It's been 27 years since I've had to look for a job ~ and last Tuesday I was Laid off.  Having mixed feelings.  Working at home has been a blessing for me during the years I've raised by son but now that he's grown and out of school it's no longer necessary.  Working "remotely" is exactly that ~ little communication with supervisors let alone anyone else in the company and you get on your computer and bust your Butt to get through the day (when you get paid per line believe me, you bust your butt) 8+ hours a day because there's not enough steady work to keep you typing.

Was I upset I was laid off?  Of course I was.  But it was also the kick in the butt I needed to look at other opportunities.  I'd been told by a co-worker about a month earlier that we should think about what we do for a living (many hospitals are replacing medical transcriptionists with voice recognition programs), so I started joining email lists from Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilder, Simply Hired, etc., opened an account on LinkedIn and put two resumes together ~ one for medical transcription and one for career change.

After being out of work for only a few days I'm already getting anxious.  Sure, I'll be getting unemployment but I am a worker.  I enjoy working and feeling like I'm contributing to something bigger than myself.  But I have to say I am relieved I no longer work for my former employer.  When you are unhappy with your job ~ which takes up 40 hours of your week, week after week ~ it's time to move on.  It's time to knock on the door of opportunity and find something that fills not only your monetary needs but those I feel are just as a important ~ personal pride, self-dignity and the feeling that you matter, you're important and you are appreciated.