Ten years ago I wrote my first blog while on a train from Slovenia to Hungary. Since then I’ve written sporadically as I’ve explored new places and reflected on what has been going on in my (mainly work-related) life. I’ve also moved from London to the West Midlands to Leicestershire during that time, worked through the ‘pandemic’ and had to accept hearing aids and medication for my balance can no longer be avoided.

Work. Save. Travel. Repeat. has been my motto for most of those ten years. I worked long hours in schools but by Easter 2023 I was burnt out. Even a week in Cuba hadn’t revived me. The summer term continued to be increasingly tough and by June I was getting support through my GP as my mental health took a nose dive.

Fast forward to the lull between Christmas and New Year and it’s been nearly 18 months since I left teaching and a toxic working environment. Working a standard 9-5 job (still supporting children and young people with special educational needs) has been a whirlwind of re-learning how to balance everything in life and getting to a place where being deaf and having balance issues isn’t something I feel I need to hide in fear it will be used against me.

Every day work-life now equals stopping for lunch and having free evenings to go out dancing 3 days a week with attempts to play tennis thrown in too. I’ve slowly met people where I live and I’ve found a group of friends who totally get it when I say I need to go home because I’ve run out of energy from focusing on following conversations – I’ve always said I’m anti-social but the reality is that being in a large group of people takes immense concentration just to follow what’s being said so I know I can appear quiet and distant. To have people who understand this, for the first time in my adult life, is a game-changer.

Every day saving continues to be about having the money to travel but also now means I am conscious of ensuring I look after myself better so I don’t end up in the same place I was 18 months ago. I am so grateful to family and friends who have supported me over the last few years.

Travelling looks a little different now too. I am no longer tied to school term dates so, while I may not have as many days of ‘holiday’, I can now go to so many different places that I couldn’t go to before (and make the most of out of peak season prices!). Long weekends, including going away for my birthday for the first time ever, are now possible and, most importantly, I have regained the headspace and energy to make the most of exploring anywhere and everywhere I can.

I love my house and garden (although still avoid cutting the grass as far as possible), getting out dancing and playing tennis, doing a job where I feel we was making a difference and it’s recognised, hiking near and far and travelling to new countries. Work. Save. Travel. Repeat, has served me well but I no longer want to let my career drive my decisions in life so I’ve decided a new mantra for my life is needed for this next chapter.

EXPLORE. EXPERIENCE. ENJOY.

This blog is about my journey – past, present and future. I’ll be recalling where I’ve travelled and explored in the past, posting as I experience new places and sharing my plans for the future. I hope you’ll join me along the way.

Love from Laura-Jayne x

31 December 2024

@adventurebeginstoday (insta, threads and X)

If you’d like to read a little more about my life with hearing loss, the Northampton Chronicle wrote a little bit about my journey in 2022: https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/health/how-one-device-changed-a-teachers-life-after-hiding-her-hearing-loss-for-years-3570616