My New (Working) Life
I suppose this is how most people must feel after they have a baby! Although, I’m sure it’s way more dramatic and shocking than just getting a new job and a new schedule. So, maybe I’m just being a baby about it, but after my schedule dramatically changing, it seems that I don’t adjust to change that well.
I’m learning to love it though, I’m finding there are so many more pros than cons about this new schedule and new job. And I feel like it’s going to be so much better in the Spring and Summer. Everybody hates you, winter, go away!
Anyway, as of right now, I’ve slowed my job search dramatically. I’m going to be working about 30 hours at my current place, the beer and cheese shop, starting in March and I am actually really excited about it. It’s going to be a bit tough making ends meet, especially since husband and I now have to pay $700/month for health insurance, thanks to the lovely Affordable Care Act. But, I’m not here to complain today, so lets not talk about that! 
It only hit me yesterday, but I’m actually saving a lot of money now, thanks to only working 2 blocks away and to having a non traditional schedule.
Here is what my monthly expenditures used to look like on a regular basis:
- MetroCard: $112
- Lunch: $160 – $180
- Coffee: $40
- Alcohol/Going out: $80
- Online shopping: $60
Total: $392
Some of those figures are pretty spot on, some are a rough estimate. I definitely ate lunch out a lot at my old job, I feel like this is kind of the NYC way, unfortunately. Coffee? Duh. The alcohol/going out part doesn’t have much to do with my old job, but I do go out way less right now, since I don’t have miserable coworkers to commiserate with. And now my beer is all 50% off, so that definitely works out in my favor. And within the last few months of my old job, I sort of picked up an online shopping addiction. It was just so slow at work and I stared at a computer all day, so obviously what else is there to do?
Those figures now?
MetroCard: Currently < $20/month. I work 2 blocks away, therefore don’t use it every day. I barely go into Manhattan and it’s been an awesome change of pace. I’m sure this might change once the nice weather comes around, but for now, it’s been nice staying local.
Lunch: $20 – $30 I go out with friends for a lunch date occasionally. I eat lunch at home now or eat free at work.
Coffee: $5, maybe? I rarely buy coffee anymore. I make it at home in my (new) french press.
Alcohol/Going out: $80 Okay, so this is basically the same. Only because we can have tabs at work and it’s really hard not to leave with bottles of beer, bread, food, etc. every day. We pay them every week or so, so it definitely adds up. Can definitely cut back on this!
Online shopping: $0! Definitely can’t afford this at the moment. I can’t wait to buy my next piece of Oiselle clothing though! There’s so many awesome new things.
New Total: $135
A savings of $257! So, while I’m making less money and working less overall, I suppose it almost evens out.
Other perks?
– More free time. Most days I don’t work till 6pm, so I have all day to do whatever I need/want to. I’m mostly excited for the summer time, when I can go to the park and relax, and to just be outside in general during the peak hours of the day. Mostly I’ve been spending my time inside, I really hate winter and I’m a hermit for the most part.
– Not taking the subway!!! Not taking the subway. Not taking the subway! Pretty much the best perk ever.
– Not staring at a computer for 8 hours a day. This is the first time I’ve sat at my computer in almost 2 months. Granted, I do stare at my phone and ipad a lot, but not having to use a computer for work is glorious!
– Standing! I also stand all day at my job, which can be tiring, but I’m ready to not be sitting all day, so it’s a nice change. It also means that I don’t freeze to death at my job. I move around a lot and sometimes I get hot. I get hot!! Not normal for me at all.
Things are getting better mentally and physically for me and I’m just trying to make it through this awful season 1 day at a time. I can’t wait to feel like a whole new person on that first 60 – 70 degree day! Seriously, cannot freaking wait!!!
Hibernating until the spring!
Life Update
Hello!
I would love to get back to a somewhat normal blogging schedule and I think that’s what will help me fall back into a routine as I’m trying to figure out my new normal.
It’s taking longer than expected for me to snap out of this funk I am in, but every single day I am working on it and really, that’s all I can ask for. Some days are better than others, but I like to think I’m making a bit of progress every week. Life gets in the way, especially when you’re sick and there’s nothing you can really do, but work on getting better and keep resetting yourself. All this time is going to pass anyway, so I try to keep pushing forward and not get discouraged when things don’t go perfectly.
I’m struggling with finding a routine and with not being a lazy piece of shit. There’s a balance that I have yet to achieve. And it doesn’t help that I hate the cold and I barely want to leave my apartment in the winter.
Anyway, I like to think that I’m making some progress, but damn, it’s hard to change your routine when you’ve been working a full time Monday through Friday job for the last 8 years of your life and then suddenly you’re not!
I’m kind of “training” again. Abby graciously made me a training plan to help keep me accountable and it’s somewhat working. I haven’t been following it to a T, but I like to think I’m getting there and it’s certainly better than doing nothing. I’m trying not to be so hard on myself, but also reminding myself how good it feels to run and to push yourself. Finding balance.
As of right now, I’m only signed up for one race in the spring; a 10k on March 29th. I would like to actually race it, so I really need to get my butt in gear and work on many things in order to do that.
I also just turned 30 last week! It was probably one of the best birthdays I’ve had and I am so grateful for all of my friends who made it out to celebrate. Minus the bout of food poisoning Derek and I got from my birthday dinner, it was a fabulous week of celebrating.
Okay, is it Spring yet?
Any tips on finding a routine and actually sticking to it?
Bah Humbug
It’s been three months since I’ve blogged. That might be my longest stretch of silence.
I just don’t like writing about negative things and definitely don’t have anything running related to say.
The last three months have been busy between my 2 jobs, but all was going mostly well up until this last month when for some reason or another I just lost any and all motivation for everything. I worked 15 days in a row up until December 22nd and it was a lot more exhausting than I expected.
Things just haven’t been the greatest around here. I am not going to get into all of them, but I did get laid off from my job that I’ve been at for 5 years. There’s a hiatus happening and depending on if a show sells or not, there’s potential for returning. Either way though, I probably won’t be returning, some shit happened and it’s absolutely time to move on!
I spent 4 days in NH visiting family and it was a pretty great trip! We got to see a lot of family and friends and it was a nice escape for the most part. Back to reality starting today. I would love to say I have all this renewed energy and motivation, but I’m exhausted and I just want to sleep all day.
Starting this week, I have to start a hardcore job search, I definitely cannot pay my rent without a job. My 30th birthday is in 2 weeks and I’m having a hard time not feeling disappointed in myself. I just pictured my life at 30 to be a bit different.
I still have my beer and cheese job, but it’s only part time. I wish it could be a full time job with benefits and stuff because I love it so much, but it’s not possible.
I’ve also gained weight. And not just a measly 5 pounds, but I’m up 15 pounds and I just feel awful about myself. I’m not treating myself well and it’s starting to show, it’s a vicious cycle that I can’t seem to snap out of. My life feels a bit out of control and I don’t like that at all! I just can’t seem to get my shit together and I keep spiraling down a hole.
I don’t feel like a runner anymore either. I’m pretty sure I just went back to the point I was at 7 years ago and I’ve lost that health and fitness mentality. Getting started is so fucking hard!
Whine, whine, whine.
Hopefully the new year will be just what I need to get back to normal. I will have some extra time for a few weeks, so I need to make sure I take advantage of that and get some good workouts in.
Happy New Year?