Authentically Adele

Well, it’s been a while since I last posted, and let me tell you, life has been anything but quiet. There’s been a lot going on—many changes, some big, some small. But one of the most interesting (and slightly terrifying) things happening is that I’ve signed up for a course.—I’ve thrown myself back into studying.

I have a year to complete this online course, and it’s at my own pace and includes a work placement (haven’t worked in 8 years!!). It’s in a field I never saw coming(not until this past year), but I love it and have a year to finish it. That makes it a bit easier, right? Well… sort of.

It’s not a walk in the park! I am 3 weeks into Module 1, and after reading the first 30 pages 3 times over, panic set in. You know that feeling when you start something new, and suddenly the weight of it hits you like a ton of bricks? I thought, “What have I gotten myself into?”

Then, to make matters worse, I scrolled down to check the assessment questions. Let me tell you, the theoretical work is intense. If this is only the first module, what awaits me in the later modules?

At that moment, a little voice in my head started yelling and I began to argue with myself, “Why did you do this to yourself?!” “Because, it seemed like such a great idea at the time!” “Wouldn’t it have been easier just to get a job and continue life? But no, you decided to study again!”

And as if studying alone isn’t hard enough, let’s throw in family, work, and all the other lovely responsibilities of adult life. But here’s where I want to encourage any fellow mums (or dads!) out there who are juggling study, work, and family—you’ve got this.

It’s not easy, but you’re not alone. And please, take it from me, don’t turn down any help. It’s not a sign of weakness; it’s a survival strategy! I learned this in the past three weeks when my husband and mum stepped in to rescue me from drowning in my to-do lists. Also, it’s perfectly okay to pause some parts of your life to focus on what really needs your attention. The laundry can wait; your dreams shouldn’t(unless you have water and electricity cuts ooops).

So, here’s the bottom line: don’t let the workload, looming deadlines, or the intensity of exams stop you or discourage you from continuing. If you’re considering signing up for a course, do it. There will never be a “perfect” time to further your studies. Life is always busy. You are never too old to do so.

And to you, who is currently studying, well done! Don’t give up, you can do this! The rewards of completing your studies, and knowing you’ve pushed through the chaos will be worth it.

One day, you and I will look back on these moments—when we were overwhelmed, tired, and questioning all our study choices—and we’ll smile because we did it. We did not give up. And we’ll be reaping the benefits of everything we’ve learned, not just in our studies but in life.

So, here’s to us! Let’s keep going. We’re stronger than we think; our future selves will thank us.

Ps: You know that you can always talk to our Heavenly Father about things and ask Him for help, too!