The Long Goodbye

In the middle of July I did something that most people only think about – I quit my job for the purpose of not being employed. I am leaving a stable, well-insured, and well-compensated job so I can give up my apartment, throw suitcases in my car, and just drive.

We’ve all had that moment at work where we want to shout “Screw it!” and run out of the office, never to come back. My departure wasn’t nearly that dramatic or spontaneous. In reality it was a yearlong decision that culminated in a very determined, but tearful, conversation with my boss and mentor of ten years. While burnt out professionally, I am genuinely sad to leave my place of employment.  But it’s for an opportunity that will give me the chance to recuperate from a stressful few years and allow me to better choose where I want to go next. Because all I know right now, is that the pre-determined ‘next step up the ladder’ is not the direction I want to take.

It’s been a slow start to my relocation process.  Over the last six weeks I’ve timed most things in my life to end the same week as my employment – exercise class, voice lessons, etc. All the normal, repeating parts of each week will cease to exist after this Friday. I did it purposefully, like a door closing. It was making it easier to manage… pre-August 29 = normal life / post-August 29 = not-normal life. Makes sense, right? What I didn’t take into account is the fact that I’d now be spending an entire five days saying goodbye to people who have become significant parts of my life. Logistically it was a brilliant decision – emotionally it was a horrible one.

But, dear reader, as you’ll come to know (assuming you stick with me) is that I’m never one to dwell on the ‘feels.’ At least publicly. So the majority of this blog will feature notes from my ever progressing journey – both in life and logistically – as I migrate across the United States and into Canada, eventually driving back down through the western U.S. We’ll commiserate over flat tires, random road-side attractions, the process of finding a place to live within a two week deadline, and the fear flatlanders experience while driving in mountainous terrain. As well as, what I assume, is the eventual panic I’ll feel when it finally hits me that I quit my job, gave-up my apartment, and threw suitcases in my car… all so I could ‘just drive.’