Down to the wire

I have 7 working days left!  SEVEN (not counting today, of course, since I'm here and the day's half over)!!!!   I am filled with a strange mixture of excitement and doubt.  Similar to buying a new house.  I can't wait to not work, but then I think how long will that last and am I doing the right thing?  I never thought I'd really be in this position.  I used to love coming here and working.  I still love my job, itself; and the people I work with... just not the environment.

I am doing the right thing... maybe not retiring, but leaving this place that has been my 'home' for 16 years.  Sixteen years as an employee, but when you think about it I've been here for almost 20 years.  During my 4 or so years as a student, I worked in the Financial Aid Office, upon graduation I worked in the Admission, then Registrar, and finally Institutional Research offices.  The final 12 being here in IR.  I've learned a lot, accomplished a lot and made many good friends here.  It will be sad, and different, not having that interaction anymore.  Weird...

But, from other friends who have retired, I understand I will love it.. I will be busy.. I'll wonder how I had time to work!  I certainly hope so!  Then, of course, there is the financial uncertainty.  I know, I know..our "Wealth Advisers" have it worked out, and they seem confident that we will be fine, but it's still a big adjustment.

So here I sit.. finishing up last minute things, worrying about who will be doing the things I do once I leave.  I guess that's not my worry.  No one was concerned enough to ask me to stay until they hired someone.  And, the ad they posted is for someone to do something that is very different from what I've done over the last 12 years, so I guess if they don't care, why should I?

So here it is... 7 more working days and then I have the rest of my life to figure out how I want to spend my time....   hard to believe!