iDiet

[a weight loss story]

kathrynoh at nemesis dot com dot au

::28.10.05::

Work

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I've been thinking about working part time. I didn't get a chance to mention it to my boss because he called me into a meeting room this morning and told me that our project has run out of money and I only have two days more work!

To begin with, I was shocked and angry. Even when you work contract, it hurts to find out you are no longer required. And it's mighty inconvenient to find out you are being let go on two days notice. I mean, for starters I doubt I'd have spent major dollars at the hairdressers last weekend if I'd known. Plus I don't even know if they can do this - my contract specifies a 4 week notice period.

But, as the day went on, my underlying emotion was happiness.

For the past few years, I've dreamed of taking time off work to write. I've been working on a novel for two years and even had some interest from publishers. Plus I've had a number of short stories published. Up until this year, I was able to work and still write quite prolificly. But this year I've struggled with the writing. I don't know if it's because of work or whether it's too hard to balance work and writing and losing weight and something had to give.

I've been making slow but steady progress on my novel and it's almost finished. For the past month or two, all I've wanted to do is get the first draft finished. Done. Finito. Then I could put it away and work on other things for a while then get stuck into editing the damn thing. All I've needed is time.

On a practical level, now is the time. I have some money put away and my living expenses are minimal. For the first time in years I'm not responsible for anyone but myself. I don't have any huge debts to pay or commitments. This is what I've been working for - to have the freedom to write.

Yet somehow it doesn't seem right - I have that voice saying I can't just not work. Not working is insane and self indulgent and "you just can't do that". Even while I'm typing this, I'm searching through the IT listings on Seek. Work is what people do. They get up and put on a suit and go to their office, whether they like it or not.

But the reality is, I don't have to do that. I have the next four days off work and I think I'll spend them making that voice shut the hell up. I'm going to think about getting up of a morning, sitting in the sun having a leisurely breakfast followed by a walk or maybe some time in a quiet, empty gym then coming home to sit at my desk and work. With some planning and frugal living I can do just that.

# 8 comments * Post a Comment

Work. Work is what you do to get paid. If you can do work that you love (writing) and get paid for it even though you could possibly have done half of it whilst in your pyjama's and your hair all messed up - then do it. It is still honourable, honest, bloody hard work. No one said that all work had to be in an office working for someone you hate getting paid an amount determined by someone else. No-one. Yes it is the norm. But you are not just normal. You are extraordinary and I think you will be HUGE in the literary world.

Do it. Do it. Do it.

I'll add your name to the list of future authors I want to read. Daniel Hatardi is the other one.

Have a great weekend (and even though I said all the above it still sucks that you could get your contract cut with such short notice. My DH works contract and we have been in that situation too many times now) :)

By Margaret, at 8:57 pm

I agree with M. Do it. if thats your love and you can get paid for it why the hell not.
also congrats on the loss

fiona

By Baby Bump Wanted, at 10:13 am

I think you should go for it, I plan to do this myself one day, not to write but to just do something that I want to do & not have to worry about working

By Kt, at 12:18 pm

Whatever makes you happy I say. Life is too short!

By Suzy, at 1:01 pm

Hey gorgeous - if your cntract states 4 weeks and they only want you for 2 days they must pay you for the rest of the 4 weeks - whether you are there or not has no bearing. So take some time look for jobs AND write to your hearts content for 4 whole weeks. You may find that you don't HAVE to go back to work at all. Afterall writing is work. Just cause you love it doesn't make it a worthless career.

Hugs and kisses

By Jadey, at 9:36 am

Yep, like all the others have said...do it girl!

I'd love to give up work right now. I have this really weird desire to be a stay at home Mum, and not have to get up at 5.45 each morning to get to the gym, or rush home for 6.00 at night so that I've got enough time to cook dinner, get child showered, spend a bit of quality time with her before her bedtime.

Yep, do it girl!

By Jaykay, at 8:53 pm

Sorry to hear about the contract. That really sucks and I know the contract game too well. Working part time sounds like a good idea though. I do that just so I have a regular income coming in and then I can do my own thing.

You're a writer also! It's so weird to watch my own partner hold down a full time job and write a novel. I can see how hard it can be and the determination one must have. Dan keeps talking about *if only* he had a part time job to read and write more. I think trying to lose weight takes alot out of you too. This year, my own business took a back seat to the weight loss journey because I can't put that much effort into too many things at once.

I believe you can do this!! I have 2 friends in Melbourne that are full time writers. Poor as hell but they get up every morning, exercise/socialise, then write for a certain amount of hours (like an office worker) each day. You can do whatever you put your mind too and if you stay honest with yourself about your efforts, how can you not succeed! :-)

By Mary, at 12:13 pm

Mary told me about your blog so I thought I'd mosey on over.

I wonder how many writers go through this? Probably most. I'm still going through it. And it will take years, but I'm sticking to my guns.

Writing IS work. Lots of very hard work. It IS a real job.

Go for it!

(this message brought to you by the letter D)

By Daniel Hatadi, at 3:53 pm