Robert Hampton

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22nd March 2006

Should that say “most stupid”?
Posted by at 6.34pm | No responses | Uncategorised

I’ve just realised that this all happened nearly three years ago; it really doesn’t seem that long. And at the risk of sounding like an especially preachy Saved by the Bell episode, dropping out like that was, hands down, the stupidest thing that I ever did.

Well, it’s now nearly six years ago, and as we “celebrate” the 3rd anniversary of this humble blog, I think it’s time to revisit the first post and re-examine things with the benefit of hindsight. More hindsight.

And so, here’s my new analysis: I don’t think it was the stupidest thing I ever did. It was certainly a rash decision, and a big decision; one which impacted on my life in ways I couldn’t possibly have imagined at the time. I definitely wasn’t thinking 100% clearly when I made it. However, I think, ultimately, it was the right thing for me to do, although that is more by luck than judgement.

I will clarify on the off-chance that any little A-Level monkeys are reading this: I’m not saying that you should all give up and immediately quit school; that would just be daft. However, for me, I think it saved me. That’s not an exaggeration: at the time I was in such as bad place — both physically and emotionally — that staying in Sixth Form, with all the pressures that entailed, could have finally broken me.

And what about now? Well, I’m 23, am still stuck in the same crappy job I had when I was 20 (a job which, I promised myself at the time, I would stay in for 6 months “to tide me over”), have spent the last couple of years watching friends and family members move on to bigger and better things while I’m seemingly standing still, and have a love life comparable to that of Andy Stitzer. But… given where I started from, that’s actually an improvement. A huge improvement, in fact.

And… I’m much happier now than I’ve been, well, ever, really. And the rest will fall into place at some point, I’m sure. I have a good feeling about the next few months. 🙂

So, in conclusion, Strong Sad’s adopted.

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