Portfolio Management – Life – Work Balance by Storm Grayson
One of the most difficult things for me is prioritising my portfolio of different interests and daily tasks. As you get older, life becomes very crowded when you like to keep busy and accomplish all the many day to day happenings.
Personally, I have always had a mountain of interests, hobbies and managed a good few careers in my time. I am a truly been there, done that and got the T ‘shirt type of person. Not only have I probably done it but I am sure I have also lived in that particular area you are talking about!
Never one to let the grass grow under my feet, I have always travelled to my places of work and many would call me a true Nomad. So now in my later years settling down and keeping busy is something that needs tackling.
I moved down to the west country some 5 years ago to retire, HA! how could I when I had parents who never stopped working and so instilled in me a strong work ethic. I don’t do sitting around and getting bored and if I am not earning, I cannot afford to go anywhere, so, time to reinvent myself yet again.
One job I did bring with me was editing and publishing a monthly magazine for writers and readers. An International publication, which is filled with short stories, articles and poetry from around the world. Starting life as an online newsletter for writers it outgrew itself and so the obvious route was to turn it into a print and e-magazine.
Now, having been running for 3 years, I took a break until 2023 when it was reworked into a new type of magazine. Many good ideas came forward to improve on what was already there so we are now running several magazine which can be found here All Your Stories and Magazines
What else was I going to fill my time with? many years ago I studied fashion and design at Cheltenham college and worked part-time for a fashion designer. My grandmother taught me to sew, knit, embroider and crochet and at the time when I was at school we had sewing as part of the curriculum. I went on to make all my own clothes and knit sweaters until my wardrobe was groaning with garments.
Yes, you have guessed it! I thought lets do a bit of sewing for people in the village that should fill a few hours, well, how wrong could I have been. After a little under a year I was working 5 days a week, had 4 sewing machines and a groaning wardrobe once again, but this time with other peoples clothes. Recently I have cut down on my sewing as the magazine side of things has increased my work flow so priorities had to be made.
Over the years I have learnt to make rules for myself. I have nearly always been self employed apart from my work in clinics and caring so I make sure I close when I say I am closed, take a lunch break and lock the work room at weekends. It has taken a few years to learn this skill but as my mother would have said ‘ I am getting there!’
If you would like to know more about the magazines the website is:
Publishing
The Writers Publishing Company
Books by Peggy Grayson ( my mother)