13 August, 2010

Big News For Me


It may not be all that exciting to the rest of you, but it is damn exciting for me. In a little over 2 weeks, I'm retiring. No, I'm not suddenly getting a pension and nor did I call in rich. 

Hubby and I have done a lot of thinking and talking and planning and more talking over the summer. We've decided that life as we've living it isn't sustainable for us, as individuals and as a family. So I am leaving the desk job to be a full-time mom, part time writer. I've been writing professionally on the side for just under a year now (see me here!) and it's time to take it one or two or three steps further. And Hubby's business is booming, but that means he is spending less time at home. We realized that the girls saw the nanny more than us!

This is a huge step for me, personally and professionally. I'm terrified that we will devolve into a very traditional wife/husband thing. The only thing I want from the Mad Men era is the furniture, thank-you very much. There is great comfort in knowing Hubby wants it about as much as I do.

I've also never seen myself as a stay at home mom full-time. I admire the folks who can do it, but I know it isn't in me to do. That's why I will still write part-time. I'll be truly taking advantage of all sleepytimes, but I'm sure I can make it work for me.

Professionally, this is pretty big. I'm putting myself out there. I'm stepping out as an entrepreneur essentially. That is also something I never saw myself doing with life. But to be successful you can't just write well. You need to sell yourself, you need to run a business. I won't be doing this half-assed, that's for sure. I've already made great strides and I can see a lot of work and success in my future.

I want, I need to do it. I'm making the change for me, I'm making my life what I want it to be. No one is doing it for me. And I'm damn proud of myself.

Freedom 35, baby!

39 comments:

Corinnea said...

To be a successful stay at home parent means you need to be clever and brave. I think you are both. Oh and remember to have fun.

Live a Colorful Life said...

I truly wish you the best. I have worked out of my home since my baby was 16 months. He is 32 now (years, not months). It requires dedication. Based on what Ihave learned about you from reading your blog, I'm sure you will be very successful. It will have its ups and downs. But so does any kind of job regardless of the setting.

And I hope you will still find time in your schedule to include quilting.

felicity said...

Wow - how exciting! And terrifying. And exhilarating. Congratulations!!!

Unknown said...

Congratulations and Good Luck! Just because you're not working a desk job doesn't mean that your roles need to become more traditional. You'll find the balance.

Amy said...

It's going to be so thrilling!! I wish you the best of luck. :)

Rene' said...

Awesome! I wish you all the best in your new adventure!!

Gina said...

A brave and fabulous decision. From my perspective, staying at home is very hard, not something I do because I'm 'wired for it' with some housewifey-mothering gene, but because I'm committed to the big picture of what it provides for my particular little family situation. There are many positives to be found - a sense of your own resourcefulness is one! Happy naptime writing...

beanie g said...

Congrats! I'm so jealous. Maybe when I'm 40 in March, er, I mean 39 again, I'll retire too! Good luck!

Lynda Halliger Otvos (Lynda M O) said...

Proud of you!!! Good decision, Cheryl; one I think your daughters will appreciate

Stephanie said...

Congratulations! It is a terrifying thought, but you can do it and your children will appreciate seeing you and you being there for more activities! Good luck with all you do--it's a big step, but you can do it! :)

Suzanne said...

Congratulations! I can't wait to see your work pop up in all kinds of wonderful places.

Rossie said...

Aw, that's excellent! Good on ya!

Stephanie Hughes said...

You will do great because you will be happy. Congrats. As a nurse I was able to be very part time when the kids were little and as they went back to school I was able to work around my husband's schedule. I never needed day care that way. You will love your decision and it will pay off in the end. You are very talented and I am sure you will do well. Stephanie

KT said...

Wow, congratulations and good luck with your change of direction! It sounds really exciting!

Molly said...

How exciting, scary and wonderful! Change is scary but this one is full of awesome possibilities and only good things! Congratulations!!

Sequana said...

I admire your courage. You'll do just fine. *S*

KatieQ said...

