If I Only Had the Nerve...

A couple of years ago, I had a recurring dream in which I became frustrated with my job and quit without any plans for what I would do next. Dream Vikki would awake the next day and immediately regret quitting and beg to return to work. In my dream, I always went back.

I have thought about that dream a lot in the past few days. Was it prophetic? Was it a warning? Did it have any meaning at all? There is no way of knowing.

What I do know is that Real Vikki and Dream Vikki are leading parallel lives because, last Friday, I resigned from my position as a social worker in Adult Protection.

This time, however, there is no going back.

It is no secret that I have been burned out for some time. I applied for promotions and interviewed for lateral moves that would take me away from direct service. I even requested a leave of absence but it was denied. I felt trapped and it became clear that my only option was to leave.

But I am not one to take risks and change is hard. It is not easy to walk away from the job that has been the cornerstone of my professional life for the past 15 years.  I am sad and scared but I am trying to have faith that my path will be revealed to me.

My last day will be 11/2/12.

After that, this Cowardly Lion is for hire.