Transitions

Where do I begin? This past month has been a time of it’s own. I feel as though it wasn’t too long ago since we last connected, yet here we are again. We remain grateful for the opportunity to be able to continue to move forward in the ways that align with the needs of our community while remaining true to the mission of AMI.

Transitions

As mentioned on our AMI instagram, this blog is about career transitions. The gift of stepping further into my truth while embracing the work of a Clinical Social Worker. Like many, for so long I’ve allowed my job title to define me rather than to accept that it was the milestones that I have committed myself to that has defined my career.

Perhaps, this is where I share, my gratitude stems further into the intention I’ve gathered within my work You may ask, “what exactly is she referring to?”. I simply say, I love remaining intentional with my work because it leads towards that which I am best aligned with. The knowing that God has kept me intentional is confirming. Being able and willing to move closer towards where I am meant to be feels so good. I hold the desire to be able to cultivate the relationships that we have built within AMI as we pour into them watching them flourish and as a result witnessing lives continue to change. In order of arriving at this place, I must admit, I have had to heal. Arriving here required self-awareness, self-acceptance, and the trust that I will confidently lead exactly where I have been called. A process that I am continuously thankful for.

Remain open to where you are being led. As you begin, trust your next season.

The Next Season

No matter how scary this season may be, I am ready. I am ready to push forward in ways that align with who I am and how to best move forward. I choose me. We choose AMI. We are ready to truly build for us, and yes it has taken a level of healing and discipline for our team to have arrived here.

It was scary to leave what was familiar. Working a 9-5 was safe, yet it is not going to get me closer to the vision of AMI. A sacrifice. All that I went through, all that I will go through is experience. A vision requires faith and perseverance, transitioning from working for someone to working completely for myself. It’s scary yet worth it.

I hold the vision not because of where I work, but because of who I AM. Accepting this is the biggest game changer for me. To know that my dedication over the past 5 years of my career, my relentless work ethic, and my ability to persevere is what makes me who I am, not because of a job title. Not because of any external factor. So often we determine our worth from something outside of ourselves, yet growth occurs within the uncomfortable. That in itself is beautiful. There is so much hurt outside of us… so much distraction. In this moment we move forward. In this moment I choose me. I choose AMI.

Strength Within My Truth

The strength that I’ve gained from increased alignment with my truth has been the gift of healing through challenge. The opportunity to learn through fear and to replace fear with hope has been insurmountable. A gift to have experienced this season and I am forever grateful. 

I am grateful for being able and willing to do the work. Every challenge strengthens us towards the direction of where we are meant to be. Grateful for circumstances both good and bad. This is how I have arrived here where I am today. I am thankful. Thankful for the tools, resources, and strategies to heal and remain present within my pain because it is through that which stamina has been built, and hope has been gathered. I break free from my chains of a 9-5 and learn to invest in what is meant for me. 

Our environments matter. We are only able to be who we are meant to be when our basic necessities are being met. When we feel safe and secure, we flourish. To take a breath feels so good. Put yourself first. 

 
Value You First

As I made the hard decision to leave behind my 9-5 it was a scary decision, despite knowing what was true for me. Reflecting on how I would go to work, come home and immediately go to bed, spend my weekends preparing to do it all over again. I knew I had reached my limit and I would not continue to allow my family to be subject to my symptoms of depression. I knew if I continued I would not remain effective with our mission here at AMI. My workplace was an incredible toxic environment that continued to tear me down in ways that so many can relate to through microaggressions, a broken system, and even direct racism. I was no longer able to remain silent, and therefore had to let go.

Mind you, I am grateful for the experiences that I have gathered over my time as a public servant. Working within health care has equipped me with great knowledge, skill, and resource which stands fundamental to the work that I do today. I have been gifted the opportunity to understand Clinical Social Work within patient care and the unaddressed needs of those that AMI serves. I did grow in ways that are important to me. I was forced to strengthen my weaknesses, and I am stronger for it.

Fast Forward To Today

I now spend my time working closely with the municipal government representing AMI through a grassroots approach. I am excited. We have added an afterschool program, and an early-learning academy and Sunday Service within our local Church Ministry, to list a few. I do look forward to continue to give back as a Clinical Social Worker focused on mental health and culture and the lasting change my will work continue to make.

If contemplating your career transition, or change in general be willing to take a risk on you.

Begin To Think

What does the long game look like if you stay within that position?

1) Career Advancement, the higher you climb the more you get paid.
Working within a broken system while managing employees confined by policies and procedures that did not serve those that were most important to me wasn’t something I was willing to do.
 
2) Limited Raise that does not account for inflation.
When thinking about remaining in a job position that did not truly compensate me for my life expenses and that there was a cap with my earnings wasn't something I was okay with.

3) Job fatigue through burnout and its impact on mental health.
Knowing that remaining within the workforce did not impact only me but those that depend on me each and every day, my children. wasn’t worth my quality of life.

Please Note: I write this blog not for sympathy or for agreement, but rather insight. For you to recognize that your value exists within yourself. And that you have the ability to choose the life that is right for you as long as you are willing to do the work. You just need to be willing to trust the process.

And Remember

“You got a dream you gotta protect it. People can’t do something themselves they tell you, you can’t do it. If you want something, go get it, period.”

Pursuit of Happiness, Will Smith