Current Dilemma:
Burning inside instead of burning bridges
Burning on the Inside
After over five years of service, I recently “retired” from a company to manage my own business full-time. I gave the standard two-week notice and started preparing to help with the transition. The company cut my two weeks short, and my manager was disrespectful to me during the process.
Since then, I’ve been furious with the manager and the situation. I did the best I could to serve the company and was loyal and honest. Having never received closure, I’ve been careful because I don’t believe in burning bridges.
The company did nothing illegal, so this doesn’t call for a lawsuit. And I might need a good recommendation from my manager someday. I think some action will help me get over this, but what? Should I talk to the director or someone else? I’m still burning inside despite trying to forget about the company. Nothing works. How do you work past these nasty feelings?
— Gone, but not forgotten
Get over it, get past it. A company will ALWAYS consume whatever resources you give it (time, devotion, emotional equity, weekends, etc.) but will NEVER compensate you at the same rate. Being anything less than professional (and whining to the director is definitely less than professional) will burn that bridge you wish to preserve.
Scream into a bucket, buy some dishes at Goodwill and break them all or go run a marathon if you want to vent. Then go focus on your business. That’s why you “retired” from this company, isn’t it?