I've been working where I work for too long

@NJChicaa (116091)
United States
April 18, 2024 5:27pm CST
I've been working at the high school for 20 years. It is the same high school that I attended so when I started there I knew like half of the staff members because they were the same ones who worked there when I was a student. I met some new staff members over like the first 10 years--especially those in the science department. But now I am significantly older than most of the young new hires. I don't spend my time in the teacher's room nor am I the kind of person who is outgoing and who will just strike up a conversation with someone I don't know. Earlier in this school year I realized that I *don't* know more of the staff than I do know. I see people and names and I'm like "I have absolutely no clue who that is." Yesterday I was walking into the training and a young blonde pulled next to me and said "Hi. I'm going to the store. Do you want anything?" I thanked her and said I was good. She drove away and I felt like an idiot for having no clue who she was. She clearly recognized me as a coworker. At one point during the training we had to find 4 people to make "appointments" with for activities. I couldn't pair up with her because I would have had to ask her what her name was and then I would have looked like a moron. Today I looked at the names on the sign-in sheet and was able to figure out who she was. She was talking to me like we regularly have conversations. Also I was shocked when she shared the document that the presenters were using. I had asked one of them what the link was because I couldn't see it. She shared it with me via Google Drive. That doesn't sound amazing but she shared it with me using my actual legal name rather than the name that I go by. Like how exactly does she even know that? So today was just one more reminder that I'm old and I've been working there for too long. I know fewer people than those who I don't.
5 people like this
3 responses
@kaylachan (58017)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
18 Apr
Well, that's a long time in any perfession. And, you need to make it how much longer to get retirement?
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (116091)
• United States
18 Apr
It is awful. 8 more for full medical but like over another decade to get to SS. Must win Powerball.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (58017)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
19 Apr
@NJChicaa Good luck with that.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86833)
• United States
19 Apr
Yeah but its worth it..you are making good money. Just keep your goal in mind, that helps to get through it.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156807)
• United States
19 Apr
You can do 10 years. I have faith in you!
1 person likes this