T Re: The Weeks Ahead

So things are set to get busy over the next few weeks. For a start, and dare I say it, but we are l adding up to Christmas and I plan to get very festive this year. I want scented candles, a real Christmas tree, and lots of fairy lights and ornaments around the house. I’ll definitely be expanding on this over the coming weeks, but there’s a lot to do in the weeks before that.

So for a start work is manic. I don’t think I’ve ever explained what I do, so without going in to too much detail. I work in responsible investment, yes there is such a thing. Rather than simply looking at whether investing in a company can make great returns we look at the environmental and social impact of a company as well as the company’s governance i.e. How well the people at the top are running it. My main focus is on the governance angle and this means I have to go out and talk to companies about the risks we perceive that could destroy investor value. Anyway, over the next few weeks I have major project deliverables, end of year planning, company meetings to arrange amongst a host of other shit, but I do love my job.

The main perk to come is a business trip to India next month. I’ll be in Mumbai for a week at a conference. To say that I’m excited would be an understatement. I mean this is going to be amazing for my career and I’ll learn so much, but I can see that there will be lots of down time where I can do so soul searching and sight seeing (at least, I really hope so). To be honest I have no clue what to expect, but I’ve never done anything like this before.

Right also fairly eventful next month, is my birthday. I will be turning the big three-oh….. I’m not really sure how to feel about this. I think I just feel the same, like it’s any other birthday, but the way family and friends are aghast at the fact I haven’t planned to do anything, you’d think I was an alien, or someone completely unaware of societal expectations- well news flash, it’s just not a big deal to me. I have a hen night (murder mystery) to go to the weekend before and then India the week after. Don’t get me wrong,I do see this as a milestone and will likely go for drinks afterwork on the day and then I’ve booked the day after off, so the worlds my oyster. I think turning 30 is almost a right of passage, no one can say you’re not an adult and something I’ve felt for a while is, with age come security. Security in yourself and who you are, finances, friendships, style. By 30 you have a much clearer understanding of these things and to be frank, you simply care less what anyone else thinks about your life and choices. Life is too short to go around concentrating solely on other people’s happiness.