Over but not out
As some of you may have heard, I’m taking a new job in February. I’ll be leaving my full-time editing position at Philadelphia Weekly, where I’ve been for almost eight years, to become the communications manager at the Pennsylvania Prison Society.
How does this affect you? Not at all, really. I’ll still be doing the column for the paper, still doing the blog, still doing videos. I suspect the blog will have an added focus on criminal justice issues, but its mission will remain the same.
In the next few months, however, I’ll be grappling with an enormously difficult transition—one that keeps me awake at night, which explains the late start I’ve been getting here. The only time I’ve been sane has been when I’ve worked at the paper, so I have this worry that I’ll lose my marbles as soon as I walk out the door. I think it might be instructive for me to talk about the transition as I go through it: grappling with change in routine, new health insurance protocols, questions about how honest to be with your new employer, medication switches and all the implications of making a life change.
It’ll be a case study of sorts, which should help me put some distance between me and the fear, and may be a learning for everyone else.
Liz | 11:13 AM | Uncategorized
Oh, wow. You’ll be missed as managing editor, especially since I read PW on occasion.
I also wish you luck on your new position. I look forward to hearing about your transition and how you approach talking to your employer about mental health issues.
On the flip side, I have a fake name I use for my blog in case an employer does a Google search for my real name and finds it associated with a mental illness blog. Any advice hopefully?
Good luck! Your readers will be pulling for you.
Dear Liz,
Changes of employment are stressful for even those of us not challenged by mood disorders.
I wish you good luck and thanks for considering sharing your adventures with all of us. I hope to be reading only positives from this change in your life.
I do hope all goes well with your new employment and that you are an encouragement to others.
Good luck.
Warmly,
Herb
VNSdepression.com
.
change is good.
As I am sure you know, the prison system is a hot-bed of mental health issues. Can I ask- medication switches because of change in insurance coverage or just worried that you’ll need it?
Congrats on the new job. Change is a bitch, but so worth it. You learn so much about yourself and end up finding the limits you thought you had go much further. It’s an empowering feeling, though absolutely terrifying. I’ve been here a little more than 3 months and I’m still terrified, but I know I’m doing good work so it all balances out.
Just remember that every person starting a new job goes through the same thing and hopefully your boss recognizes that. Mine does about half the time. My shrink keeps having to remind me that everything I’m feeling is normal and that my moodiness is most likely caused by environmental factors, not my brain going screwy again.
Here’s to hoping your new HR person isn’t a complete and total moron and can guide you in selecting the best health plan for your needs.
And if yours does that, can you send them down here? Please?
Liz, you’re brave to change positions. This new position should be very interesting for you. It’s good you’ve got your boyfriend and your wierd critters - they should prove to be a great comfort during the transition.
Be good. I always am.
- Annette
Bonne chance!
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