A blank page. That's what I came across when I opened up my blog today. I was hoping to find the post that took me all summer to write. It was hard to stay inside and finish it, especially since I had just quit my day job, which is what I was writing about. But it was blank, I had erased the draft, like I'd erased my job, and now I was starting from scratch.
Quitting my day job was the best thing I could have done. For the past 14 months I had worked admin in an office, covering the usual exciting tasks like filing, data entering and invoicing...zzzz. It wasn't all bad, I did get to write our marketing materials and newsletter, but the majority of my work was uninspiring. Thankfully I had kept my job serving tables at a restaurant, so I wasn't falling in to poverty by quitting.
I quit the office in July, my timing, while accidental, was perfect. Because I had the restaurant to keep me fed and housed, I was able to truly enjoy some free time. I took the summer off, besides my three shifts a week at the restaurant, I spent most of my time doing whatever I wanted. I read the paper every morning, I went swimming, I took tennis lessons, I went dancing, I camped up north, I called my sister more often.
This wasn't a decision I came to quickly. I debated quitting for months, leaving behind benefits and a steady pay check was tough. But when I looked at the lengthy commute, the lack of free time and the poor health habits developed from office work, I just couldn't imagine falling deeper in to that routine. I even convinced management to change my role, but nothing seemed to inspire me about that environment, not even the bottle of wine I kicked back after work. Some people are just not made to work 9 to 5 under fluorescent lighting.
As soon as I gave my notice a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, I knew I'd made the right choice. I wasn't happy, so I made a change, it was surprisingly as easy as that.
Since I don't want to be a 40 year old waitress, I'm getting the starting blocks in place and preparing for my next step. Now that the summer has come to a close, I should probably get my shit together and work on a plan. In the meantime, I'm seeking out things that inspire me, and keeping my creative side happy. Free time is my happiness, even if I can't afford cable.
