I had just reached the end of level 1, in the 6 month marathon, and was coping as well as would be expected, I thought.
The switch to level 2, happened to coincide with my holidays, but I thought that I would be able to cope.
I was going for 3 weeks to the wilds of Canada to watch and photograph bears, and thought that I would be able to cope with the course as well.
Not everything went to plan.
Where I was had no wifi signal most of the time, so access to the course was limited, but I soldiered on as best I was able.
“Hunting” bears was long days and tiring, and so not easy to retain concentration in the evening.
I decided to concentrate on challenge 25 from Level 1, as that would consolidate my learning to date and try to catch up the slight delay, when reaching home.
It was all going to plan B, until I reached my home in rural Wales, when I found that there had been a storm that had brought a large tree down which had not only had taken my electricity supply but also my phone as well. Of course, in rural Wales we have no mobile signal either. My phone was off for almost a week.
I was determined not to lose heart, and on a personal basis thought that I must press the big pause button to stop the new course material arriving each week, until I managed to catch up.
In retrospect, it could not have happened at a better place than the switch between the 2 levels, not least because I solidified Level 1 in my head much better than it was otherwise by repeating challenge 25 so often.
Anyway, I have almost caught up and expect to be released from my pause this weekend, ready for next monday’s new release.
Based upon my experience, I would say to you all, only stop your course by pause if you absolutely have to, but definitely do so in those circumstances, as the relief will maintain your confidence rather than sapping it. Then get back on the horse as soon as you are able, and enjoy the ride.