2022 was the year of the Great Resignation. According to CNBC, 50.5 million people quit their jobs. Many left to take on other roles, but some of us shifted priorities and began to focus on the work we do at home.
That’s me… I left a senior-level director role in a larger healthcare organization at the end of 2021. I worked at the same organization for 18 years. I grew up there! But I was expecting my fourth child, tension was high in my marriage, I was burnt out, and I had nothing left to give my family.
My mother-in-law was in the hospital, and I felt defeated. But God… God started working in my heart, sparking a new interest I had never expected. God called me to prioritize my family, stay home, and live in my purpose as a wife and mother.
I was terrified. But I try really hard to be obedient when I am so strongly convicted. I am not saying it has been easy. The transition was hard, losing a generous salary was hard, and being home ALL the time is still hard. But I have never found more joy in my life. I have never felt more fulfilled in what God calls me to do than being home with my kids.
If hearing more about my chaos would encourage you, I would love for you to follow me on Instagram, where I love to share my imperfectly perfect real-life chaos.
There is only one you… and you were meant to be.
There is only one you
If you are called mom or dad, wife or husband, daughter or son. You were called into that title on purpose. You were placed by design and specifically in your exact family… with your exact gifts. There is only one you… and you were meant to be.
I recently read that your brain responds differently to the sound of your own name above all other sounds. The name I adore most is mom, mommy or mama. I get to feel the little fingers fold into my hand when they need help; I get to be the shoulder to cry on when they are hurt; I get to teach my *amazing* dance moves to them in our kitchen dance parties. I GET TO DO THIS.
You are the only one who can serve your family exactly as you were meant to. You can be replaced at work. You cannot be replaced at home. Leaving a job that provides for your family isn’t something everyone can do… But have you stepped back and really looked at what are your priorities? Do it right now… Write down your top 5 priorities.
Does your work come above family? That’s sometimes really hard to be honest about. For years, my job dictated how much time and energy I had for my family.
You will never get this time back
Today, my kids are 15, 12, 2, and 1. They will never be these exact ages again. They will continue to grow and change in how they look and who they are. They will be influenced and guided. They will learn what they like and what they don’t.
As I felt God continue pulling on my heart, I knew one thing for sure… I can ALWAYS return to work, but I can NEVER get this time back.
At the end of my life, I want it to be filled with memories of our time together. Not of empty chairs and missed moments. I want to be an example of how to love Jesus and make good choices, how to go against the world’s expectations, and how to prioritize what matters most.
Leaving my job after 18 years, the title I carried and the master’s degree that I worked so hard for seemed crazy to many. But it has been the best decision I have ever made.
The days are long, but the years are short, and I encourage you to relish every moment. Even if you can’t or don’t want to leave your job—be present and sit in the joy every chance you get.
Adjusting to being home
“I could never be a stay-at-home mom,” I said this sentence more than once in my life. I never thought I could do it. I never thought I would have the patience or enjoy it. I loved working, and I was committed to being successful.
With that in mind, the transition to home was hard for me. I went from 150 people reporting to me and calling me and coming into my office and back-to-back-to-back meetings, lunch at my desk—to me and a toddler…
I quickly found ways to fill my time. I learned to bake bread and created a meal plan and cleaning rotation. We started Craft Party Friday. I found things to bring me joy. I committed to self-care and ensuring that I am filled up (at least halfway) so I can pour into these tiny humans all day.
We have awesome days, and we have really hard days. We have days where I cry, and I yell. We have days when the love in our home is palpable. We have days where you can barely see the floor for all the toys (most days). But every day, I am grateful. Even on the hardest days, I am grateful.
What is best for me and my family won’t work for everyone. Staying home isn’t for everyone! Raising a family is hard for everyone. I respect all of you and hope you are doing the best for your family. Keep being you because that’s exactly what your family needs.
Now that we’ve taken a little drive down my healthcare to home life journey check out my quirky take on the ABCs of Parenting.
