Comments on: I Hate Who I Am When I’m With You

By: jeffery davis

jeffery davis — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 20:29:35 +0000

LISA

THATS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT.
I REALLY ENJOYED READING IT.
MADE ME REALIZE A LOT OF THINGS.

CREATE LISA CREATE!!!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 15:08:37 +0000

Thanks for your comment Geoff. I’m happy to report that since the time this post was written things have improved 100%. So many new opportunities replacing the negative. I’ve restructured my career path a bit and am pretty darn excited about the future again.

Another post you might like (more recent as well) is Design for Good – Design Yourself First.
http://lisamikulski.com/blog/2010/07/08/design-for-good-design-yourself-first/

By: Geoff

Geoff — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:43:38 +0000

Fantastic story Lisa accompanied with some great comments.

You’re exactly right, sometimes in life, quitting can be what is needed in order to achieve more and amongst anything else, it is important to be happy! You only live once after all.

By: Mark Kilburn

Mark Kilburn — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:56:09 +0000

Where I come from that type of client would have been shown the door the fast way. No guilt, no remorse, no reservations. My clients try to walk on me at work and I mindfully let them know I will not tolerate it, although it is different, I am an employee of a company, not an owner.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 03:09:33 +0000

Really REALLY well said Rich!!

By: RICHARD HOLLANT

RICHARD HOLLANT — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 03:03:28 +0000

A good friend told me, in the situation you described above, that it’s not quitting… it’s weeding the garden and making room for the plants that matter. We’re in the process of doing that @ the studio.

I love my roses. They are a ton of work. it’s kind of rediculous considerning all of what I have going on in my life. But… I enjoy the type of work that they present. I’m delighted when they bloom prolifically. I pick beetles off of them one at a time. I fight the urge to over-pamper them during dry times. Delphinium on the other hand…I thought we’d work it out. Great rose companions. Not too hard to tend. For some phenomenological reason, I get no real joy out of them, I resist what it takes to make them well. That makes them a weed in my book. I’ve stopped trying to understand it—it is what it is. I’ve dug them up and given them away to someone who really values them. I’ve got my eye on some ligularia. I hope it works out.

I stopped judging this editting process both in the garden and at work. I trust my instincts. It’s harder with people, however— especially friends. I end up doing the weeding—giving everyone the opportunity to find happiness elsewhere. It takes a lot longer to feel like it was the right decision. A lot longer.

I’ve had to put a few pets down. It’s really painful. Even though I understand the greater good, giving up on things is sad to me even when I’m convinced it’s the right thing to do.

By: Amy Graver

Amy Graver — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 02:10:46 +0000

Well, you know how I feel about this post. Best decision I’ve ever made (other than marrying my husband)! Thanks for the chat today. Very well written. I could insert me for you in that piece and it about says it all.

By: ELO

ELO — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 22:19:39 +0000

You are right Lisa if something is not making you any good it’s better to quit.We the ones that work in the creation field need to have a fresh and high energy environment to work in. I always believed that there are vampires of energy. People with no light the will come and suck the light out of you. I try to stay away from those as much as I can but somehow I seem to attract them every now and then. Great post!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:38:33 +0000

Thanks for sharing your thoughts George and for the support on my decision… it was a hard decision to make, but I’m a lot happier now. Happy Holidays to you.

By: George Angus

George Angus — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:16:54 +0000

Lisa,

Fantastic post. The way it was written, I could feel the emotional angst. Good on you for pulling anchor and sailing away.

I had a freelance writing gig that was similar, although not to the intensity that you described. I found myself stressing and worrying over the next assignment and how it would go. I would spend way more time than would be profitable on every assignment only to be frustrated at the response. Finally, I kicked them to the curb and worked on finding other freelance opportunities, which of course did come.

Cheers!

George