Things have been nutty around here lately. I've been stressed and I've had a lot on my mind that I could not share with the public at large. If you have found my behavior, tweets, and Facebook status updates to be a bit odd, there was a reason for it. And today I'm ready to make an announcement.
After just over five and a half years, it's time to make a change. About two weeks ago, I resigned from my job. Monday is my last day. I start a new one on Wednesday. I'm excited, but nervous. And there are some things I'm going to miss about my old job.
For example, I'm going to miss going into the office wearing an outfit I could also sleep in. For the record, I never went to work in the PJs I slept in the night before. I'd always change into a different set of PJs. I'm classy like that.
At my old job, I could put my hair back with a binder clip and no one cared.
When I'm in the office at my new job, I will have to dress like a professional. I used to do that every day, so I hope it's like riding a bike.
The good news is I'll be telecommuting some of the time, so the jammies and binder clips won't feel completely slighted.
I will miss the familiarity I had with some coworkers. I will miss being so comfortable with my office mate that when I inevitably fell out of my cubicle she would just laugh instead of asking me if I'm OK and making me feel like a dummy. Sometimes I'd even get a "what did you do now?" to let me know just how many times she'd noticed I had hurt myself that day.
At the new job, I'm going to be inclined to wear heels (because all of my pants are too long and getting them hemmed is really a lot of work) and the likelihood I'll trip over the floor is even higher when I'm not wearing sneakers. Or Uggs. Or slippers. Not that I've ever worn slippers to the office. It's only a matter of time before half the office sees me fall.
But if I lived through the embarrassment of having the most ridiculous and uncontrollable coughing fit during the interview, one which necessitated the person I'll be reporting to having to leave the room to fetch me water, then I suppose I will live through the first time I face plant into someone's cubicle wall because I'm not watching where I'm walking. I'll probably live through the second and third times, too.
I won't be able to swear and I'll need to curb the sarcasm. I will need to appear to be a normal, well-adjusted grown up. I cannot, as they say, fly my freak flag so proudly. If I do, people might not take me seriously.
And I do want to be taken seriously because I am serious. (OMG, seriously? I'm totally serious!) I am good at what I do, in spite of the swearing, the sarcasm, the binder clips, the falling down and the PJs.
I probably won't write any more about my new job than I wrote about my old one. For one thing, it's still in the insurance industry and trust me when I tell you that you do NOT want me to start talking about insurance. Unless you have severe insomnia, then I might be able to help you nod off. But also, as rich and colorful as some of my office tales may be, it would be inappropriate to write about work stuff.
Hopefully the learning curve won't be so bad that it will disrupt my writing schedule (hey, how's that for sounding totally unprofessional before I even start the new gig?). But if I step away from the blog for a little while, at least you'll know why.
So wish me luck on my new adventure and, if you've got them to spare, send me some good vibes next week.
Linking up with the weekend grid over at yeah write. Head on over for some good old weekend reading.
Good luck in the new job! I hope you find a lot of joy in it and you don't have to suppress your true self too much!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen! I'm actually really looking forward to acting more professionally again. There's something refreshing about playtime being over.
DeleteGood luck, Michelle!
ReplyDeleteGood luck, lady! You'll be awesome.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Maybe, if nothing else, I can win them over with lunchtime snacks!
DeleteCongratulations on the new job!! I'm so excited for you and all the great things ahead. Can't wait to hear all about it!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's the one I was hoping for when we had talked that night. We'll have to plan that meet up and I can fill you in on the rest!
DeleteBest of luck! Congratulations! My only fear for you is if you curb the swearing and sarcasm too much, you'll probably NOT be considered all that normal...just sayin'.
ReplyDeleteHa! That's probably true!!
DeleteThanks for the kind words!
Woot Woot! Be the change and all that!!
ReplyDeleteThanks :) I'm thinking about investing in a new special pair of jammie pants for the telecommuting. You recommend Mickey Mouse, right?
DeleteFist pump!!! Congrats and go get 'em! I hope you can still fit in an occasional lunch with your NJ yeah write peeps. Let me know and I'm there!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm really excited about it. I'd have turned down the job if it was going to tear me away from you guys though! Weekends will still be fine. And the office is down in your area, so a weekday lunch might work out one day too.
DeleteI have a feeling it won't be long before you feel as comfortable at this new job. It is an exciting time- enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm really looking forward to this!
DeleteCongrats, Michelle! I hope the change is a good one and that you'll slip us the occasional story. . .I will absolutely be sending you good vibes all the way from Texas next week!
ReplyDeleteThanks Louise! It's definitely going to be a change for the good, I'm sure. And I might sneak a story in here and there :)
DeleteSo I'm not the only one who falls every time I wear my Uggs?
ReplyDeleteI somehow manage to fall no matter what I'm wearing :)
DeleteCongratulations and good luck.
ReplyDeleteThanks Vanessa!
DeleteCongrats on the new gig! Wishing you all the best!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the new job!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWow, exciting news!! That is such a exciting, but scary thing, making a job change. I hope the new one is all you hope it will be!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I think it's definitely going to be a good move for me.
DeleteCongrats! Good luck transitioning to wearing real clothes all day!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I think one of the most overwhelming parts of changing jobs is the looking presentable part!
DeleteI fell on the floor and screamed bitch! I envy because I thought you were pregnant. From the floor I read the rest of the post and am ready to wish you well!!! Give yourself lots of time to adjust to the new job.
ReplyDeleteIf I were pregnant, I'd be on the floor screaming. And not in a good way.
DeleteThanks :) I'm really not a fan of change, so it took me a long time to make a move. I'm ready now, so I'm hoping for a smooth-ish transition!
Michelle I have been following your blog and wanted to pass a nomination along to you...
ReplyDeletehttp://rewritten-redo.blogspot.com/2013/03/thanks-kirsten.html enjoy...
Thank you so much - I appreciate it!!
DeleteI think a new job would be rather exciting. And I wouldn't stop flying your freak flag. Although I might not fly it with so much vigor. It's nice to see people that catch you off guard every now and then.
ReplyDeleteGood luck at the new job, Michelle :)
Thanks so much Ken. It is really exciting, once I get past the being nervous part.
DeleteYou mean you have to wear real clothes?? I have no clue what that's like anymore. So funny that I read this right after reading Maple Syrup Land's yoga pants post. :-)
ReplyDeleteThankfully it won't be all the time with the new clothes thing. I wouldn't want to get used to it or anything. I'm still working my way through the grid, so I'll have to go read the yoga pants post next!
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