The Fanatical Swordsman

I am such a mix of emotions right now.

Today I taught my last guitar lesson for the foreseeable future. I’ve worked as an instructor at my dad’s guitar studio for 11 years. I was 15. I literally started going to work on Saturday mornings and was trading in watching cartoons for going to work. That job put me through college, paid my rent, made me able to afford an engagement ring and honeymoon, bought my car, four laptops, two guitars, and a partridge in a pear tree. Okay, so not the last one.

Still, I’ve had that job for almost half my life. One of my students I’ve taught for 8 years, which is longer than I’ve known my wife. I met my best friend at that job. I worked side-by-side with my father on for 11 years, then my brother joined 8 years ago. It was more than a job, it was my family.

Why did I quit? Because I am going to be teaching a full-fledged general chemistry lecture next semester as a part-time graduate instructor. I get a raise and a much larger workload, but it is a fantastic opportunity. It will teach me a lot about teaching, which is what I want to do with my life anyway. Also, it will be great for my resumé. Speaking of my resumé, I’d better change mine to read “Jan. 2004-Dec. 2014” on my guitar teaching, instead of “Jan. 2004-present” like it is now. How weird.

Also, in another rapid change, I just posted the last episode of Wildstar Radio. We haven’t been playing Wildstar for a couple of months now, and it has been recorded since November, but something kept making me wait to post it. Like if I did, it would officially be “over.” I didn’t want to stop, but I also didn’t want to continue. So torn.

Leaving the family business and not being a podcast cohost anymore both are weird feelings. While I know I am going to enjoy the things I am moving towards, I can’t help but be sad and reminiscent about the things I am leaving behind. I am still very thankful that I get the opportunities to do what I do, but I am also thankful for the things I’ve done in the past, and part of me will always miss them.

Are any of you dealing with rapid life changes? I’m sure some of y’all’s are way more drastic than mine, and I am certain that some of you have negative changes you are going through as well. Consider this your support group! Please feel free to share in the comments!