The start of a new chapter

Hello and welcome to my blog The Woodworking Scientist!

My name is Sam and I work as an analytical chemist during the week. I have recently started a new job after 2 and a half years in a very stressful operational public-facing role, which significantly took its toll on my mental health. I ended up off work due to stress and after a period of significant reflection, I made the very difficult decision to change careers. I successfully transitioned into a new role where I can use both my qualifications and the front line experience I gained over the past couple of (rather stressful) years or so. Prior to that role, I spent 10 years at university where I completed 2 masters degrees in chemistry and forensic science, as well as worked hard to obtain my PhD in forensic science; successfully publishing a number of peer-review journal articles detailing my research 🙂

As a result of the initial career choice impacting on my mental health, I went through therapy to to overcome anxiety and depression and now feel I am out the other side. Some people find it very difficult to talk about their mental health and internal struggles, but I have always been very open with everyone I work(ed) with, explaining everything I am/was dealing with. I don’t see mental health as anything different from physical health – in fact I think it should just be called “health”, but I understand the need to clarify when speaking to people about exactly which bit is currently in pain. For me dealing with my mental health took time and patience, the same as recovery after a major broken bone. So through seeking help for my mental health problems, I was diagnosed with “clinical perfectionism”, which I shall write more about in future. There was a really good article I read recently discussing the increase in the prevalence of perfectionism diagnoses, so I shall see if I can find that to link for people.

So going forwards I am now very much aware of the importance of a good work-life balance – something which I DEFINITELY did not have in my previous role – as well as identifying what I call “coping mechanisms” to ensure I maintain good mental health and can take action when I feel myself sliding back into darkness. I shall write more about these in future too. At present the main coping mechanisms I employ are exercise, including weights, running and team sports; music playing, as I play trumpet; and more recently designing and making projects out of wood. This newest hobby gives me a great sense of achievement and also allows me to develop my more artistic side (something I’ve never really been good at!) as I visualise and construct a range of different projects. I will be sharing details of these projects going forwards as and when I make things – I am very much a “hobby woodworker”, although I would like to eventually progress to being able to sell some of my creations in future. We shall see…

So lastly for this post, I have created this blog as a way for me to document the various projects I create, as well as to share the ups (and downs) of my mental health as I get used to a new job, preparing for a house move, future significant changes in life, and coming to accept the new person I am becoming. I hope these ramblings every so often help to encourage others to share and talk more openly about the difficulties they’ve faced and how they’ve learnt to deal with their own brain in the same way that I’ve had to learn to deal with mine 🙂

Sounds like a plan! 🔨