Dirtbag Writer

Um, So, I Got a Job…

Posted on 15. Nov, 2010 by Writer in On Living

This past September was a very exciting month for me. It was the first month I made enough to pay my bills and eat SOLELY from writing. I was pretty proud since it had only been a year since I quit my job to pursue this so called writing life and I honestly thought it would take a heck of a lot longer if at all. October followed suit and how do I celebrate? I take a 40-hour a week office job.

Last Monday I returned to a desk just a few doors down from the office I left 14 months ago. It all happened so fast I’ve barely had a chance to process it. The truth is, the last month or so I’ve had quite a bit of trouble writing, thinking, and sleeping. My savings had dwindled to a serious low and the stress about my lack of health insurance (I am ineligible for comprehensive coverage because of a stupid pre-existing condition that isn’t even a big deal) had me applying at Starbucks.

I sent an email to my old boss to tell her I was using her as a reference for my Starbucks application and a few days later I got a job offer and it wasn’t from a coffee shop.

They would pay me my old salary and then some, give me full benefits, and I only needed to commit through July of next year. I would be helping to get a new grant off the ground and once data collection gets started early summer I would be once again set free.

I didn’t even hesitate. I took the job and started 6 days later.

I was for sure I would have some serious meltdown this past week, but the opposite has happened. I’ve had so much energy. Maybe it is the relief of knowing when my next paycheck is coming and the thrill of knowing that I’ve been living off a fifth of what’s going to be coming in. Hopefully all the excess will go right into the bank so I can take one big ass trip come next July. And health insurance – that feels soooo good.

Going back to the cube doesn’t mean I’ve failed (like I thought at first); it really is an incredible opportunity. I love my co-workers, I like that I get to work on a project that directly impacts people’s lives, I get to ride the train everyday (which I love), and I do enjoy a wee bit of stability. I love that my window looks out over the entire Salt Lake Valley and that a major earthquake support beam sits right behind my desk so I will be in the safest place when the big one finally hits Salt Lake.

Funny thing is I think I will be more productive with writing now that I have a 40-hour a week job. I was pretty poor at my time management and productivity (or lack thereof) habits even though I’ve read the Power of Less twice. I’ve always been more organized and productive the busier that I am.

I am really psyched to let go of a few of my horribly paying writing jobs and focus on the jobs I am stoked about. I took a few crap jobs to help me ease my money worries and they have been seriously sucking my soul.

I see this as a time to refocus.  I am going to read lots, write about topics of interest to me, dream big, drink lots of coffee, focus on my blogs, and run a ton (since I am running another 50K in February eek) all while working the 9 to 5. Oh and I celebrated my new job by buying a TBEX ticket since now I know I am going to be able to afford to go – yay!

Tags: Changes, Decisions, Jobs