Summer is here...one more week of this job, and then it's just over. Kind of afraid that work became my whole life, so when work isn't there anymore, I won't know what to do. I'm already kind of dealing with that today. I will have a couple months between employment, so hopefully that will be enough time to sort this out.
Despite it all, I did actually do a bunch of things this year. Here's some 2026 highlights so far:
I enjoyed my friend-group's annual fiber craft retreat! A weekend of knitting, laughing, and relaxing.
We got to see On Cinema live in Atlanta! It was a fantastic time, though I wish I could have seen Gregg Turkington more clearly from our seats.
Visited a cave with my roommate and their family! On our way there, we stopped in Pigeon Forge for roadside fun.
H.A.G.S!!!
My coworker recently asked me if I miss working in animation, and after thinking really hard about it for a moment, I realized I don't. It was a really interesting realization and not something I had actively thought about. It's not that I disliked it, but I feel more fullfilled and challenged in my current career. I like it better! Even though I still suffer from crazy imposter syndrome and horrible work-life balance.
We're nearing summer vacation, and I'm preparing to collapse into a puddle and sleep for a week. I am also quitting my current job!!! Because it's horrible. I know I just said I love my current career, but the place I work is incredibly toxic and unethical. It's painful working here and I feel ashamed to tell anyone where I work, so easy solution, now that I'm nearing the end of my career-related certificate program, I can leave. I have one job offer, with another one possibly around the corner, so I have to choose which one to take.
I'm hopeful that the imposter syndrome and general overwhelm will reduce when I work at a more functional place, with proper systems and supports. But...it might get worse instead, because I started this career in a dysfunctional place. I guess time will tell.
Though my job is very hard and very exhausting, I have the benefit of getting a full summer break, so I am really hoping I'll actually have time to do things I enjoy soon. I have a hard time disconnecting from work, even on my days off it's all I think about- but over the summer, since I'm leaving my current place of employment, I will be cut off from work and not able to dedicate time and energy to it. I do still have to take my last college class for my certification, but that's okay, because at least I won't be able to compulsively check my work email.
So maybe I'll have time to draw comics, make zines, sew quilts and stuffed animals, mend all my clothes, work on our garden, clean the house, read all the books piling up on my nightstand, teach myself bobbin lace....and maybe even work on my websites?? Fingers crossed.
