I start a new job on Monday after 12 years as a software tester

After 11 months I accepted a job as a software tester. I have read a lot of threads here and could not find my exact situation. I could not have done it without this community.

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it last year, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.

That is wonderful news. Keep applying for a little while if you have not signed, it is a good habit.