Quit That Job! Entry #2 - Change Things Up!

"Everything changes and nothing stands still." - Heraclitus

I feel like I’ve been neglecting Steemit, only posting once in the last three days. I want to change my life and writing this blog is helping to both inspire and initiate that change. Change happens all around us, and to us. I want to embrace it and move forward. I don’t want to be stuck in place and look around one day wondering where all the time went.

I’ve been at my job 10 years. How much have I changed in that time? I’ve done all of the following over the last 10 years:

• I finished a bachelor degree in communication and media studies.
• I began meeting other cyclists on social bike rides.
• I realized I could ride 10, 20, 50 and even 70 miles a day.
• I discovered the joy of bike camping and bike touring.
• I learned how to play synth and drums.
• I played in 6 different bands after not playing music for nearly 10 years.
• I became a homeowner.
• I adopted a dog for the first time.
• I adopted a cat, and I hadn’t had one of my own in well over 10 years.
• I learned that just because a relationship ends, it does not mean it failed.

So who was I ten years ago?

I was somebody who had not experienced the things I described above. Exactly 10 years ago (April 2008) I was only 33 years old, living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I had graduated a couple years earlier with an associate degree in video production. I had worked on a cruise ship as a videographer, briefly. But I found myself back in Pittsburgh, at my old valet job, except as a manager. I had given my job an ultimatum. I applied for a promotion that was a little bit ambitious. I told myself if I didn't get the job I would move back to my hometown of Buffalo, New York and seek work there. I put in plenty of notice and explained I was leaving because I did not get the promotion. In just 3 months, I found a job in Buffalo making training videos. I eventually became the company's instructional designer. This July will mark 10 years since I began working for them.

A lot has changed in 10 years, but the one constant has been my current job. There is no room for advancement. There is little to learn. I can’t predict everything I will do over the next 10 years, but I do not want to be at the same desk in the same office. Where I will be I don't exactly know. I am at the mercy of my employer at the moment. I could walk in tomorrow and be fired. Should I be scared of taking this future into my own hands instead? I did that 10 years ago and it worked out, for a little while at least.

What lies in the future?

• I want to go on more bicycle tours and overnight camping trips.
• I just bought a dog trailer for my bike. I hope I can get my dog to come bike camping with me.
• I can travel by car as well.
• I can drive for Uber and Lyft
• I am going to blog on Steemit.
• I have money invested if I need to access it.
• I want to own less things.
• I have records and other collectibles I can sell.
• I can rent out my spare bedroom to a roommate.
• I can learn to do some work on the house.
• I can garden.
• I can volunteer at a non-profit.
• I can always get another job.
• But first I will do whatever I want to do!

We live in a time that can be scary as things seem to be rapidly changing around us. Who knows what forces will win in this cultural battle? Perhaps this is inspiring me to change the only thing I can, myself. I want to also do good in the world, creating positive change around me. When I free up my schedule, i can use that time to volunteer for organizations I believe in. It would be more fulfilling than going to a job simply to earn a paycheck.