Posts
My life is entering transition mode. We move to Pensacola, Florida next month. Kirk begins a new job in mid-October and our family begins a whole new life there.
Naturally, I'm beginning to freak out just a bit. Not because I don't want to go. I do. I can't wait to leave. But it's all the "stuff" that has to happen in order for us to go to Pensacola then become settled that is giving me heartburn.
Just to name a few, I have to:
- wrap things up at my current job and train a temporary person for the next 2.5 weeks
- keep the house clean and straight since potential renters will be viewing it
- begin house hunting process in Pensacola (this sounds fun, sure, but the thought of looking at houses with a two-year old who freaks out over being in any new environment is NOT fun, trust me!)
- live out of suitcases and boxes for a time period unknown
- stay in a hotel/suite for a month or longer until we find a place to live (this may sound enticing, like an episode of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, but trust me! No one will be waiting on us hand and foot. And I'll be in a room with a toddler, a dog and a cat probably going out of my friggin' mind!)
- learn my way around a new city. (While I enjoy driving around and exploring, I'm not used to doing it with a whiney toddler in the car!)
- adjust to being a stay at home mom, at least for the remainder of 2009 (this one scares me the most. I don't have an easy-going child, in case you haven't noticed or read my earliest posts. I call her Viva the Diva for a reason!)
- make all the crossover requirements: change of address, new drivers license, new vehicle tags, and all things that require waiting in line and dealing with difficult people. Hooray!
- find a dozen new service providers: pediatrician, veterinarian, hair stylist, maintenance repairman, oil change/car service, a good coffee shop, and hope that none of them royally screw us over.
- And the list goes on and on.
The most troubling item on my mind though is figuring out my next career move and my future options. Wow, that sounds kind of selfish but it's the truth. I'm thinking.... what will I do next?
I would like to break into the writing market there, do some freelance work for local magazines and other publications. But what if I can't get in? What if they don't need writers or don't think I'm good enough for their media?
I also want to return to school but what if it's too overwhelming with Kirk's job and Vivian's at home needs? Kirk needs to finish his degree before I begin work on a second one.
We've not even set foot in our new town; yet I'm having anxiety just thinking about the gaps on my resume and how I can maintain being a professional. Am I crazy for feeling this way?
I'm scared. Perhaps I am putting too much pressure on myself (like usual). But I feel this is my crossroads. I'm at a point where I can decide my next path, instead of just being the cart behind the horse, simply tagging along for the ride.
So what will I do? Where will I go? And how do I NOT go crazy while all the transitions are taking place?
How have you dealt with transitions and crossroads in your life? What was your saving grace to get you through the moments when you felt overwhelmed and afraid?
15 comments:
Don't worry. You will be okay. I will take care of you. :-)
Love,
Hubby
What a sweet comment from your hubby! First thing first, always remember he will be there with you for every single step. You are not in this alone.
To me, moving seems like the perfect opportunity to do what you really want to do. Since you will already be leaving a job, you can do whatever you want. If you want to write, then write. Freelance is hard and you may write and submit for a while before anyone picks up one of your pieces. But just writing and submitting is good practice. And it's well worth it when you finally get a check in the mail for something you wrote.
I wouldn't worry about gaps in your resume. You're moving. You're expected to need time to get acclaimated. Since you are going to be a stay at home mom for the rest of the year, you can really take your time deciding on what you want to do, and looking for a job that you think is the perfect fit. Take advantage of this opportunity.
As for all of the other things, try to take them one at a time instead of all in one lump. It will be easier to handle if you deal with them separately. And ask around for service people. Talk to your neighbors, people Kirk works with, the barista at Starbucks, the person at the front desk of the hotel. It's definitely better to get recommendations than to just go in somewhere blindly.
Remember to breathe. It will all be okay.
okay - i am just exhausted after reading that list. EXHAUSTED. i think i need a drink now. here's to you mandy! may you get it all done and here's my motto
GET DONE WHAT YOU CAN GET DONE WHEN YOU CAN GET IT DONE
Isn't your hubby sweet!! Just take a deep breath and do one thing at a time. I love crossroads. I hate being on the straight and narrow path. But, you will get it all done. Remember, it doesn't have to be done in a day!!
I get overwhelmed when there is too much going on in my life too :( My only advice would be to divide things into little chunks and take it one step at a time! That's the only way that I am able to manage myself. Oh, and enjoy your time with "Viva the Diva", LOL! I'm sure that your extra time with her will make for some interesting blog fodder :)
First of all, your life WILL be like an episode of The Suite Life...how could it not be;) Is it weird that I'm a grown adult with no children and know who Zack and Cody are?? No really, living in a hotel will probably suck, but think of all the great blog posts you'll be able to write! There'll be stories for days from that situation.
As far as everything else, sounds to me like Hubby is ready to help(such a sweet comment from him up there, love it). You will get through it all, and it'll be an incredible experience. I can only imagine the great things that will come from this new chapter in your life. I wish you luck and happiness!
When I left teaching, i withdrew my retirement and started a women's clothing store; I ended up failing after a couple of years and going through bankrutcy and losing everything; starting over from scratch at age 45. That was 20 years ago; I survived--started a whole new career, and managead to save for retirement all over again. Now I'm retired. You can do it! And that Sweet hubby of yours is right there with you!
That's a lot of stress in the short term, but also a lot of potential for exciting changes.
Best of luck!
WHOA, sister! One step at a time--you don't have to do all that in one day. Most of all, enjoy the opportunity to be home with your daughter. ENJOY EVERY DAY and don't worry about a thing. Stay in the present moment.
Let's see... can I spout off any more New Age crap? I mean it, though.
I read your posts and get excited not stressed. But knowing myself, if I were in your shoes, I would be filled to the brim with anxiety.
I am a goal oriented person so everything I embark on is done in some goal formatting way. First, figure out what your ultimate vision and outcome are for that particular area. Next figure out what resources you have to meet your goal and what you need. Then, you brainstorm all of the action items you need to take to make this happen. Finally, you schedule it to make sure it happens! I follow Tony Robbin's system for goal setting.
And, as you know....I am at a personal crossroads in my career INTERNALLY and wish I could come up with the outcome or goal I am looking for!
For those of you to catch up:
http://cougar-tales.blogspot.com/search/label/career
Definitely interested to hear what others have to stay on this!
- Cougs
www.cougar-tales.blogspot.com
That list would overwhelm anyone! You have to take it one day at a time. And if that's too much, one hour at a time. Try not to think about EVERYTHING you need to do...just everything you need to do TODAY. And it's going to be great!
You are one busy lady! Glad to hear that Kirk is in your corner. You'll need plenty of extra hands these days. I know that you'll get it all done with a typical Mandy smile :)
OMG, your hubby is adorable.
Don't worry about all these things -- you and your husband are smart people and everything will fall into place because you guys will plan it that way. Life is all about change, and you are about to embark on such a grand one. I know the anxiety can feel overwhelming because, well, your "to-do" list is long, but each bullet point is going to be fun finishing/accomplishing. I know you can do it, and all with a fabulous sense of humor! :)
Yikes! But it sure makes life interesting!!!
Wow...Pensacola sounds sweeeet! I would get a job on the beach scouring the shore for jellyfish carcasses!
Post a Comment