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Jobs: When to Switch and How to

There are times when you get a job and later on decide it isn’t for you. That is okay. Take what you learned and find your next new job.

Sometimes, you need to switch jobs. There can be many different reasons to switch. Some of these can include a bad boss, a bad work environment, a need for different hours, changing industries, moving, an illness that makes you unable to work, etc.

There are many valid reasons to want out of a job. However, before you quit, you probably need to think about a few things.

Why Do You Want to Switch

First, think about why you want out of this job. Do you need to work shorter hours, do you need to be in a different environment, etc.? That reason will help you decide what the right next job is for you.

Next, ponder your timeline. A new job is not guaranteed to appear when you need it. Can you financially handle not having an income for a few months, or do you need to look while you keep working right now?

The last thing I would do before beginning my search is figuring out how to avoid getting myself into the position I am in with my current job. This may include a list of traits I want to see in a boss or how the employees look while they are working.

When I begin searching, I keep what I want and how I want to feel there in mind. I keep an open mind regarding my searches, including job titles, companies, and wages.

Job Search: Keep an Open Mind

The most significant lessons I have learned from my jobs and searches are keeping an open mind, knowing what you want, and listening to your gut.

I learned from my previous job that if you get an uneasy feeling during the interview, it never really goes away once you start working there. It may even get worse.

The one other thing is staying true to yourself when you are switching jobs. No one but you knows what you feel and what you want.

If you are new here, welcome! Please feel free to read My Story about how I got my brain injury.

Therapy: Make Time for Yourself

Therapy is a healthy part of your life. The world is crazy and personal life doesn’t take a break. It’s beneficial to have someone to talk to

Therapy tends to get a bad rap. When people hear that someone is going to therapy, they immediately go to something is wrong with them.

The world is a crazy, unpredictable place. It can feel overwhelming. On top of what is happening in the public world, things are going on in your personal life.

No Shame in going to Therapy

There is no shame in needing extra help to navigate what is going on in life. I always turn to my friends and family, but there are also times when I want someone’s opinion who is completely removed.

It can be beneficial to hear an opinion from someone who has no relation to what is happening in life. Therapy can offer a different and new perspective.

The therapist could provide a piece to the puzzle you have been missing.
I felt at the time that therapy is a nuisance. “I have so much to do, and I don’t have time to sit and talk about my feelings to someone.” It is okay to feel. I am sure everyone could have these thoughts at times.

Choosing Yourself

I have found that when I have those thoughts, that is probably when I need it the most. It requires discipline. Discipline when you need it the most can be the most difficult.

It is worth it. I view taking the time to go to therapy as choosing yourself. When you choose yourself, you will be happier in life.

We all have feelings, and some of the feelings take time to process. We are all just trying to live the best life we can live. If for you that means going to therapy, do it!

Even when life is good, keep going. If you keep going to therapy even when you feel like you don’t need it, when something does come up, you already have an appointment. You can process things as they come up, and you don’t have to wait for the next available appointment.

Therapy is suitable for everyone. There is no shame in talking to someone; it is a healthy choice. Choose yourself.

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Trusting Doctor’s Opinions in an Unknown World

The ability to trust a doctor is crucial. They are the ones we turn to when things are wrong. We need to trust that they advocate for us.

Having a doctor you trust is vital. When there is something wrong with your body, doctors are who we turn to. They are considered the experts.

I used just to accept that my doctor knew everything and would listen to my concerns. While I have always been heard, my recently received responses are disheartening.

I have gained some weight and developed a sharp pain in my stomach. I felt dismissed when I went to my first doctor to discuss my symptoms. They told me to lose weight, and everything will return to normal.

I accepted this because they were the doctor, and they knew best. I began my journey to lose weight. A few months in, something didn’t feel right. I trusted my doctor and started the program he wanted me to do.

Turning Point

When I began my first full-time job, I changed my health insurance provider, which meant switching doctors. After a year of my pain getting worse, I went to my new doctor.

At this appointment, I had probably gained more weight or didn’t lose any. The doctor listened to my story and referred me to a gastroenterologist. The suggestion was that I get an endoscopy and colonoscopy.

I felt excited that someone had listened to me and accepted that there might be more than just my weight. While these aren’t pleasant tests, they did turn up conditions. I was diagnosed with gastritis and esophagitis.

They also found a precancerous polyp in my colon. That is when it hit me; if I hadn’t changed my doctor, that polyp would have probably turned into cancer.

Finding Trust

The diagnosis also meant that I could start healing and living my life. I felt great until a month before my colonoscopy and endoscopy. Fast-forward to now, I still have my diagnosis.

The good news is that I have amazing doctors that I completely trust. I now have faith that I will be heard and worked with when I have an issue.

I have started a blog about my journey in healing gastritis. If you are curious about my journey, please check it out.

As always, you can follow me on social media. Here is the page that provides all the information.

Regrets: Life is Full of Them

Regrets are a part of decision-making. They happen. They are also a consequence of taking risks. Some risks flop, but taking risks allows forward movement.

