Bump in the Road

So on Wednesday (when it would be a usual "wordless wednesday" post) I was laid off from work. Yep you read that correctly. The company had been saying that they weren't doing so great financially, but about a month ago they laid off over 30 people in the corporate office and that was supposed to take care of the budget cuts/issues. After those layoffs we were assured that the campus-level was fine and especially the campus location I worked at...which was why my layoff came as a complete surprise...but then again, not really.

My former boss (who is now the boss-boss) has wanted me out since at least April. She is a very independent leader (yes, that could be an oxy-moron) who does NOT appreciate others' ideas (which she takes credit for) let alone their opinions. And me, having the opinionated, strong personality that I have, I started rubbing her wrong shortly after I started. So I'm not surprised that when people were picked to be laid off, I was chosen. 

But enough about her. In reflection of the day, I am actually very proud of the way I handled everything. I may have gotten teary-eyed when she was telling me, but I refused to cry (I remember saying that to myself "do NOT cry!!!") because I had shed ENOUGH tears at that job and over that job. So I just said "alright", asked my wonderful co-worker to help me quickly pack up my office, and get the hell out of there. My boss (who is actually a great manager and truly does care about people and his team) was so genuine when he said he was sorry. Shortly after I left, apparently 2 more people were laid off. And although it wasn't just me, it still sucks.

Matt was WONDERFUL and reminded me just how amazing and perfect (for me) he is. His response (to me calling him at work while driving home crying) was a perfect combo of sympathy and honesty. Yes, he acknowledged that it sucks (that not only I got laid off but that we really had no warning and hadn't really prepared...which I get that that comes with a surprise layoff) but he also reminded me that I wasn't 100% happy there. He pointed out that since starting that position at that branch 14 months ago, I have been treated horribly by management, ignored by HR, have left work crying, have hid in an empty room at work to cry, and have been looking for a new job for almost as long as I worked there. 

In the few days that have followed I have found a handful of openings in local higher education settings and have applied for ALL. I have my fingers, toes, and eyes crossed for a position that closes next Wednesday and they want the person to start 2 weeks after that. I try really hard not to get my hopes too high when I apply (because obviously I haven't been offered another job since I've been applying otherwise I would've taken that) but I'm really really really hoping this one pans out. It sounds like a perfect combo of my past experiences and would be a great new experience to have. 

So in addition to applying for positions, I have thoroughly cleaned our house and washed ALL our laundry. It's getting to the point where I can't clean anymore because nothing is getting a chance to get dirty lol. I am also now very open to social invitations and am soooo excited for tomorrow's get together with some very dear friends (we all met at the first campus branch I worked at) and my mom is coming over to spend the earlier part of the day with me. 

So yes, I am unemployed and my super-planner personality is freaking out a little (ok maybe a lot), but I am trying to keep perspective and remember something Matt told me about a year ago when my position was 1st in jeopardy: "it's just a job, it's not like you have cancer". Yes, I know it sounds morbid, but if I honestly think of this situation in this way, there are worse things in life than losing a job that, frankly, you really didn't like, so this is just a "bump in the road".