Change Is Scary

Hello Everyone: When I last wrote about ready to make a change, I thought it would be something subtle like a different position at the department store, not potentially upend my life. I applied for a job as a bookstore associate at a local museum, began the enrollment process for a Museum Studies certificate program at a local community college, and booked a phone interview for an administrative assistant job on Thursday. Before all that, I went through two interview rounds for a job I wasn't going to take because it was an on-call/contract job but I was good enough to impress the recruiter. I've been looking at the museum studies certificate program for a little while but wasn't sure if I truly wanted to do it. I wanted to first see what other schools had to offer. What I found were full-on graduate programs that were not time and cost effective. Also, I wasn't quite ready to commit to another graduate program. In the end, the Museum Studies program I chose made the most sense. It's designed for people who work, there's an internship component, it's cost and time effective. The end result is a certificate that gives me a good introduction to museum work and something to show to potential employers. Then why do I feel a sense of dread. Maybe it's because it represents change. After over two years of wondering around, trying to land somewhere, I finally found a place. It represents letting go of some of the baggage that was weighing me down. The one thing that really cemented my decision to make changes was working the holiday rush. I never truly liked working at the department and dealing with a stream of intxoicated, annoying people all day was just too much already. One thing I am grateful for is that it gave me the time and space to sort myself out while making a dollar or two. I can't say I've been totally miserable because I have great coworkers that I'd truly miss. It's just that I need to do other, more intellectually challenging, and rewarding things in my life. There is more change for me in the coming year. The Brit BF and I had a video chat on Sunday in which we talked about his plans for immigrating to the United States. He researched the process down to the nth degree. He is definitely the most organized person I know. It all still seems like so much, so fast: Changing jobs, starting school, getting married (more on that later). In reality, none of these changes are going to happen overnight, maybe in the next day or two. Changing jobs is a big one but, I feel, a necessary one. Aside from the great coworkers and the regular paycheck, it was not the most intellectually challenging or rewarding job. It was just a job to keep me occupied. I really amazed that I stayed as long as I did. I was so hoping to be long gone by now but the universe had other plans. I feel ready to seriously shake things up, do something completely different, set new goals. I feel strongly about a career in the arts and if a community college program is my way in, then so be it. If that path goes through an administrative assistant position, then fine. I really feel like I'm spinning my wheels at the department store. As far as the phone interview is concerned, I'll listen to what the person has to say and then decide. If it ticks off all the right boxes for me,then I'll finally get to do something I've been wanting to do for forever, give my two-week notice. I'm also looking forward to the challenge of going back to school and learning something great. Change is scary but, in this case, very necessary.