From an Early Start and a Morning Medical Appointment, to Afternoon Pet Visits, Household Responsibilities and A Few Things to Worry About Along the Way. Just Another Day of Fitting Everything In.
Some days are a little bit of everything. You start with one plan, fit in a few other things along the way, and before you know it, the day has disappeared.
Today was one of those days.
I was up nice and early, as usual. I do enjoy having those early hours to myself before the rest of the world gets going. My first priority was working on content for my pet-sitting business Instagram page. I like to post something every day, whether it is a little pet fact, a useful tip for pet owners, a glimpse into my home visits or simply wishing everyone a lovely weekend.
I also managed to finish off a blog post before moving on to a quick 20 minute yoga workout, followed by five minutes of breathwork. Something I have come to appreciate is having a little bit of time to myself in the morning. It helps me slow down, regulate my nervous system and get myself ready for whatever the day has planned.
And today, there was something slightly different to the schedule.
A Morning Appointment, But Not Quite A Morning Off
I had kept my morning free from pet-sitting appointments because I had my six-month routine medical check-up.
Following the surgery I had last September to remove fibroids, I have been having six-month check-ups. It is something I have to keep on top of, so today’s appointment had been arranged well in advance.
I was hoping it would simply be a routine visit, a quick ultrasound examination and then back to normal.
However, things were not quite as straightforward.
During the examination, two very small fibroids were identified, each measuring approximately one centimetre. Naturally, the important thing now is to keep an eye on them and monitor whether they change in size.
There was also another finding: a cyst on my left ovary, measuring just over five centimetres, containing blood.
This was something I had not been expecting to hear.
My doctor prescribed a ten-day course of treatment, and I will be following up in a month’s time to see how things progress.
I have to admit, hearing about the cyst and the possibility of experiencing strong abdominal pain during treatment did make me a little anxious. It is not the sort of news you expect to receive when you go in thinking you are simply attending a routine check-up.
Still, these things happen, and all you can do is take things one step at a time.
I was feeling a little tender on my left side after the examination, which was hardly surprising given all the poking and prodding that had taken place.
But there was still the rest of the day to get through.
Back to Pet Sitting
Although I had kept the morning free, I still had appointments scheduled for later in the day.
One of the things about being self-employed is that you organise your day around your commitments. Having a morning without client visits does not necessarily mean you have a relaxing day at home.
Sometimes you simply move things around to accommodate something important, and then pick up where you left off.
So, after my appointment, it was back to work.
I had my lunchtime visit and another appointment later in the early evening. Nothing particularly unusual, just the normal routine of making sure my clients’ pets were looked after.
I was pleased that I had managed to organise everything around my medical appointment without having to cancel any visits.
And speaking of organising appointments, there was a little scheduling win today.
One of my regular clients offered to move a dog-walking appointment beginning next week to a more convenient time in the day.
Instead of having to make a separate journey later in the afternoon, and getting caught up in rush-hour traffic, I can complete this visit right after another lunchtime appointment while I am already out. For me, that makes a big difference.
It is these little adjustments that make running a pet-sitting business that bit easier.
Waiting for Fluffy’s Results
There was also something else on my mind today: Fluffy.
I had been hoping to hear back from the laboratory regarding his urine test results, but unfortunately, there was no update yet.
We opted for a full urine analysis, including culture, following the vet’s recommendation, to investigate the possibility of a urinary tract infection.
The culture takes approximately 48 hours, so hopefully I will have the results tomorrow.
Anyone with pets will understand that when something is not quite right, you just want to get to the bottom of it and know what you are dealing with.
Fingers crossed, we get some reassuring news.
And Then There is Everything Else
By the time I had finished my appointments and returned home, there were still the usual household responsibilities waiting for me.
A little housework, bits and pieces that needed doing and the ordinary things that somehow never disappear from the to-do list.
It was not a particularly exciting day. There were no big adventures, no unexpected detours and certainly no dramatic pet-sitting stories to report.
Just a mixture of work, a health appointment, pet-related concerns, and getting on with everyday life.
I suppose that is something I have come to accept about being self-employed. You have to make room for your own appointments, keep your work schedule running smoothly, look after your pets and still find time to manage your home.
Some days are busier than others, and sometimes things do not quite go as planned. But you just adjust where you can and carry on.
A Little Bit of Everything
Looking back, today was a reminder that life does not always neatly divide itself into workdays, days off and personal time.
Even when you have a morning free from appointments, there are other things that need your attention.
Today, that meant a medical check-up, some unexpected news, a little tenderness afterwards, two pet-sitting appointments, waiting for Fluffy’s results and the usual household jobs.
Nothing particularly extraordinary.
Just a mishmash of a day.
Sometimes, that’s what everyday life looks like.
