reflections on the last 6 months

today is the last day of my 6 months off from Corporate America.

In full corporate fashion, here is a little FAQ on what a lot of people have been asking lately:

How does it feels to be going back to work?

Great. It feels really good. I like being busy and productive, and I like being around lots of other people and having a friendly, co-worker filled environment. I am also just SO excited about this role and opportunity. I had liked, somewhat, what I had been doing before (marketing analytics and strategy.) But I hadnt loved it. I have always envied people who LOVE their jobs. I may never be someone who LOVES their job with such passion, but I hope that I can find something that I truly enjoy.

While I was on my travels, I read a lot of job descriptions online, trying to figure out if there was something I'd like more than marketing analytics. As soon as I saw Product Management roles, I realized that would be so much more exciting for me. I am so lucky to have found the role that I have - I think BuyerZone is a great company, the role is EXACTLY what I was looking for, and my boss and co-workers seem like really great people. It was funny interviewing with them... it felt different than the other interviews I've done over the last several months. In other interviews, I felt like I was on an interview - trying to impress them, trying to say the right thing, asking strategically oriented questions, being polite, telling them only select parts of what I was looking for in order to convince them that I was right for their role (when I wasnt sure that the role was right for me.) My interviews with BuyerZone felt so much more honest, because I WAS right for them, and they ARE right for me. As weird as it sounds, it was almost like the difference between a bad first date and a good first date. On a bad first date, you are straining for conversation. On a good first date, you are smiling because you want to, not because you think you should.

So... yes, I am looking forward to starting my job :)

Are you doing anything special to celebrate the end of your time off?
I feel like the last 6 months have been a celebration in their own. I dont feel like I need to go on a Last Hurrah trip, because I've been so many places and seen so many things recently. I've milked this time pretty hard, I'm not worried about one last weekend! Who needs to celebrate when the last 6 months have been a full-time celebration?

Are you sad?
No.

I have to say, I have no regrets about my decision to quit my job way back in January. I was unhappy there, and that was the first time in my life I was truly unhappy like that (i.e. it isnt exactly my normal disposition... something was seriously wrong.) So I am so happy that things have gone the way they have. Years ago, my mom told me that things have to get really bad sometimes before they get much better - the darkness before the light, etc etc. There is something to be said for that expression, for sure. My intention was always to take this time off to enjoy life and re-evaluate where I was going (i.e. quarter life crisis) and then, being in a more happy place for myself, find a job. So things have gone pretty well to plan! How could I be sad about that?!


What was the best thing you did on your time off?

The best thing? the best thing was just TAKING the time off.


In the last 6 months I have spent substantial time on my running, getting in much better shape and making real strides (no pun intended) of which I am proud. I'm planning to run a half marathon with Manish in the end of September - if, a year ago, you had told me this would be a realistic goal of mine, I would have laughed so hard I'd be wheezing. Even 6 months ago someone suggested that I train for a 10K and I laughed at him - now I do 10Ks every week. I had never understood the value of exercise and athletics for the mind AND body until the last few months, and I am grateful to have it in this form in my life now.


In the last 6 months I have spent untold hours in my pottery studio. I remember, in the beginning, some weeks where I'd be in there Monday-Friday, 10-5 every day. When else in my life will I be able to devote this much time to a craft like this? Maybe never. I love my pottery studio - the people there are wonderful and supportive. Pottery has been a fantastic creative outlet for me. And, I have made HUGE improvements in my skill and artistic acumen. The changes in my ability to make forms that are tall, wide, thin, delicate, original, beautiful, etc has been something that I have never experienced... I had always dabbled in art, but I've never spent enough time or energy on a form to make this much progress. I am very grateful to have this in my life now.


In the last 6 months I have spent time with every one of my siblings, nieces, and nephews. With my 4 siblings each living in a different city, it will be hard to ever spend substantial time with all of them, so I'm glad I was able to spend quality time with them now.

• I was able to be with Sally and her son in their new home in San Diego and be there with them while Sally's husband was going through cancer treatment. It was nice to see their new house and city and to be there when they needed someone.
• I spent several days with my brother, his wife, and their army of children - I always enjoy seeing them and experiencing that whirlwind of activity. I admire John and Molly a lot for how they are able to raise such a large family and stay happy and sane.
• I spent two weeks with Holly and her husband, daughter, dog, and unborn baby (now born, of course.) Holly has been one of the most supportive people during this time for me, she having gone through a similar experience years ago and having taken a year to travel and be a bohemian bum herself. I am so lucky that she was generous enough to invite me on her family vacation to Arizona - the time we spent hiking, chatting by the fire, exploring a wilderness I had never seen before, was invaluable.
• I spent a week in Europe with Juliet, seeing two new countries and 6 new cities. I always have a good time with Juliet, and even though we now live in the same city we arent able to spend tons of time together. It was nice to be able to spend a full week of quality sisterlyness.

I was also able to spend quality time with so many of my friends who live around the country - 4 days with Manish, 7 days with Lindsay, 4 days with Mitra, 7 days with Joanne, 3 days with Alex, 4 days with Brett, 7 days with Samantha. I love you guys :) One of my favorite personal 'rules' was the one that I had to accept every social invitation that was extended to me - I spent a lot more time with various friends than I might have otherwise. I am grateful to have all of you, friends and family, in my life.


I can't begin to tell you the number of people who have said to me, "I wish I could do that!", "I am so envious!", or, the most sad, "I wish I had done that when I was your age." I am very fortunate that the stars aligned (leaving a job, having saved a lot of money, etc etc) but I think that more people could do this. Every time someone told me they were envious, I had to ask, why dont you do it?? Not that everyone can or even SHOULD, but I think a lot of people are scared to make a big change like this. If it is fear that is keeping you back... I have to tell you, it is much less scary to be doing this than to not know why you are doing what you are doing now.

So... farewell 6 Months Off - I have loved you and will always cherish you!!!


and, thus ends my longest blog post of all time.