Happy Monday!
I’ve been holding off writing this post for a few days to let things all sink in. I will go into more explanation in a second, but first lets talk about running for a little bit.
Sunday morning Wes and I woke up and decided to go and try out a new trail we had found. We are always on the hunt for dirt trails, so when a biker told us about a 6 mile dirt trail out a ways we knew we had to go and give it a shot.
The trail only ended up being about 10 minutes from our house, which wasn’t bad at all. I had 8 easy miles on the schedule for today. I started off slow. Some miles seemed REALLY slow and then others I had to slow myself down.
The trail was actually an old caboose trail that ran during the civil war. I thought that was really neat!
In total I did 8 miles at a 9:12 pace. Nice and easy and the perfect run to end the week.
Since I am not sure how long some of you have been reading this little blog of mine, I thought I’d back track a little to start this off.
Almost a year ago (in August) I was laid off from my job when we were living in Pennsylvania. It was a very tough time for me, and without going into too much into it again I struggled to find full time employment.
You can read more about my unemployment journey: here and here.
While I was living in Pennsylvania I worked 4 different part time jobs. It was really disheartening to not be able to find a full time job, but I tried my best to keep a positive attitude. One of the biggest struggles I had when looking for a job was the fact that we knew we would be moving in June.
The part time jobs helped to make ends meet, but it was still quite a struggle.
When we first moved to Virginia almost 2 months ago, I can hardly believe it has been that long now, I began looking for jobs once we had gotten settled in. I had about 3-4 different cities I was submitting applications in, but nothing was turning up. I was using every connection I could find to try and get in, but a majority of the companies I had connections in weren’t hiring.
Finally, after 4-5 weeks I got a bite and had an interview a couple weeks ago. If you follow me on Instagram, you may have remembered the picture I posted before heading in.
The job wasn’t originally what I was looking for, but I knew that I needed to jump on any opportunity I could find. The thing that many don’t understand about residency is that even though my husband is finally making a pay check, after you take the student loan payments out that have now begun plus rent and other monthly bills it can still be tight.
The pressure for me to find a job kept haunting me. My husband never made me feel guilty and he always encouraged me to do what I wanted, but I knew I needed to find something.
Last week I was finally offered a full time job. To be honest, I always thought that when I finally got a job again I would be so happy but for some reason I wasn’t. It as really hard for me to get past the fact that I was taking a huge pay cut.
After I let things sink in, I was able to come to terms with it. Regardless of the pay I am EMPLOYED! It’s full time, close to home and allows me to get experience in a new field.
For safety reasons and my professional life I won’t talk much about where I or my husband work. It is a part of life that I’d like us to be able to keep private. I hope you understand 🙂
I always believe in constantly looking to forward myself. Even on the days when I feel like I am going no where I aim to do one thing to better myself that day. On top of the full time job, I also have some side work I do so that has helped tremendously. I am hoping to grow that further so that one day I will have more options ahead!
Today I am here to say I am officially EMPLOYED! I actually don’t start until August 11th, but I am using the next 2 weeks to get caught up and ahead on some work at home. I look forward to getting back on a steady schedule and even though I know it’s going to get very busy between marathon training, working, blogging and my other various jobs I know I am ready for the challenge!
I’ve waited a long time to write this post, I am so glad I can share it today!
When is the last time you changed jobs?
What do you have on your running agenda on this Monday?
Congratulations to you! I can relate to job/career/money stress since my husband and I are both in a field that traditionally does not pay well (psychology and social work) so I understand the ambivalence. Hopefully the job is something you wind up feeling great about once you get into it 🙂
Thank you Michele! I am looking at this as a stepping stone in the right direction. It may not be exactly what I want but it is getting me in the door and I will work my way up 🙂
Congratulations!!! Glad you’re making it work for you.
Thank you Megan!
2 years ago, I took what was a raise, since I was a temporary worker with little hours at the time, but overall a pay cut to pursue areas that fascinated me. This is the longest I have been in a position throughout my career and, while it is still challenging at times, it is the best professional choice I have made to date. Good luck!
Congrats on a fantastic first week of training and that trail looks so fun!
I love hearing other people’s stories! So glad that move worked out for you, I am hoping this gets me headed in the right direction.
It was a great trail! I can’t wait to go and run it again!
Longtime reader, first-time commenter here. 🙂 That being said, I’m so happy for you Sara! I have been following along as you went through losing your job and then making it work until you had to move. I sure know how relieving it can be when that opportunity finally finds you! Both my husband and I have taken some circuitous routes through higher ed and eventual careers and I know how challenging it can be. It sounds like your husband and you offer each other a great support system and that you are able to lean on each other (emotionally, financially, etc) when needed. I know that is what got us through or toughest hurdles so far. I really appreciate how candid and thoughtful you have been in documenting your experience, it’s so refreshing to read. And again, congratulations!
Thank you SO much Katie! Your comments mean a lot! The past several years have been really tough at times for both my husband and myself and I am so proud of us for coming out on the other side. There is so much that goes into all of it and the rough times make the good times that much better! I hope this job will get me into the field I want and that there are many more opportunities to come from it! Thanks for reading and following along 🙂
Congratulations on the new job!
I was laid off in 2010 and it took me 6 months to find another. It was a tough process all the way around. In a slow economy and nearing 50 I realized that a pay cut was inevitable. I landed a great job with a great company for less pay, but recently decided to leave as that companies business was slowing – so I looked for awhile and started a new job in May. I am now very alert to changes and I never really feel secure in a job now.
Nice work on a great Week 1! I fell ill with some kind of stomach thing on Saturday night. So I missed my 10 mile long run on Sunday. I will try to do it tonight instead of “6 mi. Easy” if I am feeling better. It is kinda like an injury – ticks me off when I miss a planned run.
Good luck with Week 2.
– Run with joy
Hope you feel better soon Greg!! Don’t be too hard on yourself for missing the 10, you’ve still got plenty of time!
Feeling secure in a job is hard. I haven’t felt in a long time, but hopefully in the future I can find a job that will make me feel secure!
Congrats on the new job! Love your outlook on the whole situation.
Thank you!!
So happy for you sweet girl!! I know it’s a huge relief! I hope it all goes well, and things continue to look up 🙂 Great job on that run as well!
Thank you Sarah 🙂 It is a HUGE relief!
Congrats!!
Thank you!
Totally understand not wanting to share where you work, but are you able to say what industry/field you’ll be in? Congrats on the new job!
Oh yes! I don’t know why I didn’t put that in there – HA! I am going into healthcare.
Congrats on the new job! That’s wonderful!
Thank you Em!
New jobs are scary but you’re going to rock it! God puts us in new situations for all kinds of reasons!
So true! Thank you!!
Congrats on your new job! I hope that it goes well for you and that you find fulfillment and satisfaction in what you’re doing. Your upbeat, positive attitude throughout the whole unemployment and job hunt process has been inspiring.
Thank you so much Whitney! That is so nice of you!