I've been in a transitional period for the last two years and I am still not sure what the final outcome will be. After a lot of soul-searching, I left what started out as my dream job because of the school's financial insecurities and my own desire for something more. Then I moved on to contract work, which although it allowed me to learn some new things, was by its nature temporary. I knew that it would end. I also launched two new businesses: Bright Spots, a consulting company, and a network marketing skincare business.
The two businesses are still going -- I was able to earn a promotion in Rodan + Fields -- but the contract work has ended. I'm exactly in the place I hoped to avoid by taking the contract work and leaving my faculty position -- without a full-time job.
I'm trying to use this time for all the things I said I wanted to do but didn't have time for because of my job. I am working my businesses and attending networking events. I'm trying to lose the weight I gained when I switched from faculty work with a flexible schedule to a full-time desk job, weight I definitely didn't need. I'm making sure to exercise every day. I'm taking time to reflect on what I really want to do and who I really want to be. I'm trying to get my house in order, literally and metaphorically.
I had not realized how long it had been since I wrote a blog post of any kind. I think it's pretty obvious that social media has shifted away from blogs to more in-the-moment stuff like Instagram and Facebook Live. I miss the writing, though, and I miss reading my friends' thoughts, so I thought I'd pop in. We used to have such a tight community and that seems to have faded. Maybe something better will come along.
I'm hoping something better will come along, and soon, in my work search. In the meantime I'm trying to make the most of this in-between time.