Leaving the 'rat race'.

Hello and welcome to my first ever blog. My name is Rachel Gittus and I am 35 years old. I have wanted to write a blog for many years, but have only now found the confidence. Being a singer/songwriter, one might think that goes with the territory. When I'm on stage, I am loaded with endorphins and when I'm off stage my true nature is to be a hermit.

When I returned from Canada after a 8 month stay, I was in a pretty fragile condition. I had spent 7 days in a jail cell and removed from the country. (more about that later).

When I returned to the UK I had to start from scratch. I literally didn't have penny - coupled with what I am sure was PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). After a few weeks of sofa surfing and painting and decorating for a friend, I managed to buy a caravan and a car.

This was the first time in over 15 years that I had a 'real' job. I actually enjoyed the work too. I found the mundanity of the tasks meditative and the exercise helped to alleviate my stress.

I continued to get more clients and worked my preverbal arse off until I had enough to rent a place. This is the first time I have been stable for many years and I absolutly love it.

But it comes with a price. I'm never here. I spend most of my time labouring and very little playing/painting/writing and just generally creating.

I have come to the conclusion that if I am not creating, I am not really living. I have decided to give up working for others and start my own business. I have spent every day since leaving work - building my website and mud kitchens. I want to love what I do and do what I love and it feels right.

Thanks for stopping by.

For now as they say.

chow