leave my current job

I’ve given my notice and my last day will be June 11. my manager and coworkers are happy for me and my boyfriend and friends are supportive. Now my problem is telling my parents what I’m doing ‘cause they’re not going to be supportive at all. but oh well.

Done. Wasn’t happy, thought things through a lot. Worked out a plan where I could give notice and leave without the work I was trying to do fall down in my absence, and then eased my way out over a period of a few months.

Was important for me to do it that way, no sudden movements, and time for me to think through what came next, instead of have to make too swift a decision.

I’m not sure when it was that I added this goal, but I keep saying to myself “just one more month” and I’m still there. I think I’m finally getting sick of it enough to really leave now, and I’m setting up a jewelry business online, and I have support from my friends and boyfriend, so I think this might actually get done, finally. I hope it works out. I think it will. It’s a bit scary ‘cause I’ve never actually quit a job or run my own business before, but it’s definitely what I want to do. So I think I’m going to leave either at the end of May or the middle of June. hoping for end of May but might have to compromise with that.

So, there is an opportunity in my school district to facilitate long distance online learning for all three high schools. It’s posted and open now, which means I would have to leave in the middle of the school year. My running mechanism says, yes, or is it saying, no. Hmmmmm….I want out of this job, but I know I’ll feel guilty and sheepish leaving mid-year. What do you say to the students and parents? When you leave a teaching job, at least for me, it’s not just a job left. It’s really a community. I’ll probably just finish out the year where I am and hope a job like that will post again. Not even sure I want that job, just want out of where I am. Also want to leave the right way, not on the run without looking back. That’s how pursuing this job would feel, I think.

I’m paying more attention to what I like about my job. I saw an exercise in “O” magazine used by women looking to find joy at work. They used the sentence starter: I feel strong when…

I feel strong when I advocate for my colleagues as the union rep. I feel strong when I organize ideas from group collaboration and facilitate the process. I feel strong when I create useful documents and presentations. I feel strong when I am making a contribution to a goal. I feel strong when the lessons I create clearly link one skill to the next. I feel strong when I give useful advice to new teachers or other colleagues asking for help. I feel strong when I articulate my ideas and questions for the group.

I completed an application to be a mentor for our school district; I’m participating in a school visit as a representative for our staff this month, and I am looking into getting a student teacher. I think all of this will help me work toward the goal of changing up my job, but still work somewhere in education. I believe in education passionately. I think everyone needs to be literate, for themselves and for the future of our society. I have realized, though, that I have done all I can or want to do in the classroom. There are others who have more drive and passion to be there. They can take my place, and I’ll support them!

1. Looking at art
2. Creating art (usually when it’s an “assignment”)
3. Owning my own business
4. Helping people through my expertise (like new teachers)
5. Creating documents for current job (teaching)
6. Taking that print-making course
7. Books
8. Publishing
9. Working with people I love
10. Being part of a team

I think giving myself a deadline to finding the job of my dreams was a little daunting. Instead, I am going to throw caution to the wind, since I generally just hold on to caution like a life ring, and quit my teaching position at the end of this year. June 20th will be my last day in my current position. It’s time for a change.

I think it is too controlling and, like I said before, daunting to demand my passion present itself by a certain date. This could, in all actuality take years. (I really hope not, but let’s be realistic). But setting myself up for a brand new direction by leaving my current position forces the issue a little.

As soon as I changed this goal, it became so much simpler. I felt a real jolt of energy and excitement. And a calm, or even relief as well. I don’t have to have it all figured out right now. I just have to make a commitment and trust that life will open up new opportunities. If I look back over my life, so far, I have to admit the universe has really taken care of me.

My counselor also suggested that I now have the luxury to leave my job with grace and in a very positive, freeing way. I’m not leaving because I hate this job; it’s just not for me. I need a change and a chance to find out more about me. I want to leave before I start to hate it. And I have this year to say goodbye. I know I will have mixed feelings along the way, but it’s the intention that counts. I have set my intention. It feels really good.