Time for a change

One of the hardest decisions I’ve made was to give up my ‘perfect’ job. When I say perfect I’m referring to the conditions my role gave me, all of which are hard to get on their own let alone together in a package deal. When you’re in this position, particularly as a parent, it seems like madness to walk away from it. But that’s exactly what I did.

After almost 14 years at the same company, I hit a mental roadblock that I just couldn’t get past. My motivation was wavering, my excitement and general happiness was slipping and I just didn’t feel like myself. What made it harder was that I was working with a great team of people, who I genuinely liked and respected. I’d asked a number of times over the years if I could be made redundant (that was a sign right there!) but I was told that would never happen.

In 14 years my roles had continuously changed and each one had given me an opportunity to further my skills. It was the ideal scenario. I also worked close to home, was paid well, had the ability to work flexible hours and had a permanent part-time role (the holy grail!!)

This all made it the perfect position to be in with my young family who need me around at school drop off and pick up times, and to balance the needs of home while also being able to work. What more could I ask for? In fact, there wasn’t anything else I could ask for and that was the issue. No matter the conditions or the options put before me, I couldn’t picture myself happy if I stayed. That’s when I knew I had to walk away.

To soften the blow, I applied for long service leave to give myself a few months off and the chance to clear my head while I try to decide what I want to do next. I spend my days reading inspirational books, doing online courses in things I’m personally interested in and talking to people about the roles they do and what that involves.

So how am I going to find happiness? Well that remains to be seen, but in the meantime I have to say I’m loving the time to myself (in between school hours of course). And who knows, if I have a little faith maybe the right thing will land just in time.

It’s my time for a change and I’m the only one who can make that happen.