Work & Money

7 things that go through your mind when you have a new job

By Amayzine | #!31Fri, 13 Oct 2023 15:11:42 +0200+02:004231#31Fri, 13 Oct 2023 15:11:42 +0200+02:00-3Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202331 13pm31pm-31Fri, 13 Oct 2023 15:11:42 +0200+02:003Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam2023312023Fri, 13 Oct 2023 15:11:42 +02001131110pmFriday=9#!31Fri, 13 Oct 2023 15:11:42 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam10#10-13-2023#!31Fri, 13 Oct 2023 15:11:42 +0200+02:004231#/31Fri, 13 Oct 2023 15:11:42 +0200+02:00-3Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202331#!31Fri, 13 Oct 2023 15:11:42 +0200+02:00Europe/Amsterdam10#

Woman with brown curly hair working at a desk laughing Emily in Paris scene

This month I got to think again about how you step into a new job for the first time, well, not for the first time (read: I was an intern here five years ago), but on your first day, and these are the 7 things I felt. You probably recognize a few of them too.

1. Sleeping, or rather not
It started the night before. Sleep? Ha, I didn't think so. I have the bad habit of driving myself completely crazy when I'm comfortably in bed, especially when it's totally unnecessary. Recently, I've noticed that I actually fall asleep in no time when I lie on my back with my hands above my head and take a few good, deep breaths in and out – don't ask me why this works so well. I should look up more of these tips for easy sleeping, I realize now.

2. What. Am. I. Going. To. Wear.
Here begins the battle with yourself and your closet, because there's definitely nothing in there that makes you happy at that moment. Personally, I prefer to change my outfit three, maybe four times just five minutes before I was supposed to leave. What did I end up wearing just in time to hop on my bike, you ask? A pair of jeans with a nice frayed edge: something cool. A blouse with thin pinstripes: always good. And the clogs from Birkenstock, because the weather still called for something airy.

3. Who am I going to meet?
Now, I am lucky that I have been wandering around here for months, but it is still a moment of tension when you are actually standing at the door. And we haven't even talked about names yet... Do I still know everyone? How many new names do I have to remember and how on earth am I going to do that, because nine out of ten times I don't even hear the name of someone when I shake their hand and mention my own name.

4. I am a freelancer...
Or rather: ‘Ah, I am a freelancer.’ Because I found that so exciting: taking the step from a job where you know exactly what you will earn, when you work, with whom you work, and you build up a pension. Yes Lys, you can arrange that yourself now.

5. Help, panic.
While cycling, panic sets in. How am I going to do this? Can I do this? What have I gotten myself into?

6. Take it easy now
I had known for a while that I had a great need for a new job. At some point, you reach a point where you have to start a new adventure. You've taken the step, so now you can breathe again and enjoy.

7. I did it!
I think we should all give ourselves a bit more credit when we start something we don't know how it will turn out, under the guise of breaking habits. And I'm not saying I'm good at this myself, but let's start working on that together, agreed? Don't forget to celebrate your victory and enjoy the moment when you go to bed again, because you will definitely sleep so much better knowing that you chose for yourself. No one can take that away from you.

Written by Lysanne Aardema | Image: Netflix