Time For A Change

[Beena]

I hope so, Sal.

[Beena]

I forgot to update. No to rescheduling, they'll keep me on file, etc. They were very nice about.

I'm feeling a bit broken by everything. As stupid as it might seem, I think I need some time out to reset. Maybe volunteer. My confidence is in bits and I've had a couple of panic attacks recently, both times on my way into work.

[Rosa]

I don't think that sounds stupid at all, Beena. If financially you can manage for a while, a break sounds sensible, so you can concentrate on the move and settle in to your new life.

[baargain]

Your workplace sounds like a hideous abusive family. Can you just get signed off til the end of your notice? Fuck em.

[Princess Morripov]

Yeah, I'd whack out some time on the sick. I did that at my last place :dedicated:

[Squirrel]

That’s a good idea.

As is volunteering. I had a hideous experience at my last job then left without returning from maternity leave during which I’d had a breakdown :healthy:. I volunteered in an office based role before starting paid work again, and it did wonders for my confidence and self esteem. Plus I genuinely enjoyed it, which is not something that could be said for my previous job. I would definitely recommend volunteering based on my experience.

[Beena]

Damn you all This made me well-up in the office and that's not the look I'm going for.

I'm glad I don't sound deranged. I was thinking volunteering, maybe a bit of temping. I don't want to sit on my backside, I just want to do something different for a while.

One of my mates suggested ringing in sick, but I won't. I've one more group to get through the module I teach on and I just wouldn't do that. The module lead sent through my schedule for September this afternoon and it's horrendous (there's a week with 24 hours of lectures over 4 days) and I had to ring him to explain I wouldn't be there to cover it. I could hear the panic. I don't know if I'm going to be replaced. No-one has said anything to me.

[Skips]

Not your problem, Beena.

I get you want to get the group through the module but if it all gets too much don't worry about calling in sick if you have to. Your mental and physical wellbeing are far more important.

[Beena]

It won't get too much. I've been there for half a lifetime and it's always ever been same shit, different year. I have the hide of a rhino really. What's changed is I've realised I'm wasting my life.

I need to get them through. I wouldn't like myself very much if I didn't.

[Skips]

I have an interview on Thursday for an accounts role I am very much underqualified for but I thought I would apply as I think I have the skills they are looking for. They asked some questions prior to arranging the interview and one was whether I would consider studying, which I said yes to so I'm taking this as a positive sign. I've already got the day booked as holiday, so I don't need to take additional time out from work.

[Edith Bacon]

That sounds tentatively promising, Skips! Best of luck!
:fc:

[Ella]

Good luck!

[Annabella]

Good Luck Skips!

[nineseven]

Ooh that sounds good, Skips!

I appear to be in a conversation about a part-time magazine role and have been invited to interview. While the guaranteed monthly money would be nice, it's not much compared to how much I can make as a freelance writer and I'm worried it would get in the way of big gigs. Hmmmm. I have to choose between potentially earning less but definitely earning something, or possibly earning lots more but potentially earning nothing. IYSWIM. I have done OK for 3.5 years without working PT but I am a bit itchy about Brexit. (I haven't mentioned I might be leaving London as that is several months away.)

[Princess Morripov]

I’d be inclined to go for it for the job security and then weigh up the situation if something big was to come in. You could always use A/L at the part time role to cover something big but for a short time period?

[nineseven]

Annual leave is pro rata so I’d get 10 days a year, leaving me (apparently) with 5 days from July to December. Three of those will be eaten up by prior commitments that already happen to be on Thursdays and Fridays.

[Pippedydeadeye]

You’ve got to be in it to win it and can always say no at any stage.

This is what I am telling myself as I just submitted an application for the same job as I applied for two years ago (and didn’t get an interview for), so I’m not expecting anything to come of it. I had to do it though, it comes around so rarely that there’s a job I *could* do.

[nineseven]

Yes, if I go for it and get it I can always not take it or quit :)) Good luck, pip!

[Squirrel]

Yes that sounds sensible. There’s nothing wrong seeing how it goes. How part time is part time?

[olive]

Do you know if there any flexibility in the part time? Maybe you can move days around if that might help?

Good luck Pip and you too, Skips. I think them asking if you’re happy to study is a good sign!