Well, after 98 days of unemployment, I started back to work this week. Monday morning was mixed emotions of being excited and nervous and wanting to work but also wanting to be in early retirement; and wanting to spend the day biking instead. But, once I was back at work, it felt good. Within the first few minutes of my first massage, I felt back. I felt like my body just took over and I was in the right place and like I was refreshed and ready to be there. (And man were people happy to see us!)
Wearing a mask was no trouble at all and it actually has the benefits of not wondering about my breath or food in my teeth. I continued to not wear makeup, as I had been doing over the 14 weeks off, but I added a little mascara and eye liner, because that is all people are seeing anyways. I liked the printed fabric masks I got and actually ordered a couple more because they are the “pop of colour” to my standard work uniform of all black. (As my very young daughter once said to describe her mom’s job: “My mom dresses up in all black and massages people”….no, there was no subsequent investigation)
I have to say, some whimsical bluebirds on my face is a lovely summertime accessory that can really showcase that eye makeup! I am really feeling these florals and neutral-but-something-special prints. And pinning up my hair every day to keep it out of the way and not so hot is a real time saver.
I also had the amazing and long awaited move of my home gym, this week. The few major factors in the search for our last house were: a huge garage for him and a place to park a trailer. A dining room big enough for a long table, a second bathroom and a room where I could build my much desired home gym. Check, Check, Check. But as we parted, I had to leave behind the gym I loved due to lack of space (for the time being).
As of last weekend, my lovely friend and roommate moved on and I was left with a room to make into a gym; so I rented a van and got that party started at 9 am Wednesday. I am very thrilled! The timing couldn’t be more perfect either, with unknowns about returning to commercial gyms and when/how I’d like to do that.
As the work week went on I was reminded of my return to less time for planning social engagements and the restrictions that having a job puts on your free time (Stupid “earning money”!) I have been popping things into my calendar while trying to maintain some sense of summertime ease, despite a return to having places to be and things to do.
On the flip side of that, I was totally thrilled to now look forward to more income, and felt a huge sense of relief at going to grab some groceries, and plan a few birthday gifts and splurges, which my very fortunate; but greatly reduced, unemployment income couldn’t accommodate. I felt so happy and lucky to have had a partner through this who picked up the slack, but so glad to finally not need to be so dependent.
One shocker with the return to work was not only lack of soreness, but actually reduced soreness! Knee pain that has been stabbing me for ages has been greatly reduced and my whole body feels better. I lost a couple pounds and have been feeling much more mobile. Even though I was exercising like normal, while I was off, I was sitting WAY more. My job keeps me physically moving and on my feet for hours a day. Overall, I am using my hands and body and standing, lunging and leaning, for 20 some hours and week. On leave, I sure as hell wasn’t doing that; as the evidence of watching the whole series of Game of Thrones, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and many smaller series would divulge. I guess I don’t do well with sitting.
I will miss the full weekends off with my boyfriend and all the time I got to share with my kids; full days/weeks with my daughter. But I have adjusted my Saturday schedule to find more balance and summer holidays still allow for more time that the kids are available when I am too.
Talking with clients this week and being back with my coworkers and in a routine has been wonderful overall. The time off was fun and boring; and enlightening and somehow far too long and far too short. But I am very lucky feeling this week, as ever; and hope to keep that in mind when I begrudge not being able to bike all day Monday because I have to earn a living or something.
Periscopecake 