As I page though catalogs, I often see the phrase, "Leap and the net will appear." I was 37 when my first child was born and going back to my job was not an option because of where we lived and the commute that would be necessary. Our area was full of young mothers that could have been my daughters. I felt very isolated the first six months. It was a little scary. Gradually, my husband and I built a new life that worked for our family.
I spent a lot of time doing volunteer work that interested me and taking care of my elderly mother who came to live with us. I started a new career after my mother died and my youngest was in the eighth grade. I had occasional part time jobs during those years, but I was never able to find something that I really wanted to stick with. I never regretted being home with my children.
It sounds as though your new direction will be a comfortable fit for your whole family.
Leap!

elle said...

Does this mean we can't meet for lunch, Lady Dahlia? Seriously, good for you. You can't grab one thing when you are hanging onto the other. All the best!

Kris said...

congratulations! I can't imagine that was an easy choice. I hope the transition is smooth and you family balance is restored.

sulu-design said...

Congratulations. I'm looking forward to seeing where this will take you. It's nice to hear how you and your husband came to this decision together and to hear about your priorities. Thinking of you and wishing you the best.

Laurel H. said...

Congratulations!! You will be ecstatic you did this; you will also wonder what you were thinking at the time you made this decision. :)

Seriously, when I made the transition from full time work to part-time-at-home work, it was a transition several years in the making, but it is still hard at times. That is the reality. But do NOT give up; continue to remind yourself of why you made the change, and give yourself time to make the adjustment. You will not be sorry. :)

Blessings.

Victoria said...

Congratulations on your brave and wise move! With the exception of a few minor part time jobs when money got tight, I have been a "stay at home" for 2 decades... and we have never, ever, been traditional about it. (That was a real fear of mine, too.)

I think the hardest part is protecting your work time, as you are so accessible to everyone all the time. It also can be a bit tough because you are always at your place of work... home can lose it's respite qualities if not careful. But all, in all, I think it's been the best thing for us, and I hope it is for you as well!

Best wishes for a long, happy and prosperous writing career!

brown robin said...

GO GIRL, GO!!!! I just know you can make this work and I'm so excited for you and your family. You are one talented chic... so glad that I've gotten to know you well enough to say that with complete confidence! (On a side note, our gmail is down so I can't email you back, but my leg is coming along.) Big hugs to you, friend.

Esch House Quilts said...

Congratulations, Cheryl! I know this will work out well for you and your family!

Samantha said...

so exciting! great luck to you on this new journey...

Amanda Fetters said...

Wow, this is HUGE!!! I am so excited because you are so excited. And don't worry about the devolving thing. It's all about attitude. :)

SewCalGal said...

Big step, but a great step. A new door, a new path, new excitement is coming your way. And I'm confident it will bring wonderful things your way.

Congratulations. Enjoy this new road in life. And do great things!

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Lee D said...

Congrats. Maybe this year we can finally meet up. I am so busy being an at home mom. You will make your own busy!

April (Polkadot Sparrow) said...

I soo want to do the same thing. But the timing isn't right for me yet. I admire you for taking the plunge. May it be madly successful! And rewarding.

I also am not a SAHM at heart, though I'm forced into it for the time being. ;) I know where you're coming from. Good luck!

dillpickle said...

Wow! That's a huge decision! Congratulations on your bravery, and I hope you find the balance between parenting and writing. Some days I think that balance is unobtainable, but other days it's perfect.

SEWButterfly said...

Congratulations! That's better than any pension!

nanann said...

Congrats and Best of Luck!

CitricSugar said...

Cheryl - that is awesome news. I'm excited for you - new adventure, new horizons, new terrifying unknowns -all of it good.

Best of luck (but you won't need it.) :-)

Amanda Jean said...

congrats to you, cheryl! i'm so excited for you and your family. it will be good. no, GREAT! as for me, i think something in my mind snapped recently. i'm blaming in on being 35 (among other things. ahem.)...and i'm suddenly ready to take on all sorts of risks, which is quite unlike me. i'm resolving to delve into things that i've been on the fence about for so long. kevin is thrilled that i've turned this corner. i'm hoping it sticks!

Unknown said...

I'm really late to the party, but so excited for you Cheryl - Congratulations! I'm so proud of you too :) All the best!!

Squares and triangles said...

Maybe think of it as "going on Sabbatical."

Allison said...

You go girl.....and be a rockin' stay at home Mom. :)

Marisa and Creative Thursday said...

Rock n' Roll Cheryl!!

Anonymous said...

Awesome! I truly admire you for this decision...hopefully one day soon I can be as brave. You're an inspiration!!