Self assessment is taxing...

A first for me today. My first self assessment tax return. I became kind of self employed - freelancing occasionally - in 2012 and realised I'd need to become acquainted with HMRC (the tax people to non UK chums). I'd heard loads of horror stories about the process but when I called their helpline with one wee sticky question today, the three people I spoke to were delightful, professional and sorted my query. First class service. I was happy to tell them how great they were and they sounded really pleased. It can't be easy doing their job...

Finishing earlier than I had expected, and with time to daydream, my thoughts turned to another form of self assessment. The kind we do to ourselves. It's something we teach in schools now, as part of emotional intelligence. Working out who we are; how we feel about ourselves; how we feel about others and how we play all of that out in our everyday interactions. No matter how much you learn and practise, it's rarely plain sailing.

There are days when filling in financial self assessment is less taxing. For you too I'm sure.

And in other news. My new young chum, who I've been linked with and blipped about yesterday, came into my office today. She wanted to know when we could get together again. We're going to the gym together soon! We exchanged an easy, knowing smile. I think it's going well