Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and is feeling good about 2018. I know I am! When I look back at 2017, I just see utter chaos. So much transpired personally, professionally, physically, emotionally, culturally and government-ally, I can't quite believe it. It was a year of so many wonderful first's and so many "did that really just happen" moments. So here we are again! Another chance at a fresh start, another chance to make changes and big moves in the new year.
One big change I find I'm still getting used to is my role of full-time mom and full-time business owner. Long gone are the days of 9-6, Monday through Friday, lunch breaks and coffee breaks, and instead my schedule is 24/7 with a mix of business and baby activities, a minor semblance of a routine dictated primarily by nap schedules and client sessions, and the constant feeling that I could/should be doing more. But one thing I'm sure of? I made the right decision for me and for my family, for right now.
I was recently explaining what I do to a friend of a friend and he picked up on the fact that I kept saying how great my job was "for now" or how I loved what I do "right now." While it could be perceived as a subconscious negative slip, it actually highlighted maybe the best aspect of what I do - I have the ability to scale-up, scale-down, shift my focus, my hours and my routine based on what works best for me and my family. I love that I'm able to spend as much time as I do with Charlie and I'm still able to do something I'm passionate about.
I found so much fulfillment in becoming a mom, but it's an unspoken secret just how hard it can be (check out my last post reflecting on my first year of motherhood), especially if you decided not to go back to a conventional job. But if I'm able to help a fellow mom or mom-to-be have an easier time and be there for Charlie's "firsts", that to me is all that matters and I feel incredibly lucky I'm able to do so. And come on, you can't beat the view from my office :)
