At Ease!

One week into my "Summer of Heather" and I seriously can't even remember my old job, or that I even worked for that matter.  It has been a glorious wind down from ten years of a mostly fulfilling position but one that was never really "me".

I decided to quit a long time ago but I wanted to make it to my ten year work anniversary - mostly as a personal milestone.  I picked a date out of my head after I realized that there is no "best time", "after this paycheck/I buy this item", etc.  May 15th seemed like a good one.

Once I picked the date, committed it to my daytimer (in pen) and crafted a tactful and sincere letter of resignation, my soul breathed a sigh of relief.  I could feel my whole being relax. 

When I went to management to present my resignation letter I couldn't keep the grin off my face.  I knew that my decision was the right one.

Now here's the kicker.  Where am I going to next? What fabulous new job is in the works?  Because I can't just quit.....that would be risky!  What am I going to do??

Nothing.

In the eyes of the Corporate World, "nothing" is fancied up by the word "pivoting".  As much as I love to make fun of corporate-ese speak, I actually like the word "pivot".  It describes perfectly the state of mind and general direction of many hard working people of my generation.  For our whole lives we have been in the work force, many of us in different career paths over the course of many years.  We have been told that to get a job and keep it is the main thing. 

Earn a living.  Contribute. 

If you happened to like your work and the people you worked with, well consider yourself lucky.  The idea of having a particular passion or focused direction in our work was a rare luxury and one that was not often recognized, encouraged or practiced. 

Especially if your passion is the Arts. 

From a young age I was encouraged in my artistic and creative talents but when I reached the age where I needed a job I was always told that I would never make money from being an artist.  It was repeated like a mantra.  The first thing people liked to say to me was "you'll never make any money at that!"  "You can't earn a living"...etc.  I guess by discouraging such an upstart plan first, it would somehow shield me from the real world.

So, I worked.  Gainfully employed, and in many different fields.  Enjoyable?  Sure!  I met, worked for and with great people, learned many transferable skills, experienced personal and professional growth and I have no regrets over the paths I chose.

But if you are good at something it is going to be a focus of your whole life and over the years, it will come out in many forms whether you get to utilize it at your place of work or as a hobby.   It will have to be recognized. 

A recent trip to Europe was the kick start to the idea that I'm never too old, it's never too late for me to follow my passion.

And so I resigned to recharge my DNA.  To get quiet and pivot.  To get back to the basics of what makes me, "me".

At ease and finding myself.  Welcome to the "Summer of Heather".