Finally, 10 days after my offer letter, I start my new job tomorrow morning.
I remember the last time that I felt like this. I had just moved from Vermont to Kansas City. I’d been accepted into my graduate program. It was the day of my first class. I was going to night school, so I had all morning and afternoon to work myself into an anxious frenzy. What if I can’t do this? What if no one talks to me? What if I don’t understand the material? What if…? What if…? In fact, I was so worked up that Mr. Dawn (at that time he was my boyfriend of six months) decided to drive me to school. He might have been concerned that I would talk myself out of showing up at all…
I remember sitting in the car with him. We had pulled up to the building and he was waiting for me to get out. I announced, “I can’t do this! I’m not going in. Let’s just leave.” He smiled (actually, I’m pretty sure he actually laughed out loud cause he thought I was joking) and reassured me that I was capable and I would be just fine. (See, he’s been my best supporter from the very beginning!) And you know what? He was right. I enjoyed that class and made friends that lasted through out my two year program. We became a little “crew” that would sit together and sign up to take classes together (like on Community…ish). I loved it. It wasn’t easy. I had classes 2-3 times a week, always from 6-10pm after a full workday. I had projects, papers, and lots and lots of reading. But it was great. And I discovered I was stronger than I imagined.
But now, three years later, I’m having those same feelings. Will I be any good at my new job? Will I make friends? How is this going to shape me? Who am I about to become? And I’m scared.
I’ve decided that I’m going to let myself feel whatever emotions I need to until I go to sleep tonight. Then it’s “game face” time. I’m going to enjoy my last lazy, jobless day. Maybe wallow a little bit. Before I snap out of it and hit the ground running tomorrow.
I am feeling somewhat excited about wearing something besides shorts and flip flops. I even might venture back into the world of high heels and professional suits…
my work appropriate shoes
my big girl clothes
Any advice for my first day?
Maybe as part of your last lazy day you could make me some food for the rest of the week
I love that your husband is the first to comment
Good luck tomorrow!
Good luck on your first day! You’ll do great.
Of course you’ll be great tomorrow. Here’s to new beginnings that feel out of the comfort zone, if even for a short while. Just like in running, you are enough. More than enough.
I remember when I started college, sitting in my dorm room after my Mom left and deciding, well, I just wouldn’t make any friends and I’d keep my nose in my books and study really hard, and that would be that. About 5 minutes later, a neighbor poked her head in, “Hi, my name is Lynda, come meet the rest of the gang …” and that was the end of my nonsense.
You’ll do just fine, what’s not to like about you? Low profile IS the way to go the first few days on the job. Not mousy or shy or non-communicative, just low-profile until you get the lay of the land.
What’s the *worst* thing that could happen? You’ll discover something about this type of job is not suitable for you, and you’ll avoid that in the future.
good luck!!! it’s always scary to step out in to something new…but then it usually totally worthwhile
bwahaha on your hubz. good luck!
Good luck!!! I’m sure you’ll do great and I always try to remind myself that I AM excited to be there and that everyone else is worried way too much about whatever they’ve got going on to be too focused on me.
Hope you have a great first day!
Yay! Big girl clothes… Look out for the shoulder pads though…
Good Luck! I am sure you will be awesome!! Every one is always nervous on the first day of something big-totally normal!
My advice? Relax!!!
I hope it went well!!!