If you've been following for a while, you'll know I recently left my dream job as a Flight Attendant...
Well an update on my life post flying… Where do I start?
If you read my blog about ‘Why I left my dream career’ then you would know that I had to leave due to health reasons. I needed a somewhat normal routine.
It’s been not even three months since I’ve left (that’s a whole flying roster). I left Qantas to go to another job that is shift work, it was a role I was in just as a starting point to get into another role with the company that I wanted to work my way into... The only problem being... Shift work. I thought that by being on the ground in a different kind of shift work, it would be manageable. I was so wrong... It wrecked me!
To manage chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia is to have routine, to be in bed by a reasonable time and roughly the same time every night, eat your three meals a day (depending on the individual) and at reasonable times (I'm still intermittent fasting by the way, will get into that another time), eliminate all stress and regular exercise.
This job I was in didn’t allow me to have a healthy work life balance, my anxiety was through the roof, I would get into anxiety before starting work and I would have anxiety not knowing what my routine would be for the week (ironic coming from an ex flighty who doesn’t live a ‘normal’ life or routine – at least we got rosters two months in advance). Disclaimer: I’m by all means not trash talking the company I worked for, it’s a great company and everyone was so lovely to work with. I keep private who I worked for off my socials, but I had some big decisions to make as it wasn't the job for me. So, what did I do?
I resigned! With no plan whatsoever (blog title kinda gives that away). I have been thinking about it for weeks, I was always saying to Drew, “I quit”, “I’m done” and I didn’t actually do it. I could feel it coming. I woke up one morning, knowing I had an interview that day. I was so positive and made the executive decision that the next day would be the day I give notice. I was lucky enough to get a job offer pretty much on the spot, I was so excited. Unfortunately, the plans fell through, and it got put on hold, which as much as I understand from a business perspective, it was a hard pill to swallow as it was a job right up my alley and the hours were perfect. I found out that it fell through the morning that I planned to resign. Yet I still resigned anyway.
I decided to take a risk. I was selfish for the first time and boy it feels good! Am I scared about what’s next or how I’m going to survive with temporary unemployment? A little bit, yeah. But, I completely trust in the universe and believe that things always have a way of working out.
This wasn’t like a spur of the moment rash decision. This was a few weeks of anxiety, thinking thoroughly, consoling with Drew (who, by the way, is my rock and the poor guy has copped it lately with my anxiety). Drew told me as long as I’m happy he will support me. I was consoling with Mum who is always so positive and is like my best friend and always says “follow your gut, it’ll all work out – just have trust.” Also consoling with Dad who is always so logical and would usually tell me I’d be stupid to leave a job with nothing to go to, or tell me to suck it up and stick it out and give me some life lecture that Dad’s give about how tough they had it… You know the spill… But Dad has been so supportive of my decision after knowing deeply how I feel and why I had to leave. Dad said to me, ‘resign, put yourself first,’ and that’s when I made the decision to leave, I knew it was the right thing to do if Dad agrees. In the past I’ve never really taken on Dad’s advice and as I get older I always realise that I should have… You live you learn, right?
So, what’s next? Who knows! I have a bit in the pipeline. I believe with the dedication, confidence, positivity and persistence I have, I have no doubt I will find something that will suit me and something I will be happy in. It’s all about timing. In the meantime, I continue on this journey to be the best version of myself, get my health back on track, mentally, physically and emotionally.
Leaving Qantas has hit me a lot harder than I thought, I had never felt so damn lost. But, that career was something I know I had to leave as my body was telling me it couldn’t handle it anymore, as hard as it is, I need to move on and accept it.
I wasn’t going to blog about this and just kind of stay under the radar, but if you know me or have followed me for some time, you’ll know that when I started blogging, I made a vow to myself and my followers to be open, honest and genuine. You share your story, you never know how it could help someone going through a similar thing.
Some things I want you to take from this blog…
- If you feel unhappy, do something about it. There is a quote about being in relationships or jobs that aren’t making you happy, YOU are in control of YOUR life! Leave if that will make you happy.
- Put yourself first! Be selfish! This is something I never do!! I am always putting others before me, be it friends, my partner, my family and even including my employment. It’s a seriously wonderful feeling doing something for yourself. You should try it!
- Be brave! Don’t be scared. Trust. It’s all about persistence and believing in yourself, knowing your worth. Everything will always work out.
Your happiness is all up to you my friends. No one else.
Edit: I wrote this blog about almost 3 weeks ago... It took me 2 weeks, not even to find work! I am now in a new job, one that I see myself being happy in, one that I absolutely love and finally feel like things are looking up since leaving flying! Be positive, be persistent and be open to new opportunities. I was lucky I had options and I chose the right one!
Love,
D x