After years of many accomplishments and adventures the times for the tables to turn came upon me.
I am not writing this first chapter to evoke sympathy, but more to outline the facts of who I am and where I have ended up, also a little bit on how I got here.
I know I am not the only one having this adventure, so if there is anyone else feeling they are alone or struggling to breath with all the pressures life is throwing at you... Just know, you are NOT alone. Our stories may be different, and you may have children, or you may have lost your home, but we are all surviving, and survive we will!
Name: Not important
Age: 32
Sex: Female ... and No, none right now
Location: Los Angeles to San Francisco
Status: Unemployed and humbled
Children: No
The weight: A mortgage
I have worked the same company for the last 5 years. Previous to my most recent career chapter I had worked in the Event and Hospitality Industry.
All my career-oriented paths have allowed me to live a very colorful and creative life. I have been able to travel to 4 continents and handfuls of countries. I was able to wear many hats giving me many varied skill-sets and job experiences.
Now, to why I am where I am. It was not a surprise. I had planned to leave, and I was just waiting to become 100% vested. Teams were shrinking due to bleak sales and weak projected forecasts.
Some competitors were growing and we were slowing down to a drippy faucet pace, and drying up quickly. In the industry we were not the "place" to be anymore. Many people have their views on why and each opinion had it’s validity.
Well my choice to wait a year to leave was taken away in October 2009. I had noticed my boss was not so open with me as usual. I had seen this before and I confronted the situation. My intuitions were correct. I was on the "possible" list to be let go. Lucky for my boss I was 100% o.k. with this and actually spoke about how I felt it would be a refreshing change for me. With my severance I would be able to go back to school for a bit, which was a dream of mine. With a hearty hand shake we spoke of a March 2010 layoff as a cushion and I walked out of his office with a new purpose and a humbled heart.
I had to think fast on my financials. How much were my basic expenditures? How much would I bring in, in UI benefits? How long would my intake and my severance last with my expenses? I had to rent my home out and take the burden of my mortgage off my shoulder for a bit. The answer to all my calculations? 9 months~ Not long but long enough to breath.
Now the weeks to come brought a turn I would never expect. 3 days after the discussion, I left early to be with my mom during a routine procedure. The day did not go as planned and my mom had a massive stroke leaving her partially paralyzed. The next few months were a roller coaster of juggling work and being next to my mom while she recovered. Her recovery was short lived and my mom passed away mid. December. My boss was so supportive and I finished a few final projects on my plate and made an earlier leave, starting January 2010.
I'm one to believe in signs, and this all seemed like I was being told, get ready little lady, you have a new life ahead of you.
With that same humbled heart, I packed my bags, and decided to move to San Francisco. The thought was be closer to my brothers, and to shake off the last year and start that new life that is waiting for me, and this is where I am.
