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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Hi Serena, what job did you do before you became a blogger?
Each and every time I have been leg go from a job it has been the absolute right thing! Each one of those jobs were horrible for me, getting me nowhere, not serving me!
I know it sounds like a lot…having just finished filling out a background check I realized I have been around…lol…not so young any more! Anyway, those were places where I didn’t need to be, and Jesus/or the universe, however you choose to view the world, made it happen for me. I thank him everyday for having my back!
My advise…go fourth and be happy! Make them serve you! Do what you love! Be around good and happy people!
Love your blog! Discovered you on YouTube. Keep up the good work!
I’ve been awake since 5 AM, it is now 6:45 AM, due to the fact that I was thinking about the next chapter in my life. I, too, lost my day job a month and a half ago. And like others have said, “it may be a blessing in disguise.” And I truly believe that. I was totally unhappy and unsatisfied in my position. As Pamela Pleasant stated: “I decided I would never work for someone else.” My passion is interior decorating and furniture rehabbing. I love the hands-on work coupled with creativity. I’m not quite sure how far I can/will go becsuse oftentimes I doubt myself. That is definitely something I need to overcome. I am truly blessed to have come across your blog and it has inspired me to push forward. I am looking forward to that “next chapter.”
Please let me know how to put a routine in place as I am all over the place right now 🙂
Many Blessings, Tee Kay
wow! Love the post. Most of the people might feel sad when they lose or quit a job, but they don’t realize it might be for the better future and personal happiness & satisfaction. So thank you for bringing that to notice with this post.
I found this article on part-time jobs that might be helpful to start one’s search after ending a full-time job – http://adamhelps.com/5-websites-find-side-hustle-toronto/ .
I am almost 3 years unemployed now, my husband encouraged me to try being at home instead, and we are still managing! I have the time now to do all those things I used to wish I could do, and better care for my family and self. I miss having the money to burn, but I’m trying to make a better life, which has little to do with buying more “stuff”.
Good feeling, isn’t it? Best regards, Linda
Well, so did you write this or did I? Really, cannot decide. I, too, was “let go” just over a year ago due to my department being outsourced all the way to India for pennies. The transition has not been an easy one. Oh sure, I hear from the girls about how awesome my life must be and, the first day, I believed that. I, too, love writing and have also blogged just a little (still a blogging baby), but mostly only for myself. I needed to get my feelings out of my head. I decided that I would never again work for someone else; hence, dove feet first into DIY furniture rehab, antique/vintage booth renting, thrifting, and filling my days with “”working” for me. It has been fun now that I have put a “routine” in place. I am NOW really loving your posts. Much love, Pammy.