OMG! I'm going to Disney World! ...or am I?

[RachelsMommie]

Just wanted to say thanks to the boards and the podcast crew for helping me get through a rough few weeks. We've had our May trip planned for 6 months now (as all my Disney trips are planned that far in advance) and I was unexpectedly hit by a layoff 3 weeks ago. I was stunned, and was planning to cancel the Disney trip this weekend (outside the 7-day window) if I didn't have another job lined up.

I'm so excited now...I found a great job that is slightly more money, closer to home, and I think an all-around better place to work and they asked me to start May 17...2 days after we get back from Disney! It's been such an answer to prayers and I get to celebrate my new job in the happiest place on Earth. Thanks to all of the boards and to the podcast crew...listening to the podcasts and reading the boards has helped keep me positive and listening even got me through a root canal last week (something I had put off since I didn't have time...not having a job gives you time to catch up on everything).

I now know how hard it is to hear that news that your company no longer needs you and what a shock it really is. I told my DH that it is like being mugged. A corporate honcho comes in, rips away your livelihood, then you spend a lot of time on an emotional roller coaster. I spent the last 3 weeks frantically putting out resumes and interviewing, and now that the job is all set, I finally have time to grieve and feel what a shock I've been through. My positive thoughts and prayers go out to all of those struggling with a job loss in this economy.



Kristi

 

[susieQzee]

Best wishes to you in your new job! When one door closes, yada yada yada. Have a FANTASTIC time in The World!

 

[mainegal]

Oh, I sure do hope the job works out well for you.
Enjoy your trip.
Come back ready to tackle "a new work life".

 

[KatheeME]

This is wonderful news Kristi, I am so happy for you, have a magical time!

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Congrats!!! This trip is going to be such a great beginning for you. What a positive impression you'll make as you are singing "When you wish upon a star" on your way into work on the first day! Have a fantastic trip!!!

 

[eeyorelvr09]

Kristis, that's awesome. i'm currently in the marget for a job since I recently lost mine and I have a DLR trip coming up in August and a WDW trip still left to pay off for October.

I wish you all the best and have fun in WDW. Must have a trip report!

 

[pal-mickey]

Glad to hear that everything has worked out for you! Enjoy your trip and good luck with your new job!

 

[doconeill]

I know how you feel...

In a 2 week span, I was laid off (knew it was coming, but someone forgot to tell me I had been extended two months and had to work it to get my sizable severance at the time and lost an opportunity), lost my mother, lost another good job opportunity but didn't know about it because the recruiter lied to me for no good reason, and lost my grandmother-in-law - with a trip planned a year in advance coming up in just a few months.

Fortunately I shortly thereafter found another position right in my town (I have a 7 mile rt commute now, instead taking 2 hours rt on the trains), similar money, they had no problem with the vacation time, and when we went we got a free upgrade to club level at the Poly, everyone was helpful (I had to deal with estate issues and a jerk buyer of my childhood home), and the only thing that really went wrong was that we waited a long time just to have LMA rained out and didn't get to see it for another year...

Sometimes the cards just aren't going your way for a while, then suddenly you have a run...and all is well.

 

[Cherinva]

Wonderful. Have a great time.

 

[Sphyrna]

Gratz on the new job!! It's great you start firght after your Disney trip. It definitely isn't easy to find out your company no longer needs you. My mom was laid off 2 weeks ago. It wasn't a big shock, as they had been laying off people for a couple months. It got to the point where every Thursday night she'd wonder if she'd be home early on Friday. It's frustrating that she's been there 11 years and they let her go yet the new girl is still there. Of course, it's because the new person makes less than my mom did. I hope you enjoy your trip and your new job!!

 

[JennyG]

It sounds like "someone" thought you needed to open a new chapter in your life. No need to grieve... be positive and celebrate this change!

 

[RachelsMommie]

Thanks for all the support, guys!

I honestly hated my old job. The politics and back-biting, plus the ambiguity of our work assignments, was enough to make me miserable. I was only there for 2 years...I was trying to stick it out to 4 or 5 years before leaving, but I guess God had other plans. Also, it was an hour drive each way if I went in at 5AM to avoid any traffic. And it was in a crappy area of town.

The new job is 30 minutes at 8 or 9 in the morning, so back to normal working hours. I'm just still trying to get over the shock and grief of losing a job...I've never felt like such a failure when they laid me off. There were quite a few others, and I know it was my shorter length of service that got me on the crap list, but it's still hard to accept. The job was never a good fit for me...I just never liked the work environment and work culture.

The outplacement service they sent me to said that a job loss is like the loss of a loved one. I don't agree with that, but maybe it's like the loss of a beloved pet? I don't know what the correct analogy is, but it's definitely a traumatic event. To the PPs who have been dealing with job loss, good luck to you!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I'd say job loss is more like the loss of your sense of self. We define ourselves, at least in part, by what we "do", and when that's taken away from us, we have to scramble to form a new definition of ourselves. Then we spend a lot of time building up our self-esteem within the new definition. It's hard work, and it's painful. But in many cases, it's a great opportunity to make a more positive self-image.

Have a blast at Disney, and within your new life!