When A Blogger Loses Her “Day Job”
After losing my job last week, I went through so many emotions:
I went from glee (Yes! Maybe I can be a full-time blogger now! They did me a favor!)…
…to scared (How the heck can we afford to pay our bills now?!)…
…to pathetic (I failed my family!)…
…to resolve (Well, I guess that’s life! Carry on!)…
Now as I write this, my next emotion is determination (This change was meant to be and I’m not going to waste the opportunity!).
I debated on even writing about being let go because I didn’t want to harp on it, or make you feel sorry for me. But you’ve been on this “day job” journey with me for awhile. It was only fair to let you know the game has changed significantly for 2015!
My Future in a Horoscope
The day before I was let go, the stress was mounting. I went to the deli for lunch, hands jammed in my pocket, and looked off into the distance while waiting on my order, and thought to myself, “Something’s gotta give.”
Right then I grabbed a nearby discarded newspaper and my gaze fell upon the horoscopes, a section I never ever read. Like never. But I read it that day; this is what I saw:
I’m not one that believes in the false prophets of horoscopes written by starving freelancers, but this message was for me. The Universe forewarned me I was going to be taken for a ride; forced out into a world in which I would doubt I could make it “on my own” and question from where next month’s mortgage was coming. It urged me to break past mental barriers of self-doubt that creep into my mind at 3AM and my mind searching, (“Can we really make it on a reduced income??”).
I’ve Got to Thank My Employer
I have to thank my employer. THANK YOU! They did for me that which I didn’t have the guts to do myself: to leave. I would like to be a full-time blogger. To leave a secure job with amazing benefits–um, yeah…. totally not easy to do! But being let go forces me to come up with solutions to that which felt so unattainable.
I still don’t feel 100% confident in my ability to blog full time. However, I know without a doubt that social media is something I love. Writing and working with clients–amazing. And while I collect unemployment, I must job hunt, and will look for positions that will help me to further develop my social media and blogging goals, while pursuing my blog full-time.
My “In-Between Phase”
Two months ago God literally gave me a sign in the parking lot of Costco:
I stopped in my tracks, put my van in reverse, and snapped away. God and the Universe were conspires to nudge me in the right direction.
God was telling me that the “in-between” phase (this phase) is going to be ugly, dusty, and uncomfortable. But improvements are in progress. Something better that will come as a result.
So please pardon my dust right now, my friends. Improvements are in progress!
What’s Next For Me?
Losing my job forced me to see that I’m so wasteful. As thrifty as I am about decorating, I’m wasteful when it comes to food, crafting supplies (umm…and that hoard-of-a-pile in my garage! LOL). For example, I bought two new gallons of paint for my basement makeover in my 30-Day Junk Free January Room Challenge. TWO! It cost me $76.
I bought it last week when I had a job and the assurance of another paycheck coming in 2 weeks.
But last night, while working on the basement, I scanned my gallons of paint and realized I already had two old cans of paint very similar colors (!!!).
At that moment, it hit me: We have fat to trim! We can get rid of the waste.
And maybe…..just maybe……with a renewed sense of thriftiness, we might just come out ahead.
So have any of you experienced losing a job? How did it impact your life for the better? Leave a comment and add to the conversation!
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Serena,
You have far too much talent to think that any day will be wasted. Like so many others have stated, this is just another door opening for you. You are strong and positive.
As scary as it is…it was meant to happen!! Now you can tackle all those pieces in your garage. =)
I have no doubt that you’ll be able to bring in income through blogging or furniture makeovers—you have the magic touch my dear.
Hugs,
Kimberly
Every little thing is gonna be alright; have a confident expectation of good!
Oh Serena, how the Universe likes to kick us in the ass. And often in very hard, troubling, and difficult ways. As we’ve gotten to know each other you know I lost my husband only four months ago. My life as I knew it was gone. What was I gonna do?
Well, I live everyday on the adage, “Everything happens for a reason.” (In fact, I’m gonna get it tattooed somewhere on me)
But it’s true. Oftentimes we can’t see the reason. In fact, it often feels like we’ve just been hit by a two by four. But have faith, and some Kleenex, there is a reason.
I have remade my life in the last four months. I started substitute teaching and realized I love teaching. So now, I’m going to become an English teacher. That will give me the steady income, benefits, and retirement while allowing me to follow my husband and my dream of me being a writer. I get 3 months off a year to write my books.
And when I found your site I decided to start building my house from scratch. To do it myself making it my own. As a grown woman who knows myself and my wants, it will be the first time to have my very own space completely designed by me. You inspired me so I think blogging is your calling. (Just my two cents)
So, while it may seem a bit disheartening and you will have a rollercoaster ride of emotions, know that somewhere out there someone knows why. And keep paying attention to the signs..I call ’em God Winks…because that’s just God/Universe/Whatever you believe in way of letting you know that you’re on the right path and you got this.
Congratulations for being brave and ready to do what you really love. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. (not yelling, just needed some emphasis)
Hugs always,
Lorena Bathey Whitington (budding DIY’er and fellow find the new way friend)
I can understand what you’re going through. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not a freight train. Its opportunity. Four years ago I was a store manager for a company that (to me anyway) was never satisfied with what you did. I was miserable going into work everyday knowing I couldn’t change sales figures and the company wouldn’t take my advise on how to improve sales. Anyway, they decided to close my store. I rattled around for six months trying to find another job. No luck. I finally decided to take a one year technical college course. I received my diploma (drawing unemployment the whole time) and found a job before I had even graduated. I now make twice the money I did as a store manager, have every weekend off, and enjoy what I do. So the lesson here is that even if a door is slammed in your face there’s a window opening not to far away.
Keep your chin up, I am new to your blog but enjoy it and look forward to reading it.
Good luck to you and I’ll say a prayer for you.
Serena,
I’m sorry about the loss of your job. I know at this moment you are worried, wondering how everything will turn out, but I know things will end up working out how you want them too. Just try and relax a bit.
You’re a strong person, you will be fine.
I’m a firm believer that GOD always puts YOU where you need to be…….:)
Serena, I’ve lost my job before – the whole company did. lt was a definite struggle, especially since I was the only earner, I had just started my master’s degree, and I had just had a baby! But, it does make you sit back and evaluate where you are and where you want to go. I keep hoping actually that my employer does the same thing for me and lets me go, but I don’t think that’s going to happen any time soon! Take a week or so, have some “me time” and make a plan. You’d be surprised at how much you have and what you can do on the cheap or for free. Good luck on your new adventure!
You got this Selena! You have a gift and now you have an opportunity to make something out of it which I know you will!!! As many people have said before it is hard being let go even if you wanted to do it one day but now that you have, make the most of it. Looking forward to some exciting things coming from you. As I said, ” YOU GOT THIS!”
I like your attitude, and expected nothing less:). My husband was let go from his job this year. It was super scary at first. We have two kids in college, and like everyone else…bills to pay. Like a few other stories, it turned out to be a blessing. He punched up his resume, and now has a better job. Great people, less stress. Making the same amount of money. He would have never LOOKED a for another job, had he not lost the very stressful one. He was basically on call 24 hours a day. They could call him at any time. He was always on the phone, putting out one fire or another. Now he just has regular hours, like a normal person. I hope you too will be so much happier. You are super talented. Love everything you do.