Thanks for all the supportive comment on last Friday’s post, you guys. I’m glad I’m not the only one still working on “figuring it out.” I hope some people got a little encouragement out of it, too!
Today, some pumpkins, because it’s already halfway through October, for crying out loud.
They live right outside my front door.
I made sure to follow the “rule of 3s,” and vary them all in shape and size. My favorite has got to be the gray one. Spooky and perfect for halloween!
Has it been two weeks since I last posted? Work has been keeping me very busy. It’s chilly days that make me more thoughtful… so here are some thoughts.
In late July I went from a schedule of 15-25 hours a week at work, to (suddenly) a solid 40 hours a week. 40 hours a week sounds like “the dream” to many who (like myself recently) are underemployed, but 40 hours a week in a retail environment is very taxing. I have to be just as upbeat, informative, and charming to a customer who walks through the door fifteen minutes into my shift, as I am to the very last person I help when my feet are aching eight hours later. I can’t close my office door to catch up on work or get a jump start on projects at home….
Here’s the thing though: I like my job.
A year ago, I sought a retail job because we had just moved into town and needed money to pay rent. Retail jobs aren’t hard to find as long as you have open availability. They’re willing to train on the job. I was coming from an office job that seemed more “grown up” and appropriate for a college grad, but really didn’t make me happy at all. My current job is at an up-scale shopping mall, which makes me put more effort into (gasp) actually wearing makeup to work and generally presenting myself to the public in a put-together manner. I get to talk to all kinds of interesting people all day long (even the weird or upset ones). I’ve learned so much about cookware and cooking tips from coworkers and customers. And I love my coworkers! I have fun joking with them even on hard and stressful days.
I don’t see this job as a long-term plan, but the weird thing is that the year I’ve spent is longer than the time spent at my last two jobs. I got a promotion and I feel like I’m good at what I do! I hate that when I talk to my friends I’m so self-deprecating about my work. “It’s just retail.” Why do I feel the need to say that? Because I went to college? Because I’ve been out of college almost four years (say it isn’t so). I am keeping my mind open to new opportunities and now that I’m closer to 30 than I am to 20 I am thinking hard about a long-term plan. It’s just that I want to do so many things I can’t decide. Use this retail experience to open a business of my own? Try networking and join a smaller up and coming company? Or something more traditional…
I really miss blogging. I miss interacting with other bloggers, working on projects, and coming up with new and exciting content. I’d like to write freelance for other San Diego blogs — food or travel writing perhaps? I want to do so much more, but I’m so tired on a daily basis.
I think I’ll get the balance figured out; after Christmas my hours should lessen. I am taking this opportunity to sock away money– so I am working towards one of my goals–buying a house/condo/whatever in maybe a year. Once my hours die down I’ll have more time to think about what I really want to do.
Just a couple things on my mind today…
I got a moleskine notebook from a industry training event I participated in a few months ago and now it lives on my bedside table amongst other bedside table-related things. Each night before bed, I try to record one thing I am thankful for. Just one sentence. It’s so easy to get caught up in snark and complaints, especially with platforms like Twitter and Facebook–where it seems like everyone vents their frustrations, craving an avalanche of “me too!” and “so sorry for you!” with each complaint. Reading back through my gratitude notebook helps me center my thoughts on how fortunate I am and helps ease worries and preoccupations before bed.
I saw the book “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” in one of Libby’s book piles one time. This was recommendation enough for me, so when I saw it at a used book store, I picked up a copy. I just finished it this morning and it has reminded me to put more thought into where I buy groceries. We have some wonderful friends who work for Suzie’s Farm, which sets up shop in our neighborhood weekly at the farmer’s market. Must be more diligent about swinging by to buy delicious produce, especially before things wind down somewhat for the winter. Luckily we live in such a temperate climate that the farmer’s market operates all year, and the produce varies from month to month.
What has been on your mind this week?
My Friend Staci 