chat ·Apr 22, 2015

Top of the biscuit charts and the pros and cons of working from home

Up until a year and a half ago I worked 2 days a week as a graphic artist in a large, busy studio as well as running Indigo Silver. I had been there for nearly 30 years (full-time before the children came along) so, as you can imagine, it was quite a wrench leaving to dedicate all my attention to my jewellery business.

There are so many positives to being self-employed and working from home - but there are also things I miss.

I miss:

The friends I made (I keep in touch with lots although don't see as much of them).
The fun we all had - some of which was just so crazy!
The in-jokes no one else understands.
Laughing so much you get told off - (and I thought that only happened at school!).
The cakes.
The sweets.
The chocolates.
The cakes (did I mention the cakes?).
Top 5 biscuit charts - everyone was polled!
Inane chatter about last night's TV.
Saying 'good morning' and getting a reply - (the radio is great but Vanessa never answers me back).
Saying 'have a fab weekend' on a Wednesday when my 'at work' week was done - with replies of 'See you next Tuesday' and giggles!
The secret garden for sunny lunchtimes.
Being in a team.
Holiday pay.

I don't miss:

The kids always choosing a work day if they were ill - never on one of my at home days.
Traffic jams on the way to take them to school making me late for work.
Having to explain why I'm late and apologising (surely I could make it in on time just 2 days a week?)
The boss calling a meeting 5 minutes before I need to leave for school pick-up.
Office politics - gotta love those!
The days dragging if the work was dull.

But nowadays... I can take a tea-break when I like and wander around the garden looking at the new growth.

Having the lovely Foxy on my lap when I work.

I'm always around for the school holidays and able to take advantage of great weather with a fun trip out. Getting the washing out in-between work. Having only our lovely customers to answer to. The short commute into another room! A real sense of achievement when something you have built from nothing starts to flourish. Impromptu coffees out with friends because I can always catch up with work later! And, NO DRESS CODE!

It's not all plain sailing - it can be a little solitary sometimes and there are jobs I don't relish like the yearly stock-take and pretty much anything to do with the accounts. And sometimes I can work many more hours than I would have in a full-time job because the evenings and weekends are available - and you can get lots done in the wee hours! But I love what I do and am proud of our online shop!

...and just for the record - here are my top 5 biscuits...

1. Custard creams (from the fridge)
2. Hobnobs
3. Bourbon (also from the fridge)
4. Viennese whirls
5. Pink wafers