First Day of the Rest of My Life

Well, I did it. I quit my job of 9 years, and career of 20 plus years. Sorta. Maybe temporarily. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life. I went to college, got my Master's degree, worked for the largest library system in the country, the New York Public Library, and loved my job for the most part. After 4.5 years, I moved back to California, and worked for a couple more libraries. Then I got married, and had a kid. So I downsized... leaned out, went part time. Technically, I was essentially sharing my full time job with another librarian, but then she quit, and I kept doing the job... the whole job. And after a couple years of this, and being a wife and mom, I realized I wasn't enjoying life as much. I was tired. I was stressed. The time I did spend with my daughter, I wasn't always present. I struggled internally for months. I went to school for this! I know a lot of stuff! I help people, I like doing storytime. But still, something wasn't sitting right. My daughter is finishing up first grade, she isn't going to want to hang out with me forever. Those teen years are right around the corner!

So yeah, I quit.

Today is the First Day of the Rest of My Life!

Day 1...
7 am. My daughter walks in on me in the bathroom. She laments, "Oh WHY does it have to be the last day of school?!" (sigh...)
We get ready. My last time for a while rushing out the door, making sure she has her backpack, her jacket. I drop her off at school, and hit the gym. I give myself a long, intense (for me) workout. Go home and shower, and take my time... I decide to go get a pedicure. Because I can. I'm in the relaxation zone. My cell phone rings. It's my mom asking where I am. She is at my house, and I am not there. Because I'm getting a pedicure. We were supposed to meet a half an hour later. She got the time wrong. We meet up, and go to pick up K from school. And the three of us have a nice leisurely lunch. Sushi (daughter's choice). K gobbles up her food and asks, "Can we go now?" My mom and I stare at her blankly. "We haven't gotten our food yet." I calmly reply. After lunch, K wants frozen yogurt next door. Then we peruse the comic book store. We drop off my mom, hit Costco, make salad for dinner, and I take K to karate class. Home to pack for upcoming trip, and bedtime for the little one.

That's Day 1 of being a full time stay at home mom. I wasn't home much. I think I will be OK.