Julie Helen: I felt nervous about the journey, but not the interview itself 

I went to Dublin last week for a job interview. I have been free of full-time work for just over three years, but I have gathered bits and pieces that keep me busy, engaged. and part of progressing the rights of disabled people, which will always be enormously important to me. I would go as far as to say, working with a human rights agenda is part of who I am.

I hadn’t been in Dublin for at least a year, if not much longer. There had been a time in the early days of my romantic relationship with David, that I went to Dublin twice a week. Then working from home came into my life, but until 2023, the journey and the associated organisation and exhaustion was a cornerstone of my working life. I had some great times with great colleagues and great conversations with my friends who would always check in with me on my commutes too.

As a wife, partner and mum now, I am privileged to be able to make the choice to be at home. Sometimes, though, I take a leap to keep the fire of my ambition burning, and the work that I do is always kind of niche and specific, so when it comes along, I want to be in the mix.

I felt nervous about the journey and everything it entails. I used to have it down to a fine art when I was travelling regularly, but honestly, I didn’t even know where to start.

I smiled to myself. Many people would be concerned about the content of the interview, or whether they had enough examples to explain good work, or the value they bring to a new team. I wasn’t worried about any of that in the slightest. My experience is banked. I know what my strengths are, I know what I have done and the talents I bring to any table.

I have also done enough and made enough mistakes to know what I am not good at and the work I shouldn’t take on. I am not applying for jobs, left, right, and centre. I throw my hat in when I really feel it might be right. I know I am extremely lucky to be in that position.

In all my efforts, my worries lay with the access of getting to the destination and managing my energy so I could be at my best for the 45 minutes when it counted the most.

I had an early enough morning appointment, despite requesting an afternoon one, but then I thought maybe I was being too demanding and decided to go up the evening before. I asked my dad to drop and collect me from the train because I was worried about getting parking in the middle of the day. I never have to tell my parents I am in a constant dance of trying to protect my energy. They know. They see it. They understand, and they step in where they can.

Once I got to Dublin, I was met by another natural protector, my gorgeous friend Cath. We’ve been friends since we were 13, and when we meet, the years and distance melt away and it feels like yesterday when we were making snow angels on our school exchange in Germany, even though the teachers told her not to take me into the knee-high snow. It turned into a favourite memory.

I did the interview and don’t know the outcome, but the hug from a little boy on my return reminded me just how sweet home is, and no matter what happens next, I am where I’m supposed to be.