I am not a fan of stress, most of the time. There are situations where I feel stress pushes me to reach goals otherwise left behind. For the most part, however, stress = bad. Stress is a strange little ailment, sometimes making itself known in every thought, and other times laying low while it stealthily drains your lifeforce. I was able to diagnose the latter form as being active in my body… until today. Today, I came out to the man. Today, I stopped living a lie!
If you haven’t guessed already, I am talking about putting my two weeks notice in at work. I know I haven’t officially explained why I am going to Spain yet, but tickets have been bought and hostels have been booked. I leave on September 25th for an archaeology/history course on the island of Menorca. I really feel like this will get me back into that “school mode” and expose me some potential career paths (yes, I could definitely see myself as a professor in the future). Long story short, travel plans for Brooke have been pushed up a few months and I had to tell work. What a relief!
I really had no idea that my secret plan to quit my job was such a burden. For months, well even a year, I have felt like I was living a lie. When my teamlead would ask me why I didn’t apply for our 2nd level team, I desperately avoided telling him it was because I didn’t see myself in this position much longer. Knowing I was a key player in the day-to-day work activities, but also knowing my heart wasn’t there, constantly made my soul tremble with a feeling of guilt. I have been so thankful for my job as it was an awesome opportunity for me when I needed it most, but I am also thankful I am taking the next step to pursue others. For me, not being in a job I am passionate about is a total disappointment. I have a drive deep within me that deserves to be put to good use.
Overall, I would say the process went quite smoothly. My notice could have come at a better time for sure – our team is already feeling a little overwhelmed, but it had to be done, right? I offered to come back and work in November and December, which was greatly appreciated even though not a possibility. So now I am set to figure out a way to make some quick cash during those months. No worries, though. I am resilient. I will find a way.
Hey congratulations! That’s a big step and I bet it’s a huge weight off your shoulders. I cut stress out of my life years ago… stress kills! I think I made it perfectly clear to my boss that I won’t be around forever so giving my notice was as easy as a casual ‘oh by the way boss, my last day is December 14th’ met with a sort of grunt. Feels good though finally setting a date.
I actually met a girl who works as an archaeologist the other weekend… she does a lots of digging and seemed convinced she had asbestos in her hair (but wasn’t too fussed about it). Sounds interesting!
I wish I had that sort of relationship with my boss! We are agency workers so I was always afraid they could just let us go at any time… thus my apprehension. Yeah, if things go well at this dig, I’m hoping to take part in others next summer!