Someone asked me a few days back "when are you gonna blog, you've earned the right to blog." HA. Here's my first.
Like most of the successful quitters I have spoke with and read about here on EX, I did my planning and scheming prior to my quit date (originally scheduled for 1/1/10 but that didn't happen). I have wanted to quit soooo many times but you see, I am a stress failure, not my own life stresses but from the stresses brought onto me by other people's stresses. It's like osmosis. Lately their stresses envelop my emotional self before I can say jack flash.
One of those major contributing stress evolutions come from work -- the same career I've had over the past 30 years -- nothing new -- so it doesn't come from the work directly, but it comes from those around me that stress over their own lack of preparation, lack of planning and lack of organization. And, because my self had become more vunerable from bad eating habits, SMOKING, and generally not taking care of me, the stress had been able to trickle right down my spine!
Another contributing stress factor has been the change of my work schedule over the past year.. After 30 years of Mon-Fri, 9-5, and to avoid a layoff, I went to evening shift (and I'm a morning person) 4 days a week, Wed-Sat, basically 10 hour days -- giving up my Friday nights and Saturdays and much of the social life I had remaining -- basically life changes that I didn't want to change.
Needless to say, I knew I needed to make sure I was away from that stress or my chances would be slim to none (as in past attempts). I have had two weeks off to help in my quest. (I'll say it took the first week to calm myself back down from the office turmoils and hence my failure to stop on 1/1/10.) All this while I have told myself over and over again that I would not allow their stresses to again become my own. (The mind is very powerful so I'm using it as much as possible.)
Tomorrow is my back to work day. Last night I had vivid dreams about my upcoming return so it has been on my mind. My time away has helped prepare me for what lies ahead tomorrow and I've gotten strength and resolve from all the posters here on EX. I need to say thanks for that.
I need loads of encouraging words, thoughts, suggestions and I'm sure I'll be logging on tomorrow evening to stay in touch and keep me focused.
Elaine
