This job is so draining that I don’t often have the energy to post anymore. However, things could be worse, right?

What will I do?  I’m trying to figure that out before life figures it out for me. I have both short and long term considerations at play, which makes decision-making more complicated.

The Job

I was able to get another portion of work done, so the immediate pressure on me has died down a little bit, at least for the next day or two before things ramp up again. I still feel like I’m struggling in this job because there is always so much to do and not enough time to get it all done. I’m still learning about this industry and…everything else.  I’ve been at the new job for 3 months now. It feels like it’s been a year already.

The poor performance layoffs seem to have stopped, but now there are fast-growing rumors of layoffs on the horizon – possibly a big layoff. A number of companies have announced layoffs in the news over the past month or two, so in this climate, it is very possible that this might happen where I work. Company leaders will need to address these rumors one way or another, and very soon. The rumors are coming from somewhere. Employees are nervous and morale is dropping. People on my floor seem less nervous, so maybe that’s a good sign? Or maybe they’re less nervous because they feel that their own roles are secure. I only just started working there and you know the saying – ‘Last in. First out’.

This job sucks the life out of me, but it provides a paycheck. I’m not crazy about this job, but getting laid off is not how I’d want to leave. I wouldn’t even qualify for any severance. At least the poor performers who were getting fired over the last three months got warnings. A big layoff chop will be sudden and out of nowhere. If you have secure employment, you might want to settle in and not make any risky moves right now. So yeah, I’m as stressed as usual, but also nervous now.

Housing Turnover

Speaking of losing people at work, one of my roommates is moving out. So the rest of us will need to scramble to get another person in here as soon as possible. None of us want to make up for the missed rent. I hope the next person is as easy to live with as the one who is leaving. Sigh.

Student Loan Debt

I made a couple of payments to bring the balance down to $13,863. I was going to continue putting money toward the loan, but now with the layoff rumors starting, I’m going to back off on the extra payments for the immediate future until I know if I will continue to have a job.

“Life Fund” Savings

With layoffs potentially looming, I’m going to continue to stockpile cash while I can. As of today, my Life Fund is still holding at $8,000.

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“Debtor’s prison is real, and opportunity cost is a bitch.” (DDSW Archives)