Needing A Day of Nothing

I'm feeling quite washed-out at the moment. Yesterday I attended an NHS event in transforming mental health services in Lincolnshire. It was a participatory event and provided an opportunity to contribute to NHS strategy. I was really impressed with this. I hadn't realised fully up to now just how much decision making involves members of the public and service users and I really felt a part of the process. Some of the Governors were present at the event and it was great being able to put faces to the names.

Today another NHS event was held in Lincoln on Personality Disorders. Despite the venue being very cold (on account of the hall owners forgetting the event was being held thus no heating), the event was excellent and contained real life testimony from Governors and service users. A talk was given on the illness and the current strategy and practises used to treat the condition. We were told that improvements were needed and that the quality of service available to patients isn't uniform across the county, but that a new strategy is currently being developed.
These events are great for networking and I got talking to many who have had experience of the condition. I was also asked if I would consider becoming a Governor. Apparently they are after more 'young blood' to influence and contribute to NHS mental health policy. I hadn't really considered this up to now, but the prospect of being able to contribute directly to mental health service provision and help shape strategy really appeals to me. Unfortunately I can't see myself being able to do it. For a start, I am rather wrapped up in my current role with Blue Skies, and my wife won't allow it given the fact that the position of Governor is unpaid, apart from expenses of course. Unless it's a full time job, she doesn't want to know. It's a real shame as I know it is where I want to be.
Tomorrow will be a good day. I was asked by my colleague earlier what it is I'll be doing. I replied gleefully, 'nothing... absolutely nothing'. Of course I'll be doing things, but I have nothing in my calendar so for me it will be a free day, to pretty much do what I want. I know I'll probably be tinkering with our funding bid, but I really want to keep the day free from stress if at all possible. I've had two full-on days and I need a little rest.
I did receive a message of encouragement and praise today in relation to our funding bid application. I had sent it to Lincolnshire CVS (Community Volunteer Service) for them to review and comment, and I received a message praising us on the quality of our application and pledging support for our project. I felt quite uplifted by this followed by a mix of emotions when I was reminded by my wife that I couldn't consider being a Governor for the NHS - despite my passion for improving mental health services, a passion which should be clear to see by now. Nevertheless, I replied to the message with thanks inviting them to come and see us at one of our group meetings.
We have until Friday to get the application and costs completed for submission. I am planning to send it by email last thing Thursday night. We're pretty much there, but we have been very slow and dis-organised in getting our costs together and deciding exactly the things we need to buy. We are bound to forget the odd item but I am hopeful we will have some change that we will be able to use to buy extras if needed.
So, I find myself looking forward to tomorrow, a chance to remain settled and an opportunity to recharge and reflect on where I am at the moment and where I want to be in the coming days.