I Refuse To Go Back To My Office Job: A Soft Reminder To Follow My Bliss

Summary

The author has decided to abandon their traditional office job in psychology to pursue a career in writing and freelance work, driven by a newfound appreciation for the flexibility and comfort of working from home, which has significantly improved their mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has led the author to a personal revelation regarding their preferred work environment and career path. Initially viewing the pandemic as a temporary phase, the author grew to love the safety and tranquility of working from home, surrounded by personal comforts and loved ones. As restrictions began to lift, the prospect of returning to a conventional office job caused sadness, contrasting with the joy and sense of purpose found in remote work. The author, who holds two college degrees and previously worked as a psychometrist, felt unfulfilled and stuck in a career with limited growth. The pandemic provided the impetus to reevaluate life choices, leading to a decision to pivot towards a career in writing and freelancing. This transition represents a pursuit of personal happiness, control over one's future, and the ability to prioritize mental health needs, all while eliminating the need for a daily commute.

Opinions

The author expresses a strong preference for working from home due to increased feelings of safety and security.
They value the flexibility of making their own hours and being their own boss.
The author believes that mental well-being is paramount and should take precedence over work.
They have a history of mental health recovery, which has influenced their career decisions.
The author found their previous job as a psychometrist to be unfulfilling despite its specialized nature.
They are prone to boredom in traditional work settings and seek a career that maintains their interest.
The author has discovered a passion for writing, which they are now pursuing as a freelancer.
They have embraced the challenges of establishing a new career and are content with the current balance of various income sources.
The author questions how the pandemic has reshaped others' perspectives on work and the necessity of an office environment.

I Refuse To Go Back To My Office Job: A Soft Reminder To Follow My Bliss

When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, I was sure that it would pass as quickly as it came. Much like everyone else, I thought this was a temporary bump. Well, over a year in, I know that it’s not budging for a while. The temporary is here to stay semi-permanently.

Throughout quarantine, I found that I LOVED being at home. I loved being at home so much and being surrounded by my cats and always being close to my husband. I wanted to live this way forever.

When social distancing measures began to lift in my area, I felt so sad. I was happy that the virus was slowing down, but I knew that it meant I would have to go back to work.

Over the course of the pandemic, I learned that I felt the safest and most secure when I am in my own home. Through my mental health recovery, I have learned that my mental well-being is truly important above anything else.

When I work from home, I feel as though I am living the life I am meant to live. I love working from my apartment, with my cats right next to me. I enjoy making my own hours and being my own boss. I cherish the flexibility in my schedule.

If I am having a rough day with my depression, I know that I can put myself first — the work can wait. By just having that simple ease of choice in my day, I gain confidence that I have control of my future.

Before quarantine began I had been so sad about my career path. I was in a dead-end job that showed no potential for advancement. And after achieving my master’s degree, I had no desire to return to school. Although I did attempt to return to a post-graduate program, I hated the future that was laid out in front of me.

I felt stuck, more stuck than I had ever felt in my life. Yes, I was sitting here with two college degrees that I worked very hard for, but I was still lacking in something.

Before COVID, I was a psychometrist. A psychometrist is a specialized technician who is highly trained in administering neuropsychological tests. The tests I performed ranged from IQ tests, academic assessments, and countless behavioral questionnaires. The job I had was hella cool! But I wasn’t happy.

I am someone who gets bored easily with the work I am doing. No career path looked appealing to me. Every job I applied to required me to work from an office, outside of my home.

I researched every related field within psychology and was not able to find the answers to my problems. Then I branched out to various other professions: insurance claims, underwriting, teaching, and many more.

I finally realized that I can’t continue to live a life that makes me hate every waking moment.

So I have decided to ditch my old career path and follow my bliss. But establishing yourself in a new career, especially in freelance work, is a lot of time, dedication, and effort.

Writing has always been a hobby for me. I have never been good at expressing how I feel unless it is through written words. In college, I constantly churned out essays like it was no one’s business. I could write a 1,200-word essay, edit and proofread it all within less than 2 hours.

I always got high marks for my writing in school. I had always dreamed of writing and editing as a passion. But with every major life step, it takes lots and lots of time. Thankfully, over the past year, I have learned how to be patient because good things take time.

As for now, I am writing on Medium, trying to get freelance work on Fiverr, and completing user testing and Instacart to make ends meet. But you know what? I am so freaking happy.

I am now my own boss, and I can create the content that I want and I never, ever have to commute to work ever again.

How has the pandemic affected the way you view work? Do you want to work from home, or do you need the office?