I Feel like a Wishbone!
Not many things can change your day to day lifestyle like a new job. I’ve been looking for steady employment in the publishing industry for quite a while, and am starting my first day at pretty close to my dream job this Monday morning. You would think I’d be excited, right?
Sadly, I’m too stressed out to celebrate. My new employer wants me to start immediately, while my old boss has always been in denial that I would ever leave (despite my leaving work to go on interviews) and expects two weeks, and for me to find and train my replacement before going anywhere. I’m stuck trying to find a happy medium.
For some reason, I’ve always felt a stronger need for approval professionally than in any other facet of my life. I’ve gotten advice to just walk away from my old job and never look back (which I just can’t do- burning a bridge and a good reference with one spontaneous torch). But, in the midst of being pulled apart at both ends, I’m losing the opportunity to enjoy my personal success.
Luckily, a good friend dragged me out on Saturday night to take my mind off of things. We got together for a game night, including Scattergories (which provoked heated arguments, including the definition of an “appliance”) and Taboo. The room was composed of two couples, and two single girls.
The experience, besides allowing me to revert to childhood pastimes over a blended beverage, gave me a glimpse of some very different couple dynamics. One couple laughed their way through the game, not worrying about the fact that they were in last place and grinning at each other over private jokes. Conversely, competition brought out their worst sides in the other couple, criticizing each other’s strategies and blaming one another for mistakes. Not surprisingly, my friend and I with no agenda kicked both of their butts.