Career change was life changing!
I worked as a designer until I was twenty, but the particular industry I worked in was not for young people. I looked around me one day and realized, everybody I worked with was aged about 50 upwards – and that was erring on the kind side. Now I know that 50, even 60 isn’t old now days but trust me, these people were old, in every way. Many were spinsters, and I didn’t want to join them. I made a decision that day. I decided to switch careers. Office work was probably the best place, I thought. So I went off to an employment agency in my lunch break, and got a job in a large publishing company in the West End of London. It was 1966 and London was swinging – I wanted some of it.
This move, although not far away from where I worked before, changed my life completely. It was in a very large building with at least a hundred people on each of it’s several floors, and heaving with young people. It was quite a social hub, and very soon I had made lots of friends. I even joined the company netball team! There was a lot of lunchtime celebrations, where crowds of us would meet at the pub. I loved working there, it was a social life, where we did a bit of work between having fun – and on a great salary too!
This was where I met Jim, my future hubby. He came to work in the adjoining office. He was a keen artist, played guitar and definitely (like me) did not follow the crowd. Whilst most men were still wearing white shirts and suits, Jim was in casual trousers and had dyed all his shirts bright colours. I don’t think he ever owned a pair of black shoes. Below is a photo taken at work, on my birthday. We are holding the birthday card Jim made for me.
It was now January 1969 and my life was about to change direction again. Soon we would be getting married.
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scratchbags | 21 August 2008 at 2:54
That is a nice picture.:) And somehow I guess many people would have a similar story as yours. At least I have a similar story, I met my boyfriend on work and as far as career change goes, it happened; we together launched our company.:)
Jaffer | 21 August 2008 at 2:57
I’m an industrial designer and most of my work involves long hours in a chair in front of the computer clicking the mouse away and the ‘occasional’ swearing. And where I work is a great place for new grads to start off and for those about to retire. I’m bored !
So I too have been thinking of a career change but haven’t yet decided where to turn !
Whatever or whenever it may be, I’m not too sure I’ll be looking forward to a new relationship then ! LOL !
Babs (Beetle) | 21 August 2008 at 3:18
Scratchbags:
Yes, I imagine it’s a very common story. I dread to think what would have happened if I hadn’t made a change though ;O)
Jaffer:
Boredom at work isn’t good. I’m sure you will find what you want to do, when the time is right. As for a relationship. These things happen when you least expect it :O)
Drowsey Monkey | 21 August 2008 at 3:20
You’re a hottie!
Check out those boots,damn.
I had the opportunity to do that in my early 20s, but as usual, fear stopped me from doing anything. Unfortunately. Oh those damn, shoulda, coulda, woulda’s.
I’m looking forward you the next excerpt of this story.
Babs (Beetle) | 21 August 2008 at 4:03
Drowsey:
I so loved those boots ;O)
I just had to move on, or I would have become an old maid ha ha! It was all so much easier in the 60’s though.
Lux | 21 August 2008 at 5:09
Luxie’s mom here: what a cool picture of the two of you! Oh gosh, the good old days!
Swubird | 21 August 2008 at 16:47
Babs:
A very nice picture, and a very nice little story. Isn’t it fun to look back over our lives and see all the wonderful things we’ve done. And, Oh! how pretty you were – a real catch for Jim. Some times when my wife and I look at our old photos we can hardly believe it was actually us. It must have been a couple of actors in our clothes. Where did all of the years go?
Great post.
Happy trails.
Babs (Beetle) | 21 August 2008 at 18:28
Lux:
They certainly were good old days, made all the better because I was young ;O)
Swubird:
I am getting lots of warm feelings as I write these posts, as I expect you do too.
Where have all the years gone indeed? It seems like yesterday at times.
Maureen | 21 August 2008 at 18:58
Whoa… lurve the boots there Babs!!! Very groovy.
What a great story. And you’re right. With each decision we make, a new path is tread. What indeed would have happened if you hadn’t switched careers? Good move!!!
Jay | 21 August 2008 at 19:48
Woo hoo! You were very cute and trendy, and Jim was handsome!!
Another funny coincidence – Other Half worked for a publisher in the City in 68-69. Mcdonalds and Evans I think it was. He was an illustrator.
Jay | 21 August 2008 at 19:57
By the way, Babsie – I found you on a blog I came across quite by accident.
Take a look!
Did you know you were famous in Real Estate? LOL!
Babs (Beetle) | 21 August 2008 at 21:31
Maureen:
The boots were very comfy and soft. It was definitely a good move, although not all the paths I chose were good!
Jay:
Trendy I was, cute I don’t know :O)
I worked for George Newnes, Butterworths and Iliffe, in that order. I’m sure your hubby will know those.
And yes, The real estate chap left me a comment about his post. You also were mentioned ;O)
Nanny Goats In Panties | 22 August 2008 at 0:24
What a gorgeous card. And my, how mod you were!
Babs (Beetle) | 22 August 2008 at 1:47
Nanny Goat In Panties:
Yes, the card was a bit special – all hand painted.
I came across a photo of my mum when she was about 18 and I think I got my ‘Trend setting’ ways from her ;O)
Chat Blanc | 22 August 2008 at 4:40
oh that sounds like such a dreamy time! too cool!
love the pic
Kathy | 22 August 2008 at 9:54
Jim sounds like he was colorful in every way. I love that card! And look at you! I stopped showing my legs when I was 12. Glad you got away from the “old folks home!”
Liudmila | 22 August 2008 at 13:42
Thank you for help, Babs, I was able to do it.
))
I say, how we change our opinion with time! At 18 years I said: if I’ll arrive at 22, I’ll suicide from the sadness. At 50 I say: at 60 a person maybe arrives at the maturity…
Babs (Beetle) | 22 August 2008 at 13:53
Chat Blanc:
They were very good times, especially in London.
Kathy:
Jim was very colourful – together we made quite a pair ;O) About the legs….it got worse when hot pants hit the scene!
Samantha and Mr. Tigger | 22 August 2008 at 14:51
Funny how when we are young we think 30 is old and 50 and 60 is ancient! Until we get to be those ages!! hehehehehe (Chandra)
Your (is it time to build an ARK) FL furiends,
Lynne Chapman | 24 August 2008 at 17:49
Kinky boots or what!?! Fantastic.
I am always a little sad that I just missed the swinging sixties – it was 1976 by the time I was 16, and we were well into glam rock and a whole other place…
I still went through a phase of walking barefoot in the street though, and wearing a leather thong tied round my head.
I remember Jim too, just.
Lauren | 24 August 2008 at 20:12
Not so long ago I looked a lot like you in your photo. Hmmmm
Babs (Beetle) | 24 August 2008 at 20:52
Samantha & Tigger:
Yes we have no idea when we're young do we?
Lynne Chapman:
They were the best times, and I do appreciate the fact that I was young, and living in London, at that time :O)
Lauren:
It doesn't feel like long ago that I did ha ha!