The last few weeks have been both exciting and emotionally draining.

I quit my job of 13 years in higher ed to return to the “corporate world” for the opportunity to not just try something new, but also use the knowledge and skills gained with my new degree. I spent two weeks saying goodbye to people who I had laughed and vented with, and tried my best to make sure that the crew I worked for wouldn’t be left with more questions and work than necessary until they found a replacement.

At the same time, I was also meeting with my new employer to go over clearances, benefits, etc before starting so that I wasn’t going to miss a paycheck between jobs, while also giving myself a couple of days off to recharge.

I do not like change. I like to have plans in place for everything, and even though this was my own choice and an excellent opportunity for me and my career, it took a toll on me. I actually had the graphic for this post done on time (for 8/12) but the thought of actually posting it was exhausting.

I read some fanfiction instead. Rinse and repeat for the next week.

Now, three days into my new job, my brain is so full of new processes and responsibilities that I’m fighting being overwhelmed by reminding myself that I’ve only been there for three days and my previous job had not felt so draining simply because I had been there for 13 years and any changes were simple or gradual.

One thing I decided to do right from the start is take notes. Almost illegible notes, but I have been rewriting them out at the end of the day into a different notebook in an effort to not just keep it all straight and give myself something to refer back to, but to begin creating a manual.

The position is a relatively new one, and so not only am I going to feel a measure of control over this new situation by putting together a manual, but it will be a good guide for the next person who has this position (though hopefully that won’t be for a while!). One of the things I had been focused on before leaving my old job was getting the manual finished, and I felt so much better about leaving because I knew I had left the new person a guide to help them during the training period.

When they might be feeling overwhelmed and want a little control, like I am now.

A part of me is still shocked that I made this leap into the unknown, and even as I was driving into work on my first day I kept muttering, I can’t believe I’m doing this, but I know this was the right decision for me. Also, it’s a less than 15 minute drive from my house, and that’s hitting every red light along the way. Going from a 40 minute drive on a good day to 15 is amazing.

So bear with me while I battle brain melt from information overload. I might not be posting regularly for a while, but I’m going to try. Maybe combine writing the manual with a post on how I’m going about it and tips and techniques I’ve gathered along the way. Hm…