What? Quit Your Day Job?! A few lessons I’ve been learning about the benefits of singlemindedness and priorities.
Okay. You caught me. I am a stay at home, Homeschool mom. How can I possibly quit my day job? It’s all the little things that I considered a “job” that I’m talking about.
Some people might call it ministry, service, volunteer work, activities, freelance, etc. All the things I love to add to my day to make me feel more important about myself.
Why Quit Your Day Job
1. Quality Time. Isn’t it ironic my own blog name and what I thought I was offering as quality time was just a cheap version of the real thing. It was more like, this is your quality time moment make it happen now. Go!
2. Cooking, having the right ingredients stocked in the kitchen, and meals planned and prepared then put on the table at the right time. WOW! Not to mention having the time to allow my youngest child to help! Being rushed and trying to let little slow hands help = nightmare.
3. Exercise. And that’s all I’m gonna say about that.
4. Housekeeping. I kid you not but baskets are empty, washer is empty, and clothes are folded out of the dryer. Immediately when that buzzer rings. Laundry does not have to be an endless mountain of disparity when you keep it going because you can! Beds are made and the kitchen is always clean. And not because Jesus is coming for dinner!!
5. Peace. I am not yelling at anyone to get their shoes on and get their butts in the car. Can we all just breathe a sigh of relief over that in itself? I’m not cutting conversations short because I have to go plan something amazing. I’m not stretched too thin.
I’m not jumping on Facebook – in bed – at the crack of dawn – to post photos for a company. My mind is not someplace else because there is no place else to be.
A few weeks ago some very close friends offended me. They kept telling me I was so busy. Every single conversation ended with finger pointing of how busy they felt I was. Never was it mentioned as a concern in love but rather condemnation.
I kept defending myself, “if we don’t have something to do every day there is bickering, complacency, and my social children become unhappy.”
I was so disappointed that these women would keep bringing up my schedule, so I stopped talking to them as often. I found excuses not to hang out with them. I just didn’t want to hear it another day. It was our life and we were in the middle of it. You don’t criticize a drowning person’s doggie paddle, m’kay?
I started hanging out with homeschool moms who wanted to get together and never complained about my calendar of events.
But coming out of that ‘busy season’ and being able to breathe again… It is a time I do not regret … yet one I do not want to quickly repeat.
I have this little joy in the morning getting up and making eggs and bacon for the family. No school drop off lines to speed toward. I pack Hubs a lunch. I sit and listen to my children’s dreams. No flinging dirty laundry around bedrooms hunting for uniforms.
I read Percy Jackson to them and not just one quick chapter. I read however many they want. I make smoothies. No drive thru eating meals in the car choking down fried chicken between practices.
I play Marco Polo in the pool. I sweep and clean without anger or frustration. I watch the sun slowly set every night without hurry. I bike ride home with no time to beat because it’s not the only time during the day to exercise.
I smile often. The rush has been replaced with intentionality. In yoga I am always hearing how we should be present in the moment. To be in that pose and be fully aware of self. To keep thoughts from wandering, to always come back to the breath.
One reason I so love this reminder a friend painted for me.
Maybe that’s all summer really is – a time to slow down and just breathe. A time to be present! A reset. I sure would like to figure out how to live summer all year long.