Finding fulfillment after failure

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I've always thought writing was my talent, my calling, and the way I would earn a living.   After nine years in newspapers, I transitioned to the marketing and corporate writing world, and my plans fell apart.  I was let go from two jobs in the span of seven months.  Even though both dismissals were due to budget cuts and changing needs, I still took it personally.

I felt like my writing skills weren't good anymore.
I felt disposable.
I felt lost.

As I searched for a new job, I tried to find another writing or communications role, but they were few and far between.  I applied for all the ones I saw and liked, but there wasn't much interest from those companies.

My confidence slipped further.
Maybe I really wasn't a good writer.
Worse ... maybe I wasn't a desirable employee.

I widened my net to include any job I thought I could do and make enough to pay my bills.  As I neared the end of my financial cushion, I connected with a staffing agency who helped me land an entry-level loan servicing position.  Even though I was glad to have a paycheck coming in again, I was a little embarrassed to be taking what I considered to be a huge step back in my professional life.

I didn't even update facebook with my new job.  Part of the reason for that is because this is a temp-to-hire job, meaning there are no guarantees I'll be there very long, but a significant part also has to do with my perceived failure. I'm no longer using my degree or the skills I thought I had honed to a high level. I believed I had let people down.  I believe I had let myself down. I believed I had given up on my dreams and everything I always wanted.

But what you want isn't always what you need.
Sometimes you have to fail to let go of something that isn't working.
As Stephen Kellogg sings, "Sometimes the best thing that can happen is you take a punch in the face."

It's taken some time, but my feeling of failure has finally passed.

My new job suits me quite well. I like my co-workers (most of them anyway).  I like being busy all day long.  I like seeing my numbers from the previous day.  I like the constant stream of praise from my supervisors about my production level.  I like feeling useful. 

I never imagined I'd be doing the work I am now, but sometimes that's the way life goes.  I haven't completely given up on my writing.  Actually, I think working in a non-creative field will actually help my writing because that part of my brain won't be drained every night when I come home.  I still plan to work on novels in my free time, and I'd like to find some freelance writing opportunities in my community. I'm working on that.

In the meantime, I'm content with where I am, and I'm thankful to be able to pay my bills.

Are you working in (or toward) your dream job?
How did you decide when a job was right for you?
Have you had a drastic job change?