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Time Has No Meaning For Those Who Wait
The one thing I'm really enjoying about being "between engagements" (as we call unemployment in the entertainment biz), is that for most of the past two weeks I have felt a refreshing freedom from the concept of time. Certainly, there have been instances of having to be at a particular place at a particular time, but these have been rare compared to existence in the eight-to-five world, where practically every activity from the moment of awakening is dictated by the clock. Now, I can get up when I want (or when I get tired of the cats trying to rouse me), go to sleep when I'm tired and not at any specific hour, I can spend as much time on mundane activities like laundry, dishes -- or even more pleasurable pursuits such as reading, watching DVD's (just ran through the entire 17 episode "The Prisoner" series) or writing -- and still have plenty of time left over for actual appointments (Ironically, since being laid off two weeks ago, I've had two commercial and two theatrical auditions, a veritable cornucopea of performing opportunities compared to what I've experienced in the past several months), or other work-search related activities.
But, things have definitely slowed down. For the first time in years, I feel like I'm actually physically attuned to the natural world. I feel relaxed, rested, refreshed; the way one is supposed to feel after taking vacation time from work, but with the added bonus of not having to go back to the job that stressed you out to the point of needing to take a vacation in the first place. I feel calmer, more centered, I'm even losing a bit of weight, no due to a combination of slightly elevated activity levels, reduced stress, and improved eating regimen.
And it's not like I'm being entirely lazy, either. I'm still getting up between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m., getting to bed usually before Midnight, and still doing things: aside from the aforementioned auditions, and domestic chores, I'm spending about 2 - 3 hours each day combing job posting websites, updating resumes, taking online career assessment seminars, making phone calls, in short actively pursuing getting back into the job stream, just not succumbing to the dreaded "must take the first offer that comes along just because I need a job" syndrome; I'm really looking for something more in alignment with my interests and pursuits, and I don't feel at all guilty about indulging in the one luxury -- namely a modicum of financial freedom -- that's going to allow me, at least for the next couple of months to actually have a shot at finding something I: a of all) can get really excited about doing on a more-or-less daily basis; b of all) might pay me something approximating my previous salary/benefit package; and c of all) might actually make a positive contribution to society.
I mean, isn't that the whole point of re-evaluating your career options?
Posted byCOMTE
on 1:12 PM
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