The Day After THE Day

Yesterday was a scary and wonderful day for me. I knew the time had come for me to move on from the position I'm in. If the tears on Sunday nights, the likening of returning to work after a vacation to Hell, and my extreme feelings of depression when I thought of myself still being at this job in a year weren't enough of an indicator that I needed to quit, I don't know what would be.

Yes, the economy is terrible. Yes, I have free health insurance through this job, and a 401 (k). But it's just not where I belong. Over the past few months I've written a book, created a blog, gotten an article published, and have been creating art again. This job stimulated that. I've also read a few books that pushed me to make a choice for myself instead of worrying about what everyone else in my life would think about me; one of those book was by author Martha Beck. My mother and I have each read some of her books and Mom shared a quote from one book with me, which I had not fully absorbed when I first read it:

"Do whatever work feeds your true self, even if it's not a safe bet, even if it looks like a crazy risk, even if everyone in your life tells you you're wrong or bad or crazy"

Between talking to my career coach and talking to myself, I know my true joy is going to come from helping people connect with their own true paths, helping them to follow their hearts, and helping them to find their own way. I want to make art, write, blog, and be my own boss. Now I'm actually on my way to doing that.

I'll be here for six more weeks, then I plan on taking a few months off from traditional "work". In January I'll start a nine month online/telephone course to become a life coach myself. Personally, I would change the title to "Awesomeness Inspirer", but that's just me. The program was designed by Martha Beck and she teaches some of the courses; the rest are taught by her master certified coaches. I will also be writing, making art, blogging, and enjoying my life with my time off. When the time comes I plan on getting something to make a little money, but I hope to be working as a life coach before the end of next year is up.

My actual experience of quitting went very, very well. I'm always surprised at how things turn out when I face my fears. It turns out that many things aren't nearly scary as I pictured.

For now I'm satisifed with my life direction and am continuing to make office supply art. Right now all I feel is:


(and more Joy, with blue!)

I'll miss the access to all the free office supplies, seeing my coworker Amy everyday, the paycheck, and....well, that's it. I won't miss wearing the same thing everyday, the 350 mile a week commute, the endless emails that have to go through 6 people just to be able to get a new sign put up...Corporate America is not for me.

Yay me!