have always regretted it. I have the money in savings, so it’s not that I can’t afford it, I just have it ingrained into me that I need to save as much as I can to be ready for an emergency, or eventually buying another house.
At the end of the day, I have no idea when that’s going to happen, or if it will. I don’t know how my life is going to play out, but what I can control is making the most of it right now and grabbing all these opportunities whilst I can.
What’s Next?
I still feel very much in limbo with my life right now. I had kind of hoped a clear path would just reveal itself to me, though unfortunately that hasn’t yet been the case. I still intend to move up to the Lake District once I’m back from my trips, though exactly when and where I’ll figure out closer to the time. I’m going to keep scouring the jobs sites in the hope of something catching my eye, but I’m also tempted to just make the move first and hope the job follows soon after!
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m in a very lucky position that I’m able to stay with my parents during this limbo period. This has massively taken the pressure off in all areas, but it doesn’t mean that I’m not desperate to get back to my own space and indepence.
Happy Adventuring! x
You can follow my most recent adventures over on Instagram.
Lisa Outdoors 
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