Change. Personified.

Following my musings in my last post, it seems that the change faeries were well and truly listening...

The past few weeks have brought a job resignation, a car crash, and a whole host of challenging moments for the Anxious Ambler.

There have been a few ambles, but I'm afraid there still hasn't been another Munro. There has, however, been an attempt at another Munro. On November 5th (remember, remember), myself, Dave and my parents were on our way north to tackle Schiehallion. After much discussion since Ben Lomond (and consulting Steve Fallon's 'Easiest Munros' numerous times), it was decided that Perthshire's 'Hill of the Faeries' would make a good second 3000feet-er.

I have to say, the day did start oddly. Partly because I actually enjoyed my porridge for the first time (lots of milk), but mostly because the morning bulletins brought terrible news of an awful car crash in England. Perhaps hindsight is telling me that I felt unsettled that morning; perhaps it was understandable given the foggy conditions.

The fog lifted. The road was wet. The motorway wasn't flowing very smoothly. The sun was beating down. All of a sudden, a car in front (out of sight) braked suddenly. And thus began the braking effect...like a ripple, or a concertina, all the cars behind that one braked sharply. Whilst the original braking fiend drove off into Saturday's sun, we were slamming into the back of the Range Rover in front. Which had totally blocked our view of the original braker. Anyway, to cut a long and quite dramatic (and lets be honest, traumatic) story short, Dad's car was totally written off, the front airbags exploded in all their smokey, dusty glory, and the police and paramedics were in attendance. Luckily we all escaped with very minor injuries...a few sore wrists, some bruises, and achy muscles. I got a fat lip (and later, a scabby lip), and a sore nose from hitting the headrest of the passenger seat in front. Most of all, my first experience of shock, what shock can do to you, physically and mentally, and just how shocking shock is.

We are all wired differently, and we will all react to situations differently. My wires are fairly tight, and panic and anxiety are always close. A situation like that - although minor in the grand scheme of things (oh! life's great tapestry!) - caused me a lot of panic and anxiety.

But time truly is a great healer. Sorry to use another cliche. It just gives you that perspective you need; that ability to step away from a situation, as literally time takes you further from it. It was shocking for us all, the four of us involved and also the wider circle of family and friends.

Shock, panic, relief, inconvenience, discomfort, pain, anxiety, relief, comfort, love, relief.
Lessons learned.

So the second Munro didn't happen. But it will. Now nine days has passed since the crash, and things have got back to normal for the most part. Perhaps it is time to reconsider Schiehallion...

The change faeries got their timing bang on, putting me in a car crash around 15 hours after I posted my resignation from my job...you'll get this irony if you know my job involved driving a bus. Any uncertainty or doubts about this decision were banished by a minor - but significant - accident.

I am excited to see where life takes me next. I have no immediate major plans, and I am embracing that. Trying to.

Come on world, what have you got for me?
I want to write, I want to walk, I want to show the world of Scottish tourism what else I've got, I want to enjoy life, and not worry about things too much. I can dream big, I just need to put it into practice. I've made some big steps this year, some big investments in my future, and some positive changes. I'm now mid-twenties and learning more than ever...

A bruised nose is a good reminder of what life can throw at you, and how you deal with what comes your way. And if life is about to launch you into a headrest...well, just shut your eyes and hope for the best.

I wish to the faeries of life to keep me and my loved ones safe.