MIDLIFE MADNESS - I QUIT MY JOB!

GLORIOUS UNEMPLOYMENT

Oh my goodness! As of this week I am officially no longer employed.....I'm working half time for a couple of weeks as part of giving in my notice and then by the end of May I will be jobless. Scary but liberating all at the same time!

I've thought about this on and off for the last couple of years and justified staying in my job for a multitude of reasons, but none of them have rung true for the last year or so. It came to a head when I had such a lovely break over Easter and the thought of going back was even more awful than usual. There just comes a point in your life when you say "No More!" and I'd obviously reached it! I've spent too long counting down the days til the next weekend was due and then trying not to think about when I was due back at work again before I could start my next countdown.

HOLDING ON VS LETTING GO

You can hold on to something too tightly because you are scared of what happens if you let go, and my job was my "something". It wasn't awful and it wasn't soul destroying....but it was becoming mundane and boring and 'same old, same old'. Time to move on and take a risk, time to jump ship and see what happens in the future. Time to let someone else be the responsible one for a change - or maybe we'll share the responsibility. I feel like a free spirit - I hardly recognize myself.

FILLING MY TIME

The other question I had was how I would fill my time once I was a lady of leisure, but I seem to be getting invites to things left, right and centre. I've been invited to a craft group (Oh No! says the AntiCraft in me) but apparently I can come, drink coffee, chat and stay for lunch and I don't even have to pretend to do a craft - sounds good to me! Then there's the ladies bible study and there is a mentoring program at the local primary school who would love to have me come and spend some time with a student making them feel special. Add to that all the coffee and chats that I'm looking forward to, the books I can read and the jigsaws waiting to be done, and I should be able to keep myself out of trouble at least for a little while.

My neighbour, who took early retirement, is busy giving me advice on how to transition into this new stage of life - apparently he is an authority on the subject and I didn't have the heart to tell him that it would probably be quite different for me (especially as he had a million dollars in his bank account by the time he left compared to my meager bank balance) - at least he was kind enough to care. It's a very strange concept - having all day with nothing to do but enjoy it. Sitting and reading or watching TV instead of sitting and watching the clock, no more having my lunch break at the same time every day or fighting the traffic and all those traffic lights on the way home. No, instead I'll be strolling in the sunshine and thinking happy thoughts.

WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS?

I'm hoping a nice little part-time job will pop up before too many months pass by, but regardless I have no regrets and I am looking forward to relaxing, being happy and ticking off a few things on the bucket list I didn't realize was sitting in the back of my mind.

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24 comments

Pam @ over50feeling4012 May 2015 at 20:44
You can hold on to something too tightly because you are scared of what happens if you let go, and my job was my "something". It wasn't awful and it wasn't soul destroying....but it was becoming mundane and boring and 'same old, same old'. Time to move on and take a risk, time to jump ship and see what happens in the future. Time to let someone else be the responsible one for a change - or maybe we'll share the responsibility. I feel like a free spirit - I hardly recognize myself I QUIT MY JOB YESTERDAY MORNING AFTER 17 YEARS AT ONE PLACE! I am not retiring...I still need to work, but your words in this paragraph really spoke to me! I will be writing more about it later...but this coincidence was too much to ignore. Let's keep up with each other's journeys to see where this new adventure leads.
Unknown12 May 2015 at 20:48
I did the same thing in February -- quit a part-time job I'd had for 9+ years. It took a lot of soul-searching, discussions with my husband, and trembling hands as I typed my resignation, but it was well worth it. In my case, I was very unhappy, and I have no regrets whatsoever having made that decision. I hope your 'new life' is wonderfully fulfilling.
Rena12 May 2015 at 23:00
You did it! I am so excited for you. It can be so scary taking that leap of faith but I am so happy that you were finally able to do it for yourself. Can't wait to see where the yellow brick road takes you because you definitely aren't in Kansas anymore!
Jennifer13 May 2015 at 00:13
Congratulations! It sounds like you made the exact right choice! Your future looks bright:)
Diane Stringam Tolley13 May 2015 at 00:17
Congratulations on making the leap, Leanne! Here's to coffee mornings with friends and sunshine and leisure. You'll definitely fill your days. Soon you'll be wondering just how you had time for work! Have fun!
Middle-aged Diva (Carol)13 May 2015 at 00:30
It's so exciting to be on a new path! Congrats and much happiness in your new life!
Susan 13 May 2015 at 00:49
Congratulations! Looking forward to more of your writing, now that you will have some additional free time!
Doreen McGettigan13 May 2015 at 01:00
Good for you! I have had the same thoughts in the back of my mind all year and now I have been out of work, recovering from a medical thing and the thought of going back is making me physically sick. I need to make a decision pretty quick and to find a part time something.
Good Luck and I hope just the right thing finds you!
Unknown13 May 2015 at 02:06
I'm in the club too and I want to be. I quit my job 2 years ago and started blogging a year ago. I love it. Of course, at times it's scary, but most of the time I'm more my true self than ever. Congratulations!

Anita
Terri Webster Schrandt13 May 2015 at 22:50
Congrats on your decision to leave. I, too, retired at age 55, after 32 years working for public parks and recreation. I loved my job until about 4 years ago. I teach part-time at a university to recreation majors and continue to do so--something I love with a passion. I did get a great pension, so now I blog a lot!!
My New Happy14 May 2015 at 03:15
Congratulations! So exciting and I'm so happy for you. Some days I wish I could quit my job, but since I work with my husband in our own company, I guess I'll have to wait for now. I'll just live vicariously through you :)!
Unknown14 May 2015 at 06:10
Dear Leanne,
I see I missed out on something big here:) Congratulations, wow, that's a big one! I can read FREEDOM spelled in big letters through your post. Way to go! I'm sure the Universe has already got great plans for you, even if they involve just relaxing and taking the time to just be. I'm happy to be back. I missed you guys so much!!!! Yet I'm afraid I didn't spent it being romantic in Paris, but rather leaving for a week with my mom and then returning to a house under MAJOR renovation, with dust everywhere and no internet connection. But now it's finished, so it's back to blogging business as usual. Happy to hear you're alright Leanne:)