Lay-off Tip #3: It's Like a Relationship - Give it Some Time
I have said this for awhile now but I equate my previous job to a relationship. In a sense, my first love (boy it's time to get a life huh!). We went through the honeymoon phase and then settled into a nice relationship. There were times where I didn't feel like the job understood me; times where the job didn't appreciate me; but at the end of the day, it was always there for me and gave me comfort.
I was at my job for over 8 years - that's longer than all of my relationships combined (sad I know!). So now I'm left dealing with a break-up. A break-up that my head was totally ready for, but my heart is still playing a bit of catch-up. The more time that goes by, however, the more I realize that I don't think I will ever fully "get over it." That's not meant to sound depressing. The job, incluing the lay-off is now a part of who I am. It's shaped me.
You can think about it like a scar. You know the ones you have on your body - they all have a story and every time you look at it, you can go right back to that moment when you got it. Well, I got cut deep a few weeks ago. The wound is healing but once it heals, a scar will be there. I'll have that scar forever...and I'm a better person because I have it. That scar (my job) shaped me and definitely left it's mark. So it's time to acknowledge the feeling, find my support and heal on my own timeframe.
I'm sure one day I'll brag about the scar...I'm not quite there yet :)
Rachael
Well the beauty of it is that you don't have to be over it. Like any great relationship, it takes time. And the longer the relationship, the longer it will take to fully get over it(no matter how ugly the ending). The other bit of beauty is that just like a relationship, there won't always be a scar. At some point-when the healing goes right-you look back and what you see are the good times and the lessons. That's what I'm looking forward to myself...
ReplyDeletePlease excuse any errors...typing accurately is a bit more challenging with my little one perched on my chest :)
What a perfect way to describe it! Just think of your friends as the "salve" to help you heal!
ReplyDeletehey lady! keep your head up. i have always thought about jobs and relationships as being way too much alike. i am waiting now to hear from a job i interviewed for last week, and i was thinking just last night how an interview feels SO much like like a first date and waiting for this call is pretty excruciating at times. i may be a little dramatic about it, but i have a rigt to be (as do you) because it's our lives, ya know?! i'd love to see you some time soon. you are going to be fine, and you will certainly learn from this experience. it sounds like you have a great attitude. you are FABULOUS <3 MWAH!
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