Each month here at BYSYC, we decide on a theme for the monthly newsletter. At our recent off-campus meeting — had over a few brunch-tails at the Double Wide Grill’s annual Dog Festival :-) — we realized we were all going through some major life transitions.
Mine was a decision over a job offer to a return to a “new” job at a place I’d previously worked for 7 years.
It was excruciating. I was happy with my present job, and over 18 months there developed genuine love and loyalty to my co-workers. In my tightly-knit industry, word spread quickly that I might head back “home.” But, when someone would ask “Are you going
back
??” — heavy emphasis on back — I’d get defensive.
Which made zero sense. That place I’d be going “back” to completely changed my life for the better and shaped who I am today. I consider the owners and my co-workers there as true family.
There’s an oddly negative connotation in our modern world that the notion of going “back” anywhere is bad, because it's not forward motion. It’s as if you failed, which is so wrong! If you’re returning to a place that gives you comfort and love and challenges you, how can that be bad?
The point was further driven home to me after a long talk with a friend who moved back to Pittsburgh recently after roughly 25 years away. He’s elated to be back here, but admitted that after he lived away for so long, that coming “back” would be regarded as some kind of mid-life reboot. In both of our cases, going “back” has been wonderful, but getting there, emotionally, Was. A. Process.
Sometimes we just get a chance to restart. Create a new timeline. Learn from the past and know that it’s ok to go”back.”
Happy Almost Summer,
Rae
