Leaving

reflections on leaving and thought replacement

Today is my last day at the Gallagher Law Library.

Leaving has never been one of my strengths. I tend to cling on to people, jobs, countries, homes, etc. until the bitter end. Until I am forced to go.

Even though I have been wanting and ready to leave this job for about six or seven months. Even though I have two new very exciting jobs lined up for this next year. Even though this is a good change, a good leaving.

Even though this is what I want, I am still having mixed feelings.

I turned in my first letter of resignation on July 31, 2013. And here we are.

In some ways, I feel guilty for leaving. Surely I could have stayed on for my last year of grad school. By leaving I am making my supervisors' jobs a little more difficult. Are you really giving up on this job?Wow. Failure. 

As my therapist says, those are "unhelpful" thoughts.

So I am replacing them:

You worked at this job for three good years. You learned a lot of skills and gained excellent job experience. 
Yes, your supervisors will need to hire someone to replace you but this is the natural order of employment. People come and go. 
And look, you have these two wonderful opportunities for this next year: jobs that are in your interest area and that you will enjoy. 

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.