As some of you know, I have been working at three jobs (one full-time, two part-time) since I began my new, full-time job back in early May. One of my two part-time jobs is my work for my rabbi, whom I’ve been working for since 2010; the other part-time job is for my former full-time employer – a small NGO that advocates for religious freedom in Israel.
While I support my former place of employment with all my heart, both in terms of its mission and in terms of my deep affection for the people who work there, I have come to realize that there is too much stress involved for me in balancing three jobs and fatherhood, not to mention my creative writing and blogging.
I feel guilty about this because I know that nobody else at the NGO has my skillset, and it will not be easy to find a replacement for me who’s interested in working at a non-profit salary. Also, a lot of the technology we use, including the website and various mini-sites, is severely outdated and beyond even my technical skillset to revamp, which means that a new employee would have to learn and adapt to all of the “band-aid” solutions to various technical limitations that I’ve come up with over the years.
Ultimately, as a small NGO, I think the biggest problem the organization faces is funding, which is why I feel bad about my decision to leave. If more funding were available, they could hire someone to create new website(s) for them that work well; look modern; are compatible with today’s cell phones; don’t suffer from technical problems; and are therefore easy for anyone with a basic skillset in online communications to update.
Nevertheless, I feel that this is a necessary decision for me to make. My time and energy are limited, as are everyone’s; and I’ve been feeling worn out. Something must give, and of my various responsibilities, this is the one that I can least justify to myself, as I’ve continued working for this NGO mostly for the organization’s sake, rather than for mine.
If I wasn’t feeling so exhausted, I would continue working there part-time and providing them with those technical “band-aid” solutions. However, after six months of doing work for the organization in a part-time capacity, I’ve come to feel that this arrangement is unhealthy for me.
As such, I have given notice to my part-time employer; I will work there until the end of 2022 and not renew my contract for the following year. This will allow them more than two months to search for a replacement for me, which I hope will be enough.
The Skeptic's Kaddish ๐ฎ๐ฑ 
Everything good to you, David. It was time for you to give yourself a break. ๐
*thank you*
Eh, donโt feel guilty. A job is a job and honestly, no one is irreplaceable. I left my part-time university teaching job without guilt. I appreciated the institution and mission, it looked good to other people, and there were aspects of teaching that I enjoyed, I overall wasnโt happy.
๐๐๐ป JYP ๐๐ป๐
You’re amazing! Working at 3 jobs and being such a fantastic writer! My respect ๐
๐๐๐ป Sangeetha ๐๐ป๐
Best of luck, David.
๐ป๐๐ป Dolly ๐๐ป๐ป
Save yourself first before you can save others. Your considerations are admirable but this could be a project for a post-grad
๐ค๐๐ป Laura ๐๐ป๐ค
It’s always hard to say no to someone in need. But you must take care of yourself too. (K)
โค๏ธ๐๐ป Kerfe ๐๐ปโค๏ธ
David, your first aid at the NGO has no doubt done good, certainly no harm, except possibly to yourself. So you are blameless in your decision to love them at a remove. Btw, spilling the beans in this post explains the rue in the brew of your haiku. But a burnout alert is no joke, and caffeine’s relief is not always the best way to cope. Thumbs up!
๐ค๐๐ป CES ๐๐ป๐ค
you are obviously doing the right thing. I ahve to make some decisions like this too, very soon. But it is very hard. I once had a boyfriend who told me rather unkindly that no one is indispensable. I was upset at the time, but actually he was right. Funnily enough we are still in touch โ this was 1972!
๐ ๐๐ป Basia ๐๐ป ๐
Definitely do what’s right for you!@
๐๐๐ป Leenda ๐๐ป๐
You have done the right thing! All the best going forward!!
โค Lov โค ~ thanks so much.
~David
You are welcome ๐ค
Some time ago, a friend of mine said, when I said we should say NO more often, that he started saying, instead, YES. To himself.
๐๐๐ป Mat ๐๐ป๐
Tough decisions but they must be made. You have to look after yourself too, David. Keep going! ๐
๐๐๐ป Terveen ๐๐ป๐