My brother just passed this video along to me, and it’s quite funny:
Things are going pretty good. I’ve been having an actual vacation the past couple of weeks, now that I have a job to go to starting Monday. Getting together in person with friends one last time, visiting with my mom, that kind of stuff. I’ve also been getting things together for a home office…I’ll be doing some telecommuting for this job.
It feels good to be spending money right now, although a little scary. But I’m doing it anyway. I had enough severance left to set up the office, and I keep thinking that the stuff I buy represents someone’s job. I clamped down so tightly on my spending when I saw that I was likely to get laid off–I had to brace. But now I’m trying to do some reasonable spending. I know one person doing that isn’t even a drop in the bucket, but it’s all I can think to do. Hopefully other people who feel more secure are doing the same. There are definitely some great deals out there right now, too, and I’m buying little extras I normally wouldn’t get with some of the savings.
I’m both excited and nervous about my new job. Mostly excited, though. My brain is turning to mush with all this time on my hands. I was extremelly stressed for most of this time, so it was exhausting. As a result, I really didn’t do all the things I thought I’d do if I were laid off–some deeper cleaning of my house, writing, etc.
I’m glad I had a little time after the offer to unwind, although I’m also kind of bored. So getting down to work and taking my place on a team Monday will be nice. I like having work to do. It’s not just the income. It’s feeling like I’m part of something and becoming good at what I do.
Remind me of this when I’m stressed out by work and wish I had time off again! 
And that’s the thing I’ve learned from this layoff. I am no less happy without a job than with one. I’m no less stressed without a job than with one. It’s just life, and life comes with a certain amount of stuff, both good and not so good. So I’d rather be working. Yup, it’s going to feel good to be back and engaged with something again.
Wow! Sounds like things are going good. Congrats on the setting up the new office & congrats on the new job. Spending money does feel good doesn’t it!
Thanks, Bonnie! Yeah, I don’t spend a lot to begin with, but I felt bad cutting back so sharply, knowing businesses were hurting. So even though the home office is a bit of an outlay, I’m glad to do it, and it does feel good.
One of the great things about having a job is that it focuses the rest of your time. If I’m taking time off from my job and I don’t go away for vacation, I tend to piddle away the time not doing much of anything. When I’m working, my time off during the week is limited, so I pack it full of the other things that need doing. I’m super productive.
Have a great Monday at your new job!
I will so be thinking of you tomorrow morning. I sure hope it all goes well and I’m glad you had these last few weeks to enjoy some of your off time. Good luck Amy.
Thanks, Mary and Joy!
I’m nervous, but I think it will be ok. And Mary, that’s exactly how I am. I haven’t done hardly any writing since I got laid off, for example, but now that I know work is coming, I find myself thinking about the next novel and mulling over ideas. So hopefully I can get back to living again soon and stop holding my breath!