Bringing Mae Flowers

I am going back to work.

In November I quit my corporate job after 5 years working my way up the ladder. I gained a lot of valuable skills and experience in my time, and am truly grateful for the opportunities that job offered me. But, I don’t regret my decision to leave. After working 4 months of overtime with no end in sight, I was burnt out- almost beyond recognition. I had gone from loving my job and feeling accomplished in my work, to dreading every weekday. So, I quit.

I spent the first couple of weeks relaxing.

I had the occasional interview, but I wasn’t in a desperate search for work. I had ample savings and a partner who supported my decision (to be honest, he was relieved I quit. I finally had time to catch up on housework and working on my hobby side-business (shameless plug-in HERE). After a few weeks, I started a part time job, just to have something to do. I still wasn’t sure if I was ready to jump back in to corporate life, but getting back into some sort of a routine gave me a sense of direction. I could feel myself returning back to who I was before the burnout.

I realized that I don’t hate the 9-to-5 life.

Traditional work has a bad reputation, and that’s not without reason. Many jobs encourage an unhealthy work/life balance. It’s easy to fall into the “living to work” mindset, especially when wages have failed to keep pace with the price of living. The reality is, that most of us have to work to live. If you are lucky, the work you do is fulfilling and enjoyable. I’ve been lucky enough to love my work in the past, and I’m confident I can feel that way again. In fact, I’m already diving back in.

I went back to the hunt.

After working part time for a couple of months, I found my energy returning. I hadn’t stopped looking for work completely, but only applied to jobs that genuinely interested me. That alone was a privilege I know most people don’t have. I didn’t have to jump at the first offer I received; I could hold out for something that felt good. That’s what I did. Two weeks ago I accepted a generous employment offer, and on Monday, I started work again.

For the first time in years, I enjoy my job.

I took on a big challenge, and instead of intimidating me- it excites me. Unlike before, where I was given problems to solve without the resources, support, or authority to do so- I’m being given everything I need to get the job done. In one week, I already feel more accomplished than I did in the final year at my last job. I don’t know how long that will last. It’s very possible that once the initial excitement has worn off that I’ll find myself in a similar position to where I was 3 month ago. If I do, I’ll know what to do. For now, I want to revel in the thrill of tackling a new career challenge.