Furlough has made me realise I need career change to keep relationship

DEAR DEIDRE: SPENDING months on furlough over the past year gave me the opportunity to reflect on my life and it’s helped me to realise I need to make big changes.

I’ve been a chef working in top restaurants for 29 years and accepted the long hours and lack of social and love life.

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Now I see I need a new job if I’m ever going to have a life outside of work.

With 60 to 70-hour weeks, any relationship I’ve had has fizzled out.

I turn 50 this month, so how on earth am I going to get into something new?

DEIDRE SAYS: Anyone with your work ethic and skills will have no problem finding another role.

You may need to do a little lateral thinking – could you set up your own business, cooking meals for busy professionals or running cookery courses?

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Perhaps you could chef for an organisation with more social hours.

I’m sending you my support pack on finding work, which will give you plenty of information.

Good luck – this is an exciting point in your life.

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