Confession time.
This year’s been rough. If you checked in here earlier this year, you probably saw some blog posts where I not-so-subtly alluded to the fact that work was actually trying to murder me. A lot of things, like this blog, fell off the wagon and then got dragged under it and over some rocks and dirt clods and a murky puddle or two.
I waited for months for my team lead to be replaced after my former one (and mentor) was promoted in April. Despite some encouragement from colleagues, I declined to apply for that position. My boss told me two weeks ago that I would have gotten that job, and I told him it would have been a disaster.
I gave notice two weeks ago, citing burnout and a desire to change industries (how very millennial of me!) My last day will be in late March/early April 2022. It’s a huge weight lifted, and now just a matter of me surviving until then!
Here’s the plan: I’ll take April to do nothing. Sure, I’ll putter around the house and knock out some small projects, but the idea is to get bored enough to let me head clear. Then, I’ll dabble in part-time work that sounds fun. Maybe a local winery. Maybe the flower shop where I side hustled for Mother’s Day weekend. The goal will be to try something new and make a little money.
I’m a long way out from being able to drop full-time work altogether. Eventually, that will be back in the picture, but I’m hoping to have a better idea of what I want to be when I grow up.
FIRE is still absolutely on the horizon, but it was a tough pill to swallow when I realized I probably have another decade before it comes to fruition. The thought of staying put for another 10 years made me feel sick.
So, here we go. I have a few months to get my ducks in a row. I’d like to share this journey with you in case it inspires someone to take a risk that they know is the right move but is muddled with [completely normal] fears.
Sorry I’ve been so MIA. While I may not be eyeballs-deep in FIRE prep, this endeavor is not unrelated.
I hope you’ll stop by again soon as I discuss pre-break financial planning, budgeting, decluttering, insights, and progress as this unfolds.
Excited for the future. Wishing you a happy and healthy 2022.
-K