Lack of Postings

Truth be told I haven't felt much like writing lately, not because we haven't done plenty of fun things to write about or tried my hand at some delicious new recipes, but spending extra time in front of my computer at home hasn't felt like much of a release for me. I wanted to explain my lack of writing.

For the past 11 months I've been a full time work at home employee. When I first tell new people I am a full time work at home employee most people are amazed and somewhat jealous. While I can say working from home certainly has a lot of convenience factors it also comes at a price. Sure you think it is great to not have to get up, and get ready and drive to the office in the morning and just walk downstairs in your pajamas to the basement but at the same time, you're also not starting your day, and there is a lack of routine. There is also no separation of home and work. You can leave your work in a traditional office, clear your head on the drive home and such. When I sit at my home computer there is also a constant reminder of my work computer right next to me, since my laptop is usually on.

While the savings on gas is a small price to save, or time spent sitting in traffic, I know now that I'd be willing to make that sacrifice to get back into an office setting. Working from home you can feel very disconnected from other people and also the company itself. I miss connecting with friends and peers in the office or perhaps even going out after work. My old officemate Fred and I would bounce questions off each other all day long and share stories. I miss passing people in the cafeteria and seeing friendly faces. I know part of that is certainly my personality, I know I am very much a people person.

The only interaction I get with others on a daily basis is with Mike and the dog, and going to the gym at night. While I am grateful to have another person here with me, long-term for our marriage I don't think it's the best idea spending 24/7 together. Really the only time we are apart is when I go to the gym or run errands for a bit. It is nice to have that time when you get home from work to catch up with one another, but right now we don't have that, which leads to many quiet dinners together if we do sit at the table and have dinner.

Getting Rocky has been a godsend and he keeps me going. I get dressed in the morning when I get up to take him out so the neighbors don't see me in my crazy pajama outfits. It also does give me a sense of routine, knowing I have to take him out at a certain time and feed him. Having a dog is also the best company you can get if you are stuck at home by yourself, at least when I talk to him I can at least talk out loud to 'someone,' and he does look at me as if he's listening.

Of course I could go on about the other small things to, like the constant grazing in the kitchen if you are hungry, or in the winter time not wanting to leave your house since you are already inside where it is nice and warm. My wardrobe has suffered a lot to (although Mike might think this is a good thing). If I see a cute pair of shoes I could wear to work or a new outfit I have no where to wear them. My work wardrobe consists of crappy jeans and t-shirts mainly now.

While I am certainly grateful to have the opportunity to work as an HR Generalist in my current position, I know this set up is not for me in the long term. There are other things too about my job, but I'll leave those out for now. I've made it for pretty much a year now and know this isn't for me. I've talked to my manager about the potential of getting back into an office setting in this role or looking ahead to new roles outside of my current area. I hope it doesn't sound like I am complaining but I just needed to get that off my chest. I know I have a good job that pays our mortgage every month and for that I can't complain. For now I just have to hang in there and hope that something will work out in the future which I'm sure it will....