Tag Archives: Career

Good News!!!

Posted on by Gertie

Good Afternoon, World!!! I just wanted to tell the world I have a job interview for a peer specialist (counselor) job. It is on Wednesday and I am slightly anxious about the interview but also excited about it as well.

I have decided since my last post that I will be attending art group. Art is always a great thing for me to do. I made this decision before finding out about the interview. Art will help me express my emotions. The many emotions I am having at the moment.

The sun is out here in Seattle. The sunny warm spring like weather is always good on a Monday. Nobody really enjoys Mondays even if you are working.

On a side note I briefly checked in with my clinician about the job stuff a few moments ago. He seems cool. We will discuss more tomorrow but he appears to care and comprehend the fact that I need more human interaction and something to do with my life. He honestly seems to understand the fact I need some structure in my life that I can be happy with.

Thank you for reading. It is so very much appreciated. Peace Out, World!!!

I Miss Work

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! It looks like it is going to be yet another lazy day for me. The weather just sucks here in Seattle. At least it is not freezing ass cold like back on the East Coast and in the Midwest of the United States. In some places in the U.S it is even snowing. So I guess Seattle’s nasty, yucky ass weather isn’t as bad as it could be.

As yucky as it is today and the fact I want to be lazy, I’ll attempt to do something productive today. I am going to be applying for jobs today. Jobs that I may not even get an interview for but at least I am doing something in hopes to get off of disability. Plus, not working is boring as hell for me.

Yes, I have been doing things to keep myself busy but for me work gives me a sense of accomplishment other things don’t always give me. I love going to work most of the time and look forward to when I am able to go back.

Thank you for reading. It is greatly appreciated from my end of thing. You are all awesome. Peace Out, World

Woe-Is-Me Moment

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I’m having a woe-is-me moment. I am having a moment due to the fact I have been out of work for a year. I’ve been out of work because I resigned from my much loved career due to the fact my symptoms were acting up. Unfortunately, it appears that this is my new baseline however I AM NOT going to allow it to be my new baseline.

I miss working. Hell, I wish I was in a spot where I could work even if it part time. I loved working as Peer Specialist (Counselor). I know I’m meant to be working in the mental health field for the rest of my career.

I am also having a woe-is-me moment because of me having a new clinician. Or at least having a moment because of something that is beyond his control. Something he may not even be aware of yet. His voicemail is not set up yet. Hell, it’s his extension that is not set up either. I’m suppose to have a check-in with him today. Hope that will happen but can’t worry about it right now.

This moment is brought to you by the letters F-U-C-K. Have a great day everyone. I know my day can only get better. Peace Out, World!!!

Everyday Inspiration: Day 17: A Map As Your Muse

Posted on by Gertie

Image result for Career maps

Good Afternoon, World!!! Today’s assignment is to use a map as our muse. For me I chose the above map as it is focused on goal setting. At this moment in my recovery I focused on my goals as well as reevaluating my goals. Goals that will help me with my recovery as well as my career path which hopefully some day will include education.

I have some major goals in life. Those major or long term goals I have also have short term goals to help me to my ultimate long term goals. My goals are simple and complex and I will share them with you at some point in time.

Thank you for reading. You are awesome. Peace Out, World!!!!

Gertie & Grief

Posted on by jjuniorz

As many of you are well aware of, Gertie’s grandma passed away last Wednesday. Gertie is having a difficult with the grief. They don’t do well with loss especially the loss of someone who was a major part of their life.

Gertie is allowing themselves to cry over the loss of her grandma. This is a major deal for them as they don’t deal well with pain or crying. I am quite proud of Gertie for the major accomplishment of allowing themselves to cry.

Gertie is doing the best they can with using their skills. Despite being sorrowful over the death of their grandma they are keeping themselves busy and distracted with the skills they have learned over the years. Gertie is being future oriented.

Future oriented enough that they have been playing phone tag with a potential employer.  Lets hope they get the job they are hoping for.

Please keep Gertie in your thoughts as they are grieving over the loss of their grandma. Gertie is the love of my life. Have a great day.

