Today is National Get-Over-It Day. Of course, that is easier said than done. I had my share of corporate takeovers and crazy executives during my career. Being laid off is never fun, and you are forced to figure out how to live without a paycheck. Thankfully, I was always able to land on my feet. In my last job, the CFO knew less about accounting that I know about brain surgery. Plus he thought he was the greatest of all time. Not a good combination. That job became so painful that I chose to retire instead of suffering that man another minute.
Still, I did always overcome adversity. After the surge of emotion and hand wringing has passed, you learn that life is better than before. The demons who plagued your career are way back in the rear view mirror. After some time, you even feel sorry for their miserable lives. If your supervisor (boss) is a jerk, chances are that his/her life is many times worse than your own. Having some financial security allows you to let it go.
Other aspects of life are more difficult to accept. Divorce comes to mind. Even though the event was not good, over time you realize that everything will be okay. Being a man of strong faith helps a lot. That is how I feel now. Everything I need is within easy reach. I must confess that I do not need a lot. My life is simple. My diet is simple. My needs are simple. When I consider leaving California, I know that the appropriate time will come in due course.
I now realize that my earlier life was tough! Driving the kids to school. Waking every day at six o’clock in the morning to get to work on time. Traveling all over the place for work (that part was actually fun, most of the time). Plus I met a lot of great people, many of whom I am still connected to via social media or the telephone.
I suppose the best thing is to say that our working life is complicated. Retirement is much less so. Now, my major focus is my books. I have written many stories and my brain is still overflowing with new ideas. I will allow those stories to be written in their time, even though I feel the need to do stuff faster. That feeling is a vestige of my working life. Nothing could ever be completed fast enough. I will let that worry go too.
Once again, please check out the blog posts by the other authors who are participating in this challenge. I know you will learn a lot. All the best!
Loved the comments about getting over it Karl. Life can be a strain. I recall experiencing times when I thought I’d leave nursing. Not because of the patients but some of the seniors and their nasty ways. As you say time helps in getting over it.
Joy, too many folks think they are better than everyone else. I could list some bosses’ names, but most people never heard of them or their companies. All the best.
To me, retirement is heaven on earth so it’s easy to concentrate on the good and positive things, which overall seem to be my key to getting over it.
Karen, thanks for the great thoughts. I also keep a positive outlook on each new day. Usually, I am not disappointed.
Hi Karl–I only worked in not-for-profits during the time when I had a “day” job. (I still work one day a work, also in non-commercial radio–still the not-for-profit sector). I was only laid off one: when the hospital I was working in merged with a big hospital system. I was fifty-nine years old. The way I “got over it” was to write a parody of Janis Ian’s song “At Seventeen”:
I learned the truth at fifty-nine
Employers think I’m past my prime
And so on.
It was 2008, smack dab in the middle of a recession. I only had two weeks left on unemployment and finally found a job. I had to color my hair for the first time in my life and a few other things to get over it. I find there are other things that are easier to get over. My latest phrase is, “If that’s the worst thing that happens to me today, I’m golden.” That helps in the day-to-day stuff.
Great post.
Wanda
I agree with your philosophy, Wanda. When I wake each day, I know it’s another opportunity to make my little world better, even if that means that I leave everyone else alone.
Karl, there is always a toxic person in and out of our lives. I encountered mine when I ran for school board and had to endure a male board member whom I knew from a former job. He was not very nice to me and I put up with his nasty and rude behavior every now and then. On his last day of being on the board, he was shaking board members hands. When he got to me, all smiles, I said to him, “I’m so happy that you are leaving!” The look of surprise on his face was priceless. I laugh everytime I think about this. It was the best payback ever and it was spontaneously done. 😏😏
Thank you for letting us into your life and seeing your soul-searching insights.
Hi, Karl,
I don’t think we were every meant to have a painless, carefree life on this earth. It is not possible. Everyone has something within them that makes them imperfect.
As for retirement, I plan to work until my purpose is completely finished.
Enjoy your retirement.
Shalom shalom
Hi Karl. I can understand how you felt after getting laid off and being anxious about how you were going to make ends meet. As a manufacturing executive during most of my career, I was “let go” several times – the longest I was unemployed was six months. Two of these occurrences happened after I turned around facilities operating in the red with low performance and delivery issues. One was an Indian owned plastic company, and the other was family-owned automotive supplier. In both cases, I was able to completely turn both around within a year and was then “let go” and replaced by a family member. I held grudges against both for the longest time and then got over it after beginning my new adventure with another company.
Hi, Karl,
It helps to let go when we learn life is fluid. Nothing lasts forever, bad or good. The journey grows us. It eventually teaches us that everything we went through was for our good. It seems the older I get, the easier it is to let go.
Blessings,
Patty
For me, it was my faith that set me free. While we all have ups and downs, I manage to keep going and I rarely worry about anything. God will provide.