Switching Gears
“Be where you’re supposed to be, doing what you’re supposed to be doing.”
What is it that you’re passionate about?
For me, I am passionate about helping others. I have always, since I was a little girl, lended a helping hand. In fact, I love helping others so much, that I went from a great paying, excellent benefits, holidays off, 9-5 job at the bank, to in home caregiving. I just had this calling that I needed to care for the elderly, because if I didn’t, then what? Who was going to take care of them? There really aren’t enough caregivers in the world. I loved it, I learned a lot of very valuable knowledge from every person I cared for. I loved everything about in-home caregiving, it was exhausting, but I slept in peace knowing that I made someone else’s life better that day.
After 4 years of in home caregiving, I had a child of my own. I knew I couldn’t possibly take care of a newborn, AND the elderly. So I soaked in every second of every day with my daughter, for 8 months.
Then once again, I had this calling, I just had to get another job in the caregiving field. I wasn’t sure what exactly I needed to find, but I was on the search. Then on a hot sunny day in August, my daughter and I took a drive out North of Belgrade, where I saw a “Now Hiring” sign at Bootstrap Ranch. I immediately stopped and looked it up. Sure enough, it was for a caregiving position for survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury.
I applied, and I started a week after that day.
This was not anything that I had ever experienced. The residents ranged in ages from 20-75, they all had such unique and different stories. Most of them were very independent, volunteering or working in our community. Some were just getting back on their feet and overcoming the struggles that are associated with their TBI.
Within a few months, this place felt like my home, the residents became my family, they became my daughters family. I instantly became the residents’ family, friend, therapist, life skills coach, etc. I wanted to do all that I possibly could to help each individual get on their feet, to live a normal life again after such devastating, unimaginable accidents had happened to them. This. Became. My. Life.
After 3.5 years of giving it my all, dealing with poor management, feeling under-appreciated, getting a slap in the face pay raise, dealing with co-workers who never showed up to work or IF they did they would plop down on the couch and take a nap (Literally) I thought to myself, WHAT AM I DOING? I’ll be 30 in a couple of years and THIS is what I am doing with my life? And then my dear friend Karen came on board. She was such a gift to me and my daughter. I learned so much from her and I will forever cherish the memories I had with her. She made the days brighter. And she always told me “Just wait, you will find something you love and that you can continue to be passionate about, that you will blossom, you will be appreciated, and you will look back and be thankful for the years you’ve given to this place, but until then, keep doing what you’re doing and life will unravel for you.”
About 1.5 years later, the establishment started running out of funding and gave employees and residents about 3 months notice that they’re closing their doors.
Honestly, I was running on fumes too. I guess I didn’t realize how much of myself I was giving to others. I was never doing the caregiving for the health benefits, never doing it for the money, I mean, let’s be honest, caregiving is probably the most underpaid job out there!
I started thinking about what Karen had told me, so this time around, I decided, ok, now instead of taking care of others, its time to take care of myself! Its all about self-care, and self growth. I had a lot to work on. I mean, I just spent 9 years giving and giving and giving. I was okay with it at the time though. I don't regret a single minute. But I was going to do things differently this go around! :)
So I got on social media, started scrolling and came across a DGC job listing, looking for an office administrator. I thought to myself, heck, I can do that, I have experience from my employment at the bank, and I handled a lot of office duties at my previous job, lets go for it!
So here I am, working at DGC, and I absolutely love it! It has its own definition of “helping others.” My cup is still full at the end of the day because whether I helped a homeowner with the decision making process, or helped one of my colleagues in one way or the other to make their day easier, THAT right there, is what keeps me going! Whether it be big or small.
DGC has become family. We are close knit, have each other’s back, we want each other to grow and be the best that we can possibly be.
The moral of this story is, find what you’re passionate about, and give it your all until it benefits yourself and everyone around you!
Be a bright shiny light in this world!
Thanks for reading!