The Valley and I had something I would consider as a toxic relationship. Like the boyfriend your mother always warned you about. I always came home frazzled after long, ungratifying and unprosperous hours only to have to return bright and early the next day, wary of the events to come that shift.
If I said The Valley brought nothing positive into my life, then I would be lying. I learned that I will not tolerate a lack of respect in or out of the workplace. I may not be a managerial position, but I am also not your lackey. I learned that accepting shady offers from the ownership to basically whore yourself out to get ahead in life is not only pitiful, but also the smartest idea to turn down. I learned that moving on sometimes is the best thing to do even though a given situation may be familiar and comfortable.
The last day of working at The Valley, I had a special guest at the bar. His wife, Katrina, and
he were very interested in knowing about my life. Funny, I figured. I gave them a run down
of where I'm at in this clusterfuck I call my life. A bartender working all hours in order to catch up, and eventually get ahead. To one day, sign back up for school. Finish the last three classes strong, get that piece of paper and move on. The gentleman applauded my goals, and reminded me something very important-- something I had forgotten in my years of working in a "yes sir, no m'am" black-hole of a service industry (where dreams go to die) that sucks every hope and ambition you have absolutely bone dry-- That only I am in charge of my own happiness. He told me that if I wasn't truly, undeniably happy with where I was at, to do something about it, and for the better. He and his wife paid the $70 tab with $500 and left the rest for me to put towards school. That was the cushion I needed to finally uproot, re-enroll and march on.
Upon leaving work, I filled out an application elsewhere before heading home. Determined, and for the first time in a long time, focused, I sat down in front of this very computer and tapped out an email to Wulf. Leaving out things better left unsaid that would never be understood anyway, like my feelings about him and the practices of the restaurant that I do not agree with, I finally pulled the trigger after months of wanting to. This is the email which was sent:
Wulf,
For the past several years you have employed me at the restaurant, I have come to work and done well. The core staff functioned well as a team, and everyone seemed to be happy. Life at work seemed to flow.
Since January, there have been changes made to better the overall well-being of The Valley. I have done my best to power through and accept all adjustments. There are however some aspects that have manifested over time which I do not see eye-to-eye with. I could sit here and jot down bullets of my qualms, but at the end of the day it is merely a list, not a
resolution. Consequently, I am unhappy in a workplace and my income has suffered as a direct result in turn.
I have been taught that if I do not like a situation, to not sit and complain but actually do something proactive about it. As it has been said, "only you are in charge of your own happiness." My goal since joining your staff has been to save up money to return to school. Since then, I have been running in place, unable to get ahead. It is imperative that I take the next step to see this through. Ultimately, I wish to seek employment elsewhere.
I do thank you for your generosity which you have bestowed, the time you have invested in me, and allowing me to help serve your business. I do hope for your understanding on the matter. Please consider this my letter of resignation.
xx
It's no surprise to me that I never heard a work back after sending that to the old boss.
Happy trails, Wulf and company.
Shit, or get off the pot. Whatever it was, I'd reached my breaking point. I was done. It was time to cut the cord. Torii and Katrina Hunter, this is to you. For not only giving wonderful advice, but following your own as well. Life is too short to be stressed, to be miserable, to be keeping your head just above water-- Life is too short to be anything but happy, so stand up and be true to yourself.
--Malia Etienette
Photo Credit:
Moving on- www.diamondindasky.com
Banksy change- www.prince2.ca
Sunshine- www.beingbaileyj.com
Quit- www.zrdavis.com
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