In With the New

Today marked a bittersweet ending for me.

I left my job.

After struggling to find any sort of work for several months, I was happy to get hired for a highly competitive call center position that, while not exactly in my comfort zone work-wise, was steady with excellent compensation and benefits. Moreover, I got to work with some of the nicest people I have ever had the chance to be employed by/with.

As much as I loved the people, I found the work itself to be progressively more draining and disenchanting. I plowed through for the last four months, while paying off all of my American credit cards (hooray for that great exchange rate!) and stocking away a little savings. I took advantage of the free gym membership at least three times a week. Still, everyday it became harder and harder for me to sally forth. I got my feelings hurt by abusive customers and felt frustrated when I could do little to help. My thin skin was battered and bruised, and I dreaded each new work day.

So, last weekend, I made one of those spur of the moment decisions that is really a long time coming. It was time for me to leave.

There was sadness on my part and on my company's part. I carried through today, my last day, with the worried knowledge that I have rarely found a work situation where the company culture was healthy and rewarding and the work itself was enjoyable. I wondered if it was a mistake to leave, since I at least had one of the two locked down.

Often, in situations like this, I turn to some of the simplest, yet wisest advice I ever received. A friend once told me, "there are no right or wrong decisions. There is only what you do with the choices you make."

I ate my goodbye cake, forced back tears, and hugged all my co-workers goodbye, as I looked down an again uncertain work future.

As if on karmic cue, I came home and opened up the mailbox to find my new Australian Business Number, which I registered for just a few days ago. I am not sure if it is an symbol of destiny or simply a sign of the Australian government's incredible efficiency, but I am now a Sole Trader and ready to commit acts of dramaturgy for a very reasonable fee.

Up next, Partner-in-Crime and I will do some traveling, and I will take all my plucky enthusiasm and seek to apply it towards something more along the lines of what I want to do professionally.

Tonight, we celebrate with fajitas and mojitos. Tomorrow morning, a new adventure begins to unfold.