Change=Relaxation

We have been spending the weekend at a campground close by to our house and we realized that we will probably pay for a seasonal site here next year.  I think we both have realized that even though we have a place up North to retire to someday, relaxation now is important!  Before I began this journey, I had to meet with a psychologist to determine if I was mentally ready for the change that would happen as the result of weight loss surgery.  One of the discussions that we had was if the job I was in at the moment would be conducive to the change in my future.  I had already come to the realization that I was at the point where I would never advance and often felt like I was taken for granted.  Though I loved my students, I had a difficult time with my boss in that he was not responsive and left much of the decision making up to me.  In most situations, this might be ideal to some but for me it equaled more work for less pay and often times doing things in order to make him look good otherwise we would BOTH look bad.  So I decided that it was time.

As God would have it, it was time for a change with Bill's job too, so we eagerly awaited this new chapter.  I gave my notice and within a few days, I had a new job.  One that paid more than what I had been paid and required less hours than what I was working in a typical week.  In fact, the benefits are better and I have to say that the environment is more supportive than what I had been used to the last three years.  I say all this because I was fully aware that I needed a change of environment in order to be successful with the weight loss.  As I expressed this to the doctor who was evaluating me, she said that she felt one of my strengths was intuitiveness and awareness.  I appreciate her validation of the plan that I decided to implement in regards to a new job.

Back to relaxation... My last job, I never could get away when I wanted to.  When Joplin's tornado happened, I was able to get down there within a few weeks.  My phone rang constantly because I was micromanaged to death and my emails were endless.  It is nice to be able to go to work without dread of another crisis waiting for me.  I only have to work a 36 hour work week so I am able to have Fridays off with my daughter.  No more one week break between quarters... I get at least two weeks and sometimes three weeks. Not only that, I get to work with several people as a team instead of an island unto myself.  I am in charge of my program and my decisions are not questioned when things are done for the good of the students. I have the support of the dean of faculty (who does all the hiring and someone who has worked with me in the past) and dean of student services. I also have an assigned advisor so that I am not the only one advising students.  I am no longer doing the job of 5 or 6 people and it is a HUGE relief!  The experience was a good one but not something that I could mentally or physically continue after a total of six years.

This has translated into a less stressful family life, which in turn, has helped my weight loss success.  Sometimes change is needed!  I did not want to leave my job because I felt that I was leaving my students behind.  Of course many of them have told me that they cared for me and wanted what was best for me.  That makes me feel a bit better.  However when I feel as if I abandoned them, I realize that being over 100lbs overweight helped NO ONE.  Not me, not my family, and definitely NOT my students.  So the change was good and the relaxation has been much needed and warranted because I can be at my best for everyone including myself!