Passion Before Paycheck

I love spontaneity on a daily level, but when it comes to big decisions I’m a serious over thinker. I like to weigh all of my options, look at the pros and cons and sleep on it…preferably for several nights. Even shopping, a seemingly simple task for most Americans, is a highly calculated process for me. No matter how small the price tag I will carry the object in question around the store with me for at least 20 minutes trying to justify the purchase, and I’ll most likely end up putting it back. I have long since come to terms with my glacial paced decision making process…which is why I am slightly surprised to find myself blogging from my new room in Stafford, Virginia. Let me rewind...

Last week I had an epiphany. I realized that not only was I not making any money, I was also absolutely miserable. It wasn’t all bad…I liked my coworkers and I genuinely enjoyed getting to know some of the regulars…but to be honest most of the time whenever I thought about work I got slightly ill. I promised myself a few years back that I would never stay in a job I hated just because it paid well, and I would never turn down a job I loved just because it didn’t pay a lot. So it seems that what to do about a low-paying job that I hated would be a no brainer. Of course you just can’t up and quit a job without having some sort of alternative plan, and finding someone willing to hire me knowing I was leaving with the Peace Corps and needed two weeks off at Christmas would be nearly impossible. So I called a friend in Virginia who owns a security company to see if he had any temporary work available, and as soon as he said he could help me out I up and quit my job. I wish I had dramatically walked out of the gym never to return, but in reality I gave them my weeks notice and quietly finished out a few more shifts. No sense in burning any bridges.

Last Saturday I packed everything I would need to live for the next four months into my car and said goodbye to New Jersey. It still feels very strange to be here. I’m not one to make rash decisions, so I can’t help but wonder if it was the right one. I suppose only time will tell. One thing is for sure, I have friends down here and a lot more chances to climb. If nothing else comes of it, at least I will have had the opportunity to do what I love a few more times before the winter sets in. Part of me doesn’t even really want a job and would rather just have as many adventures as possible between now and when I leave in March. Between family vacation at Christmas and taking a few weeks off prior to departure to pack and tie up loose ends, I actually don’t have that much time left to work, but I suppose I should be responsible with my finances and try and save as much as possible.

Either way, look for some interesting updates in the future as I figure out what I’m actually doing here. As a side note I made an interesting observation as I was packing. My trunk and backseat are full of climbing and camping gear, and all of my clothes fit into a milk crate. What does that say about me?