Broken

Some might say that I'm broken. After a month of unemployment, I'm headed back to work in a week or so. I'm off to induction on Wednesday, and hopefully starting full time two weeks after. When I've told friends and family the details of the job that I've accepted, they look at me with pity. Yes, it's a manual job well below the standing of my previous employment. Yes, it pays 20% less than my previous job. Yes, I'll be working Saturdays as standard. Yes, I'll be on my own mostly.

But you know what? My last job broke me. I'm looking forward to a job where I'm responsible for ME only. I report to one person, and no-one reports to me. I'll be moving all day, not sitting at a desk staring at a computer screen. I'll be surrounded by people who don't know me, don't have a perception of who I should be, what I should be thinking, or what they think I should be doing. It's certainly going to be a big change, some would say I'm starting from the bottom. I am starting from the bottom. I don't even know if I want to make my way to the top.

Is it okay to settle for something less, when you know it'll make you happy?

Yes.

Is it okay to accept that you're not cut out for a high pressure job with lots of perks?

Yes.

Is it okay to want things for yourself that other people think are below you?

Yes.

Is it okay to be proud that you didn't sink?

I am.

Not broken, just bent.