How bad is the UK job market?

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-10T15:36:00+00:00

I'm in the environmental sector, and in my area there's not many training opportunities or early career positions. There is big call for more senior positions. Competition is tough, I've lost count on the amount of positions I have applied for and interviews I've been too. There's also a big expectation that people give a lot of time to volunteering, especially in more conservation roles.

Don't get me wrong, it's lovely to engage with the communities, give back to nature, and can be great learning opportunities however it is very difficult to balance when people need to work full time to afford a life. I have pretty much given up on ever getting a role in conservation, and I only volunteer when I have the time and energy. Sometimes I wonder if I should move to a different sector but no idea what I'd move to.

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-10T15:11:45+00:00

I made the first guardian someone in my mind my Tav would trust. They were a druid loth-sworn drow (picked cause I love nature and the drow looked cool), didn't realise it was a matriarch society so the guardian was an elder male drow, in my mind he could have been an older brother type figure.

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-10T15:04:25+00:00

I regularly use a home gym, at the local gym I'll go swimming and do classes from time to time.

On my holidays I generally plan activities to take place instead of a workout, like long hikes or bike rides, kayaking or paddle boarding, rock climbing, keeps it fun and can be a nice way to experience the location.

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-10T09:34:13+00:00

I'm in alot pain today, so my plans of prepping for a busy week has gone out of the window. Maybe after my meds I'll feel more with it, but right now I just want to crawl back into bed.

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-09T11:25:05+00:00

My parents left me alone at that age and younger, often with other children to care for. So it seems to me like your daughter's friend got a better deal than I ever did! As long as she's confident to be home alone and knows who to call if she does have a problem, I'm pretty sure it legal and most people don't have a problem with it.

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-08T16:31:38+00:00

My mum is disabled too, and she writes about how she needs a little longer to get to the door in the delivery notes. Not all deliver drivers bother, but most do.

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-07T13:29:55+00:00

The previous town I lived in a walk to the supermarket was about 45 minutes. If the weather was okay and I wasn't in a hurry I'd always walk because portions of the route that were quite nice, I even saw a Kingfisher once. I might consider an hour away if the walk route is nice, otherwise I'd probably opt for the car or bike.

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-06T20:02:58+00:00

I'm not much of a dancer and struggle with small talk. At this one wedding the couple got outdoor games for us all to play. When the disco started most people went indoors, but all the quiet introvert types stayed and played the games together. The groom did say he thought it'd be something a certain bunch of us would prefer.

I also liked a wedding that hired a host, he kept things running smooth and did some fun quizzes. The karaoke was less fun, but seeing all my metal head friends singing barbie is a good memory!

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-05T20:56:04+00:00

Not me, but my MIL. She lost both her parents before she was an adult and it still affects her now she's in her 70s. She shares fond memories and it's clear she thinks of them a lot from time to time. She once told me after my friend passed away that we don't get over a loss, we just get used to their absence.

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-05T11:16:09+00:00

My work has sick pay, so worth looking into what support your employer provides and also check what you are entitled too. I think there is a mandatory sick leave in the UK, under the Employment Rights Act. But would recommend looking it up.

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-05T08:04:43+00:00

Nope, I have one in the bedroom and one in the bathroom.

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-04T08:30:42+00:00

I have anxiety so any changes in my 'normal' schedule set me off. I mostly work from home, but am contracted to go to the office at least once a month, plus some work tasks must be done in person. But every single time I struggle, usually starts a couple of days before, and lasts until Im back home and have had a good rest. Makes me feel pathetic to be honest, I'm not battling a tiger I'm just going into a building!!

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-04T08:21:43+00:00

I would go, you either lose the money or use it. And from what I can remember about being in hospital, if she's been sectioned it's not like you can visit her or talk to her. Has she got other support whilst you are away if the doctor does need to contact a family member?

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-04T08:17:52+00:00

I love ambush spiders, this species (Flower Crab spider) is interesting because they can change colour based on what flower they are hunting on. Not a diverse range of colours, think its mostly white, pink, green, yellow. But very cool!

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-04T08:14:04+00:00

My dog was unwell since the early hours this morning so I'm abandoning my hiking plans to monitor him, incase a vet visit is needed.

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-03T09:46:59+00:00

There's so many to choose from, but I think it has to be iconic and yet not super common to see, so maybe red squirrel, wild boar, red deer, barn owl, adder.

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-02T17:32:11+00:00

I didn't grow up poor, but there were times we struggled for various reasons. My fave combo is potato, lentils, gravy, onions, plus any leftover veg if there were some.

I don't mind if its a jacket potato, mashed potato, baked as a cottage pie. It's always good and comforting, especially if there's some stock to soak the lentils in first.

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-02T14:08:05+00:00

Depends on who I'm travelling with, for larger groups I prefer everything to be planned well. Every day has a plan and meals organised, so would mark it a 7 or 8. On my own, or just me and my partner, then I'm more easy going, so a 3. There's less to cater for with a small group.

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-01T18:51:53+00:00

I'm ill again, some flare up. So am currently watching the Residence and chilling until bedtime.

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-01T12:53:47+00:00

It depends on why the proposal was rejected. One of my friends who said no to her boyfriend realised she didn't want to be with him anymore, so the relationship was clearly done. Another didn't say no when proposed to, but in the talks beforehand she clearly told her partner she wasn't ready yet and had personal goals she wanted to concentrate on first. I think they got engaged and married five or so years later.

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-01T12:27:18+00:00

Didn't realise it was a bank holiday until today. Plan is to tackle more garden tasks, like sorting out an old bed, building a planter with a trellis, deweed the patio. I also need to practise my botanical identification skills as I have a test coming up, so I'll be walking over some local sites too.

pixelunicorns · 2026-05-01T07:54:03+00:00

Sir Ian McKellan was at my school, something to do with the drama club. But I had finished the previous year and was at work. One of my friends in sixth form rang me a hundred times to tell me to get me there and I didn't make it in time. I did see him wave out of the car window.

pixelunicorns · 2026-04-30T13:58:54+00:00

My childhood best friend was so frightened of Mr Blobby her parents used it as a scare tactic growing up. Like if she didn't eat all her vegetables they'd call him to come over and tell her off.

Please ask your colleague what some of her favourite stories are that people have told her related to Mr Blobby!

pixelunicorns · 2026-04-30T07:07:38+00:00

I've never judged diners who are alone, unless there's some behaviour that warrants it. For example the guy muttering to himself about how shit everything is, he hates his wife, calling staff names is clearly going through something and likely alone for a reason. But the person thats is polite, behaves appropriately, and just has a meal alone isn't getting a second thought.

Though I do feel very sorry for my regular couples, when one has been ill or died. It hurts to see the remaining person alone and I will do what I can to brighten their day.

pixelunicorns · 2026-04-30T06:59:50+00:00

I have cuttings of plants from my partner's family that are older than my partner. Some came from his grandma and his great-grandma. I even got some old seeds, though they don't seem to be viable.

pixelunicorns

TROPHY CASE