I’m going to share something very personal with you. Today I freaked out. I panicked because I am living in Colombia and have no job and this is my first time doing both. Yes, it’s only natural. But for those of you who have lovingly got in touch with me and are going / going to go through a similar experience, I wanted to tell you why I felt like this and how I overcame it…in one day.
I freaked out because I’ve been having an amazing four weeks in Colombia. (Yes, I have been here for four weeks – ONE WHOLE MONTH already. Wow, doesn’t time fly?) I have met some amazing friends, spent lots of time with my lovely family, started art class, been commissioned to do some art, started Spanish class, eaten some amazing food and am generally having the time of the my life. BUT, a little niggling feeling creeps in that I’m unemployed and this freaks me out. I panicked, I gasped for air, I questioned what the hell I was doing, I worried that I would never work again, and more so that I would never want to work again. I do not like this. I used to be a workaholic. Now I love life too much to even contemplate the reality of work. A friend introduced me to the concept of the four hour workweek or something like a mini-retirement. I haven’t read the book, but here’s the link if you want to have a look.
He says welcome to my mini-retirement.
So ‘mini-retirements’ are great. But in order to be ‘mini’ it implies that there’s an end. Today I decided to have a plan and to put a steak in the ground for the ‘end’. This has been the best thing ever. So, to give you an insight into my very personal life, here is my life plan:
My life plan.
My life plan sits at the end of bed and is my guide. My plan is for my life over the next six months. I have basically given myself a ‘life holiday’ until the end of June. Here, I am giving myself the freedom to do what the hell I want, go wherever I please, learn things, do things, see things… For the next six weeks, I can basically enjoy life guilt-free. Then in July I am going to start looking for a job (so I might be contacting you then)…
I love this plan. It makes me very happy. And I know that come July onwards, I will be ready to embrace a job.
A life plan was something I was taught from a careers advisor after my accident and subsequent ‘mid-life crisis’. It worked really, really well as I got to Colombia as I dreamed. The only missing part was what to do when in Colombia. Now I have the freedom to have fun, safe in the knowledge that I have a solid timeframe to work with.
I am sharing this with you, because as always I want to be honest with you. It seems like I’ve had an amazing, glossy time in Colombia, and I have. But at some points, I question my journey and this is what I’ll share with you too.
So expect lots of great, fun adventure for the next six weeks. I can’t wait and you’re coming along for the ride too.
How about community service? There’s plenty to be done here…I would be happy to give you suggestions.
Best,
otra gringa colombiana (fyi gringa = norteamericana)
Oh yes, that’s a great idea thank you.
Please email me some of your suggestions.
Besitos
gringaColombiana x
I read that book and thought it was great, despite the silly title. In fact, I read it twice as it has some good messages and is a light read. All I can say is relax and enjoy because soon enough you’ll be working again and you’ll miss these days! Good luck.
Thanks John!
With my plan I can relax a lot more now.
Besitos
X
on the same lines, we run a call center in Bogota and we are looking for English speaking folks to do some calling, outbound sales, pretty good results, small basic salary and commissions. If interested send us an email callctrbogota@yahoo.com
Thank you for the opportunity x
FYI – on the gringa front, yes it originally hailed from US American troops, but according to the Urban Dictionary, a ‘gringa’ is “…the spanish definition for a white female usually used for english speaking persons, it doesn’t matter if she is american, italian, french or whatever as long as she is white and speaks any other language different from spanish.”
I happened to stumble upon your blog while searching for jobs in Bogota and I’m glad I did since now I know I’m not the only one really stressing about finding a job and I haven’t even arrived yet. I’m in a not so quite but similar situation as you, worked in education for 5 years here in the U.S. but woke up one day and realized I couldn’t handle the routine of working 8-5 in an office for the next 35 years of my life and among a lot of other stress at the time I just decided to start over and focus on my passion, social work. Anyway, sorry for the long post but if you’re interested in volunteering you could try http://www.volunteersouthamerica.net.
I’ll definitely be following your blog.
P.S. I’m not sure if I double, triple…even quadruple posted but if I did feel free to delete the extra comments, sorry!
Hi Rob
Thank you so much for your lovely, encouraging comments and for stumbling across my blog.
I love hearing from people going through similar experiences. I had a series of events which led me to Colombia. If you haven’t already, you can read about it here:
Anyways, keep in touch and let me know when you arrive in Bogota!
gringaColombiana
x
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