In June 2021, I went back to work full time after a hiatus of about 13 years. I was happy to go back. It was time. Time for me to grow and spend time amongst other adult members of society for a large part of my day.
The experience has been humbling on so many levels, and I have learned a lot about myself.
For example:
I’m not as good of a communicator as I thought I was. Communicating with adults all day takes a different skill set than with kids or teenagers. I’m working on this.
My memory? Not as good as it once was. Nor is it as good as I thought it was… All those times I told my husband I really did tell him that important information and he forgot?? It might have been me.
All those times I didn’t understand when my husband was just done with work, bosses or coworkers? I have a lot more empathy for that now that I’m back in the workforce.
I’ve learned that I can’t be superwoman anymore. I started working in June and started Grad School in August. It has been a huge learning curve for my family and I. I don’t get to bake and cook from scratch very often anymore. Quick ready made meals or take out are more our style for the moment. It drives my frugal heart crazy. It is what it is.
My house? We’ll, it’s not as clean as it used to be when I was at home after the kids went to school. I’m lucky if the dishes and the laundry is done during the week, and then Saturday becomes a mad dash to do everything. Sundays I fall in bed exhausted for a long nap after church.
It has been good for me to relearn my shortcomings and learn to let things go. It’s been good for my family to learn the world (or Mom) doesn’t revolve around them all the time. Reaching for my dreams has sparked a fire in me that makes me happy.
Reach for yours.
