I had another telephone consult with the delightful Coco today (she was my coach through Compass Life). She challenged me with my thinking regarding how big and how fast I want to build my organizing business. She started talking ebooks, eworkshops, conference calls, ecoaching, etc as the next logical step. It all sounded amazing and exciting and I think I could even do it all eventually. However today I realized that I have gotten use to leading the simple life and I like it. I am enjoying this time at home with my kids and I don’t want to be so quick to jump back into the rat race.
I use to work in an office in a professional capacity. I was good at what I did and for the most part enjoyed it but it was often stressful and I often brought work home. I’m an organized person and so I managed it all and thought I did okay too maintaining the work/life balance. It wasn’t until I no longer had to do it (the Company I worked for closed down) that I realized how much I had actually been running in overdrive.
Things aren’t like that anymore for us. I’ve worked hard to slow things down, from reducing the kid’s outside activities, menu planning, changing our spending habits, getting our finances in order to just having time to do nothing. What a concept! Don’t get me wrong, I’m still busy, it’s just a different kind of busy and it’s not constant. I’m so grateful that I’ve had this opportunity to discover what the simple life feels like and I’m going to be pretty careful about not letting it go.
Financially I know that in the near future I will have to think about going back to work but whether I decide to go back to work part-time or grow my business, I do know this…..I don’t want to build an empire, I just want to pay my grocery bill.
Orginally published June 5, 2007
nikkisnacs says
I can relate to this. I just recently had to take a step back with my etsy shop. It was growing and I was staying to busy with custom orders. I had to make the decision to just make things I want to make and let those sell. This way I’m in charge of when and how much I work. My family is loving having more quality time with me.
Omaha Mama says
A simple life sounds so beautiful. I’m afraid overdrive describes our life too often. The thought is ever present though, and I strive to keep things as peaceful as possible!
Angela says
I can completely understand not wanting to let the simple life go.If someone hasn’t experienced it themselves they sometimes fail to understand that you still have to do things when you are at home. And that it not being lazy that keeps some people at home but simply that its something they prefer and it can be just as much work as a normal 9 to 5 job.
susieshomemade says
I completely agree about keeping it simple. When my mom got sick, my plate got overfull and my health started to take a dive. So now, I do what I can when I can and leave the rest for tomorrow. And I’m ok with that.
Wild Squirrel says
Laura,
This post was like a tall glass of iced lemonade. Refreshing! I also left a professional career, enjoyed what I did, and, like you, know that in the future supplementing the family income to a higher degree may be necessary. In the interim, I’ve enjoyed trying something new by working from home very part-time in a related field, exploring things like freelance writing (I got paid for my first article this year!), and generally doing things that otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to do personally and with my family due to time constrains while working outside of the home. It can be easy to get caught up in a good thing and run with it, forgetting why we started it to begin with. For everything there is a season, right? I enjoyed being reminded of the pleasures of the simple life. 🙂
Eden says
I can relate. But I’m enjoying my simpler life at this time in my life.
Laurie says
Good for you for realizing what is important to you! Too many people would jump at the chance for more, more, more.
Avlor says
It can be so hard to choose. There are so many things to choose from that would be fun or good to do. I’m glad you’re keeping it simple! Thank you for being an example for us in this.
MJ says
Thank you thank you thank you!
Years ago I was involved in direct sales and I didn’t want to be the next big thing, I didn’t want to make a million dollars, I just wanted to have something of my own besides being a wife and an employee. But no one in the organization understood that and they looked at me funny for not wanting to do more, recruit more, make more. Eventually, I followed their lead and I ended up recruiting a very large team and doing more, making more, doing more…
I burnt out so bad, I quit suddenly and haven’t looked back in three years. I wouldn’t call my life simple, but it’s a heck of a lot better quality than it was back then!
Thank you for your honesty and for giving us the freedom to claim the simple life for ourselves without apology!
amy says
that’s so interesting…just today i was thinking..gee i wonder how i could make money w/ some of this blogging stuff i do and then i thought- no now is not the season for that- we are in the slow lane and there will be time for the highway later.
Organizing Mommy says
You are right! I was hoping you wouldn’t give up your sweetness and joy for a rat-raced life. We all KNOW you could be successful $$ in anything you put your mind to, but at what cost? My DH was a little nervous at the 15 year point of my stay at home career, someone else discovered my organizing abilities and paid me big $$ to organize for them. Thankfully, it was over a 2 month period, and it passed. We survived the stress of it and then recommitted ourselves to keeping me fulfilled at home. That’s when I started blogging and teaching fitness classes. The fitness classes take 4 hours a week + travel. Wish you the best in your endeavors, and if your ever “tempted” to take it beyond the will of God, email me, and I’ll talk you through it.
Maggie says
Amen, Amen, and Amen. I’m with you!
Debbie says
53 years old and realizing time is so much more important than money…
I love your blog!
Heidi says
that’s a great goal! Having time to do nothing is SO important!
Bev@1-2-3GetOrganize says
Hi Laura – speaking from the other side – it’s totally worth investing in your children. They are gone so quickly, as mine are. Each time I told myself, “one day …” and put some of my aspirations (not all!) on the back burner, I knew I was making a good decision. I wanted to keep a balance between meeting the needs of my family as well as growing as a person and in my business. You’ll have lots of time in the future to pursue your dreams, but enjoy your kids now!
Annie says
Oh you couldn’t work in an office without me…you’ll just have to keep this up and we’ll visit!!!
Forgetfulone says
Just want you to know we miss you out here in blogland! Haven’t you been gone a while? Or do I just need an organizing fix? Could be both. Hope you’re having fun.
Michelle says
oh good you’re back in blogland..phew 😉
Lindsay says
Hi Laura!
I love your blog so much that I have nominated you for a blog award! Thank you for sharing your organizing ideas and photos with us!! I love them and it brings a sense of calm to the chaos that is life!
For more details – check out my blog and see how you can share!
http://coupon-queen.blogspot.com/2008/08/frugal-and-fabulous-has-won-award.html
Amber (BGH) says
A-MEN-SISTAH.
I think you are SO right to say that.
I wanted to pop over to let you know you’ve been tagged (again.) 🙂
http://tinyurl.com/5ar2jr
Renee says
Even though I am a SAHM and I secretly want to be home and earn money with some great on my own thinking job I realize how important it is to me that my children have a rich life of love,memories,and fun. They are only little once.
I am blessed to be able to be a SAHM and be financially ok on one income from my dh’s business.
Follow your heart and you will know what is right.
Renee@
http://www.under-the-weeping-willow.blogspot.com
Melissa says
I usually just read through these comments but today this post really got to me so I just had to say “Thank you” for it. I dream of one day being able to slow down and spend more time with my son. He’s 4 and I’m a single working mother. I’m getting married again in a couple months and hope that eventually I’ll be able to stay at home – it is something that is very important to my fiance and I. The rest of my family, however, says that I’m crazy to consider giving up the money and choosing the “boring” SAHM life – they really have no clue. It’s nice to hear that there are a lot of you out there that believe in a simpler life.
Amber's Crazy Bloggi says
Hear, hear! Thanks for stopping by to visit and leaving the link to this wonderful post. Nice to know I’m not completely crazy. 🙂