Leaving the Office Behind

posted 26th October 2009    Written by: Robyn    CATEGORY: All Posts, Job/Career/Work, Quarterlife Crisis, Robyn, Season 1

Case of the MondaysConsider the movie Office Space as I attempt to use this movie to explain the most recent major change in my life.

First, let’s start with the scene where Peter tells his co-worker friend Michael that he has “got to get out of the office.”  A secretary overhears and responds to Peter with, “Looks like somebody has a case of the Mondays.”  Later on in the movie, Peter’s slightly trashy neighbor decides that this kind of comment in the workplace should result in “getting your ass beaten.”

I would have to agree.

For the past two years, I have spent my Monday mornings (and Tuesday mornings and Wednesday mornings, etc) Office Space-style…It never mattered what day of the week it was—I ALWAYS had a “case of the Mondays.”  And even though I have attempted to keep my work and personal life separate, it’s hard to not have my sad office life nagging me in the back of mind.

In the movie, Peter is eventually driven to start ripping off his company.  I don’t think I would reach such extremes, but I don’t want to test myself.  So…

Yay me!  My sad office life is no more!  I have taken a small step toward a life change by officially put in my two weeks’ notice. While it’s a little nerve wracking, it’s also an incredible feeling.  I have already started my countdown…Only one more Monday to go after today!

I feel like I have blogged about traveling nonstop, and thoughts of hopping a plane to a new place are constantly floating around in my mind.  I have no major plans as of yet, but I am taking a short trip to California to visit one of my best friends the first weekend after my last day.

It’s nice to be able to book a trip and not have to worry about rushing back by Sunday night.

I’m all smiles when it comes to the free time I will have to spend reading, writing, traveling, exploring, and doing more things that I enjoy.  On the other hand, I am anxious about my less-than-impressive savings account and my current lack of a plan.  I knew I would need to pick up lots of freelance to quit my job, and while I do have a couple steady things, I do not have enough to feel secure about my freelance being my sole source of income.

I knew I would still need another way to make money until I could really build my own work.  I played around with the idea of going back to serving or bartending.  I thought about working at a coffee shop or bookshop, but then I stumbled across an ad for dog walking.  I applied and interviewed and got really excited.  Not only will it bring in some extra cash, but it offers me the opportunity to be active and outside and with animals—three of my favorite things and all things that my “9 to 5” did not offer me.

I’m thrilled to see how my new change of course will pan out.  After all, according to Peter Gibbon’s wise words, “…we don’t have a lot of time on this earth! We weren’t meant to spend it this way. Human beings were not meant to sit in little cubicles staring at computer screens all day…”

I definitely agree, and I definitely refuse to ever go back to a cubicle ever again!

robyn-bio1

photocredit: luzbonita

Bookmark and Share
Comments (6)

6 Responses to “Leaving the Office Behind”

  • Sage Says:
    October 26th, 2009 at 7:29 pm

    Robyn,

    I am glad you finally took the leap. The funny thing about 9-5 jobs is that everyone makes you think that you need one. It’s kind of like “The Emperor’s New Clothes” if that makes any sense. Everyone looks for a 9-5, sometimes referred to as a “real job” because that’s what everyone else is doing. Everyone in a 9-5 is propagating this idea that you need an “adult” job when really it’s not necessary by any means. It’s not like they are happy with it… but they still tell other people that it’s what they need to do. This way they can keep reassuring themselves that it’s the right position to be in. In the book, all of the townspeople pretend that they can see the emperor’s clothes because they don’t want to appear stupid. It takes a child to point out the obvious…the emperor wasn’t wearing any clothes.

    You mention that you are nervous about your freelance work being able to fill the monetary shoes of your previous job. I think you should look at it from another perspective. Every job you get outside of a 9-5 is freelance work. You love to write and you are good at it but as soon as it turns into a job…you might not love it so much anymore. Don’t limit yourself to just writing. Be a dog walker, be a bartender, server a little, work as a barista… do all of these. Anything that falls under NOT being in a cubicle should be your job. All of these things add up and they will provide you with experiences that will give you new ideas and new direction. You seem like the kind of person who will be most happy in an ever changing, spontaneous environment…one where you are your own boss. Thinking that people need to have one job and once source of income is almost as big of a misconception as believing you need a 9-5. Do a lot of little fun jobs and collectively you will make the money you need to. The biggest obstacles to overcome are tradition, the “norm” and ”you can’t just not work.” Really? I can’t not work. Why? You should pretty much ask “why not” in every roadblock you encounter. Most of the time the answer is “because”…. It’s ridiculous.

    Also…something to remember about money…you’ll always have it. The fact that you are even able to see beyond 9-5 is proof enough. Most people don’t. Most people accept the 9-5 and wallow in it for years (Milton from Office Space). You are a free thinker. Money will come to you.

    When I was little I used to pick up sticks for 25 cents each. That doesn’t seem like a lot of money but think how many sticks there are in a yard…or on a block…or in a neighborhood. My point is, you can always make money. It just depends how hard you want to work and how crappy of a job you are willing to take. Lucky for you, I am pretty sure paying someone 25 cents is illegal nowadays.

    Good luck

  • Lizzie Says:
    October 27th, 2009 at 4:18 am

    I just found this website today and its so weird reading this blog because it sounds just like me. I’m working 9-5 and its not what i want to do but I feel like not doing some sort of office job is like a failure! Ridiculous! I want to travel aswell but theres always some excuse not to go – money, time etc. The company I work for is changing alot at the minute and I may not have a job anymore. Instead of freaking out I’m going to try and see it as an opportunity and not go and get another admin type job. Maybe I will try waitressing or working in a bar and relax for a while and take the pressure off myself. I’m only 22 so why do I feel like I have to have it all now! thanks for the inspiration – its about time I took control of my life :) Good luck with you and congrats for breaking free of the cubicle!

  • Kandice Says:
    October 27th, 2009 at 12:30 pm

    You have inspired me for the day! Thanks and Congrats

  • D Says:
    October 28th, 2009 at 1:06 pm

    i’m SO about to do this. i gave notice last week and my last day is the day before thanksgiving :) I plan to move around for a while and then come back home, but I can not WAIT to get started :)

    Congrats and good luck!

  • Molly Hoyne Says:
    October 28th, 2009 at 1:13 pm

    Saget– I love this and I SO agree! “The biggest obstacles to overcome are tradition, the “norm” and ”you can’t just not work.” Really? I can’t not work. Why? You should pretty much ask “why not” in every roadblock you encounter. Most of the time the answer is “because”…. It’s ridiculous.”

    Lizzie & Kandice- I’m so glad you found us! And I’m with you– Robyn inspires me too. It’s a fabulous reminder of the day that I took the leap and WHY… Oh and if either of you are looking for a great book about going out on your own– Pam Slim’s Escape from Cubicle Nation is a fab read. Both Robyn and I have read it and I always recommend it to my clients!

  • Molly Hoyne Says:
    October 28th, 2009 at 1:15 pm

    Ooh another one! D- good luck. Welcome to the club!! Realize it’s hard and wonderful and exciting all at the same time.

Leave a Reply

name*


email* (will not be published)


website


comments