Old Dog/New Beginning

 I like my new job.

It is nothing like my old job, and that's part of why I like it, even though I liked my old job, too.

My old job had routine, a comfortable routine born of three decades of doing essentially the same thing, just learning new twists along the way as technology advanced and the business grew from 7 employees to over 30. 

My old job was as a credentialed hospital administrator for a busy animal emergency hospital. I dressed business-casual, the last year under new ownership in logo t-shirts and dress jeans. Other than taking care of the plants outside, or getting the mail, it was an inside job. 

My new job is working for an online auction and estate sale service. Other than inputting lots and editing on the computer, it's outside in the non-climate-controlled warehouse. I'm in jeans and t-shirts, with no jewelry, because it's a lot of moving stuff, getting dirty, and sweating. 

My new job has routine, too. Some would say a monotonous routine, but I find it relaxing and interesting. You never know what's going to be in the next box, or come off of the trailer. 

I like putting things in order. I like not being the boss. I like not talking to anyone on the phone. 

I like being outside rather than inside, even though it's still in the 90's during the day, and for the first time in a very long time, I need a quick shower after I get home, in addition to my regular shower after morning chores. 

Do I miss my old job? No. No, I do not. Which seems weird, since I was there almost half my life, but it's the truth. 

Looking for a new job was pretty demoralizing. I will never tell anyone I'm the best at anything, but I do know some things, and I can do some things well. And even though "age discrimination" is supposedly not a thing that should be done, there's no way any employer looked at my resume and added up my last two jobs (30 years and 12 years) and didn't say, "Damn. She's fucking old."

Everyone was looking for a, "Driven, go-getter with exceptional rock star skills to be a team player in our aggressively growing company!' and just reading that made me exhausted. 

Luckily for me, the job I ended up with through a friend (never underestimate networking, even and maybe especially if you're looking for something completely different from what you were doing) requires me to show up on time and work my designated hours in a pleasant atmosphere accurately and cheerfully with people I enjoy spending time with. I can do that.

I like my new job.