The memories of catching up with a co-worker over a cup of coffee in the breakroom. Laughing with a client about the joys and trials of motherhood. Feeling accomplished about a completed project. Making a sale. Getting to dress up and wear earrings. Jeans on Friday. Holiday office parties. That paycheck coming every two weeks. Benefits. More scheduled time to work. Less shopping time on Amazon.
Every once in a while, I think about going back to work. Part-time anyway. I miss it sometimes. I am missing the collaboration with others. The comradery. The idea of being given a task, completing it well, and receiving accolades from others. The belief that your brain is accomplishing something that fits into one of the puzzle pieces of the corporation.
In the last four years, we have moved two times, had two granddaughters, and then there was a pandemic.
Looking at employment in the rearview mirror after not working outside the home for years makes it so much easier to appreciate.
The negative, of course, is that your time during those days at your job is no longer your own. You now need the alarm clock. Throughout those hours away, the chores are still building up at home and awaiting your return: the laundry, watering the plants, cooking, planning, picking up after the grandkids’ last visit, feeding the cats, and just plain old relaxing. Since we have just one car, my husband is also not too keen on the idea of me or the transportation being unavailable for 2-3 days at a time.
Speaking of the grandkids, what if something happens and I am needed to help out to watch them on a day that I am scheduled to be at my job? That’s a stressor because I know my heartstrings are pulled to help my family. I love spending time with them, even on an ordinary, non-emergency day.
And what about vacations? There is already a trip to Disney in December and a Mediterranean cruise in late Spring planned in the next seven months.
Ok. So, that is enough to talk myself out of the idea of returning to the “glory days” of “real” employment. I do miss other adult humans and working together on projects, though.
So what is the solution? Volunteering.
I reached out to one of my favorite places of employment, Senior Friendship Centers, which houses a senior center, entertainment, lifelong learning, adult day center, health and dental clinic, and volunteer center.
I was employed for five years at the Center 15 years ago until I decided to move across the state. I absolutely loved my time there. My various duties allowed me so much creative freedom. I started out in the public relations department, working on the monthly newspaper and other responsibilities promoting the senior center. Next, I helped launch the lifelong learning programs and brought in teachers for everything from art to Zumba. Lastly, I worked at their Volunteer Center, created events, and partnered with other nonprofits to allow high school students to earn volunteer hours for their college applications and seniors to find purpose outside the home. I also brought in the AmeriCorps program and worked with amazing young women who, early on, answered the call to serve. My position benefited me, those I worked with, and the community.
In short, it was very fulfilling.
This was made even more so because my previous position was for Comcast Communications, a mega-corporation, where I was a lobby supervisor for multiple offices in the state of Florida. There, I was given a minuscule amount of creative freedom and stacks of goals to complete daily in what they considered a timely matter to continue having the privilege of a paycheck. Simultaneously, I was required to keep 16 employees in four widespread locations happy and productive.
These two occupations were like night and day.
Okay, with those memories brought to the forefront, I really don’t want to continue to ponder the idea of working for anyone else but me.
Volunteering will be great! I start today. I will be offering a class (mostly holding space) on writing memoirs so we can create something notable during our hour together.
There is something magical about writers getting together to work on their projects separately but at the same time. It’s as if our combined creative energy is causing the words to whirl above our heads, and we are able to grab just the exact ones needed for whatever we want to express at that moment in time.
There is not always as much tornadic action of words when it is just me, barefoot at home typing away on the keyboard.
I suspect I will be writing more about my volunteering experiences in future articles/newsletters.
I am so happy to have that diversion to look forward to. As a bonus, I can wear something besides shorts and a T-shirt, put on jewelry, and plan an agenda. Yay!
When I really think about it, though. I am a writer. That is my job, my career now. I am also a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, creator and planner. I have designed my own business for my own purpose at home with flexible hours and great perks like time for a morning walk before work and extended lunch breaks with my husband.
It is a rare moment that I am thinking about what I can do next.
I am sure that on the day I die, my family will find my lengthy, uncompleted to-do list that will be impossible for any human to complete within the following year. I also suspect most of the tasks won’t require completing at that point.
I’m not concerned about getting bored. Not too often, anyway. I always try to have some fun events on the calendar to look forward to, schedule my daily tasks, and give myself deadlines.
In essence, I’ve created my own company, my own workspace complete with everything but the time clock, in-person social interactions, and, truth be told, for now, without a paycheck.
I feel a major sense of accomplishment whenever I find the right word, publish an article, or learn something new from a fellow writer via a Zoom group, Newsletter, or YouTube.
I also feel quite pleased with myself when the laundry is done, the house is cleaned, and the cats are purring while sitting on my lap, ready for a new show on Netflix.
I’d have to say that, right now, this is the best “job” I’ve ever had.
Maybe I’ll invite my neighbor over to catch up on the goings on in the neighborhood or talk about the joys of being a grandmother.
That will be a day’s work well done.
Thanks for reading! Keep smiling!
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