Yesterday was the day I made a radical change. I left my job after 11 years and I don’t have a another job yet. Yep, no job. Unemployed. No severance. No next paycheck. And I could not be happier.
And it is the first time I have been happy about work, I guess my non-work now, in over two years, almost three years now. And the last year I have been miserable at work, but so happy and propelling in my personal life. And that is how I figured out I needed to leave.
Today, while a Saturday, was my first day of unemployment. And besides this blog, I updated my home laptop as I had not used it for quite some time, applied for a couple of jobs, went for a 6 mile bike ride, did my usual morning routine sitting outside, made oatmeal, put the new dog bed together, ate lunch my husband made and went to the pool. And the only thing I have to do tonight is pack for vacation.
Yep, vacation. We leave on Monday for a week in Michigan, on a lake with the doggies. While we had planned it months ago, and it is already paid for as well, I need it. This is the first vacation in 18 years where I have no professional responsibilities I am leaving behind or have to worry about. And I can’t be more excited.
Some of you will think it is irresponsible of me, but you know what? You aren’t my people. And that is all right. Not everyone in the world can be part of an amazing group I call my people. My people support me, do not judge me. That does not mean that they won’t mentor and coach me when I do different things, and they might tell me I’m crazy, but they still support me, emotionally, professionally, personally and financially.
How did this journey start? It actually started at my previous mentioned company as it began struggling with growing pains, ones I and others on the management team weren’t sure how to fix. As a grown-up start-up, we found a unique opportunity to join a training program that was made for entrepreneurial companies. And we signed up for the nine month program.
And this is where every went right and wrong. But more on that tomorrow. I need to take a nap! Remember, if this upsets you, you are not part of my people, and that is o.k.
Jen's Journey 