Unemployed!

[CrispyQ]

I quit my job. I gave notice shortly after my post about how much I was struggling with my job. Friday was my last day. My skin, which is usually lovely, was a mess. It's already clearing up. :)

VillageIdiot, you said: "...have faith in yourself and your abilities. I always remind myself that I was unemployed when I walked in the door - I'm not afraid to be unemployed as I walk out." That really struck a chord with me. So I'm going to take a couple of months off.

About 5 years ago I de-cluttered my house & got rid of all the stuff in our storage bin. What a fantastic feeling! Then last year my mother died & I ended up with lots of her stuff. My sister took even more - I don't know where she puts it all! Last year I couldn't part with any of it. After a year of tripping over it in my basement & garage, I'm ready to get rid of it. The same thrift shops that lit up like a Christmas tree when they saw my truck pull up 5 years ago (I had nine truckloads!) are still around. I think they will be happy to see me again. I estimate 3 truckloads of stuff out of my house by end of August.

The kitchen is already done. Zang! :thumbsup:

[gateley]

1. Whoo Hoo -- FREEDOM!

A bad job affects your entire life -- I'm so glad you jettisoned it.

And getting rid of stuff -- that takes a lot of courage! But it's so liberating.

I have nothing left from my parents - and they were things I couldn't bear to part with. My storage locker was robbed, and then later I was robbed and all my mom's and grandmother's jewelry was taken. I found I didn't need their things, regardless of my associations with them.

You go, Crispy! :headbang:

[CrispyQ]

7. I'm so sorry about your parents things. What an awful thing to have them stolen.

But you are right - they are just things. I've come to see that over the past year, too. What really matters are my memories of Mom & I have that, things or no things.

BTW, did you ever investigate the virtual secretary biz? I've been tossing that idea around again. I just don't know if I'm ambitious enough to start my own biz. I tend to be laid back, although some would say lazy. ;)

[PatSeg]

2. Congratulations!

You really have your head on straight. That took a lot of courage, but you did what needed to be done.

I love the "de-cluttering" mindset. It usually works for me - keeps life simple and manageable.

[WheelWalker]

3. What a beautiful time of year, too !! All things change.

You can never step into the same river twice. You'll do fine, braveheart.

[Eurobabe]

4. Life is too short for bad jobs!

Happy cleansing. :thumbsup:

[WheelWalker]

5. Definitely ! Fire up the sage.

[Muttocracy]

6. Congratulations!

Quitting a job can be a very hard thing to do. Despite struggling financially, I don't regret any job I've quit.

You never know what is around the corner. One of my relatives went through a terrible time of changes in his company - it was eventually a relief when he was laid off. It's been about 6 months now and he has a terrific new job, some independent consulting to do, and is all around so much happier. The scary times last summer and fall have turned into new happiness.

And good for you on the cleaning. I am very good at cleaning and organizing other people's stuff and stuff at work, but inherited packrat tendencies from the rest of my family. Actually, I'm the least packratty of the bunch, but they all seem to have the depression-era this-might-come-in-handy-someday mentality. Useful, but they can take it overboard. My downfall is books, magazines, articles, notes, etc.

[CrispyQ]

8. "My downfall is books, magazines, articles, notes, etc."

Tell me about it! I have the hardest time getting rid of books!

When I de-cluttered a few years ago, I was pretty ruthless. There was only one item that I ended up replacing that I had, but had gotten rid of.

I ask myself three questions: Have I used this item in the last year? Will I use this item in the next year? Will keeping this item in a box in my basement bring me more satisfaction than getting rid of it? You really don't appreciate the value of that last question until you have de-cluttered at least once. The feeling of lightness you have when you lighten your load is very gratifying! There is something purifying about letting go of stuff.

[jillan]

9. Yeah! Good for you!!

I think there are times in our lives when we all need a time out.
A time to reflect on the past and then move on to the next chapter of our lives.

Good luck! And I'm hoping this means that we will see you around more ?