It’s been a strange summer, but having left my job (suddenly, in a puff of smoke!) at end of June, things have finally started to line up. I’ve printed up endless copies of my resume, met with recruiters, been badgered about going into HR, been advised to start my own business, ordered textbooks, made second and third follow up calls, and waited.
And waited.
Here is some of what has been crossing my mind as I’ve moved from month one into month two of being unemployed:
- It’s easier to keep yourself from worrying when it’s sunny out. If you are going to be unemployed, do it in the summer- just not in the prairies this summer (we have not had 3 days of sun back to back in a month!)
- Transcribing interviews for books that family members are writing isn’t the rewarding use of your time you thought it would be, it will mostly makes your forearms hurt.
- Camping Twitter, waiting for something to happen can result in increased pulse, seeing spots, and over consumption of caffeine.
- Everyone will have advice for you. If you assign one person to remind you that what you’re doing is right for you, the advice that comes pouring in will seem more well intended. Note: Ideally, assign this task to yourself.
- You will not become a vegan, marathon running, better/stronger/faster version of yourself. Things will mostly be the same, only you will not have to stay awake in the afternoons unless you are transcribing the aforementioned book interviews.
- Inexplicably, while you will not have time to become a vegan marathon runner, you will have time to eat whole loaves of french bread. And time to hide the receipts.
- Rent old romantic movies, they will help make you believe that sometimes things are simple and that sometimes all the loose ends really are tied up in the third act. This will make you feel as though things are not hopeless, you are just stuck in Act Two. This is far more constructive, and will make you a more cheerful companion when people ‘check up on you’.
- Have as much fun as everyone else thinks you are having. Unstructured time is brilliant if you can embrace it.
And then after you wait even a little more, print out another dozen of your resumes and pound the pavement for the umpteenth time, you might find something that works! Which is a round about way of saying that I’m starting my new job on the second week of September with a small, lovely little company that is flexible and friendly (ya!). I’ll be working on the edge of downtown, close to bus routes & coffee shops and won’t have to work weekends! (double ya!) And while I have been passed lead after lead after lead of marketing positions in the entertainment world, I’m happy to report I’ll be working in insurance and benefits, safely away from actors, musicians, and their management.
FINALLY!
I’m not telling myself stories about having found the answer to everything, but I’m excited to have found the answer so this one small part of things. For now that’s all I need to give myself permission to relax into the last few moments of summer that are offering themselves up between thunderstorms.
{image: kylaroma}
{ 57 comments… read them below or add one }
Congrats Kyla :) Glad to hear you’ve found a small company that suits you! I’ve always found that smaller companies are some of the best to work for. Good luck to you!
Oh hurrah, you’re SO BRILLIANT! I loved hearing about your unemployed time (you redid your kitchen! That’s so awesome!) and that your attitude was so great? Super brilliant. Really. :)
So congrats on the new job – I hope it’s fantastic! Also? Hurrah for consuming whole loaves of french bread! :)
.-= Elly´s last blog ..The French Market =-.
Hooray for a job that sounds worlds better than your previous job. I hope you are able to squeeze every ounce of goodness out of the time before you begin your new job. :) Even if there is no sun out, at least now you have a job waiting for you. So nap as much as you can.
.-= Steph´s last blog ..I believe the word is… w00t =-.
You’re inspiring. All the freakin’ time. :)
.-= Doniree´s last blog ..Roomie Vacay [Unplugged] =-.
Yay congrats! :)
.-= Lacey Bean´s last blog ..I’m lucky to have these memories… =-.
Yay! Congrats on your new job! That’s so exciting!!! :) I got an interview for an internship tomorrow. I am super excited but also nervous. I really need this internship. Really really bad!
.-= Stefanie´s last blog ..So what about babies? =-.
Mmmmm French Bread…
Congrats my darling. Here’s hoping for brighter days ahead.
xo
.-= Princess of the Universe´s last blog ..Assorted & Wpg Blog/Tweet-Up =-.
Congrats! Sometimes all you need is a little time to get back in tune with yourself before you can figure it out.
.-= Renee´s last blog ..happy go lucky. =-.
Yay so exciting! Congrats!
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..Runnin’ Down a Dream =-.
Good work Kyla!
Perhaps the next few weeks until you start working will be just the best ones all summer since you have that extra weight off your shoulders.
cheers to that!
