A chat with Cleo

Today was one of those days where a lot happened but I didn't get much done. It wasn't a bad day per se; a day of only three face-to-face appointments and a phone interview, but one that ended with me feeling rather drained and pleased to be home. I'd usually round out the day with a decent hike but I had a few things to do, calls to make, and so I didn't get to hike which left me feeling a little flat - Hiking energises me and I miss the feeling.

I prepared a dinner of a Mexican burrito bowl which was super tasty then sat on the couch with Cleo to think about the day and get her advice; yes, I know Cleo is a cat and can't answer back but chatting with Cleo brings me clarity...Maybe I'm stark raving mad?

I spent most of the day on new-job-related thoughts and whilst I know it's fairly important I'm a bit over it already and I haven't even started looking. It's draining and no wonder people stay in jobs they don't like as the process of changing jobs is heinous!

I haven't had a real job interview for years with my last couple roles coming to fruition organically and today's phone-interview made me realise just how lucky I've been in the past; this was only the initial call too, them feeling me out and me doing the same in return. I'll have to face-to-face with them eventually. Oh well, it's all part of the process.

I've been sitting here on the couch for a few hours now, reading mostly, and Cleo has been with me. She has a knack of finding comfortable places to sleep and if I stay still for a few seconds she normally finds her way to me. I don't mind of course; I actually feel more relaxed with her near me and we often hold hands or she sleeps with her chin on my leg or hand. I love her closeness and the way that to her nothing matters except food, me and sleep...She gets upset when I move too much though.

Sometimes I ask her advice but this is difficult mostly as she sleeps so much and when she's awake her answers, the solutions she offers me, aren't all that helpful; they revolve mostly around finding ways to fall back to sleep. I totally get it!

I'll be honest and say I'd love to sleep as much as she does; sleeping is her favourite activity and I don't mind a legit sleep myself although it often comes sporadically. Alas, I have to be awake more than I'm asleep like a responsible adult and so mostly keep my eyes open and stay alert. I said, mostly.

This new reality of having to seek a job has taken me out of my comfort zone a little and that's not a bad thing. It reminds me of a post I did about the topic a couple of weeks ago, here. Getting out of my comfort zone, whilst often uncomfortable, is the only way I'll push forward and so days like today, applications, interviews and laser-focus are going to happen moving forward. I think I'm up for it although I'll need to balance that out with hikes and so on, chats and cuddles with Cleo, but I'll make it work.

Have you had similar experiences? I mean when you're comfortable in your job but have had to, or wanted to, seek new horizons? Have y'all got any job-search stories to share?