Normally, Wednesdays are nothing special around here, but this one is different because today I cleaned my giant whiteboard so we can hang it up in my office. Now, a giant whiteboard might not mean much to you, but there’s one person out there who knows exactly what giant whiteboards mean to me and I’m missing her terribly right now. Let me explain.
Seven-ish years ago, I left my career not long after having my first baby. It was incredibly painful. I loved my work, I loved my bosses, I loved my staff, and there was so much more I wanted to do there. Instead, I left, moved across the country with my man and new baby, and became a stay at home mom, eventually adding twin boys to the mix. Nowadays, my children are getting a bit older and more independent and I’m finding I have a little more time and energy to put toward other things.
I applied for a job with a company that would allow me to work 32 hour weeks, fully remotely, thinking it might give me that feeling of fulfillment I used to get from working outside the home. Then I didn’t get it and, while that was disappointing, it also made me realize something–I’d spent a couple weeks figuring out how I’d give 32 hours to that job while still providing my family with the care I want them to have . . . if I can find 32 hours for some company, surely I could find that time for the writing, the art, and the ideas I’ve always worked on in the cracks between everything else in my world, right?
Paradigm shift!
So I decided to be my own company and hire myself to work on my own ideas for 32 hours a week. I start today. : )
And this huge, clean, beautiful whiteboard is calling my name! I just wish Deb were here with her coffee and her notebook and pen to help keep me focused, write down the big stuff, and share in my excitement when the ideas start flowing, just like the good ol’ days.