I was at my favorite park, Charles Klor, where I often played frisbee with random Jews and Arabs. And, of course, my dog, Naya. Charles Klor is a place where different cultures converge. It splits Jaffa and Tel Aviv propper. Across from it is a large mosque, and it’s common to see people break Ramadan in the park after. That day, the city was setting up stations, stages and more, for a Women’s Run. Workers aside, it was empty. Tons of room for my dog and I to play. As my beautiful, fluffy girl ran from bird flock to bird flock, all I could of was our mutual bliss. Unadulterated by thoughts of work obligations and life stresses.

That evening, I got a call from another recruiter. It’s common for them to ask when I left my job and why. As a change from the norm, this recruiter was understanding why I wanted to leave my last position. She got why I wanted time off. I didnt need to say, “I lost 12 kilos, got back to my blog, started various small projects, travelled, read, binged TV, and best of all, took my dog on long walks several times a day without a care in the world.” It was a great change of pace from the standard, “You shouldnt have left until you found the next job.”

About a week later, I got another rejection. This time from a compnay I thought I was a sure fit. A company I had SEVEN interviews with, over three weeks, all with loud, positive feedback. It left me with that standard response, “I shouldnt have left until finding the next job.” And truly, I just dont know.

I am aware of my privlidge. Something I write often and extensively about. I was not satisfied with my last company, and I did not hesitate to leave. I decided to live on a shoe string if I must. I knew focus was essential. But I wanted to enjoy life too. It is short. There are always unexpected changes.

And yet I worry the longer I am unemployed, the more employers see it as a red flag. After all, the only criticism I had during the last interview was about this time off.

We’re told to go to work, even if we don’t want to. We’re told to live our dreams, even if we can’t afford to. And we just hope that it all winds up amazing in the end.