It's My Last Weekend Being "Gainfully Unemployed"

I've had a lot of ways of spinning my year-and-half off of working. I've used the term "gainfully unemployed" to emphasize that I'm doing more with my time than just playing video games (though playing video games has been a significant component). I've used the term "self-financed sabbatical" to further press the idea that I am working on education and creativity during my time off. I've also used the term "convalescing" to remind myself that there is a strong element of healing, both physically and emotionally.

And as I reflect on my last weekend before starting my new job, I have this sense that all of these terms are accurate and true. The amount of good that this time off has done for my physical health is apparent in a 5 second glance at the mirror. The good it has done for my mental health can be discerned by a momentary reflection on my mood, which is generally relaxed and cheerful these days. The amount I have learned in the last year and a half is enormous. Then there's the experiences I gained from living in another city with wise and intelligent room mates and their wise and intelligent dog.

I'm a bit nervous about the new job, but that's to be expected. I also feel confident that I'm up to the challenge. I'm excited about the fact that it's a long but reasonable walk and close to the kung fu studio's new location, so it'll be easy to get lots of exercise while working a desk job.

I'm a little bit sad that I'll have less freedom. On the other hand, I will have to carefully consider how I use my free time in order to still be constructive with it without undermining the restorative necessity of it.

And it'll be nice to have a new desk to store some of my toys. In the game industry, it's not just possible to be an unapologetic nerd, it's an asset.

Should be a good time.