February 2010
This afternoon I cleaned out my desk at Donati Family Vineyard. It was just another step in moving (or “going” as some would say) but it was one of the hardest moments in the process so far.
Admittedly, this job was a challenge to me and an incredible learning and growing experience as an employee and person. With a Round the World trip about to greet me, I found myself surprised at how tearful I was while packing up/tossing out all my work possessions.
Perhaps more than most people, I make my office space homelike as possible. Family photos, a candle, makeup, and other small but relevant things that make the day at work just a little happier are a real luxury and not things I will always have at the ready anymore. It is funny to look at my office now, and feel my heart beat just a little faster at the idea of making sales, doing business, and keeping happy customers.
I wonder how I will feel after a year living without a cage, looking back at the office… I can’t help but think… what would we all become without our offices? Our little boxes of chores: Send Emails, Receive Emails, Staple Paper, Answer Phone, Receive Email, Solve Problem, Make Money, Send Emails, More Phone Calls. No more of that.
Looking back and saying goodbye to the place that has been my home for most of my waking hours the last 3 years breaks my heart. Tonight, I am finding the prospect of the trip bittersweet, friends. I know tomorrow is a new day and it will be filled with excitement and preparations, but in this moment, I miss my old job, my hometown and my amazing friends.
*~ *~*~*~6 hours of sleep later~*~*~*~*~
I awoke to an email job offer to teach English to a group of children in turkey, in an area near Pamukkale.
What a gorgeous place to vacation, let alone stay for a few months and teach English. More to come on the job offer, I just wanted to illustrate (mostly for myself) how quickly the emotions of the trip revolve this close to “D-Day”. Every minute is packed full of every feeling possible, but isn’t that what we’re in search of? What fun would it be if I went around never feeling anything? I’ll take my emotional roller coaster… look at where it’s landing me. Come along for the ride.
'The Day I Left The Office and Became a Nomad' have 4 comments
February 23, 2010 @ 10:11 pm Kyle
When one thing ends, another thing begins…
Just out of curiosity, how did you go about getting the offer in Turkey? We were thinking of teaching English there, but didn’t find a whole lot of quality resources.
Cheers!
February 24, 2010 @ 3:45 pm livevicuriously
I was offered the position by a person I met through HelpExchange. It’s a great resource if you haven’t looked into it yet, I recommend you do so. Sometimes the best opportunities come when you least expect it!
March 1, 2010 @ 11:23 am Christine
This post really hit home for me, as I’m quitting my job in a few months to move to Nice, France. I have made my cubicle home–and while I can’t wait to live a cubicle-free life, I think I’ll miss seeing my photos, postcards and funny quote cards there every morning. I just hope that I’ll get as lucky as you with a great new opportunity in France!
March 3, 2010 @ 9:10 am livevicuriously
Okay, I did it! It was hard- it was awful, rotten and ugly….until I walked out of the building. I am now in the airport, and I am free as a bird. Get rid of the postcards you can bear to part with, keep one- and never look back.