Yesterday I found out that my company is shutting down on May 31.
I never really talk about my job much because it really is a more-or-less joyless experience and while I like the people I work with, I don’t really like my job.
But I HAVE a job. For two more months anyway. I was hoping that we’d still be around for at least another year to allow the economy to get back on track and whatnot. The owner of the company is at retirement age and we had speculated that things would shut down but not so soon. We also thought that if things were to end, the company would be sold and we’d retain our jobs, but I guess attempts to sell the company didn’t work out.
It really sucks. I mean, I live in the SF Bay Area and the unemployment here is way worse than in the rest of the country at something like 12%. I don’t know what I’m going to do.
I have a mortgage. Sigh.
I don’t have a car payment anymore though (thank God for small favors, I guess).
Mostly my worries are monetary in nature, just like they’ve always been. Just when I start saving money and have a nice little nest egg, I have a teeth problem. Or…move across the country. Or… get retired.
The thing is… I never really meant to stay in this job this long. But I got comfortable and I got a raise and you just let life go along and don’t really think too hard about the whole thing.
Until, of course, it comes on by and bitchslaps you back into reality.
For a long time – a year or more – I have felt really stifled in my day to day life. So stuck and in a rut. I’m not in a creative field; my degree is going to waste, and I haven’t drawn anything in, honestly, years. Doodles here and there or a commission but not for pleasure and not for lack of want. I’ve also been talking about getting an Etsy shop started up to sell my jewelry and possibly woven scarves. Maybe this is my chance.
It’s funny – last week I was bitching on Twitter about how I thought 2010 was going to be a crappy year… I should have known better than to tempt fate!
But in all honesty, I’m okay. Things will be fine. I’m also still in shock, processing all this, so I don’t really know how everything will play out. But, you know, life goes on. Yesterday I was pretty cool with everything but today I’m just… really… mad.
I didn’t think I’d be unemployed for my 30th birthday though.
This too, shall pass.
At least this time you are not all alone in Texas. In The Fourth Turning, the author said that the when the fourth turn comes, the survivors will be those people with strong families at their backs. And that would be you.
That is really crappy. I am so sorry. I know how it is to feel like everything is falling down on you at once, but I am also a believer that things happen for a reason. I really am. This is just giving you the boost you needed to find a job you are HAPPY with. Miracles happen. You are an asset and you will find something. I have my fingers crossed for you!!!
Offer grapHics work for cheaper to need-help businesses?
Hang in there . . . and I think you really need to listen to OK Go!s “This Too Shall Pass” to perk yourself up.