I Even Shocked Myself Yesterday, Among Others

Well, the last couple of weeks have been very different for me. Vacation, of course was wonderful. However since I came back from vacation, there have been a lot of changes, the main one concerning my job.

When I came back after vacation, I was informed that hours had been cut in order to not have to lay anyone else off. There had been a few layoffs a couple months back. The company is a small company and was down to fourteen people at this point. My thought was "Hooray" I get a day off during the week, which was awesome as I always need more time.

The week after vacation I had Thursday off. So I would work three days, off a day, work one day and then the weekend would be here again. (I spent that Thurday, my first day off taking care of my sick grandson, so it changed all the plans I had made for the day, but I wouldn't have traded that for the world, my grandson comes first in my books!)

I have been unhappy at my job for a few years. I had been fighting to stay for one reason or another. The last reason was when my husband retired. I wanted him to feel comfortable about retiring and not worry about money. After working for 39 years for the same company, it wasn't easy for him to retire. He loved his job, but politics was getting in the way at this point. He finally retired last May after talking about it for five years. So, I stayed at work to make sure he had an easy and comfortable transition. I didn't want him worrying that we needed to find money from the trees in the backyard!

At my job you never knew what you were in for when you walked in the door. It was always a deep breath before opening the door and entering. I came home very tired and stressed or unhappy most of the time.

Friday, being the last working day before the weekend, ended up truly being my last working day! I walked out after seven years. I have never done anything like that before in my life. I am still dealing with it in my head. There are so many people out of work, hours being cut, pay being cut, and I walk out on my job! I am unemployed! It is so against my nature to do something like this. I know I just pushed myself to long. The last straw had hit. So now, I have no income of my own, no job to go to, and no reason to be up at six a.m. every morning.

The amazing thing is that here just a day later I find I am feeling so much more relaxed. Sure my head is still playing some games with me, but I know I did what I had to do. Never in a million years would I have thought I would walk out of a job and not give two weeks notice. But I am so happy I am not working there any longer. I am not even sure if the company will be in existence a couple months from now, but I couldn't wait any longer to find out. Crazy huh?

I have so much I want to do and am having a difficult time yet putting it all in order. This weekend is a time for me to relax and enjoy. Three parties to attend, the first having been last night. I felt so alive last night and really enjoyed the party. I feel my true being is coming back to me already. Life is to short to be so miserable.

About two and a half hours after I had been at work and this last issue arose, I was just sitting there contemplating my intentions, not being able to work at all. I called my husband before I quit yesterday to give him a heads up on what I was going to do. He told me to do what was going to make me happy. I didn't want him to stress. (No matter what happens in life we always seem to get through the challenges, don't we?) He handled it pretty well actually, but he knew how unhappy I was. He had a saying he would tell me each morning to help me get through the day, and on Friday I took that saying literally and quit. The only thing I will miss are a few people I worked with.

I look forward to all life is offering me at this point. I am anxious to finally take care of myself again and have a couple major things I plan to do. I am looking forward to my new granddaughter arriving in April. I have started crocheting baby blankets. I am anxious to clean every square inch of my house. I look forward to blogging, researching, riding my Harley, fishing and moving forward with everything I want to do. How I am going to do all of this without an income is beyond me, but it is going to happen. (Thank goodness I have some money put away)

I do not plan to go back to work unless I get bored (highly unlikely) or have a major need for money, which is a good thing as jobs are getting tough to come by. If I did go back to work I would want a part time job doing something fun. At this point though, I tend to think if I do anything, I would help watch my grandchildren and save the kids some money with daycare, which is so outrageous these days.

Off to another birthday party tonight, a Harley ride in the morning and a friend's house for the Super Bowl tomorrow. My weekend is going way to fast! But I am enjoying it, come Monday I will work on some constuctive plans!

And with more time on my hands, you may even see more posts from me!

Thanks for stopping by!

Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts!

Msteri



Comments

  1. You Go Girl! My husband has a saying - "Everything Works, If You Let It"

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  2. Welcome to the retired/unemployed life! I have to say that while I am no where near retirement age, I have seen much of my stress melt away since I stopped working in October. I am at a point in my life where I'm not sure if I will ever go back to a full-time office routine filled with drudgery and office politics.

    I'd much rather work on my own terms, at home, doing a variety of jobs even if it means a lower income.

