How annoying would it be to write about my first day of technically not being employed? (Do you see how I can’t call it “unemployed?” Something about that doesn’t sit right with me. I guess because I know it’s just temporary. Maybe? I don’t know. I’m too tired to think about it.)
Yes, I am too tired. Because how on earth does anyone ever have time to work? No, seriously, did you know you can spend an entire day running around town, paying bills (paid off car! woot!), and doing crap around your house… and then still not get it all finished? Because I didn’t. I thought that not getting to everything I wanted to was because I was too busy earning a living all day. Isn’t that silly?
The truth is, since I made my final decision to quit my job, I put off everything—and I mean everything—around my house, and in my life, and everywhere. Seriously, I just stopped folding clothes. Stopped. I had a pile so high on my bed that I couldn’t sleep in it. I slept in the guest bed for three nights due to my laziness and procrastination. I guess that job-quitting business is hard, because I couldn’t seem to muster up the energy for anything else. Or maybe it was all the cake. We’ll never know.
What I do know is this: I need structure. Over the weekend I gave myself a to-do list, and it is two pages long. Not Post-Its, but actual sheets of paper. Throughout the last couple weeks I’ve gotten a lot of comments about how I’m going to spend my time and what “vacation” will feel like. But the thing is? This is not vacation. It’s, I don’t know, different. It’s restructuring. It’s rejuvenating. It’s planning. No, I’m no longer in a place that I don’t want to be, but it’s really no time to relax, either.
I figure there was a reason I was given this time right now, and it’s my responsibility to use it. The first thing I am doing is getting this house back in order. And not just the laundry, but to get to things I’ve wanted to get to for years. There’s an actual hole in the wall behind my clothes dryer that should have an access panel installed—these are the kinds of things I’m getting to. Which is why I now know my skills with drywall screws are fierce, and that is somehow going to be worked into my resume. Count on it.
I feel better already, though. Even if I have things to keep me busy through the end of time the week. Getting your house in order gives way to the rest of your life, and to me that makes a whole lot of sense right now.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I have been on an academic cycle for a long time now (I shudder to think of how long it’s actually been) and we get the summers “off.” I’m always shocked about little I get done during the summer days. Once I sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast, work out, go to the post office, eat lunch, get the oil changed, do laundry, make dinner, and update my blog, the whole damn day is over!! How does that happen?!
I’m always complaining on Mondays that I had to come back to work to rest.
This past weekend, I do believe that I saw the dirty clothes pile move itself down the hallway to the washing machine.
So I threw a shoe at it.
I have been working freelance for 14 months now and I am still working on that list! Because The List is almost a right of passage of the newly self-employed.
But you have to admit, staying in your jammies to get some of that list done is pretty sweet.
If you run out of things…I have a garage that could use a big time going through. Heck, I had time of unemployment then too and couldn’t get to it…but then again that was in the winter and the garage isn’t heated!!
I love having time to tackle that sort of stuff. You’ll feel SO good when your To Do list is all crossed off!
And I think you’re right on with the busier than ever phenomenon – I felt like my task list never ended when I quit my last job. Just looking for the next job is all-day work in itself!
It always amazes me when I have a day off from the office how MUCH I need routine and how overwhelming my to do list is. I hope this break lets you accomplish a lot!
I often think about how I really could use time to stop for a week or two so i could catch up on everything I am neglecting without more piling up. I’m jealous! Even though you have plenty to do – enjoy this time!