.-= laura marie´s last blog ..sorry to pop in, but the city is a no-fly zone. =-.
Congrats Lady! That’s excellent news :)
.-= Lindsay´s last blog ..Swingin’ Springs =-.
Oh Kyla, this is so wonderful! I’m glad you’ve found a company that is small and lovely… and that you’ve gotten a well-deserved break from musicians, actors and entertainment.
You know what you should do with some of your remaining “free time”? Share your jam recipe so we can all gorge on delicious jam and our own loaves of French bread. ;)
.-= Elle Bee´s last blog ..Farewell but not goodbye =-.
i think you should do a photo tour of where you live. you always talk about the prairies and i just can’t seem to picture it.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Now In Sparkle-Vision =-.
Congratulations that is awesome! Now you can truely enjoy the time, no more resume printing or waiting!
.-= Sara McG´s last blog ..This Day in History =-.
Congratulations!!!! :) Finally! I wish you the best of luck with your new job. I’m sure you won’t miss applying for jobs.
.-= steph anne´s last blog ..Leaving the Nest =-.
Congrats! I’m still on the corporate job search, but my design work is increasing so I may just leave it alone. I’m so happy for you! :)
.-= Angel´s last blog ..Five =-.
Congrats, girl! I’m so glad you held out for something you will love doing!
.-= Amber from Girl with the Red Hair´s last blog ..When he thinks no-one is watching… =-.
Ahhh!! CONGRATULATIONS!! SO happy for you!! I hope it turns out to be fabulous!
.-= Shop Girl*´s last blog ..Chocolate Free Since Aug. 23* =-.
That’s awesome Kyla! Congrats!
.-= Jill Pilgrim´s last blog ..This? Totally Happened. In Real Life. I Did This. =-.
Congratulations!! And I loved your list. So often we think making a big decision like quitting a job or moving will completely change who we are… in actuality this only happens 0.01% of the time. Realistically, we will remain the same… only with different surroundings or different hobbies. It does provide some time for interesting introspection though. Hope you love your job as much as I do!
.-= Abby´s last blog ..Positive Sunday #11 =-.
Congratulations!
.-= Susan´s last blog ..a traveling socialite =-.
hooray! congrats, kyla. i’m so very happy for you :)
.-= cait´s last blog ..home. sweet. home. =-.
yay! congrats! i am so so so happy for you~
.-= erin´s last blog ..this makes me giggle. =-.
Congratulations Kyla! I am very happy for you for finding something that is going to work for you. =) You deserved (and needed) this summer.
.-= mandy´s last blog ..Not Quite Ready =-.
oh, my dear, I am so happy for you! Congratulations, Kyla :) xo
So excited for you darlin! Yes!
.-= nicoleantoinette´s last blog ..moving, voicemail, and potentially living in a brothel =-.
My, it’s amazing how fast this summer has gone and how much has happened. I feel like I was just sitting with you in a hotel room in Vegas as you pondered your next steps. I’m so happy to hear that you’re embarking on a new path, and I hope everything works out. Enjoy these last few weeks off.
.-= Allie O.´s last blog ..Engaged =-.
I’m so happy for you honey. You deserve it and I can’t wait to hear about your positive experience and brush off the last job.
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..Weekend recap: food and ponies =-.
Aww congratulations!! It sounds like you’ve found what you’re looking for, I hope :)
.-= Margarita´s last blog ..What Should I Do? =-.
I cannot waiiiit to hear about this! I am so glad that you got a job lined up with less stress than most could say. And you redid your kitchen at the same time! Fantastic! I truly am proud of you for having the guts to quit somewhere you weren’t happy with just to hang out and be low key. And you had the time to actually look, rather than scrounging around at the last minute.
.-= Awmb´s last blog ..This week in the life of me =-.
congrats! Hope I’m next to get snatched up!
.-= Miss Dallas´s last blog ..An evening with pirates, popcorn =-.
Congratulations on the job! Glad you got to enjoy the summer off!
.-= Molly´s last blog ..Decisions, decisions. =-.
Congrats on the new job! I can say that I have learned about 60% of what was on your list during my un-employment as well.
Its nice that everything worked out for you; a summer off and a new {more lovelier than your last, it sounds like} place to work for the more serious seasons. =D
.-= Kristi´s last blog ..On Being Fancy… =-.
