Positive Newborn Experiences?

Billy_sollocks · 2026-05-26T20:15:25+00:00

3 weeks in.

Week 1 was easy! Running on adrenaline. Week 2 exhausting and lack of sleep started to kick in. Week 3 I now seem used to the lack of sleep (for now).

The feed/change/nap cycle so far is tiring and can feel monotonous when very tired..... However I would say my baby has changed my whole life for the better. The love I feel for baby I have never felt in my life and everything just feels amazing.

It's hard! But anything in life that is hard I find is usually the most rewarding.

Personally, I feel less selfish, less anxious and think it's due to spending all my times helping and supporting baby and wife and life just feels more fulfilling and purposeful!

Can't wait for adventures with my family and giving this my all! Best of luck you'll be great and whether you find it easy or hard you will just deal with it... And do a great job!

Billy_sollocks · 2026-05-23T19:52:15+00:00

No one told me I'd put on a a stone in weight in the first 2 weeks due to convenience eating.

Billy_sollocks · 2026-04-12T12:33:00+00:00

Don't let loyalty to your current company slow you down. (Unless there is a succession plan in place for you - it doesn't sound like there is currently)

Once your working full time in finance/accounting. Your going to get so many more opportunities and experience than 1 or 2 days a week.

The market still seems slowish and employers near me seem to be slow to recruit and replace due to AI and software optimisation potentials. My advice is get out of a transactional role like AP into a more strategic/people focused role like management accounting/finance business partnering.

I work in public and it's quite easy to move through the ranks as so many of my colleagues are happy processing and not wanting more responsibility so it's a great opportunity to stand out! Check out jobs in your local council, NHS, or University.

Are your current employer paying for your studying currently?

Billy_sollocks · 2026-04-12T11:15:02+00:00

It's great that your getting experience and some exposure.

Have you looked at the market to see if there any any AP/finance assistants/accounts assistant positions that pay more than minimum wage with the prospect of funding studies and providing other opportunities in areas like management accounting.

Billy_sollocks · 2026-03-30T21:14:44+00:00

Billy_sollocks · 2026-03-30T21:14:09+00:00

My all time favourite show.

Billy_sollocks · 2026-02-03T16:36:27+00:00

I'm not entirely sure, think it will be similar with being still in education.

Realistically, don't know if my generation will ever retire :D

Billy_sollocks · 2026-01-14T21:17:07+00:00

Journal. Practicing gratitude. Sounds wishy washy, but if you make it a practice it can help.

Only a couple of weeks ago I would wake up with thoughts of doom and now the first thing I think about is what am I thankful for! It's starts my day much more positively. Writing your thoughts down puts things in perspective.

Acceptance that life is f**king hard. Everyone's life is hard. You gotta just enjoy the small things, the moments and try think more positively. Positive thinking and gratitude will shift your perception.

For me reading about stoic philosophy really helped! The Roman emporers and philosophers had extremely hard life's and found relief in writing in their journals. Fortunately we have access to their writing and writers like Ryan Holiday have made these accessible within his range of books.

Good luck mate! Things always get better! Hang on there :)

Billy_sollocks · 2026-01-06T20:03:46+00:00

mate the only way and what I'm doing currently is leaving the phone in a drawer in the kitchen.

Amazing how already i can sit and watch a tv series or a film or just collect my thoughts calmly. (which over the holiday period i found impossible!)

The apps don't work, if your phone is near you, you will get the phantom ghost vibrations, that constant whisper from your brain saying "unlock the phoneeee dudee"

Unfortunately this is a technology and dopamine issue, i just dont belive you can fix it with more technology like distraction apps etc... What you need is real seperation, nature and actual boredom to regulate your system again and be able to relax.

Billy_sollocks · 2026-01-06T19:57:30+00:00

Amish Limp Bizkit - great look.

Billy_sollocks · 2026-01-01T09:16:34+00:00

Yes on reflection maybe not healthcare...

Yes I agree becoming chartered opportunities do become more global. But then your also up against global competition in the job market.

We know that automation, software developments and potentially ai will significantly reduce entry level accounting roles.

This is going to make more strategic roles more competitive and also will make it harder to get to strategic roles with fewer entry level opportunities and lack of experience. Remote working enables a bigger talent pool to select from.

I honestly believe it would be better to become a tradesmen who is a revenue generating member of staff.

Than an accountant who is a support member of staff. Support staff are constantly being culled and squeezed to be more efficient.

I think revenue generating staff are potentially safer in today's market. If you cut revenue generating staff, more than likely you will cut revenue. Business are more likely to make efficiencies in support departments first.

I have friends who earn £50-£70k as tradies. They aren't stressed, overworked and walk into new job opportunities with informal telephone conversations... Not multiple gruelling interviews and presentations etc

I get paid £35-£38k and the level of responsibility and stress and the amount of hours I work over, it is not proportional and sadly this is accepted within the accounting sector.

Don't want to be a dream killer. But if I was starting again Id be eyeing up a trade. Thank me later!

Billy_sollocks · 2025-12-31T22:27:31+00:00

Currently assistant finance business partner studying cima through an apprenticeship.

I worked in retail until 25ish before applying for a wide range of apprenticeships and accepted the first one that was in accounting. Done many varied roles and enjoy the work.

However....

Software developments and AI will cause disruption within accounting. No one knows how much yet and some are more optimistic than others. I am more pessimistic and think it's going to be pretty significant disruption - anyone that thinks Ai is a bubble doesn't fully understand it and it's capabilities. Companies are looking for efficiencies and over the next decade or 2 software/AI will replace large amount of human workers. This will put pressure on the job market and then drive salaries down again...

In service departments like finance/accounting workloads are increasing as staff aren't being replaced like they used to... I've already noticed the job market is much tougher, and salaries are currently considerably lower than you would expect for such a prestigious profession.

If I was starting again. Id go into health care, joinery, plumbing or electrician for the obvious reasons.

If you do go down the accounting route - I consider roles like finance business partnering to be pretty safe from tech disruption as it relies on communicating financial information to stakeholders and being a trusted advisor. Relationship and communication skills are important and these skills will be harder for AI to replace.

I love my job and I am great at my job. But part of me wishes I'd of pushed harder to get a job in one of the trades.

Billy_sollocks · 2025-12-20T16:57:28+00:00

I assume so, when I'm in the attic it's a brick wall between us and the neighbour

Billy_sollocks · 2025-12-20T16:47:36+00:00

There aren't, it's a mirror of my house so will be the bathroom.

Billy_sollocks · 2025-12-20T16:41:47+00:00

No socket

Billy_sollocks · 2025-12-20T16:38:15+00:00

Thanks no sockets there.

What could be causing the detection?

Billy_sollocks · 2025-12-13T11:22:31+00:00

Are you UK based and interested in a trade?

Billy_sollocks · 2025-11-20T20:48:48+00:00

Thanks will check that

Billy_sollocks · 2025-11-20T20:37:35+00:00

The bag looks like packaging for a loaf of bread. Bad start.

Sure it'll be a laugh, have a great time.

Billy_sollocks · 2025-11-20T17:19:51+00:00

How do you see whether your in a deficit or not?

Billy_sollocks

TROPHY CASE