career change

 

This is the first time in 15 years that I didn't experience a "back to school" season.    Zero school for my own children and zero preschool for myself.     In a way, there is SO much relief in that..... especially with all of the crazy regulations and changes due to Covid-19.  I consider myself, and my boys, blessed that we didn't have to navigate all of these changes.   It's been astounding to hear the various stories from friends and families as to what they are having to do for their young children.  It's such a shame for our society and I fear that the younger kids will be picking up the pieces for years to come.

This is also the first time in 23 years that I haven't worked with children.   Be it full time daycare, the 7 years as a stay-at-home mom, or my 13 years at preschool.   My "career" has been kids.  Every day.... kids... in some shape or fashion.   

I always wanted to be a mom.... and I went to school to work with kids.  My entire adult life has revolved around caring for children.

Suddenly I find myself with grown children and working at a fast food restaurant.  
When I applied for the new job, I listed "career change" on the application.    And now it hits me that YES, this is quite the career change.... or better yet.... a life change.

What better time than mid-life to try something new?  Right?!  lol.

I knew going in to the job that I was older and perhaps a bit much slower than the young kids that I work with. I  quickly realized that it would a huge adjustment.  But seriously.... the first week.... I wondered what I had gotten myself in to!  It was much harder than I expected!

On the night of September 10th, I came home after a 9 hours shift.  Greg asked me how my day was.... and it was the FIRST time I was able to say "...... Great!"   
Turns out that September 10th was EXACTLY one month since I had stared on August 10th.    It took me one month to feel comfortable at a new place.  One month to learn faces and names.    One month to be confident with a few of the responsibilites.   There are still SO many things for me to be trained to do, and to learn.... but I am so relieved that I am feeling settled and more confident each day!     
Turns out that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!  

I guess I can call it a win that I have taken everything I've known for my adult life, thrown it out of the window, started fresh, and somehow still manage to feel a bit settled after just one month.   
Not gonna lie.... it has been a HARD month... But I'm hopeful for the time ahead of me. 
We'll see what shakes out.

burn the ships

I sat in a group interview and declared "change of career" as a reason for pursuing the job.      

I have never considered myself a career oriented person.   

Leaving my job of the past 13 years is a huge decision and I guess it IS a career change.    

I went to school, ages ago, and obtained that early childhood development degree so that I could work with kids.  That's all I've known for....forever.

The past 13 years I haven't logged many hours in a building but I have logged countless hours of planning, thinking, preparing, and bearing the weight of emotionally supporting children and families.   

I've been teased for "not working" because of my easy schedule, but I am also fully aware that I worked harder during my 18-20 hours in the building than some people work all week at other jobs.

My co-workers were fabulous.  Every day.   Best group of ladies that anyone could ask for.    

After my resignation I came to terms with just how important these ladies have been to me.     These ladies have been a part of my entire story.    They grieved with me and supported me following Thayer's death, they encouraged me during my years of solo parenting, they celebrated with me upon my new love and marriage.   My co-workers- friends-  have been a steady force through all of my big life changes.

It was a huge decision to leave my job and my co-workers.  To leave the comfort and predictability of everything I've known.  However, I have a complete peace about it.
God has been playing the song, "Burn the Ships" by For King and Country, in my mind for weeks.   It has been such an encouragement as I move forward.

The song is based upon the artist's personal experience as well as the histoical incident during the Spanish conquest of Mexio in 1519 AD, where a Spanish commander landed his ships on enemy shores unaware of what awaited his arrival.  To ensure that the men were committed to their mission, he proclaimed, "Burn the ships!".   This song is "very much dedicated to the whole concept of no retreat, to very aggressively leave the past in the past and move forward." *

So....here I am...."burning the ships" and starting a new adventure.   I'm thankful for where I have been but I'm looking forward to my next chapter!

*song background from Wikipedia :)