It’s official. I’m a Stay at Home Wife {SAHW}. Of course I’m hoping that a promotion is coming my way to Stay at Home Mom {SAHM}. But for now, my job description is everything but parenting.
I finished up my last day at my paying job yesterday. I’ve always had a hard time transitioning from job to job. Not that it’s an unwelcome change but it’s a stressful one. I’m the personality that likes to take care of everyone. So, when changes like this happen, I usually squeeze out as much of my sanity as possible to support both my old and new employer. Typically that means working way overtime to get it all done for both employers. Yuk!
This time is different. I only had the one old employer and am now transitioning to Brooks & Jil’s Household, LLC. You guys, I’m not going lie… I am TERRIFIED!!!
I’ve been working since my family moved to Ashland, VA on a little farm outside the town limits. I’ve been earning a paycheck since I was 15. I worked just under full-time at a local Barnes & Noble while maintaining close to full-time status at college. Once out of college, I worked over full-time for employers and ourselves.
I’ve always been a contributor to our household budget and have always been accountable to a boss. I know in my heart earning a paycheck is not my identity but trust me, I’ve never felt more like a fish out of water. Like a teenager at that awkward stage of crackling voices, a face full of pimples and high water jeans just because we can’t stop growing.
I’ve been living like a woman who has defined her life around her ability to make money. I’ve been duped.
Seriously, it’s no wonder my health has been failing me. I truly believe we are all called and obligated to work. To care for our families. To contribute to society and the human race through our skills and abilities to work.
But I’m just not convinced we are supposed to kill our body in the process. I’m learning that for me it doesn’t mean that I MUST earn a paycheck. Lord willing, I want to be doing something I’m passionate about! There needs to be balance and prioritization. I think we have forgotten about this and our priorities have gotten out of whack.
I can’t speak for everyone but I am certain that the biggest hinderance of work/life balance and the inability to make any substantial life changes (such as a career move) is due to our lifestyle. We want what we want when we want it. Not enough people are willing to make the sacrifices necessary in order to make the equally imperative life changes.
When I think about the new cars, the gargantuan homes, the shopping and don’t even get me started on the lost art of cooking at home, it literally grieves my soul. Since when are the luxuries more important than families??? More important than our sanity and the nurturing of our capabilities?
I digress…
Brooks and I knew this is what we were supposed to do. Here recently, he’s had to be the encourager in the relationship. Because of my fear of this change and the awkwardness of being at home and not earning a paycheck, he’s had to hold my hand over the last couple days as my final day as an employed worker got closer.
It is requiring us to make SUBSTANTIAL sacrifices in our financials. But, at the same time we are gaining so much more. Leading up to this, on the days when I worked at home, Brooks and I found ourselves to be the happiest. My BEST WORK over the last year has been done here in this house.
We are so excited for our next chapter! Even though it is one of the scariest financial moves we’ve ever made, the joy surrounding us as we make these moves is awesome. Faith is belief in the things unseen. We are living by faith in more than one area of our life. It’s making us stronger. I like that.
And let’s face it, where else is it completely acceptable to flirt with your coworker…😘 Thinking about the positives here people.
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