If there’s anything that’s constant in the crazy world of advertising, it’s change. A few months ago I made the decision that I needed a change of pace. The divisions that I had somehow carefully maintained for nearly 9 years in this business between my work and personal life had evaporated. It was a situation that I had allowed to happen and my personal epiphany was that I was the only one that could get myself out of it.
Since then, it has been a very conscious effort on my part to put things right again.
So yesterday I informed my current employer that I would be leaving in two weeks for a new gig, returning to the very first agency I started at fresh out of college. The opportunity is exciting on many different fronts, but that chance to recapture a sense of balance is perhaps the biggest opportunity of all…one that I plan on making sure I don’t screw up.
This afternoon I was asked to leave, a scenario I fully expected and understand. While the lack of true closure was disappointing — that chance to say goodbye to all the people that have made the last three years of my life the amazing learning experience it has been — I know that our paths will certainly cross again.
Today…right now, actually…I feel like the wave of change that had been building for so long finally came crashing down upon me. And just like those times when you’re out standing in the surf and that happens, I feel like I’m now bobbing up to the surface, sputtering a bit but with a fresh view on the world around me.
Which brings me to some closing thoughts regarding the geometry of the situation. I’m a firm believer in karma, in respecting the circles that we all run around in because you never know where life will take you. I’ve been given a fresh start, going to a place that is comfortingly familiar yet excitingly reinvigorated and new at the same time. I’ve been given a fresh start with my family with a firm understanding of where that line exists in terms of how much I’ll ever be willing to sacrifice again with them involved in any given professional situation.
So, no axes to grind. No soapbox grandstanding. This is just me with a fresh perspective on things. Here’s to walking around in circles.
4 Responses
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Best of luck as you start writing this new chapter in your life. While this sucks for me personally on many levels, they are all selfish in nature.
I don’t need to walk around circles… Awesome song. Used to be the biggest SC fan. See? I can like cool songs.
Need to have a long discussion about everything.
Here’s my YouTube response. The lyrics seem poignant right now - I have a feeling I’ll be needing some meds soon at work!: http://youtube.com/watch?v=PNixch31wmo
ah, and now the situation is clearer.
all the best to you
Well I don’t know about that Karma BS, but I’m glad to hear your line is refurbished and you’re landing in a good place. I tend to get a get a little disconcerted when people IM me and ask me if I know anything about what just happened to John K - thanks for posting the note.
Thanks gang and to everyone else that has sent emails and IMs of encouragement. Please stay in touch, drop by and hit me with a snarky comment or two or forward on your best bits of digital riff-raff. Work is/was work, but good friends are hard to come by, know what I mean?