The Honest Environmentalist: Real Nappies; The Real Truth

I have known about Real Nappies since I worked at Crawley Borough Council, some eighteen years ago now.  I championed Real Nappy Week as part of my jobs with Local Authorities.  And as such I thought I would use real nappies when I had a baby.

I did all the research.  I looked into the different services and I bought the kit.  Late 2010 my daughter was born and we used disposables….  I just wasn’t ready and I didn’t have the energy to train/argue with her Dad about why we should use them.  I uhmed and ahhed and I wanted to try them but the closest I got was putting her in them for some photographs – and they did look lovely.  I kept on thinking about them and then suddenly she was six months and I was returning to work and I didn’t have the heart to tell the childminder.  We stayed on disposables.

I know ALL the arguments as to why we should use reusables and how much better they are for the environment and for the child.  I can remember the big nappy pins my mum used – with the coloured safety ends that clipped down. I even remember the big metal pail that mum used on the hob to clean the nappies.  So why, if she could do it, couldn’t I?

I could blame the modern world, the stresses of modern-day parenting.  I could blame peer-pressure.  At the end of the day it was my decision – it was me that left the resuables in their box (and then put them into the loft).  It was me that didn’t push the idea.  Disposables were just easier.  I felt guilty at times, knowing that every single disposable nappy that has been landfilled is still there and that we (as a family) were not helping. 

So my next pregnancy came along and I didn’t even think about it.  I also didn’t build up a stock of disposables (like I did with my daughter – part of the reason why it was SO easy to use them).  I just did what was easiest and maybe even cheapest.  I was parenting two kids on my own, falling v=over two dogs and trying to play house.  Using reusable nappies just was never a consideration.

So who uses them?  The same people that use reusable sanitary pads?  Better people than me?  People that care about the environment more than me?  I really don’t know.  Is it for wealthier people, the middle classes?  Honestly I don’t know.  I just know that it didn’t work for me.  Maybe it will work for you?

LuluSLR The Honest Environmentalist

THE INFO IN BRIEF (pun intended):

In the UK we dispose of over three billion nappies every single year – around 3% of all household waste.  One baby can use up to 6,000 nappies from birth to potty trained.  In fact the average amount of waste from a family can be halved by using resusable nappies in comparison to disposables.  Real nappies are more expensive initially and need to be laundered, however a family can save up to £500 over the 2.5 year period (and even more if the nappies are used for subsequent children)

I'm Just a Girl

Following on from my recent post about not hearing back from potential employers following an application, or worst still; an interview I find that I am still in the same predicament!

I am temping for work and attending interviews; those arranged by recruitment consultants tend to have speedy feedback.  However there are others whereby you are sat wondering what is happening.  

In fact I found myself feeling a bit like a girl chasing a boy that isn't interested; when does it turn into pestering?  We've all seen the film whereby Julia Roberts walks into the bookshop and asks Hugh Grant to love her; well that's me...

Why YOU should Hire ME

Since I updated my CV I have been told that it doesn't do me justice; and that I do not sell myself and my abilities.  I also think it shows me in a different light to the person that I am - in fact I think my infographic version is probably more "me".

So I thought I should think about the attributes that make me the kind of person that you will want on your team.

In one of my first "proper" jobs I can remember my manager describing me as "intelligent with a bubbly exterior".  And I think he hit the nail on the head.  If I look at my recommendations on LinkedIn at least four of them mention my people skills, my ability to bring out the best in my team and my networking.  Latterly I have had many positive comments on my friendliness and how customers can relate to me and trust me.  I find that having a strong relationship can lead to further business, either within that account or through recommendations.

Furthermore I have a wealth of knowledge in the waste management sector.  I have experience in all aspects from domestic though commercial and to healthcare waste and recycling.  I have worked for Local Authorities, within the Private Sector, I have been an account manager, a business development manager, a business manager, and a sales consultant, to name but a few.  I understand the sales process from the writing of specifications, answering of PQQs, attending bid meetings, writing submissions, site visits, installation and mobilisation.  I have a thorough understanding of processes and procedures, of auditing and of operations.  I am often thought of as an "expert" or (sadly) the "bin lady" - but I know what they mean.  If people are able to call me up and ask me advice or for a referral then I know I am doing something right.  And I could be the person doing that something right for your company.

I am computer literate - I can use the suite of Microsoft programmes (as it continues to grow).  I mean I can even do pivot tables!  I have experience of various CRM packages  too.  I have worked in marketing and communications and have experience of writing newsletters and press releases, I have extensive experience in social media and have written various environmental education packages, presentations and website content.

I love to train people and give presentations - to share my knowledge and help others with their understanding.  I have experience of auditing and of integrating management systems.

I enjoy finding people's pain points and finding a bespoke solution for them.  If that is sales - then I enjoy that too!

And so, finally, what are you waiting for?!

GIZZA JOB!

Ten Green Candidates

Altogether now:

"Ten green candidates hanging on your call,
 Ten green candidates hanging on your call,
 And if one green candidate should actually get the job
 There'll still be nine green candidates hanging on your call"

I am sure I am saying what has been said by many before; looking for a new job stinks.

In my previous blog Tick Tock Tick Tock I have already spoken about the fact that employers tend not to get back to people - past the candidates that actually get hired.  

Recruitment Consultants are great as they do the leg work and get you feedback - but I still feel that it is best to apply in person. That can lead to more and more rejections or just a an open expanse of nothingness apart from the occasional ball of tumbleweed.  

Looking for a job from a job is a different kettle of fish as we have "all the time in the world"; but when you are gainfully unemployed you find yourself waiting on a call, a message, an email, ANYTHING. 

