Yesterday I quit my part time job. It had been 12 years since I had been employed by someone other than myself. Here are four things I learned in the two months I worked for someone else.

I’m someone who values ‘high meaning’ in my work. That means I really struggle to complete repetitive tasks and stay mentally well unless I have the big picture. But as a minimum wage casual worker that was above my pay grade. I found myself in Struggle Town very quickly.
I like to feel useful and used to my capabilities. And then even a little bit further so I feel like I’m growing.
I can be really good at many things. Menial things, important things, humdrum things or groundbreaking things. Choose carefully the things you put your attention on. What you practice you get good at.
Self employment is terrifying and destabilising at times but working for someone else uses up my energy and my time. Two things that amount to the most important things we have.

And so I’m now ‘unemployed’ again but very busy painting, back doing what I love to do.

Lessons learned.

Mind refocussed and grateful.

Paintbrush in hand.