One –
Let’s talk about eating lunch out and how it’s no longer a possibility at this job. At my old job, I had my pick of fast food (Subway, Chick-Fil-A, Five Guys, Jimmy John’s, Chipotle, Panera Bread, etc.) but it takes me at least 15 minutes to get anywhere from this office. And both times I have gone out to find something for lunch, I’ve come back frustrated, mad, and wholly unsatisfied. Basically, it’s too much of An Event to go out for lunch and I will be bringing my lunch to work from here on out. In any event, it saves me money and calories so maybe it’s the perfect situation for me.
(There is a cafe in my building but I don’t know where it is and I hear it’s stupid expensive. And cafe food usually makes me feel yucky, so I’ll stick with packing my lunches.)
Two –
I am loving the new dress code. Of course, I miss wearing yoga pants when I felt like it but generally, it feels good to get dressed up every day and actually make an attempt at looking put-together. I do need to invest in better-fitting dress slacks (finding slacks that fit my short, chicken legs but also my bigger thighs/hips is not easy at all). But, all in all, I don’t hate having to dress up as much as I thought I would. It’s actually fun and I’m excited to experiment more with my style through this. (And Fridays are casual days which is also very, very nice.)
Three –
The writing itself is going very, very well. I am really enjoying it! I don’t think I realized how unhappy I was at my old job until I came here and was thrown into a completely different environment with work I completely enjoy. The writing itself isn’t exactly thrilling (I just finished a big assignment where I wrote 22 300-word pages on cabinets. CABINETS.). But I feel like I am doing work I was meant to be doing. At my old job, I was bogged down in doing secretarial-type tasks but also high-level analysis tasks. Neither things are what I love. Writing is what I love and writing is what I’m doing and it is just fabulous.
Four –
My commute is wonderful. I was worried because I now work in Tampa so I have to use the interstate to get to work, but it’s really not bad. It takes me 20 minutes, on average, to and from, and on the way to work, I get a gorgeous view of the sunrise with the skyline of Tampa in the background. I have tried to take so many pictures of it but they never do it justice. It’s a really easy drive and it’s mostly highway so I am just feeling really grateful about it.
Five –
Fridays. Are just the best. No, really. They are really the best. I’ve mentioned it before but I just want to talk about how freaking amazing it is to only work a half-day every Friday. My weekends start at 11:30am, which means my weekends feel extra long and just absolutely wonderful. I actually feel ready for work to begin on Monday. I work just 30 minutes extra Monday – Thursday for it and it’s really not a big deal at all. Why all companies don’t offer this, I have no idea. I think it would inspire more productive workers! Also, my company also provides Panera Bread bagels on Fridays, too. So, really, when I say Fridays are just the best – I really mean it!
Do you have lots of options for fast food around your work? How long is your commute?
My commute is 22 minutes (down to a science), but I go the opposite direction from you for work. I usually bring my lunch but I go to Jimmy John’s once a week because I’m in love with the Beach Club and like sitting outside and pretending not to go back to work (usually on Mondays).
My commute is about 30 minutes in the morning thanks to traffic and about 20 or so on the way home. It’s not terrible!
I do have a ton of food options around me as we are in the Italian part of STL so lots of temptation. Fortunately I only get out maybe once a week for lunch, the rest of the time I bring my own lunches to save money, time and calories =)
So glad you love the new job!
We’re surrounded by fast food, but it is SUCH A PAIN. Seriously, so many people on the road, so many people in line… I agree, totally not worth it. I rarely leave because I just end up getting mad! A break from my desk isn’t really worth it if it’s just going to stress me out, so I completely understand!
So glad you’re loving the new job, I’m so happy for you!
There are plenty of fast food joints around me – I normally go for Subway because I get tired of greasy fast food and I can make a foot-long sandwich last for three lunches. I wish there was a Panera closer by, although my wallet is probably happy there isn’t one.
I know what you mean about feeling good about getting “Dressed up” for work. even tho i wish i could wear yoga pants to work everyday i know it would get old and you would feel like nice/pretty. haha but then again as soon as I come home from work thats the first thing i do… take off the nice clothes and put on my yoga pants haha. i have two offices that i work at…one is 20 min away and one is 40….both arent bad and the one that is 20 min away i am at 3 days /week…so thats good. and food options…i usually pack to be honest. there are a few good places around to get some food but not a ton. i prefer to pack..unless im fresh out of stuff at home or craving something really good out!
Ooohh, so many wonderful things at this new job! I think the whole packing your lunch thing is definitely a plus, and if you start packing and leaving it in the fridge the night before, you can probably make yourself really great, filling lunches. I rarely buy food when I work, preferring leftovers and whatnot. I do have lotssss of options to eat out, but once you get the habit to just bring your own food, it’s not so bad.
The dress code is similar at my school, though not enforced, it is encouraged to look business casual every day, and I LOVE it. I totally get you on that! I have so much fun getting ready for school in the morning because I always get to look done up 😀
As someone who’s short as well, I suggest New York & Company for pants. You can normally always find the having a sale too, like BOGO!
We have a fair amount of food choices around my office, including a salad/wrap place downstairs that’s super yummy! My commute is around an hour because of traffic!
I love how happy you sound at your new job! That makes me really happy… and honestly, packing your own lunch is not that bad. You can really get used to it, have more control over what you eat AND save money. That’s a win-win in my book!
I am super envious of your Friday work schedule. I would love an alternative work schedule but it just so does not happen in the financial services industry. I work in uptown charlotte so you would think I’d have tons of lunch options, but I actually don’t as their downtown is so much smaller than what I was used to in Minneapolis and then when you factor in my gluten intolerance, I am even more limited. So I pretty much only eat out once a week. I prefer to work through my lunch as i feel less guilty about leaving around 5:30-6 each day. It’s dumb that I even have to say I feel guilty about leaving at that time as that is a 10+ hour day for me since I get in around 7:30 but whatever I guess! I am glad that you are happy with the work you are doing at your new job!!
I have lots of awesome perks at my job but working longer hours Mon – Thurs for shorter hours Friday is not one of them. However I REALLY wish it was because I absolutely love that idea and I think it would make the weekends a lot more bearable!
So glad you’re loving the new job so much!
This is all really positive! Good for you Steph. And the whole dressing up things actually does make a difference in your confidence 😉
I’m happy to hear you’re loving your new job! 😀
My commute is 0.1 miles. Yup, I live withing walking distance to my work and it’s awesome!
There is a cafe across the street that is OK. There are definitely a lot of fast food options too, but I just bring my lunch bc it’s way cheaper and majorly cuts calories.
Whoa, this job sounds kind of awesome. So glad you found it! Twenty-two 300-word pages on cabinets & all. (!)