26 Feb 2013
A (forced) life change and a celebratory giveaway
Well, today has been an interesting day, and I mean that partly in the Chinese-curse sense.
As you’ve probably figured out if you’ve been anywhere near my social media presence today, Knowing the Ropes has been released into the wild, where I hope it is making many new friends. So far, the book’s reception has been encouraging, and that makes me smile. I love this book and I hope everyone else does too. That’s the good part of the day.
And it looks like I’m going to be a full-time writer and part-time homemaker/gardener/suburban homesteader, which is what I’ve wanted to being for a long time and which I’d been hoping I’d see a way to transition to by next year, when I’ll turn 50. Perhaps all the Trickster magic in Cougar’s Courage decided to come home to roost, because it seems like I’m going to be writing full time sooner than I thought.
Unfortunately, this is where the “interesting” comes in, because I didn’t accomplish this in the way I wanted to, by handing in a resignation at the day job when I was ready to leave, when I’d checked off all the million things I felt I needed to prepare before I could quit. *shrug* At least this way I can collect unemployment, right?
I’m not making light of this change. Unexpected unemployment is a shock and I definitely shed a few tears -mostly of financial panic. But the day job, while it certainly had positive aspects beyond the steady paycheck, was not what I wanted to be doing with my life. I’m trying to see this as the Goddess forcing my hand. I might never have been “ready” to make the leap as long as I had a steady paycheck coming in, might have kept saying I needed to save more money or reach some other milestone before I could do what I’ve known, since I was about six, I wanted to do with my life.
Instead, here I am. Free. Dazed and confused, but free.
And to celebrate that state of freedom, I’m going to give a free copy of Knowing the Ropes to someone who comments on this post before March 1, 2013. Tell me about an experience of getting lemons from life and making luscious limoncello*, of turning a negative into a positive, and you’ll have a chance to win.
Of course, if you want to buy the book, that’s great too!
* I know it’s traditionally lemonade, but I think something gently alcoholic is called for after a day full of ups and downs.
Samhain link
Amazon link
Barnes and Noble link
Kobo link
Oh honey. Hugs. I’ve been there. Geared up for a day of work only to find the million and one things you’d planned to get done have to be left undone, because they’ve handed you your last check and said goodbye. Laid off too many times, I totally understand what you’re going through.
Give yourself a couple days or heck, even the rest of this week to adjust. Make it a small vacation. Then start planning, and by that I mean, try to give yourself a writing schedule during the day. I couldn’t do it; but I think those people who can are much better off.
Plus give yourself breaks in the day to get outside, or go to the gym, or cook something yummy. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that just because you aren’t at the Day Job anymore that means you need to use every inch of your time writing. That’s a prescription for burnout, my friend.
Sending love, and joy, and an upwelling of happy confidence. You will come through this with flying colors! The Goddess did, indeed, give you a shove into the next part of your journey – so enjoy!
–Christine
Christine Ashworth
February 26th, 2013 at 6:20 PMpermalink
I think you already know my story of getting laid off and taking it as the sign to concentrate on my education and start my own business. So I’m going to tell you one that’s a little closer in essence to your situation.
Eight years ago last weekend, my best friend at the time gave me an ultimatum: to tell my husband how unhappy I was, or he would do it for me. I, too, had been planning to do it on my own terms when I was ready, when I had a job and a way to support myself, when I had some money saved up, when I had someplace to go, etc. etc. etc. But instead, I had to take the leap into the unknown. I asked for a divorce. It was what I wanted. It was what I needed. But it was SO scary. And it hasn’t all been easy since then, but my life is SO much better now. And I wouldn’t be where I am now without having taken that leap. And I might not have ever done it without my friend forcing my hand. I might never have felt ready. I gave up a lot of financial security, a lot of the fun things in my life, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Because it led me to bigger and better things.
You’re going to be fine. You’re going to be doing what you wanted. The day job was just holding you back, but now you are free. So leap! 🙂
Wondie
February 26th, 2013 at 8:04 PMpermalink
Well, ouch!
Best of luck with your new full-time gig. I’m sure you’ll rock it.
Lemons? Plenty of’em. But I’m still trucking along. Hell, if it wasn’t for the lemons, I wouldn’t have met most of the people I know now. And that’d just be a shame. Even f I did take off for the other side of the planet.
Bob
February 26th, 2013 at 9:32 PMpermalink
Ouch for the layoff. I’m all for you taking a week to be gentle to yourself. And keep the yoga going if at all possible.i miss my Bikram.
Zen Hugs
Debbie
February 26th, 2013 at 10:54 PMpermalink
I think sometimes all of us have to deal with lifes struggles. I know just recently for me I’ve had to switch office locations at my evil day job and I’m trying and trying to think something positive is going to come out of it. I figure life deals us some things sometimes that we don’t like but sometimes it works for the better so I’m hoping.
Sherry
February 27th, 2013 at 2:13 PMpermalink
Big hugs, Teresa. I’m sad that you had to lose your job in this way, but glad that you have a plan. Which you always had – to be a full-time writer and part-time home-maker/gardener. You were SO much happier when you were doing that before. And the money will work itself out. Especially when your books start selling like hot-cakes! I believe in you – and so do all your friends and family. Let’s raise a glass on Sunday to your ex-employers for starting you on your true path.
Love you!
Alexandra
February 27th, 2013 at 10:29 PMpermalink
Sometimes I think that we will plan and prepare for a change and never voluntarily make that change, and so the Universe kind of forces it on us.
I know you’re thinking “lemonade”, but I say you’ve been given a “Get Out of Jail Free” card! Congratulations! I wish we could share a bottle of home-brew and toast to your exciting new future ;).
Wendy Brown
March 21st, 2013 at 10:08 AMpermalink
Wendy, thank you. I agree about the “get out of jail free card” now that I’ve had some time to breathe (and write and garden). On to the next adventure.
Teresa Noelle Roberts
March 21st, 2013 at 10:31 AMpermalink