Thursday 7 November 2013

All Change

Something momentous happened yesterday.
I left my job of 21 years.
I don't actually stop being a civil servant until 24th November but yesterday was my last day in the office and I'm now on leave.

A few weeks ago I mentioned I wasn't happy at work and once I'd had a good whinge and got it off my chest I started to apply for a variety of different jobs.
There was one job amongst them all which I really, really wanted and I hardly dared hope that I would get an interview.

As it turned out not only did I get an interview (the very afternoon after I had been interviewed in the morning) they rang me and offered me the job.
I was speechless. I was thrilled. I was so happy. I cried.

My new job will be working in a school office.
 So close by I can walk, no more dashing off to the train station. 
I will be working every afternoon.
There will be time in the mornings to do all the stuff that needs doing and then maybe some time to do something I want to do.
I will be home during all the school holidays.
I consider myself to be very, very fortunate indeed.

When I got to work yesterday I popped along to see the work colleagues from my old section and took them a box of chocolate biscuits to say cheerio. We had a little chat, they wished me well and when things started to get a bit tearful I quickly waved goodbye and scurried back to my desk.
I find saying goodbye very difficult and am always very emotional at times like this.

Not long afterwards I was packing things away from inside my desk when I looked up to see them all walking towards me en masse, along with my current colleagues. They were all there as my former boss was going to say a few words and present me with some presents.
I wasn't expecting this at all.
It was too much. I buckled being the complete emotional wreck I am and spent the next I don't know how long sobbing. 
Tissues were quickly found and passed to me to wipe my eyes and blow my nose.
What a mess I must have looked. 
I could hardly speak I was so overwhelmed.
When I eventually pulled myself together I thanked them and told them not to say anything nice to me as that would just set me off again!

My former boss, who is also a friend, had been to the Country Living Christmas fair at the weekend and she had been in charge of buying my leaving presents.
I was so thrilled when I opened this haul of Rusty the Fox goodies, pencil pot, plasters, baking label set, lunch box and flask.



Plus the most beautiful cup and saucer decorated with white birds. I haven't looked him up on the internet but the chap who makes these is based on the Isle of Wight and he was voted best newcomer to the show, or so I am told.



I felt exhausted yesterday evening and yet I woke up at 3.30 ths morning and couldn't get back to sleep again.
I have such a mixed bag of emotions inside me right now.
Leaving after so long was hard to do. I have so very many happy memories, but these past two years haven't been the easiest and the time was right to go.

18 comments:

  1. Wow! That sounds like an adventure. Good luck with the new job and relax into school holidays, lots of children talking all the time and plenty to do! And be brave x

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  2. Well done for having the courage to move on. Any new job is a such big step.
    But welcome to the world of SCHOOL! It's a mad, crazy place but so rewarding.
    And the best bit .... you'll be on holiday at the same time as your children.
    Good luck!

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  3. Lisa,

    Sometimes the most right decisions we make take courage! You are brave at the end of the day most people whinge about what is not right in their life (me being the biggest one) and not have the courage to change it. But you did. Well done on getting the job you wanted too! Congratulations. Have a lovely time having a rest so you are raring to go and embark on your new challenge and chapter in your working life.

    P x

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  4. You are very brave and you will not regret making the move - in fact you'll wonder why you left it so long. I could just imagine you being a blubbering wreck and you brought a tear to my eye whilst I was reading it - but I was laughing at the same time! Good Luck in your new job my lovely lovely friend xxxx

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  5. full of envy lisa....ive been in my job 24 years and cant wait to leave hopefully next year.....bit scarey though!....congrats on getting a new job that you wanted. all gives me hope x

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  6. Oh well done on everything, making the decision to leave and finding something so good so quickly! I was in the civil service for 10 years and occasionally I miss it, the colleagues and the unity we had, but I'll never miss the job itself!

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  7. Oh well done Lisa; I'm so pleased for you. What a wonderful job for you & perfect leaving presents you received.
    Good luck & enjoy your new job xx

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  8. It's always hard to leave the familiarity of a place to go to pastures new but I'm sure you won't regret it, just think of all those school holidays you'll get off with T and S. You received some wonderful gifts, you were obviously though a lot of and I'm sure you'll keep in touch with those you want to. Enjoy the next couple of weeks now before you start your new job.

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  9. Hip Hip Hooray!
    Good for you, how exciting starting a fresh job :O)
    Lovely gifts too.
    Have you time to meet up?

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  10. Hi I made the same decision 3 1/2 years ago. I'm still in the NHS but a completely different job. It will seem strange at first finding your feet and meeting new people but it will be a decision you won't regret. A new chapter.

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  11. A momentous time Lisa! Congratulations for getting such a great job, it sounds the perfect set up!
    It must have been such an emotional time leaving your old job and friends, but I'm sure you'll keep in touch with some of the good friends you've made over the years.
    Wishing you all the very best of luck in your new venture Lisa!
    Gill xx

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  12. Huge congratulations! (Also love those foxes.)

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  13. That is great news, congratulations and well done for using a bad situation to find a whole new beginning! I've always worked in schools, I've never ever not had school holidays as I went straight from being at school to working in school essentially, so I couldn't cope with a normal job now, one without the hols, haha! When do you start? I bet you'll love it!

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  14. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such lovely comments. Hope you enjoy your time off before starting your new chapter in your life.

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  15. Wow congratulations on your new job! I know how strange it is leaving a job you've been at forever, but the time is obviously right. You were clearly very highly thought of and I'm sure you'll keep in touch with your friends. OMG so jealous of all the holidays you'll get off! x

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  16. Oh, what lovely colleagues! They must like and value you a great deal, but I can understand why you felt you had to move on. How wonderful to have found a job that fits around family life so beautifully. I'm so happy for you Lisa - good luck with the next challange! :-) xx

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  17. I am so pleased for you Lisa. I bet your old work mates will really miss you. x

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  18. Wow, that is so wonderful you got the job you really wanted!!! Many congratulations! Now you get to have pests like me come and ask you for things at all hours of the day (I am always pestering the office!) and what wonderful gifts!x

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