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On Not Working
December 5, 2015
Yesterday, I drove up to my old office to have lunch with a friend who still works there. Despite my best intentions of keeping in touch, it had been a while since we talked at any length, so there was lots to catch up on over a meal at one of my favorite lunch spots that sadly I only discovered a few months before I stopped working. She’s got a new boyfriend and a new roommate (not the same person), and I of course am selling my house and trying to establish a new routine for my life.
Driving there and back, I was once again reminded how, while I don’t miss dealing with traffic, I do miss having nearly two hours every weekday when I was pretty much guaranteed not to have anyone else talk to me. Sure, I got the rare phone call through the Bluetooth, but most of the time I was free to enjoy the quiet and think or listen to podcasts or talk to myself if I had something to say. That I want my alone time doesn’t mean I don’t love my husband or don’t want to spend time with him or talk with him, it’s just that I enjoy the time with him more if I’ve had enough time on my own. We’re still working on how best to get me that alone time.
After lunch, I went up to my old floor with my friend. She moved into my office when I left, so arriving at her desk which used to be my desk, I was right back where I used to be. I chatted with my former boss and some of my former direct reports and a couple random folks who wandered by. I was not at any point seized with regret that I’d left the work, though I do miss the people and the casual socializing. Which is surprising, since I don’t think of myself as particularly sociable or outgoing. Since I stopped working, I’ve been filling that need by going to discussion groups and lectures and such that I find on the internet, which is working pretty well for me but confuses Mr. Karen as he didn’t expect I’d want to do those sorts of things as much as I am. Like the alone time, we’re working on finding a balance here. The only problem is when we move to Idaho, we’ll have to start fresh. I think there won’t be as many opportunities as I have to choose from here in metro Detroit, and that makes me a little sad. But at least I’ve gotten some practice these last six months going to new things, which is not traditionally one of my strong suits.
On this date in 2014: Brain Training
2013: In Which My Brain is Fried
2012: Private Leander W.
2009 through 2011: No entries
2008: It’s Holidailies Time
2007: No entry
2006: I Used to Crochet
