Gainfully UNemployed

Redefining Success While Standing Still—Adjusting to Unemployment Before Moving Abroad

Pausing between careers or big life changes can be freeing and unsettling. Have you ever found clarity in uncertainty? Share your experience!

I’ll go first…

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Today the prospect of moving abroad feels real in another new way as I am “officially” unemployed.

My last day at my US employer was technically back in December but owing to the end-of-year closure we were lucky to enjoy, it felt like everyone’s last day and not just mine. I wasn’t disappointed by that, though, since I prefer a whisper to a bang when it comes to making an exit. So I was expecting the annual two weeks of uncertainty about what day of the week it is and whether or not anything will be open…but now?

I’ve reminded myself four times that it is Monday.

I’ve reminded William twice that it is Monday.

And it isn’t just any Monday, according to the federal government’s calendar!

And yet, this Monday, I wasn’t rushing to log on or check Slack for any reason. I haven’t checked the headlines and I still don’t know who won any of the Golden Globes last night. If I’m being perfectly honest, I stayed in my bathrobe until well after eleven…and that’s only partially because most of my remaining clothes are in vacuum sealed bags.