I’ve missed
posting a Friday blog the past two weeks, and I apologize. It’s not because I
didn’t write one… I just had serious issues getting it to actually appear. The situation was a perfect
example of PICNIC. Problem In Chair Not In Computer.
Meaning: I
screwed up.
First week, I
neglected to hit “publish”… and was well on my way to Florida and unable to
rectify. Oops. The next week, when I hit “publish” it still didn’t show. My
Wranglers pals couldn’t even find it. Uhhh, that’s because I selected the wrong
date and it published two weeks prior. Ugh. So I trashed the post (it was
filled with wisdom, sage advice, and a cure for cancer…. Not!).
Oddly enough, the
ordeal was pretty indicative of my life recently. Thinking I’m in good shape,
got the world by the tail… Prepared and confident. Only to learn that my world
is actually completely off-kilter. And it’s an unpleasant ride.
My job search is
yielding very few responses, and most of those are declines. I didn’t think it
would bother me, but my frustration is akin to my post-graduation job search
when I had no meaningful work experience. Silly me for thinking it would be
easier this time around. It’s a gut-punch to the ole self-confidence.
In the meantime,
I’m substitute teaching in my school system. I have kiddos of my own, so it
should be fairly intuitive, right? Wrong. My training included several videos
and hand-outs about bullying, suicide prevention, blood-born pathogens, etc. My
training did NOT cover where to find attendance sheets, where the bathrooms
are, which teachers allow students to use electronic devices, and how to
maintain your enthusiasm when you realize you’re essentially babysitting because
the state mandates a certain number of adults per student ration. And it makes
for a loooooong day. I’ve never felt so extraneous, and it’s not helping my self-esteem.
And I’m still not
finished with my book. Getting closer, but not finished. Even if I were
finished, I doubt there would be a sense of satisfaction because I already know
it needs a boat-load of work before I can even send it to a Beta reader or
critique partner. It’s that bad. Which is another blow to the ole ego.
The weather took
a dive from mild-autumn to all-out-pre-winter. It’s cold. It’s cloudy. It’s
blustery. It’s bleak. It’s blah.
It matches my
mood and my confidence level.
Fortunately, it
is all cyclical in nature, and the weather will eventually warm up when Spring
arrives. Hopefully my self-confidence will bounce back even more quickly and I’ll
have some good news to report on.
In the meantime,
I just grumble to my hubby, and (apparently) to you, and have faith that the
pendulum will swing back around. Until then, the good news is it’s Friday, and
I hope everyone has some awesome plans!
Oh, baby, hang in there. It's all going to be okay, I promise. And you know, it's okay to have blah days and feel low. Just wallow for a while and one day, things will just be brighter. As your editor, I'm not at all worried about your new book--keep writing and we'll fix whatever needs fixing. ((Hugs))
ReplyDeleteIt will definitely swing back around...hang in there! And you can always wail to us, we got your back!
ReplyDeleteWhen I left Walgreens, I had the same failure of faith in myself. I hadnt realized how integral work success was tied to my self-esteem. Leaving was my choice, but the months of no calls was disheartening, to be sure.
ReplyDeleteThat said, something will come around to restore that faith and a new chapter will begin and hopefully lead to your HEA. Until then feel free to commiserate with us.
Margie
The pendulum will indeed swing, but it certainly seems to take its time, doesn't it? I know there's little comfort in knowing we've all been there, but, hey, join us here in the alumni corner. Hugs to you.
ReplyDelete