Sunday, March 3, 2013

stream of conscious sundays : i'm self employed

 
For the past 6 months I have been working effortlessly to get to this point. I’ve put in a lot of long hours, and weeks without a day off. Overbooking myself, and very rarely ever-saying no to new work. Tomorrow marks the beginning of being 100% self-employed.

I haven’t thought much about it, but everyone I know has been pretty excited for me. I’m not accustomed to getting excited for myself. I knew a couple of things going into this.

One. There was no way in hell I’d ever be able to work for someone else again.
Two. I’ve really found something that makes me happy and I’m not dreading going to work each day.

I have strong opinions on all of that, but let me move in a different direction.

It finally clicked when my mom gave me probably the first advice she’s ever given me.

No one is going to go after what you want in life.

Done. Cicked. It’s a moto I’ve always lived by, but I needed to hear it come from someone else.

I had been struggling with the idea of going on my own for a while, and after a few irritations from the woman I was doing work for, I knew it was time. I sent her a very formal email last Sunday evening, and didn’t hear a single word from her all week. Professional, right? 

Thursday night I turn my phone on silent (I do this when I want everyone to just bugger off) and left it in the other room. When I look at it again I had a text from this woman, and 2 hours later I had 3 missed phone calls and a voicemail. It was over the most insignificant thing regarding a client I had seen that day. Mostly if I had written a note on a second visit or not. I ignore it, not really wanting to talk to the woman that’s been avoiding me all week.

About 10 minutes later I get a phone call from Kh. I’m surprised to hear from her so early (she was in California time working her butt off and I haven’t heard much from her). She informs me that she has just gotten a phone call from this woman that I hadn’t responded to. The woman said she was looking for me but I wasn’t responding to her messages. Are you motherlicking kidding me? At this point my blood absolutely boils over. You can’t reach me over the phone, for the most insignificant issue you can think of after you’ve been avoiding me and don’t even have the professional decency to respond to my email, but you’ll call my girl friend while she’s out of town to see where I am? Instead of emailing me? Rude and slightly crazy. 

I somehow managed to keep my cool and not completely rip her apart. I let her know it wasn’t necessary to call my girlfriend on such a small issue. That everything she needs from me will be sitting in my mailbox after 4pm tomorrow.

Then I immediately went over the million reasons why I’m so glad I won’t be involved in dealings with her any farther. If you missed it, she’s the insta-crazy I had to block on instagram.

Friday afternoon comes, and I get home around 3:15. I drive up to my house only to see her parked in front of it, just getting off my porch from looking for the keys. I take my time getting out of my car and she comes and stands right next to my door. I give her the keys and she proceeds to go over each and every key. She asks me where 2 keys are and I inform her the owners wanted me to keep the keys. This is where the fun begins.

She starts in by telling me it’s illegal, then quickly changes her tune to say unethical for me to stay with those clients. In most cases I try my hardest to stay professional and friendly, but something clicked in me and I stood my ground. I believe it’s within every pet owners right to choose who cares for their animals. I never signed a non-compete with her, and owe no allegiance to the woman that not once appreciated the work and clients I brought her way. 

She also couldn't comprehend why it was irrational and unnecessary for her to reach out to my girlfriend when not able to contact me for 2 hours on Thursday. She has a track record of not responding to my texts for a day or two, and even failing to respond to clients emails.

I had left notes at all the clients houses the day before letting them know Friday was my last day. She hadn't even informed any of them that I was leaving, so the couple that wanted to stay with me called me Friday morning absolutely insistent on not wanting to lose me. I never once solicited myself to them, nor did I seek them out to stay with me. I can't help it if I'm the cats meow (har har). 

In short, she was pissed off, and I was elated to finally be done with her. It was a long time coming, and I haven’t felt so de-stressed and carefree in a very long time. I quite literally feel like a weight has been lifted off me. It’s amaze-balls. 

This is the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I'm sad it had to end with so much drama on the part of her, but I'm not letting it keep me down. I'm always moving forward and growing. This is my next step forward. 

Hell yes. 
xo

7 comments:

  1. Such an intense, crazy-ass experience! Because yeah it's not okay to call a work associate's partner to see where they are. That's just weird. How flattering that that woman wanted to keep you, though! Must be nice reassurance that you're good at what you do :-) Exciting!

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    1. I'm really glad you agree that it was kinda crazy. Some times I think I overreact to others crazyness and make it seem more crazy than it is.

      I'm pretty excited - thanks :D

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  2. Good luck!



    zuleyb.blogspot.com

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  3. Whoa. Good for you on finally getting to that "official" point. Really is a good motto your mom has there. :) And you are well-rid of that woman because she sounds like a first class nutcase (and not in any kind of fun way). Good luck with your work! :)

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    1. thanks a bunch :) you can only hold off making the smart move for so long, amiright?

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  4. Huge congratulations on being self employed! It's a tough life (I've been at it four years) but so fulfilling. Plus, doesn't it just feel awesome to tell people about?!

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