When making decisions, regrets may happen. There are times when you make one choice and then realize it is not something you want to do.

I was recently in a situation where I regretted saying yet to something. I decided to quit my job, which I stand by. However, during my last two weeks, I was asked if I wanted to go part-time. At the time, I said yes. Days later, when I was still stressing about it, I realized that I regretted this decision.

I finished working last Friday. After a stressful afternoon, I told my boss that I decided that working part-time would not work for me. I ended up just quitting. While it is not the easiest to quit a job without a plan, sometimes you have to do it.

This job was not good for my mental health, and it was time for me to find something that I could call a career. I have excellent support around me and understanding people.

I believe that regrets are part of life. When you regret a decision, there are things you have to remember and steps you can take to correct it.

How to Handle Regrets

The first thing to remember is that most decisions are never final. If you make one choice, you can choose to change the choice or make a different decision to change what you picked.

Next is that you should feel no shame in changing your mind. It is difficult to tell someone you will do something and then backtrack on what you said. While this is difficult, you need to remember it is your life, and you have to feel good about what you do with it.

When you choose your happiness over pleasing people, life will be enjoyable. It is okay to have regrets. The key is to know how to fix it to feel good about your life.

If you are new here, welcome. Please read My Story to learn more about me.

Great Resignation: A Turning Point

The great resignation can be a turning point for the American workforce. This change may be able to benefit people with brain injuries.

Since the pandemic, the workforce has changed. Everyone is realizing that they can work from home in certain professions. Many people have heard about this thing called the great resignation.

The workers want these changes, but the companies they work for are running behind schedule. This is creating people wanting to quit.

People want flexibility and the luxury of working from home. This has the potential to create a better work-life balance. That is the crux of this problem. The idea that we must work our lives away is awful.

The lack of work-life balance in America creates mental health problems for the workforce. Now that workers have been able to take a step back, they have come to realize that prioritizing mental health is vital to a good life.

Increased flexibility would allow for more free time in life and take a mental health day when needed.

Great Resignation: Revamp

The work-life in America needs a revamp. The ability to take a mental health day needs to be the norm. I have personally felt it. I lied and said that I had a few appointments one day so that I could take the day off.

Workers have made it clear that these kinds of changes are necessary. Companies now need to realize that workers will come back if these changes are made.

Work flexibility doesn’t have to mean a lack of productivity; in fact, other countries with a shorter workweek have shown that employees are more productive than a typical forty-hour workweek.

Great Resgination: A plus for Brain Injuries

If changes are actually made, this may benefit people with brain injuries. Some people can’t work due to their injury because it is too overwhelming and exhausting.

When the work environment becomes more relaxed and/or the week gets shorter, people with brain injuries may be able to reenter the workforce.

If you are new here, welcome. Please head over to My Story and read more about me.

Giving Thanks: Making the most of life

Thanksgiving is a time to remind us that we need to take time to give thanks. It is always important to give thanks.

Thursday is Thanksgiving in the United States. Sometimes after an injury, it can be challenging to find what you are grateful for. There is always something to give thanks about.

I believe that life will be happier if one can find at least something good in life. I think I have said it before, and I will repeat it, you are here reading this right now. That means you are alive and breathing. That is something to be thankful for.

There are times when you feel as though there is nothing to be thankful for, but I promise there is always something. Being grateful can improve mood and outlook on life.

Life can be difficult. There are plenty of times when nothing seems to be going your way. This can be especially true after suffering a brain injury.

The importance of appreciating when you have can help you get through the day. Long, hard days are rough and finding even one thing to be thankful for can turn your outlook on the day around.

Things to give thanks for

I am thankful for my family. They never gave up on me and stuck with me when I needed them the most. They are the reason I can do everything I can today.

I am grateful that I was able to finish school. It took a lot of work and persistence, but I never gave up and worked as hard as possible to be successful.

I am thrilled that I have gained my independence to do things I want to do. There was a question when I was born as to what I would be able to do.

As crazy as it sounds, I am thankful for my brain injury. It is the reason I am who I am and work as hard as I do to succeed in what I want.

This week, I challenge you to keep track of things you are thankful for. You don’t even have to celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday to participate in this challenge. Let me know what you come up with.

If you are new here, welcome. Please read more about me.

New Job: Getting used to it

A new job can be scary and overwhelming. Here is some advice I have that helped me get used to being back in the workforce.

New Lifestyle

Two months ago, I got a new job. I had been looking for a job for about nine months. On top of those nine months, I had been staying at home for almost a year before that.
While I was excited about a new job, there were a lot of nerves. I didn’t want to be away from home for many hours at a time. The first week was rough, I cried every day, but I still went.
After a week or two, life at work started to feel more normal. I was able to leave the house without a pit in my stomach. I want to offer advice to people who are getting back into the workforce.

One thing at a time

My first piece of advice is to take it one day at a time. If that is too much, try one hour at a time. This will allow the job not to feel as overwhelming.
Your first few days at a job will be full of rules, duties, and learning how your company works. All of this information can create anxiety. This is where taking information one thing at a time is vital. Taking things slowly will allow you to feel calm and like you can succeed.