Everyday Inspiration; Day 5: Hook ‘Em With a Quote

Posted on by Gertie

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. - Eleanor Roosevelt

The above quote by Eleanor Roosevelt “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” hits close to home for me. It hits close to home because I am in the process of believing that my dreams will come true. Dreams that will come true with hope and determination. Determination that has helped with my recovery process will help me with my dreams and future.

A future that includes me having a college education that allows me to move up the career ladder. One that will allow me to be much more than a Peer Specialist. One that will allow me to be a Case Manager and/or Therapist. This is why I believe in my dreams. Dreams that I know will come true even if it takes me longer than the average person.

Weekly Check-In

Posted on by Gertie

Hello, World!!! This week has been one of hope and insight as well as I think some growth. My therapist says he has seen a lot of growth in me and he owes it to the hope and the insight I have.

As many of you know I had two job interviews this week. Interviews that went extremely well. One went so well, that I am already on the short list and they weren’t even done interviewing yet.

My grandma went into hospice care this past week and it was extremely difficult yet she is doing quite well. She is still funny as hell.

I also volunteered at the Warm Line tonight. It’s always nice to help others and see my fellow volunteers. It was a difficult night because I ended up dealing with two callers who were suicidal. I got through it and now I’m at home relaxing. I left early due to the suicide calls and am doing good self-care.

Thank you for reading. Peace Out, World!!!

Friday Morning Ramblings

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! As I think about my week I can’t help but think about my friend who get fired yesterday at one of the agencies I interviewed for. In fact the job my friend got fired from is one I want as it is a part time position. In all honesty, part time work will be a better fit for me than a full time position. The problem is that if this agency offers me the part time position, I’ll feel bad for taking it. I also know this friend would be okay with it.

Right now, I am dealing with a great deal of PTSD symptoms. Symptoms that aren’t helping me with fighting off some dissociation. One of the signs I’m about to dissociate is the feeling of me being a scared young child. This is when I start playing with the toys I have. I usually play with my Hot Wheels, Play Doh, Legos, coloring, and stuffed animals.

Something that I did this morning to help not dissociate is make myself breakfast. I made myself French Toast, scrambled eggs and some tea. As I ate, I read the news paper. The newspaper had the typical bad news but also had stuff about the Winter Olympics. The Olympics is a refreshing part of the news.

Thank you for reading about my ramblings. I hope everyone has a good day. Happy Friday!!! Peace Out, World!!!

Wednesday Afternoon Ramblings

Posted on by Gertie

Good Afternoon, World!!! So far today has been a good day. The interview I had today went really well. I’m on what they call “the short list” and it is with my former employer. I so want to go back work especially with my former employer.

One of the questions I was asked both yesterday and today was about what I did for self care. I told them I loved to do art. Specifically, painting, collaging, and coloring. I should them one of my haiku poem collages and they were impressed.

I also informed them that I love to read. I was asked today who my favorite author is and favorite genre. I said Orson Scott Card and it is a tie between Sci Fi, Fantasy and Mystery. I think that helped break the ice a little today.

I told the interviewers in both interviews that I start and end the day with a mindfulness and/or meditation practice. I told them that it helps me stay focused and helps me remain calm throughout the day. Hell, it helps me sleep.

Thank you for reading my blog. It is much appreciated on my end. Happy Hump Day and Peace Out World!!!

Wednesday Morning Ramblings

Posted on by Gertie

Happy Hump Day, World!!! It’s Wednesday and I am looking forward to today. Lets start with what I will be doing in a couple of hours. I will be going to an interview at my former employer. I know one of the individuals interviewing me as we’ve attended all staff meetings and staff holiday parties. In fact this individual reached out to me to apply and interview. So, I’m a bit excited and anxious since I was the one who was reached out to regarding the job. It is a peer specialist job not with the same team. I’ll be interviewing for their crisis program. So, working with individuals will be challenging however I am up for the challenge.

I had a challenging night of sleep. Not because I was having issue with insomnia but because someone kept pulling the fire alarm. They found out who kept pulling it and well the person ended up going to the Emergency Room to get a psych evaluation. The individual has been having some issues with their mental health so I think it was wise that the police took them to the hospital.

My own mental health is improving which is a great thing. I’m feeling hopeful and am grateful for this emotion. I am relieved that things are starting to get better.

Thank you for reading. Have a great day. Peace Out, World!!!