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Kirstie's job log: 17

Kirstie Nicols works in sales but has hopes of becoming a journalist.

Goodbye to the job

Photograph: KirstieIt’s amazing what quitting your job can do for stress levels. Since I handed in my notice, everyone seems friendlier, jobs seem easier, and colleagues seem happier. Of course, this could be because they’re relieved to finally be rid of me; but I prefer the idea that it’s all psychological.

I know it’s not right and I know I must try harder, but now I’m leaving work has got a lot less complicated. If a problem comes up that doesn’t need urgent attention, I’ve found myself hiding it under a pile of admin to be dealt with next month. By which time of course, I won’t be there and it won’t be my problem; which is a very selfish way to think and I’m trying very hard to stop doing it. After all, it would be nice to leave the company with at least a vaguely positive impression of me. But surely one or two little things can’t hurt; and after all, it’ll give them something to remember me by…

I am replaceable

They’ve already found a replacement for me; which is a bit worrying as it only seemed to take a couple of days and a very small number of interviews to find someone to fill my boots. I guess I must just have very small boots. I’ve been training her up all week which has been a bit of a headache; I never realised how much I’ve actually come to understand my job and the industry I work in, until I had to explain it to someone completely new. I spent most of her first day coming out with strange words and phrases which, after seeing the confused look on her face, I had to stop and explain. I get the feeling she still doesn’t quite get most of what I say but she’s too polite to say. Ah well, I’ll be gone in a month, someone else can sort it.

The only thing left to organise now is the ‘get drunk on company money’ leaving do. The one thing I really liked about the place I work is how good they are to the staff, and how well everyone gets on (yes I know that’s two things). Nights out are usually funded by the managers, and it's not the kind of place where you have to severely avoid getting drunk around colleagues; so it should be a fun evening. I was a bit shocked to realise that I’ll actually miss a lot of the people I work with, just for the banter and office gossip. It’s never fun having to try and work your way into a group of people at a new job!

New projects

On the writing of articles side of things; I may have a couple of new projects to work on. There are various magazines published weekly, sent round to the majority of companies that work in our industry. They keep us informed on new products, new companies, and new jobs among other things. I was reading through one last week (I was very bored), and had an idea for an article. I decided to email the editor with my idea and gave him examples of previous work. So far he has been very positive about the suggestion and although I haven’t got the go-ahead yet, it’s looking more and more likely by the day. So perhaps my parting gift to the company should be an article, instead of future problems?

I’ve also finally settled into the new house properly. We had a major blitz over the weekend, and took everything that was in a cardboard box out of it, then left it all over the house so everyone would get so fed up of tripping over things that they would find somewhere for things to go. It’s looking a lot tidier now, and I’m finding getting up and finding an outfit for work so much easier to do now I’m not living out of various suitcases. I never realised what an incredible invention the wardrobe was!

The past couple of weeks have seemed really busy; although reading back through this it doesn’t seem like I’ve done anything much. I’ve spent my time sorting things out for before I leave; commiserating with friends at work; celebrating with friends out of work, and creating problems as a legacy for after I leave. I’m sure the next couple of weeks will be much more hectic, as people try and get me to finish everything off before I leave; but right now, it has been nice to have a relaxing time at work.

Read Kirstie's previous blogs

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