Strongly Worded

Blogging About It Makes It Official

So I’ve been hinting cryptically about job dissatisfaction for a while now. Remember my recent obsession about my finances?

That was brought on my decision to quit my job.

Which I have done. I gave notice at the beginning of April, and agreed to stay on until the end of June, when the new person can start.

I have agonized about this decision for ages and ages, not wanting to leave my current position until I have something else lined up. But then I sojourned to Mexico and swam in a pool in the mountains. When I returned after ten consecutive days of happiness, it became incredibly clear to me that life is too short and the work week is too long—it’s time for a change.

Beloved and insistent friends finally convinced me that it’s worth some financial sacrifice (and let me tell you, the financial implications of this are crazy scary), to stare down my professional dreams and demand that they come true. This is psychically very different from going to work everyday; letting my job slowly suck out my soul; and casting longing looks at my dreams, plaintively beckoning them towards me.

I felt extraordinarily euphoric when I gave notice, and higher-ups and coworkers have been supportive and kind. It is freeing to be honest about my plans and not have to lie about or hide my job search.

But now my days are officially numbered and panic is sneaking in. Thank God I’m teaching my online class now and in the Fall (the salary will cover six months of rent). I’m doing some consulting for a local trade association. And of course I’m actively working on landing my next full-time position, networking and applying for jobs, and now enlisting the virtual good luck and good will of the blogosphere.

Posted by Dori at 2:21 PM