As a new moma, I’ve had to give myself a lot of room to reevaluate my priorities, learn a whole new identity and routine as a mom, and revisit goals as many got pushed back and ignored due to 16 months of broken sleep and working full time.

One goal, however, that remained steadfast was crushing any remaining debt that got put on pause while the pandemic was in full force and we saved some sinking funds for our pets, car, and travel. All this work and planning gave my Husband and I the opportunity to explore managing our life with just one income and taking our baby out of daycare so I could stay home with her.

This was no easy decision but also easy in that my chapter in my current office felt finished for me. It was a natural graduation for me to focus my attention elsewhere, in this case to focus on my personal growth as a mother and enjoy this new chapter I literally birthed. I feel incredibly privileged to embark on this journey as I grew up with a hardworking single mother who raised three daughters and endured many double shifts, often working graveyards and staying awake during the day to manage important priorities.

I am learning so much. Like any job and people I’ve coached, I have to keep telling myself to give myself a year to learn this new role and allow space for me grow. All the while, leaning into prayer, my church community and friends has been so enriching and the key to getting over the initial shock and aligning me toward a greater purpose and calling.

My first few months of working full time at home were so overwhelming, at times, uninspiring and met with so many emotions as I transitioned from working 8am-5pm talking to college students all day to a toddler full time.

Honestly leaving the workforce and putting my career on pause is something that I would have never imagined for myself. However, experiencing motherhood firsthand really opened my eyes and heart to new possibilities. All the work toward our financial independence that began in 2018, allowed for us to reevaluate certain elements of our lives and gave us option to dictate how we want to spend our time. We’re learning and growing and I feel certain that I wouldn’t be able to learn new lessons and evolve without first closing a door, which was working in higher education supporting college students. I am keeping an open mind and heart to see where God guides me next but for now, I’m gonna to just focus on the present and probably try and get through this week.

Resources:

• So Money Podcast: Episode 1690 Stay-at-Home-Mom Math: A Personal Calculus
• Christian Parenting Podcast: Episode Simplifying Decisions: Craig Groeschel on leading a God-honoring life
• Joy-Filled Podcast: Episode 3 One Belief that Will Change the Way You Mother