This past Friday, I quit my job. Well I didn’t exactly quit on Friday, but that was my last day. I was there for almost two years, and being there 50+ hours a week, it was a huge part of my life. It was my first “real job” out of college and moving on from it has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. If you can’t tell, I wasn’t happy. I told myself that I wouldn’t write about work in my blog, and I probably won’t after this (unless something else big occurs), but this has impacted my life so much that I feel like I had to bring it up.
I had three positions in the company while I was employed, only one of which I was somewhat content with. I could literally write for pages about all of the trials and tribulations that I went through, my strong opinions and dislikes about the company etc., but I don’t want to sit here and vent (I did that today on the “exit interview” survey I was sent!)
So I moved out to Cali to meet new people, see new places and view life from another lens. Do you know how hard that is to do while sitting in a cubical? On top of that, I could not stand behind the ethics of the organization, which left me with an uneasy feeling when I went home. Some people, most often men I believe, can separate work and their personal lives rather well. Me on the other hand, well, ya get what ya see! Things about work would bother me and I would bring them home with me, while others wouldn’t seem bothered.
I have learned so many things from this time of employment and during my transition into something new. I am shocked at myself that I did not leave sooner, but as my high school year book quote states, everything happens for a reason. I already feel so much happier and although it can be scary to think about what is next, I know I will be okay. Life is too short to be in an unhappy place or state of mind for an extended period of time, so….
1) Don’t give up right away. Try to stick it out to see if you are just going through a rough patch, or if it is really time to move on.
2) Try to stay positive. I turned into a negative-nelly and my co-workers were starting to notice. No one wants to be around someone like that, so if you are feeling that negative, move on. In the mean time, smile, life’s too short.
3) Do what makes you happy outside of work. I started cooking, trying to become more organized, exercising more, trying to reach out to friends and family members more frequently, blogging, etc. Whatever is going to give you some happiness while you are trying to figure out what the hell else to do.
4) Keep telling yourself that you will look back and laugh at the situation. There were days where I was so unhappy and longed for the day where I would look back and smile; well guess what, that day is here!
5) It could be worse. I hate this one, but it’s true. At least I had a job that wasn’t terrible, I was getting a paycheck and I was (am) alive and healthy. It bothers me when I am down and someone says that to me, not because they said it, but because I know they are right and it makes me feel stupid for complaining.
I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes that is simple, but inspiring to me. Have a great week!
Xo K
Korina Linda 