Oh that is so great Kyla!! Congrats on the new job. :)
.-= sleepyjane´s last blog ..Rainbowswirlz Giveaway! =-.
Congratulations! :)
.-= pinkjellybaby´s last blog ..Sparkly =-.
Congratulations on your new job! That’s wonderful! And it’s so good that you have a little bit of summer left before you start.
.-= Allie´s last blog ..Ode to Wegmans and Pat Conroy =-.
Yay Kyla! Can’t wait to hear all about your new job – the unemployed life sounds pretty good, too. :)
.-= Lauren From Texas´s last blog ..Not For the Weak =-.
I’m excited for you! Flexible and friendly (as well as weekends off) is always great!
Will you still be going to school?
.-= Megan´s last blog ..One Step =-.
I’m very happy to hear this. I’m glad it’s all coming together for you, Kyla!
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..bookish (part three) =-.
Megan- Yes, definitely! My school is all distance ed so I’ll be working three days a week and studying two days a week. The last time I was in school I worked full time while going to school full time, and then pretty much slept whenever I could, often at school. Finally, a little balance!
Congratulations, Kyla :) I hope everything works out well for you.
.-= Andhari´s last blog ..Miss Universe Organization can suck this! =-.
Congrats my dear! Sounds like you have had an awesome summer and now embarking on something new and hopefully wonderful. So happy for you!
.-= Marie´s last blog ..Friendships Over Coffee =-.
Congratulations! Can’t wait to hear all about it!
Congrats!!! Hopefully working in insurance will treat you better than entertainment. Looking forward to hearing how much you love the new job.
.-= MinD´s last blog ..Too close for comfort. =-.
Congratulations! I really hope that this one keeps you happy. The best we can all ever do is to do right for ourselves. After what happened to me yesterday, it was really inspiring to read this. I feel so defeated and we’re trying to decide if I should keep looking for work or if I should go back to being a stay-at-home-wife. Thanks for the pick me up.
.-= Kelsey´s last blog ..The Popped Bubble Job =-.
I’m so happy for you! It sounds like everything is working out fantastically!
.-= AshleyD´s last blog ..Busy-ness =-.
Awesome! That job sounds wonderful. I’m embarking on finding a job where I don’t have to leave the house (can’t afford a babysitter and I want my days with my son!).
.-= Angie´s last blog ..Why I love antagonists =-.
Wow, I absolutely LOVE what you wrote about renting old movies. Would you mind if I posted it? It gave me goosebumps.
.-= Habbala´s last blog ..Pictures from the Weekend! =-.
yay! congratulations, lady :)
.-= hillary´s last blog ..It’s The Ride We Take The Many Winged Escape It’s The Bough We Break To Blow Away =-.
Yay! Congrats! You’ve been more on top of it than I have – I’ve nearly entered MONTH THREE and have barely applied anywhere. I keep telling myself, “I’m on a break.” ;)
.-= Je´s last blog ..Because hoses and funnels belong in the garage =-.
Congrats!
.-= Windy City Kelley’s´s last blog ..Well, it finally happened… =-.
I’m so happy for you, Kyla!
.-= Ev`Yan || apricot tea.´s last blog ..apricot’s closet: white denim. =-.
As someone whos been unemployed all summer I feel the novelty wears off with the warm weather. Less free outdoor time means more itme inside being sadly unemployed.
.-= golublog´s last blog ..love em’ or hate em’? =-.
Wow! Congrats Kyla! I think it’s the best thing for you, finding a more toned-down job where you’re comfortable and while trying to find it, getting time to reconnect with yourself!
.-= Andy´s last blog ..Say WHAAAT? =-.
What a gorgeous picture (of yours!) for this post! Congrats on the new job, and yay for flexible hours and a nice working environment!
.-= Phil´s last blog ..Rolling it out, technically… =-.
Yay! Im so excited for you my friend! new jobs and no work on weeekends!
.-= Moorea Seal´s last blog ..Fashion Fridays: Kate Spade =-.
Congrats on a new job. I’ve been unemployed for a while now and I like all your thoughts because I’m pretty sure I’ve thought all of them at least once lately. I’m sick of making excuses to people as to why I don’t have a job. I’m happy and that’s what matters. I like my time.
PS The lady next to me is sipping her coffee so super annoyingly.
.-= Melanie´s last blog ..Shooting stars are my fave =-.
{ 1 trackback }