Thank you COVID lockdown.
Thank you for getting me out of the kitchen and allowing me to homeschool my young daughters.
Thank you for gifting me half of my winter basking in the warmth of my children.
Thank you for healing me. The enforced pause in hospitality has given plenty of us time and space to consider why we do what we do. Is it just a job? Is it also a calling? Would we rather be doing something else?
Two years ago, I was desperately looking for any job that would give me a stable economic base to live out my life. I wasn't even considering a hospitality job in my search because I was already in hospitality and I knew the hospitality hours were not the best. Neither was consistency nor security of employment. But somehow I was found, recruited, and signed on because it was secure employment and I had no other offers.
It saved me.
But it cost me dearly. I had to move away from my children and missed out on time with them. I buckled down and did what needed to be done. I worked the job hard and fought harder to get time with all my daughters. Thank you for the struggle, thank you for the harvest, thank you for the growth.
It was really good until it wasn't. Because of the dynamic and uncertain course of the COVID-19 pandemic, my roster was robbing me of time with my children. This was on top of the rising pressure in the kitchen as more and more work were being shouldered by the kitchen team. And ultimately this stress literally gave me ulcers. By the time lockdown commenced, I was only too happy to not work a kitchen for a while.
And now that we approach the end of lockdowns as vaccination rates are met, I have found the job that I started looking for two years ago. Hay salamat.
Like many people of my generation, we have accumulated many skills and XP. 35 years earlier I earned a degree for a career in computing. 20 years ago I re-discovered my passion for dance and music. 12 years ago I earned a culinary certificate from TAFE to become a chef. This week extends my journey from wearing suits and ties for work, to wearing Hi-VIS apparel.
This week I'm a contract delivery driver for Australia Post.
And since everyone at work knows I'm a newbie, I no longer suffer from impostor syndrome. This is me and I will try my best every day.
Thank you.
This job makes it possible to have the kids every weekend if they want. Gracias.