Talk to Coworkers

Another way to help the transition into a new job is by talking to your coworkers. You are going to spend much of your day with these people. You might as well know who they are.
They do not have to be your best friend, but as long as you have some coworkers, you get along with. This will make lunchtime less stressful and create a network to turn to if you have a problem or need help with something.

Find Routine

The final piece of advice I have is to create a morning and evening routine. My morning routine allows me to sleep as long as I can before needing to get ready for work.
My evening routine lets me get stuff done that is not work-related, as well as getting myself ready for the next day. Later I will talk more about what my routines look like.
The act of getting used to a new job can be scary, intimidating, and anxiety-provoking. Remember, a job is not forever. If you still hate it in 3 months, you can quit and find a different one.

If you are new here, welcome! Please read more about me in My Story.

Helmets: They save lives

Helmets are an important piece of equipment. Just like knee pads, they can help protect a vital organ that allows you to function.

Thankfully, my dad wears helmets. A little over a month ago, there was a severe accident in my family. My dad was on his usual bike ride when he had his accident. There was no foul play involved. We have minimal information as to what happened.

He was unable to remember anything for more than five seconds. After scans and tests, his doctors concluded that he was suffering from a slight brain bleed. After 24 hours in the hospital, he improved enough to come home.

A brain bleed is just what it sounds, but for my dad, the bleed wasn’t entirely in the brain; it was in the layers between the skull and the brain. It was a minimal bleed.

Once he was home, he slept a lot and had to take things slow. Now, he is almost entirely back to normal. That is a result of a concussion. It is a slow process, but every day he continues to improve.

Normal means that he is able to work all day without the need for a nap. His recovery is impressive. There were some estimates that the healing process would take more than three months.

He has not fully healed, but he is now expected to make a full recovery. This prognosis is thanks to the fact that he was wearing his helmet.

Helmets provide protection

A helmet will not stop every injury, but it can save your life. Some people choose not to wear helmets because the helmets are not fashionable.

Our culture needs to normalize wearing a helmet. The helmet needs to be worn for safety and protection.

I tell you this story to ask you to wear a helmet when you participate in sports requiring one.

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Anniversary: Your Second Chance

The anniversary of your injury is a time to celebrate your second chance at life. How do you acknowledge your injury anniversary?

The anniversary of when a brain injury is a day your life changed forever. A few days ago marked 26 years since my brain injury. It is not much of a big deal other than the fact it is my birthday.

The sole reason I don’t view it as a huge deal because I didn’t have a life before. While it is not a big deal for me, others view this day differently.

As I said earlier, this day is the day one’s life changed forever. It is the day where your old life ended, and your new life begins.

The way you handle the anniversary is vital to your happiness in life. I understand it is tough to see your life change. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.

While you may not understand why your brain became injured, but it did. Now there is a new purpose in your life. It is time to get excited about what the future can hold.

It is okay to mourn the life you used to know; however, you need to be able to pick yourself up after some time. After you are done recovering, find things you enjoy doing.

Celebrate your Anniversary

If you can find something you can do and enjoy it, begin to do it. While creating your new life may take some time, you can create something you look forward to.

When the anniversary of your new life beginning arrives, you can take time to remember the life you used to live. I would encourage you to make a list of suitable items you accomplished throughout the year.

Your anniversary can be a rebirth. You can celebrate it like a second birthday. Celebrate with friends and family or do something special for just yourself.

I would suggest not allowing the day to just being another day in your life. At least acknowledge what the day is and its importance.

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Transitions: There is no escape

Life is full of transitions. They are natural and we can’t stop them from happening. The control you have is how you handle the transition.

I haven’t posted in a while. I was busy finishing school assignments. Now I am done. There are classic transitions in life, and then there are unusual transitions.

As children, all we know in school. Suddenly, we graduate from high school or college, and it is time to enter the career world.

I have experienced that having a job is very different from going to school daily. This is a natural step to take in life. The most challenging transition is that you don’t get summers off.

Oh well, the loss of extended breaks from work is tough, but the adult world is different. Other transitions in life can include getting married, going through a breakup, moving, or retiring.

Transitions Reflection

After any transition, it is essential to some time to reflect. This allows you to take inventory and move forward how you want your life to look like.

While taking inventory, think about what you did not like in the previous life stage and how you can change it with this new adventure.

It is also vital to examine what you enjoyed and think of ways to keep the components you enjoy. There are always ways to change and retain what you want.

I have found it helpful to talk about how you are feeling with a trusted friend or family member. They may have different ideas for you.

Trusted friends and family members have given me new perspectives or ways of handling the new journey in life. This transition time may be uncomfortable.

For however long, you have been living in a routine for some amount of time, and now that routine is changing. Change is difficult, and it will result in some uncomfortable times.

Being uncomfortable is okay; it is how we grow as people. I genuinely believe that in the end, everything will work out.

If you are new here, welcome. If you want to know more, please read my story.