A couple of weeks ago I wrote about grieving the loss of a life you’d imagined. The death of a story. My musings were the result of an interview I’d seen with musician / songwriter Missy Higgins who also talked about rewriting that story. She said however, that she realised that it wasn’t really something you had control over.
I pondered then also on the amount of control we have over our lives.
I often think of certain moments in my life as turning points. When I wrote that post I was struggling with a decision. It occurred to me that I had a chance to rewrite my story. Or at least add a plot twist, because of course my story is well underway. We write and edit our stories every time we make a decision or take action.
My seachange was a definite decision to leave my old lifestyle behind. One that was work-focussed and defined. And since, I’ve made choices to take work or not based on significant overanalysis but ultimately (often) gut instinct. Perhaps life is more like a scavenger hunt and we toss a coin at each corner (or decision) to work out where we’re going next. Or perhaps that’s just me.
I’ve spent the last six weeks in a bit of limbo. I had a job interview and – at the time of interviewing for it – wasn’t sure I actually wanted to leave my current workplace. I hadn’t been actively looking but was feeling a bit frustrated one day weeks earlier and (as fate would have it) a seemingly perfect job popped up.
I applied, had my interview and was immediately advised my referees were being contacted. But things were looking up at work and I was becoming involved in more challenging and fulfilling activities. And I really love the passion and ethos of the organisation for whom I’ve been working.
While my potential new employer took some time to finalise a formal offer I wondered if it was what I wanted. It wasn’t just a decision about ‘work’. It was bigger than that. Choosing a certain life over another. Revisiting my values.
I was spared the indecision in the end by some changes to my current role that made it easy for me to take the new job. (Which I did this week when the offer came through.)
In many ways I’m going back to the future. Back into government at the same level I was a decade ago but able to work in my regional location.
I’m excited about the opportunity. It’s significantly more money but that wasn’t a factor in my decision. I was happy managing on what my current not-for-profit organisation had been able to pay.
The work I’ve been doing has certainly been meaningful and aligns with my values. But I’m increasingly conscious that I ‘need’ to feel as if I’m achieving something personally. Stretching myself and my potential rather than just pottering along.
So, I’m rewriting my story. Or at least… I’ve tossed the coin and am veering off into a new – but old – direction. And I’m feeling hopeful.
November 2, 2022
Congratulations!
November 4, 2022
Thanks. I’m nervous but also excited.
November 2, 2022
I think these things ebb and flow a lot. I liked my work in my previous job a lot more but since long covid has bitten me there’s no way I could go back to that work, I must have full wfh and that really limits what I can apply for. Trying to look after my needs properly has made me put wants to the side so I don’t even know what I’d look for if I had to right now.
Glad you finally got the news about the job after so long and you can do it in your regional area.
November 4, 2022
I haven’t asked yet if there’s any possibility to work from home for one or two days a week. That would suit me as I’ve missed being in an office so looking forward to that.
November 2, 2022
Congrats on the new job Deb. I think we know when it’s time for a change, we can second guess ourselves and look for ways to stay safe, but ultimately taking a risk and moving forwards always pays off. I think the extra $$ may not have been the reason, but they’ll be a huge bonus as you start to plan towards the next decade and what you want to write for that chapter of your life. Good luck!
November 4, 2022
It’s significantly more money Leanne, and I’m reminding myself that – after having many lean years of un/underemployment since making my seachange – this will be good for my retirement (and my superannuation).
And yes, I start to feel bad about myself (and develop unhealthy habits and mindset) when I don’t feel I’m working at my best.
November 2, 2022
I just loved reading this Deb, and so happy for you.Thank you for linking up too Denyse.
November 4, 2022
Thanks Denyse.
November 2, 2022
Congratulations Deb. I’m so happy for you. It’s sounds like you were ready for a new direction. Life has so many changes for us, some that we aren’t aware of until they happen. I don’t think we ever have full control. Sometimes the unexpected changes turn out to be the best.
November 4, 2022
I know. I’d stopped subscribing to any employment / job information as I figured I was contented where I was. There have been some ups and downs though so when this popped up it felt like fate. Well, fate needing me to make a decision. And I have to say my new boss has been soooo enthusiastic about my appointment that I already feel far more appreciated than I do at the moment. And my confidence rebuilding.
November 2, 2022
Congratulations on the new job, Deb!! Life can take unexpected turns and there’s a lot we can’t control, but there is also a lot we CAN control through our choices and attitudes, whether it’s about a job or other things we want to do.
November 4, 2022
Yep very true Susanne. And though this kinda presented itself to me, I’m reminding myself I was unhappy enough with where I was at, to act and do something about it.
November 3, 2022
Congratulations Deb! Good luck with your new life plot twist. I look forward to hearing more as it progresses.
November 4, 2022
Ha, plot twist is very appropriate. Thanks Christie.
November 3, 2022
Hi Deb and congratulations on the new job! Life always has a habit of changing and challenging us but then that makes life interesting. Can you imagine our story if we followed the same path all of our life without the twists and turns? Best of luck in the new job x #WWandP
November 4, 2022
Oh, absolutely Sue, I’ve leapt from path to path. And though I’ve struggled at times, it’s always worked out.
November 3, 2022
Very good to hear. Here’s my secret discovery. I always poll people that have moved country to live why they did it and how they picked the new country (or people that move interstate, why they left and how they chose the new location). What I’ve discovered, these ‘major life changes’ are usually based on the most random and arbitrary things. So to me, I genuinely believe there are very few ‘Big Life Decisions’ – it’s only hindsight that makes them so….Hopefully that boost your hope and takes some pressure off. #WWandP
November 4, 2022
I’ve just come back from a short break away. It was my first since Italy in late 2018 and I’m reminded of something though…. that even though I’m getting away and escaping my life / setting, my problems come with me. I guess though, changing circumstances can help if it’s the circumstances that are contributing to the problem. (If that makes sense?!)
November 3, 2022
Congrats on the new role! I don’t think we ever know whether we’re making the ‘right’ decision unless we look back in hindsight. You can make the best decision based on your values, what matters, and the information you have at the time. Hope it all goes well! 🙂
November 4, 2022
Oh yes, I always tell myself that… I can only make the best decision with the info I have at hand. I guess I’m also naturally cynical / pessimistic so also think about what might go wrong if I make a certain decision. Here I’m worried it’ll be a return to my old life with work very full-on and consuming. Although perhaps I’ve learned from the past and can be more measured in my own approach?
November 3, 2022
Great to see you join in for Wednesday’s Words and Pics. Next week it will be the 10th one! I am enjoying our connections via blogging each week and hope you are too. Denyse.
November 4, 2022
Certainly Denyse, though of course I’m not always motivated enough to get a blog post done.
November 4, 2022
Congratulations Deb! What wonderful news! I hope you love the new job and are really happy. I’m so happy for you. You deserve this and so I’m glad the stars aligned (or whatever) and this opportunity presented itself at just the right time. Hooray! 🙂
November 4, 2022
Thanks Min. x
November 4, 2022
After the last few years you’d have to hope asking for a day or two at home wouldn’t be a big ask.
November 4, 2022
I hope so. I’m in Brissy for the first couple of days of the job so will ask then. It’d save me driving to Maryborough on those days.
November 6, 2022
So pleased for you, enjoy the new job and all it entails Deb!
November 7, 2022
Thanks Deb. It’s exciting and scary at the same time. (Less so the work itself but more the culture / environment and being back in an office etc.)