One of the weird things about a layoff is extraction. I have a long runway before I'm actually no longer with the company. I'm still working, mainly with the people who I have to complete projects with or transition those projects to. I'm never a fan of companies that show people the door the minute they are let go, unless it is for cause or if that person works in a particularly sensitive area. Giving people time allows them to prepare, and help the people they are leaving prepare. It's easy to be bitter and say "I'm giving them nothing" but that's counterproductive. Best to leave on a high note and focus on the future.
In the meantime, I'm not really working as much as I had been. I was literally told I can do whatever I want and handle it all as I see fit. So I'm doing what's right for myself while doing what's right for the people I worked with and respect.
The question is how to split my time. I put in an hour in the AM at work. If I have calls or meetings (which I still have on the calendar through next week) I am taking them, and transitioning off. I'm letting people know my situation. I'd say I started my job search, but reality is that I'm always 'searching' even when I'm working. So the truth is I haven't ramped that up to a full-time search. "The hardest job is finding a job," my father once told me. Very true. Particularly now. I do have clients reaching out, a few may have ideas or directions they can assist me with. So I spend a little time in the AM looking at openings.
I started putting more time in at the gym. Covid had caused me to stop, and once it had reopened I was going sporadically. Now I'm 100% all in. Every day, at least for cardio, slowly getting into other routines, too. Nothing helps attitude more than good health. Endorphins (or, as a friend of mine once called them, "endolphins") do help create positive mindsets. I do love dolphins.
I have volunteered for 3 hours a week at the food bank. I may increase that, we'll see how my schedule develops.
I am clearing out, and cleaning, the house. You'd think that work-from-home means you clean the house more. Some portions are more well cared for. I admit, we became a little lazy about that. When you're around it all the time you can sometimes stop thinking about obvious things. Starting with the basement and working my way up. Mrs. Bulldog just stopped by and said she'd found a $100 gift certificate from my father to a restaurant we enjoyed at the Grounds for Sculpture. Must have been from last Christmas - so make sure you go through things before you throw them away.
I am reading more. Finishing "Days of Rage" and then on to "Spillover" by David Quammen. "Paris 1919" after that, and "Great Society" by Amity Shlaes. In my estimation, "Days of Rage" is probably one of the most useful and timely books to understand why we're seeing what we're seeing today, why it's nothing new, but also where it is all coming from.
It's all just a start. There's a need to have a schedule and develop a routine. Can't just flip a switch and get there overnight, so trying baby steps and making changes slowly and deliberately. This is my fourth day at working to my new future, so it's still embryonic stuff.
The one last item which I have more time for is writing. Not just Maggie's, though our glorious editor told me to go for the 'big bucks' and write more here. I've found if I write down one positive paragraph a day for myself, it is a good feeling. You can feel like the day has been a success. Make it a positive thought, action or event, or an uplifting statement about a person. Knowing something good came from each day is fulfilling, helps end on a happy note, and sets the tone for the next day.
