I Lost My Job
I woke up this morning with a sick feeling. Actually, that’s not true; I never went to sleep last night, because the last thing I heard at work yesterday was that I was terminated.
It’s a strange feeling to wake up with no sense of purpose. No reason to get up early, yet I did anyway. Thankfully, I didn’t have Alex, so she didn’t have to witness the mini-breakdown last night.
I keep playing things over and over in my head; what could I have done differently? I wish my boss would have given me some warning, some hint at his unhappiness of my performance. I know I risk a lot by telling the truth here, but I never expected it to be used against me as ammunition for my termination. I stopped talking about my company over 2 years ago, except for the occasional sarcastic remark on Plurk when I was having a bad day.
The truth is, I was a “daylighter.” It’s more common than you think; working two jobs during the same hours. In an effort to make a more comfortable life for me and my daughter, I’ve now made it worse. The thing that bothers me the most, though, is that I always made sure all my work was done for my day job before I did stuff for my freelance. It was something I took great pride in; I am an exceptional multi-tasker. Quite often, I would have an automated process running in the background while I worked on pictures. Could I have been multi-tasking with my day job stuff? Absolutely. Now I wish I had… but there’s nothing I can do about what’s past. I take full responsibility for my actions.
I’ve learned a valuable lesson in this; don’t assume that when you’re good at your job that you’re safe. Don’t assume because a co-worker is nice to you that they are your friend. Don’t freelance on company time, no matter how safe you think it may be.
And don’t ever, ever take anything for granted, because once you get comfortable with something, God has a way of yanking the rug from beneath you to keep you moving forward.
December 17th, 2008 at 5:12 am
So, so sorry, hon.
I like how you said “keep you moving forward.” Because you will. You’ll persevere.
Take care!
(((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))
December 17th, 2008 at 6:23 am
Remember you have something bigger and better in front of you. Trust in God!
December 17th, 2008 at 8:14 am
You will persevere and come out better in all of this. There are bigger and better things in store for you!
I love that last sentence. There’s a lot of truth in that.
December 17th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Oh, wow, I am so, so sorry to hear this. At least things are pretty good in the IT world, so I hope it won’t be very long before you find something else. In the meantime, at least you have that other income to keep things going for a bit. If you haven’t yet, register for unemployment via phone today. It takes a couple weeks to get benefits rolling.
And, I’m all for trusting on God, but, well, I think it was Hunter S. Thompson that said, “Trust in God, but row away from the rocks!”
Hang in there. Things will get better.
December 17th, 2008 at 9:36 am
“MOVING FORWARD” is exactly what God has planned for you, I know it’s scarry, we all resist change and I know how you (and your dad) hate it. Kristie, you are young, talented and will land on your feet once you get over the shock. You have plenty of family here willing to help you and I pray your ex will be reasonable helping you with Alex and not be a jerk, we’ll see how much he’s matured since your divorce.
Please don’t beat yourself up for getting fired, ok so you screwed up, we all do and we have to pay the consequences for it, BUT the only thing you can do is pick yourself up and move on, one day at a time, I’ve told you before, you can’t go back, only forward. I love you, I’m proud of you and I know in my heart you’re going to be fine. See you next week, Mom
December 18th, 2008 at 9:49 am
One thing I’ve learned about this region: You want a job, there is one for those with; A skill set, honest, trustworthy, no record, no drugs, educated, speak and write clearly,,,,, Technically orientated…. Get ur tail out there, but chose well who AND when you want to begin work,,, say… couple of months unemployment/vacation. Your terms! Our only security is in our ability to perform, period. You’ve certainly got that down pat.
Weather sucks more often than not, mosquitoes, flat boring land, rivers look more like big muddy ditches, but…. Jobs a plenty. There is a steady pace of hiring going on. What the heck else are people hanging around here for ya think????