Different kind of season

Trying hard to accept the changes.

Work at my seasonal job is now in full swing, but it is anything but like last year.  This year we have a new director.  While pleasant enough, she is the complete opposite of my former boss.  I have come to realize that this is going to be a different kind of season, and others are feeling it too.  

Last year our staff consisted of four full-time “older” staff members, with the rest all being what I refer to as the “younger crowd.” This year, aside from one very part-time maintenance employee (12 hours/week), I find myself being alone in my age group.  I’m pretty sure I’ve been married longer than most of these kids have been alive!  No doubt this younger crowd thinks of me as being old.  I secretly view them as being mostly clueless!  Ah, to be in our 20s again.  I think many of us thought we knew it all back then too!

Aside from the age difference, I find myself cringing at the way our office looks this year.  Last year it was just the director and me sharing this coveted space.  We were both neat freaks and complimented each other well in this area.  This season I share the office with not only the director but also an assistant director.  Unfortunately neither of who are in the least bit organized or tidy. This assistant doesn’t have an official desk, so he is forever loading up my desktop with empty beverage containers, candy wrappers, and piles of whatever task he is currently working on.  I get it.  The kid needs a place to work until he gets his own space, but in the meantime, it doesn’t mean he needs to trash mine.  I finally broke down a few days ago and nicely asked him to clean up after himself.  I’m not sure if I scared the kid or what, but now when he sees me coming, he quickly clears off my desk. I see it as a problem solved!

This year I am also working more from home.  Last year I was the assistant director, registrar, and for several weeks, the nurse.  It was far too much work for the meager salary I earned. This year I was smarter and pushed for (and got!) being paid hourly and at a much higher wage.  Working more from home is another change from last year.  The only thing I don’t like about that is feeling a bit out of the loop when it comes to the day-to-day operations.

A couple of our volunteers (who are also in my age group) were talking to me about the changes they have seen this year.  They don’t like the disarray and also feel hospitality is lacking.  Our former director was top notch when it came to showing appreciation to those coming to help out.  Little things like having assorted snacks and beverages available can make such a difference.  They also feel the overall change in mentality.  I can only hope these changes don’t push our volunteers away.  From a personal standpoint, I enjoy having them around for the sake of adult conversations!

Perhaps the older we get, change also becomes more difficult.  I will make the best of it as we need the boost to our income.  Do I see myself doing this job next year?  I’m not entirely sure and am thankful I don’t need to commit that far in advance.  For now, all I can say is, it is a different kind of season, and I’ll do my best to accept the changes!