"Rest If You Must..."

"... but don't you quit."

In a month's time, I will be without a job. After ten years of working (hard), I am taking some time off, a few months to a year :-). How did it get to this point? Well, really a combination of both uncontrollable events, and personal decision. As I alluded to in a previous post, my current role has been made obsolete, and while the company I have served faithfully declared an unwillingness to let me go, the alternative positions offered were not of my liking really, and to accept them would not have been fair. So in a way, I am a victim of what is happening as a result of the global economic downturn. But not really a 100% true. In our language, umarte din naman ako.

It was no easy decision of course. My nonchalance now has only been made possible because of the gut-wrenching process that I had to go through. My emotions are still a mixed set until now, though. Not surprisingly, my bipolarity has spiked just as much too.

Resting, but not quitting. That is what I am doing. Exciting. Scary. Not for the weak.

You need to be a hare in this race called life. Not the tortoise, no matter what that fable said. The hare was just a bit irresponsible, sleeping (?) and allowing the very slow tortoise to win that race. That hare deserved to be barbequed.

I imagine with all that is happening around us, a lot of people are considering to take a breather from work. Some don't have a say in this, and are unilaterally let go by their organizations. Others, who may be to a degree fortunate to be left behind, may find the remnant organization demotivating - more work, same or less pay, increasing uncertainty, no security. Demotivation or low morale is like being sucked off of all your happiness by Dementors. You need to be a Harry Potter to cast that Patronus spell. Still, others just want to, simply because they can.

Everyone I have consulted regarding taking my own sabbatical was unanimous in agreeing to the merits of the break. It is as normal as the need for sleeping on a daily basis, or the cycle of boom and bust of economies. Yet, as mentioned, it is not for the weak. One needs to be able to plan the break in advance. Yes, even those who may suddenly find themselves fired without warning.

This means that at any point, everyone needs to set aside some resources (money) and contingencies for such an event. And really, trust me, no one is expendable. When that company's bottomline bleeds, you are really just a resource in this whole capitalistic game. I have nothing against capitalism, mind you. It is just how it is. Some people say you need about the equivalent of 3-4 months salary as contingency. Who knows what the real buffer level should be? Only you, of course!

For those who have the benefit of being able to plan in advance, then the process becomes more exciting. more painful too, since it becomes protracted.

As a final point perhaps, I have been asked what I plan to do during my break. Take a break!

A break in itself is a productive endeavor. It allows your mind and body to recharge. However, should you fear becoming unproductive, it also doesn't harm to have a back up plan for productivity. Learning a new skill (driving for me) for example, is one.

(will be continued if something brilliant comes up my now-getting-relaxed-mind).