Sabbatical Diaries: Making Dip, Hitting Balls & Donating Plasma
Week 2: After seven years, I'm putting away my microphone.
👋 Welcome to the latest issue of Adulting with Kate Campbell – the newsletter that reminds you that no one has it all figured out, but we can start working out how to adult together.
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Dear wonderful reader,
The saying ‘time flies when you’re having fun’ has become my reality at the moment, and I can’t mentally keep up with the pace of my life right now.
The big news this week is that after seven years of running finance podcasts, I'm putting away my microphone. I’ll talk a little more about that over the coming weeks, but for now, I’m just reflecting on the end of this chapter in my life and career and all the wonderful opportunities that have come out of it.
So what have I got up to this week?!
Let me catch you up!
Day 8 - I Hit Balls
For the first time, I went for a walk around the lovely Albert Park Lake just outside of Melbourne's CBD. I saw lots of baby birds and plenty of wildlife, and it was a truly joyful walk. I highly recommend it!
My partner also took me to a driving range where you just hit golf ball after golf ball into the green field in front of you, with a computer providing you with data.
I still don’t get golf.
Day 9 - Donating Plasma
I finally worked up the courage to donate blood again after a five-year break. Well, I planned on donating blood; however, I didn’t realise that going to the dentist directly before would be an issue (good to know for the future). However, plasma donations were okay, so that’s what I did. It was an interesting experience and a lot easier than I’d built it up to be in my head, which is often the case with things.
I ended the day at the delightful production of A Christmas Carol in the city, which was a special highlight and a lovely way to welcome in the festive season 🎄
Day 10 & 11 - Beauty & The Beast
This weekend was jam-packed with quality family time as we survived a slight heatwave here in Melbourne. I went on a day trip up towards Mornington, started creating my personal recipe folder, went to one of my favourite restaurants, Farmers Daughter, and saw Beauty and the Beast. What fun!
Day 12 - Making Dip & Doing Taxes
Finally, after getting my adulting act together, I sat down and compiled all my tax documents for the last financial year in one Google Drive to send to the accountant. It’s never a fun task, but I’m glad I got it all done.
It reminded me of the tax time interview I did many months ago, which might be helpful if you have yet to start.
I also made two brand-new dishes (RecipeTinEats, of course 😉), and I can’t recommend them enough!
This French onion dip recipe is phenomenal and tastes even better if you make it the night before. For a healthier option, try this tzatziki chickpea salad, which pairs very well with lamb.
Day 13 - Musings on sabbaticals
Kickstarting the morning with a great gym session and a lovely walk with my friend, I finally started to slow down today and spend some time reading. I was also starting to think about what it means to go on a sabbatical and whether I was going to be okay sitting in the uncertainty for a while. I think I will be.
Here are some of the resources I looked at:
Day 14 - Last work day
What a day. It’s a strange experience finishing up with people and projects you’ve been working with for years, but I know it’s what I need to do. With my Juris Doctor complete, I’m excited to learn and jump into new challenges, and while leaving my comfort zone is hard, I know it’s important.
We’re having our Christmas party later this week, but I just recorded my last episode on the Australian Finance Podcast, and the official work is done.
Like finishing my uni course two weeks ago, it’s also going to take me a little while to come to terms with this chapter of my life ending alongside it.
When one door closes, another one opens.
👀 What’s coming up in week 3?
Now that I’ve lost the regular rhythms of work and study, it’s up to me how I fill and structure my days. While I want to give myself space for exploration and reflection, I’ve got a few ideas of how I want to spend my time. Here’s what I’m planning to get up to in the coming week:
Work Christmas party
Hosting Christmas drinks (and preparing some yummy nibbles)
Deep cleaning my little flat
Going to a coffee-making course (very random, but I’ve always wanted to)
Seeing Wicked with my friend at the cinemas
Lots of movement and outdoor time
Finally crossing my 52 books goal off (just one to go!)
I look forward to catching up at the end of week 3!
Until next week,
Kate
Catch up with my Sabbatical Diaries here ⬇️
Thanks for reading
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Buy a copy of my book, Buying Happiness: Learn to invest your time and money better through Amazon or order it through your local library.
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