So. My position has been eliminated and I've been laid off. I am now a statistic, a product of this lovely recession. I didn't cry when I was told (thank God). I actually smiled and even laughed a little. It's okay, I said, I've expected this.
It helped hearing Jason's voice in my head reminding me to ACT SURPRISED! because I wasn't supposed to know the news was coming. It gave the whole situation some much needed comic relief, even if I was the only one aware of it.
And then I was presented with a severance package and suddenly the tone changed. After nearly ten years with the company, I've been laid off. Which means, in less than ten years, I've quit twice and been laid off once. Maybe it's a sign. TO GET THE HELL OUT.
If it is, I'm ignoring it. I've decided to stay. Sure, there are things I can't wait to do with my life, things that have nothing to do with hotels or hospitality or being nice to people, but I'm not ready to make those moves. That's just fact. And I'm not going to leave a place where I feel comfortable just to look for another steady paycheck where I'm not. Feeling comfortable, being confident in knowing where I stand, knowing how to do my job, understanding the people I work with is all very important to me.
However, on the flipside, this whole experience has made it abundantly clear that now is the time to pursue an ultimate goal. I just need to figure out what that might be. Going back to school will hopefully help. Because, despite the fact that there are things I'd love to do with my life, things that would make me incredibly happy... well, I'm going to be twenty-seven in just over a month and I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. Not exactly. A photographer? Sure. A baker? I'd LOVE that. Maybe a combination of the two? A food photographer? Awesome.
I can't settle on a blog design most of the time, HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO CHOOSE A CAREER?
Also, I've learned something about myself. I'm a glass-half-full kinda girl. I didn't think I was, probably because I like to bitch and moan a lot, but I think all the bitching is my way or purging the negative. Let's face it... 2009 hasn't been the greatest year. The Husband and I have had a fairly rough time of it. I'm still picking up the pieces and trying to figure out how to make them fit again. And I've been laid off.
But things could be a hell of a lot worse. I could be divorced and jobless, with no other options available. Or, God forbid, moving back home with my mom. (Shudder.)
No, things are certainly looking up. Good to know.
I have an attorney friend who has three kids who were all married with children and who have now moved back home with their spouses and children because they have all lost their homes and jobs. I have a nice little corner just waiting for you. I'll make you hot chocolate at night and sing "good morning" songs when it's time to get up in the morning. Do you remember?"It's time to get up, it's time to get up, it's time to get up in the m-o-o-o-r-n-i-n-g!"
ReplyDeletewhen you are feeling down, just keep telling yourself that at least you don't live with your mother. I swear, that puts everything in perspective!
ReplyDeleteI got laid off when I was 30-something and I didn't know it was coming. I was mortified. The only thing I was worried about was how it would look on my "record". Guess what?! It was the best thing that ever happened to me. After watching a ton of HGTV, I discovered that I like real estate. So, I started buying property and renting it out. My advice? Watch cable tv till you have an epiphany. And eat cake.
ReplyDeleteA continuing challenge for me is to not give people advice constantly. I'm totally one of those, "You know what you should do..." folks. Even when the other person clearly has it together and doesn't need my half-baked advice.But here it is, anyway. Do not go back to school until you know exactly what you want. This comes from a woman who has thousands of dollars of grad school loans in a field I don't work in. Just keep working at the things you love and look for a way to make opportunities happen.For the record, I think food stylist and photographer is definitely in the cards.
ReplyDeleteAren't you taking classes at the college this fall?
ReplyDeletesometimes something seems so awful but turns out to be best in the long run. To be fair, sometimes getting from the short term to the long term really sucks, but seems like you have a good attitude. :)
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your job. Maybe your new job/career will find you!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to completely disagree with Alias Mom...Go to school. Do it now. Get a bachelor's degree (I think I'm remembering that you don't have one yet, right?). If you can, go full time and get it over with. It doesn't matter what the degree is in - it's having those damned little letters after your name that matters.I'm 44 and degree-less. I would be earning soooo much more money if only I had an undergraduate degree. Let me be your cautionary tale.
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