What A Difference 3 Days Makes

Well. Hey all!

Last Tuesday I was stressed and feeling quite strung out, mostly about work and finances, but a little bit about...well, life in general. Daydreaming about closing the door on some things in my life, dropping the key in the gutter and just walking away. You know? Put on your walking shoes and just go? Even if only as a metaphor, rather than literally. I didn't. I didn't quit my job or do any of the other impetuous things I felt like doing, but I did give myself a break.

Not just from blogging, but from my computer in general, from trying to get everything done, and from working too hard. I think there are few things more stressful than feeling like you don't have options, or options that are all bad. Taking some time to review and take stock was a good idea.

I had a frank discussion with my current employer, telling them that the workload was unmanageable on my hours (no overtime allowed), that I was considering leaving, and that the secondary issue was the three weeks they will be closed over Christmas and the New Year. Three weeks I wouldn't get paid for. To their credit they met me most of the way, agreed to overtime (although not to a reduced workload, sadly) and to allow me to work part-time over the Christmas break.

Straight away that was a relief. A nice fat overtime pay just before Christmas would be a real help, even if the thought of working more hours wasn't that appealing. Then that same afternoon I got a phone call I had been waiting for, a request to meet with the financial controller of a business I worked for about 6 months back.

So, this afternoon I had that meeting and I scored myself a new permanent job. Yay. One with sick pay, holiday pay and a manageable workload. It's working back at this business that I temped at about 6 months ago, and encouragingly they came looking for me because they were so happy with the job I had done.

They also let me open negotiations about the pay. I based my suggestion on a figure we had discussed 6 months ago, one which they thought was a stretch, but the ease with which they said yes makes me think I could have asked for more. Farging icehole buggering goddamn. Oh well. It's a figure I can live on a bit more comfortably and get ahead from where I am now.

And if anything is a stress reducer, that certainly is.

In other news, I missed not blogging over the past few days even as much as I enjoyed the break. So there is a bit of re-invigoration in the air! Plus, I have a house guest at present who's providing quality cuddles and I'm really enjoying spending time with. Tuesday feels like it was a long time ago!