Taking The Next Step

I’ve been weighing my decisions back and forth for quite some time now and have finally decided to take the plunge and get back “out” in the working world.  The decision to start job hunting has not been an easy one (and god knows the hunt will be anything but easy), but a necessary one all the same.

Working remotely has been a tremendous lifesaver in my adjustment to living in the U.K.  It has given me the security of having a stable income all these months, especially with Steve being in between jobs for a few months.  It’s also given me incredible flexibility to pick up and work anywhere – I’ve spent many hours getting work done in the car while traveling to and from little getaways with Steve, in the U.K. and abroad.  Not having the stress of NEEDING to look for a job when I first got here was such a relief, because there was already so much to stress about.

Yet, on the other hand, it’s hindered me a bit.  My work hours get in the way of doing anything in the week after work, because I work until 8:00pm (or sometimes later).  Surprisingly, working from home, I’m still completely shattered when I’ve finished, unable to even fathom walking down the street for dinner or a quick drink.  I find it so hard to “disconnect” my work life from home, because it’s all the same space. It’s also been impossible for me to get out and meet people – I’ve made zero friends here, despite being here since February.  I’ve realized that, although I don’t necessarily hate working from home, I miss being in the office – getting up in the morning, picking out my outfit for the day and actually putting an effort into my appearance, and generally just BEING around other people.  I miss the social interactions that come with the office role I had in the U.S.

Another huge reason is that Steve and I want to buy a house at some point.  We need a mortgage, and unfortunately my foreign income at the moment wouldn’t even be considered when applying for one.

Taking the next step with this is so important for me.  I need to finally be on “London Time”. To have the same holidays as everyone here.  To not have to worry about whether the exchange rate is going to increase, and how much money I’m losing after making the conversion.  To have a clear distinction between “work” and “home”. To meet new people. To move forward.

So this past week, I took the first real step and went in to a recruitment agency.  Just that trip alone was a massive boost for me. Getting on the train, and off at Liverpool Street Station which was so chaotic, with thousands of people going here and there was just amazing.  It brought so much excitement for me, which is why I know that now is the right time to move forward with this.

I know it will probably take a while before I even find a job (it is Central London, after all), but I am so damn excited for this.

xx Lauren