I did not know that behind the scenes, my company was restructuring my department. I did not know that I was on my way out. I did not have any idea the end was near.
In hindsight, when they laid me off, they were kind. I received a nice severance package, was able to file for unemployment and was able to keep in touch with the contacts that I had made over 7 years.
What they also gave me was the chance to stay home and watch my daughter grow up and for that, I will be eternally grateful.
I cried for a good part of that first week. I am not going to lie. I was scared and anxious and depressed. My world was turned upside down in a way that I had not seen coming and had not expected. I was speechless and stunned.
Gradually, I found my rhythm. We joined Gymboree. We scheduled play dates. We went for walks. Miranda and I became a team even more so than before.
I updated my resume. I interviewed at a few places. I dreaded going back to work and missing the changes that were bound to occur every day.
Then an opportunity to freelance came my way. We worked out the details and it was perfect. I could write and do marketing and be my own boss. I could also do it all on nights and weekends and nap time.
By early Summer, that opportunity had grown from a few hours a week to 15-20 hours a week and we were able to put Miranda in daycare twice a week. There she gets to play with other kids, learn all sorts of things I might not even think of teaching her and experience a life outside of us. On the off days, we are back to being a team.
By mid Summer, I was presented with another opportunity. In addition to my freelance, I am now an Independent Consultant for Rodan + Fields. Partnering with the doctors that created Proactiv, I am now helping my friends and family get the best skin of their lives. It's unlike anything I have ever done but I am loving it! The products are all great and I totally believe in them. If things keep going well, the commission checks should be nice, too! (Shameless plug...message me for more information if you are at all interested or intrigued!).
By late Summer, I was presented with yet another opportunity. This job will be about 5 hours a week and it's pretty much customer service, but I can do it from home and in the meantime, help out a friend who needs help and has not been able to get it! We are meeting tomorrow to get me started.
A year ago, I had one professional career. Now I have several. A year ago, I was missing my daughter day in and day out. Now I am with her more than I ever thought I could be. In time I want to grow my freelance business and if there is one thing this past year has taught me, it's that I can pretty much do anything when I put my mind to it. That is a really great feeling.
I wonder how many jobs I will have a year from now?? I can't wait to see what that anniversary brings.
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| Miranda helping me work |
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