The emotions of moving on

Leaving an old job to start a new one

I put in my 2 weeks last week. By next Friday I’ll be done at my current company and moving on to the next.

There is a mix of emotions. Excitement about the new opportunity, and sadness I won’t be able to work with some people anymore. Before I told my manager the news, I felt guilty. I didn’t want to invoke any emotions of betrayal, or I am rejecting people (because it’s obviously not my intention). It’s a little extreme and I know I don’t “owe” a company anything other than the work that is expected of me. There is a humanity to this though. I’ve built relationships and have gotten to know people. With any transition, there may be a little uncertainty or uncomfortableness. I don’t like being the person to cause that.

One of the particulars I caught up in is, how you share this kind of news with people. I’ve been telling different groups throughout the day who need to know, and it was like ripping a band-aid off each time. Everyone was extremely supportive, but at one point I could see the surprise on people’s faces. I’m most likely projecting, but I personally don’t like surprises. There is no other way for this not to be a surprise though. I mean it’s possible to make it not a surprise…which is telling everyone you’re interviewing with another company. That would breed its own problems.

I’ve moved onto new roles a few times now, so this isn’t my first rodeo. Maybe this gets easier, but reflecting back on each time I’ve done this, I remember the anxiety that swells up when I’m in the midst of figuring out how to let people know.

“Business is business”…sure, but it doesn’t mean I can’t have feelings about what’s happening.