21 July was the end of my 6 week sick leave recovery from surgery. In some ways, it went VERY quickly – and in other ways, it dragged. As much as I enjoyed the time away from work (this is probably the longest I’ve been “not working” in almost 30 years!) by this time, I was looking forward to getting back to work. It was also nice having a 6 week “detox” from my previous job and going straight to my new job when I was able to go back to work.

And now that I’m one week done, I’m grateful that I’m on reduced hours (6/day) and reduced days (M/W/F) as I really do feel it by the end of the day and I need the rest between the days. I have this reduction of days/hours for another 3 weeks (a month total), then for the following month, I’ll be at 5 days a week, 6 hours/day. 18 September I’ll be back at my regular hours.

First impressions?

This is going to be good.

The person I’m replacing was there my first week – but he’s done now. I was grateful I was only there 3 days as he’s extremely negative.

Back story: when I popped by the office back in April to meet everyone, the person I was replacing took me aside and complained for 45 minutes straight.  Not just this unit, but other units as well. How they “wronged” him and how he was ripped off for deployments and other opportunities. (He did add the disclaimer that “everyone here was nice” to avoid insubordination)

Honestly? I took it as a grain of salt. I try not to let others influence my opinion of people or situations. He didn’t like his situation, whereas I was looking forward to it! My previous unit (unintentionally) destroyed my mental health, and the work I was doing was way above my rank, so there was lots of pressure. Even though, after 3 years, I know the job, I needed a change – and as much as the person I’m replacing was complaining that the job is “beneath” our rank, it sounds like the exact change I need!

So I had my first week. The hardest part to figure out was the public transit. Normally, it wouldn’t be an issue, but the train is broken at the moment, and I had to figure out the shuttles. Now that I have that figured out, a lot of my anxiety is alleviated.

I’m still waiting for access to the various computer systems and programs, but I’m able to answer questions and help members.

I sat down with my Supervisor and had a conversation, and guess what? Everything the person I’m replacing was complaining about, I didn’t get. He complained about no subordinates, I’m going to have 3. My Supervisor wants me to make changes, as I see fit.

And speaking of “fit,” I found both gyms in the building – one in the basement (which apparently doesn’t get used) and one on the 5th floor, which is huge, spacious, bright, with everything I need – and open 24/7. This is the first time in a LONG time that I’ve been excited to start working out!

This is also the first time in a long time that I’ve been excited about work. I’m actually excited to go to work tomorrow and set up my desk, and start working on some of the changes I want to make.

Change can be scary, but it can be good. It’s all in how you look at it and the attitude you go into it with.

I could have let the opinion of the person I replaced influence my feelings of the job before I even started. I could have let the comments of my peers at my old job taint my opinion of having to use public transit. I could have let the opinions of others ruin my mood about the whole situation.

I’m looking forward to it.