Change can be like Benadryl, it tastes like shit, but it makes you better. That’s the best way to describe the last four months of my life. Change, every minute, every hour, every day.
At my age, that’s enough to send to the nearest bar to drown your sorrows in a fancy bottle of champagne. But I didn’t and for that I am thankful. You see, this year I changed jobs for the first time in fifteen years. The first stop, was working part-time from home, which was great because I was still studying and I enjoyed the freedom of doing the washing in the middle of the day. If felt like a summer that would never end.
Until two weeks ago. I started at Mamamia as Managing Editor. A very different work environment to the one I am used to. There were women, oh so many women, so very different to the corridors of men I am used to. The work was challenging and so foreign to me. I loved that it challenged me, but it scared me at the same time.
I used know how to get into the building, where the toilet was and where to buy my lunch. I caught planes and took meetings and lived safe in the knowledge that I had it covered. Most of the first week at my new job I kept telling myself to breathe. The rest of time, I resisted the urge to flee. And I am happy to report that I am still here. So, that brings me to what I am thankful for…
I am thankful for my kind bosses for giving an old political hack a go. I am thankful to the wonderful girls in editorial who make me feel better about all the mistakes I make. I am thankful for the gang in advertising for smiling at me and making me feeling welcome and I am thankful to the guys in IT for not laughing at me when I ask dumb questions.
All of this is on top of feeling grateful that I have two arms and legs that work, a brain that functions, and family and friends that love me so much they make a phone call each day to make sure I am okay.
This weekend is Thanksgiving in the United States – with that in mind, why not tell us what you are thankful for…