The title of this particular check-in should give you an idea of how the past month has been for me. But really, when I am not overwhelmed? Anxiety is my default setting.
I was off work for a good portion of June – spending my time writing, editing, and doing some contract work while I waited for things to get back up and running at my part time job. And although the unexpected time off from that particular job gave me an increase in stress and anxiety, it also allowed me the space to think about how I really feel about it.
Originally, I applied for the position because I figured it would be something good to do while I worked to get to the point where I could earn a living as an author. It wasn’t necessarily something I planned on doing for longer than, say, five years (the average time it takes a self-published author to earn a living). Reception work is something I know how to do, and I’m good at it, and I figured a tattoo studio would be a less toxic place to work than my last reception job in a corporate office. I was right.
But this isn’t just a less toxic reception job – it’s a fantastic reception job. I love the work, the people, and the clients. And if I have to work another job while I get started as a self-published author, I’m glad this is it. In fact, I have no plans on leaving the tattoo industry any time soon. Even if I am able to earn a living as an author, I would love to stay a tattoo studio receptionist. Not only do I love the people and the work, but it’s be extremely helpful for my own creativity to surround myself with other creative individuals during the work day. And seeing all sorts of clients throughout the week gives me more character inspiration, and more opportunities to study human behaviour and speech patterns – which has been very valuable for character development. You’ll have to tear me away from this part-time job kicking and screaming.
But enough about that – let’s get to the tarot check-in!
Now, let’s remind ourselves of what that prediction was.
June: VI of Quills: It indicates a journey that could be physical or metaphorical, allowing a change of pace and distance from problems, or a move towards a new way of thinking. The result is a restoration of mind and spirit.
And how accurate was it?
Very accurate.
Let’s break this down.
I embarked on both physical and metaphorical journeys this past month. And since each week was different experience and a different schedule, I experienced a number of changes of pace. Maybe too many. For someone who loves their routines, this made things a little tough from time to time. I resumed work at a temporary location, working reduced hours. I had appointments and unexpected events and occurrences. I did so much in the month of June, but I still feel like I didn’t accomplish as much as I set out to simply because I kept having to rearrange my days/weeks as I went along.
But all of this chaos and taking things day by day / week by week gave me a chance to really think about all aspects of my career. I wish I was further along in my self-publishing journey, but I’ve done very well considering all the obstacles that have been thrown in my way. I’m proud of how much I’ve grown as a writer and author this past year. And I never expected to fall in love with my part-time reception job but, as I not-so-jokingly tell my husband about our marriage, that tattoo studio is stuck with me now and they won’t be able to get rid of me.
Now, have my mind and spirit been restored? I have anxiety, so I don’t know if that will ever be truly possible. But I do feel better at the end of June than I did at the end of May, so maybe restoration isn’t such a farfetched idea.
July is already off to a chaotic start, and my calendar is filling up at an alarming rate. I can’t wait to see how accurate the next prediction is!