All I am saying is: 
     If you say you are going to get back to someone then it is only right that you do.
     In this day and age of easy communication we can drop a text, or a one-line email to a candidate to say they have been unsuccessful - if they have been for an interview it is the least they deserve.

We are all busy people; but courtesy should always prevail.

In Sickness and in Health

My sister and I were always sent to school, sick or not, Mum would pack us off to school.  That was instilled at a very early stage.  She would sometimes get calls saying that one of us had thrown up or broken something (latter usually my sister) or that maybe we should go to a doctor.  In general however we would go to school and just get on with it.

This has come with the both us into adulthood.  Our poor kids are treated the same way - and little pity is given.  We have also taken the idea into our working lives.

I am one of those that likes to spread the love; I go into work with a cold, tonsillitis, sickness (maybe not diarrhoea)!  As I became a manager I realised that this wasn't the best thing as if a colleague came in to the office unwell they would, invariably, give it to everyone else.

Anyhow the point of this blog is to say that I am not a sick note; far from it.  However if someone from HR were to give you my sickness stats they would not be good.  I recently had four weeks off work.  I went to the doctor and she told me to have a week off then whilst I was off I sprained my back (in fact they thought I had ruptured a disc).  My employer were great and I attended intensive therapy.  Once I could sit for an hour without pain I went back to work.  Prior to that I had not been off in the 4.5 years that I was with the company.

So my point is thus: data, without an explanation, is just numbers; it isn't a statistic.

Tick Tock Tick Tock

A watched pot never boils; so would it seem that a watched inbox never fills (with anything other than spam anyway).

Five weeks ago I was given the news that my job was in jeopardy and a mere seven days later I was given the proverbial boot.  

I hit the ground running, or so it felt, and got two interviews under my belt in quick succession.  However, as an old hand at being jobless, I knew to keep on plugging away at the applications.  The joys of LinkedIn and recruitment companies online have made the whole process so much easier.  It doesn't stop it being a long process though.  And more often than not the first thing to arrive, after a confirmation of your application, is a "thanks but no thanks".

Computer Says "No"

I was discussing this with someone the other day and I do take these with a pinch of salt nowadays and am actually mildly surprised when I receive said email - as I have gotten used to not receiving anything past the "we have received your application, if you do not hear from us within blah blah blah"

Anyhow, we are about to complete my fourth week of redundancy and I have sent off another twenty or so applications.  I have an interview this week for some temp work; fingers crossed....

It's Not Personal

I was conversing with the other half, who is rather adept at the redundancy procedure: unlike me (who is now on her third redundancy) he has been given the unenviable job of making redundancies in his work place.

His first statement to me was to remember that it wasn't personal; this was a business decision.  And he wholeheartedly believed that.  He could see that because he knew that, and that is how he gets through his tasks.

However I needed to show him that this was personal.  This was happening to me (and to two others too) but to ME.  A person.  A person who thought she had a career in front of her, who was in the job for the long haul.  A person who found herself both angry and sad; a bad mixture at the best of times (both often resulting in tears).  A person that was confused; had she done something wrong.  To this person it was everything and the business that had made that decision wasn't making a position redundant but a person, a mother.

My first thought had been for my children, how was I going to provide for them now?  Was I going to lose my house?  It was never a woe-is-me, why me, it was more a "not again" thing.  

But it was personal.  To me.

Redundancy is hard and as much as people making the decisions and those giving out the news can proffer the phrases that it isn't something that we have done, it is 'just' a management decisions, it needs to be said; to those on the receiving end it is personal.  It hurts and it isn't something that we can quickly recover from.  Jobs don't hang from trees, there isn't any low-lying fruit we can just grab to get by.  Money makes the world go round and as much as we all strive for a work-life balance, we need both of those aspects there to achieve it.

My previous blog spoke about responses to my news and how others responded with unhelpful phrases and I find that again I am writing about this.  Maybe this is just to let others know how to respond and to let anyone else know, in the same unfortunate position as me, that they are not alone in feeling like poo and that there is a long road ahead that we have to muster up the energy to walk.

Who Am I?

My recent redundancy set me to thinking; and not in a "woe is me" way:  It got me wondering about where my future lies, in what profession, and in what position.  I find myself thankful for the pause, for the fact that someone else other than me, hit the eject button.  I have time to reconsider what I am doing and take stock of where I have come from.  It allows me to spend some time working out what is right for me and where I see myself going.

As a woman that seems to have gotten used to being made redundant I did the dutiful thing and updated my CV.  In fact, the last time this happened I put together a video CV, in days before vlogging it didn't include me but just a visual representation of my Curriculum Vitae.  This time I looked at my new CV; already in two versions: the classic two-pager and the infographic version.  I updated the latter and put it "out there" into the world of LinkedIn.  I haven't ventured into the world of the Agency as yet but I have perused the local cyber neighbourhood for some ideas.

When I let people know what was happening so many greeted me with words of kindness and affirmations; you will get another job; you are an intelligent woman; everything happens for a reason; maybe this is a good thing.  And do you know what I actually wanted to hear from someone, I wanted to hear someone else confirm what I was thinking "this is shit".  Because that is exactly what it is.  It is a situation I had no hand in and was not of my making.  It is something that happened to me and was a complete shock.  When someone finally said those three words I felt so much better, like someone understood, and that maybe things were going to be ok after all.  Don't get me wrong I am grateful for all those that reached out to me to show their support but I have learnt, over the years, that good honest truth is sometimes what we need to hear.

Today I reached out to an industry expert for some advice, a little mentoring, a pep-talk.  Do I want to stay in the industry I have been in for the vast majority of my working life, do I want to change direction and career, or do I take my skills into a new sector.  He helped me bring things into perspective and gave me questions to ask myself.  This blog is going to join me on my journey; please come along with me too.