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  3. Hi, Wow, I never expected to read what you wrote. Good for you and I know you are happy. Hey, more time for genealogy and the other things you love. My best wishes to you and your new life.

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  4. Hi Sheri,

    I love your husbands saying, and I "will let it!" I offered to watch my grandson a couple days a week to save the kids some money. My daughter will get back to me after she talks to some people, so we will see,I know they could use the savings! My grandson is such a joy in my life, I would love it!

    Hi Thomas,

    Thank you! I am not near retirement age either, but I know one thing, my health will be much better away from a place that is so miserable. One of my co-workers has always said, "This place is so unhealthy", meaning mentally, and she is so right. She is looking to get out asap also, but she really has to work, she needs health care coverage and has a son to raise. I am so happy for you that your stress level has improved, that is awesome! I had never worked in such a miserable place in all of my life and I kept thinking, why am I putting up with it now? I hope everything is working out for you ok. I agree, it is better to work for less money and be happy if at all possible!

    Hi Barbara,

    I know of all people you would be less shocked at this as you were more aware of my unhappiness. But I guess I caught you off guard about it too, huh? I am happier though for sure. My husband still thought they would call me back after I calmed down, I knew they wouldn't. I think it sunk in to him finally when I got my last paycheck in the mail yesterday!

    I really thank you all for your comments, it is great to have friends, especially when you go through trying times!

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  5. You always have to do what makes you happy!! Congrats on the new relaxed, peace of mind.

    Now you can spend time doing the things that truly are important to you - and just enjoy life!

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  6. You took the words right out of my mouth with this post. I have hated my job for I don't know how long Msteri, last week they closed my dept down and put into another dept that I hate even more. Where I work is a very "unhealthy" place to be (small family owned business) and alot of backstabing type of stuff going on. I have been trying to figure out what to do, I would love to work from home, I am unable to quit, we need the income or we would loose our home. In the meantime I have knots in my stomach thinking about going to work tomorrow. I know exactly what you went thru. I am happy for you Msteri, and now you can do all the things you love.

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  7. You definitely made the right decision. A happier frame of mind could open up many vistas and opportunities that you never even anticipated.

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  8. Great news! Bet you will enjoy every minute of your new-found freedom.

    I just realized I had not responded to your earlier comment about my potato salad on my Food Gratitude blog.

    I make the creamed potatoes first just as if I were going to serve potatoes and gravy ;?). Then I add everything else. The pimento comes chopped in those tiny glass jars from the pickle or vegetable isle of the grocery.

    Thanks for reading my blogs, Msteri. Have fun "not" working!

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  9. Hi Elyse,

    Yes, Elyse, we need to strive to do what makes us happiest. Unfortunately it isn't always easy to do, depending on the situation. I was fortunate to have my husband's support and financially we hope it will work!

    Hi Gini,

    I am so very sorry to hear how difficult it is for you and your work environment. We keep finding so many things we have in common. I don't know what would have happened if I didn't feel I could afford to quit my job, and we shall see, I may not afford it after awhile! My best suggestion to you is to keep looking for another opportunity, you never know what may come up! I know it is tough times out there right now, but keep looking! You just may be surprised!

    Hi Greta!

    I am sure I made the right decision, not sure I handled it properly, but I can't wait to see what avenues open up for me now! I am very excited!

    Hi Judith!

    I plan to enjoy every minute, thanks! I have to go back to your blog now and see what this was referring to, it has been awhile. Thanks for responding to my comment, and in a bit it will make sense to me again! ;-)

    Thank you all for taking time to leave comments! They are greatly appreciated!

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  10. Thank you Msteri, I am going to continue looking for new avenues! There is not a doubt in my mind that you made the right decision, I am truly happy for you.

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  11. hey, sis, we've been in touch by email but I just want to suggest that you hold onto the beautiful line you wrote, "I felt so alive" -- !! That says EVERYTHING.

    Things will work out. And D is happy to have such a loving grandma (who is NOT close to retirement age!).

    ;)

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  12. Hi Keeg's Mom,

    You hit the nail on the head! I do feel alive! What a feeling! :-)

    I thank you for the kind words!To bad you all live so far away, I could be more loving to your family too!

    And, no "WE" are not close to retirement age! ;-)

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