Early in 2019 I was informed I would be losing my job of the past 20 years. That is basically my entire career. I only worked professionally in one other place for about a year before moving to this job in Rhinelander with Drs. Foster and Smith Pet Supplies. Over the years I wore many hats: started as a designer for the newly formed “Internet Department” and as things progressed, I eventually landed in a Project Manager and User Experience Manager Role.
Honestly, it was a bit of a relief when I finally was told it was over though.
I’ve been prepared to lose my job for some time – a year+ prior a large amount of the staff was let go and more left through the following year. So it felt my end would also be coming, eventually. I had been mentally thinking about it for almost two years. On top of that, I’d been dissatisfied for many years, and wanting to make a break – so it being forced on me was welcome, in a way.
But it is hard, really SO hard. Even though I’ve been fortunate enough to receive a nice severance package, and have had several months to prepare along with a career-building team brought in to help and workshops on healthcare, finances, an incredibly supportive family and more. . . It still looms. Every now and then terror and melancholy hit me.
20 years. TWENTY years. That is a whole lifetime really. That is so many friends made, people met, experiences had, lessons learned, tears shed, laughter shared, stress-induced sleepless nights, chaos, memories and so much more.
So I do want to stop for a moment – NEED to stop – and reflect on all of it, appreciate it and acknowledge the impact of this. It is no small thing.
But I am going to keep my head up, my energy positive, and be excited for what is to come – I think there are GREAT things to come for me. I’ve been provided an opportunity and I am not going to waste it. I will look back at these 20 years fondly and appreciate all they brought me to help me through the next 20 years!