» The last one (not quite)

The last one (not quite)

November 24th, 2011

It took me a lot of strength to get up from my chair and walk to my boss’ cubicle. It was just a few steps away but this time it was enough to make up my mind. Several times before I had tried to walk the same hallway and then found myself turning back and convincing myself to stay just a little bit longer.

This time was different. She was talking on the phone so I had to wait for a few minutes. When she hung up I took the seat across from her and told her without hesitation “I quit”.

After five years of enjoying and loving my job, I’d decided it was time to leave. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I owned it and held on to it like I’ve held on to every memory in my amazing job. The hardest thing was saying goodbye to the people I’d met, the people I’d loved and the people I’d admired. My boss, who had faith in me and hired an almost inexperienced girl with some magazines as a resume; my dear friend and almost-sister who found love in the 35th floor cafeteria; the Director of my area who always had my back and practically saved my life when she saw through my pain and gave me the greatest vacation ever; the Partner who drives like crazy and enjoys teaching kids about economics and community efforts; my friends from whom I’d learnt everything I know now about costumer service; the Partner who always treated me with respect, saw in my crazy ideas glimpses of innovation and answered every e-mail with a “thank-you” note; my very good friend who never forgot me and always invited me to her social responsibility events; my friends from the editorial pool; designers; managers; strangers in the elevator; strangers in the hallway… everyone left an indelible mark in my soul.

I prepared everything. It took me three days to empty my desk and two trips home to carry my boxes. Almost everything that hung, colored o brightened my desk was given to my team. I made my list and, in a last-testament-and-will kind of way, I gave each one of them a part of my life at this beautiful office.

I was ready to let go, and I had big plans for my future life outside these crystal doors.

Little did I know that as a freelancer, I would be happily returning to this same office, and little did I know I was going to be so warmly welcomed.

This is the last post from this series, but just not the final chapter of this journey; for I am in a path of understanding and loving the challenges of working @HomeOffice.

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