Today was my last day in the kitchen at my job!

A few months ago, I applied to transfer to another department at my workplace…

The process of getting interviewed and hired on took so long, I began to stress every day.

But I did it!

Now, I'll have a week off to play video games, watch anime, clean up my house, and spend time with my wife before starting the next chapter in my life.

I spent the first six months of the year, depressed and severely unmotivated. This was likely caused by the stress from my job.

I am behind on so many games, episodes of One Piece, and all of my friend circles.

I want the time I've lost to my job back.

I won't go into great details, but I was always left physically and mentally exhausted by the time I came home from work, which left me little-to-no personal time. I also only got time to talk to friends during a 15 minute break in the mornings and a 30 minute break in the afternoon… which means I didn't have time to talk to friends.

Around May of this year, something clicked.

I just grew tired of my daily M-F grind. I wasn't excited for my life. I would work and sleep, and it felt like the process wasn't going to end until I changed it.

So I applied for another position.

Working in the kitchen didn't allow for much freedom. It felt like my whole life was on a timer.

Getting a lunch break felt more like a legal obligation; going to the bathroom would get me scolded if I took too long; I had to watch close friends take fun vacations on a random Tuesday while I was stuck unable to even use my PTO. I couldn't enjoy summer at all.

Everything was made to be about work and I had to stay working or else it became this big thing.

Even when I got home from work, I realized I only had a certain amount of time left with my wife before it was back to it again the next day. It was even worse when I had to work weekends because I was working six to seven days a week… I started dreaming I was at work, just to wake up and go to work.

Then… I started losing sleep entirely.

But I know this is the reality for a lot of people so I'm not trying to make up a sob story.

I just got depressed, realized I was in a cycle, and decided to break it. That's what you have to do.

I took a career risk, one I'm hoping I won't regret.

I'll be working as a production operator on weekends.

More importantly, this means I get Monday through Thursday off without having to use any PTO at all.

Every week will be like a mini-vacation.

I can wake up early, watch anime like a Saturday morning cartoon (except it'll be a Wednesday); I can then play video games literally all day long without worry.

I can spend every minute of every day with my wife. We can go to restaurants that only serve breakfast, take weeklong trips to the beach, or take our niece to the park.

There's so much more I get to look forward to now that my life isn't just work.

My only concern now is living my life for a Monday. To look forward to when Wednesday comes and I realize I don't have to be anywhere or do anything.

I'm still working 40 hours but it won't be destroying my daily life.

I'm looking forward to being me again, and beating all the Zelda and Dragon Quest games since I have time now.

I'm nervous about my new position but that's to be expected.

I'll be starting training within the coming weekends and then I'll be put on the production floor.

It sucks that I have to give up my weekends, but to be honest with you guys, I didn't really have weekends anyway.

I reckoned, instead of living for a Saturday or Sunday, I get to be excited for the weekdays. To me, that's a much better trade because that gives me four days off instead of maybe one or two.

I appreciate everyone who stuck by me when I was depressed, left all groups and socials, and didn't post as often on Bluesky when I came back.

I also appreciate every person who reached out to me, DM'd me, supported me, and helped me. To those who were there every day for every countdown from May to August: Thank you.

I don't know what life is going to be like once I'm officially in that new job position. I just keep telling myself it's gotta be better than that kitchen.

I know it will have its own brand of bullshit that comes with it like every job does, but I hope the weekly personal time off offsets the shit I take on the weekends.

That being said, I will continue to work hard, put my best foot forward, lead with determination, and face my fears.

Like a Hero.