Well, Hello, there. Nice to see you. Sit back, relax, have a warm beverage (it’s probably cold where you are).
Last week while I was getting a massage, my therapist asked me what I had going that day after we were done. I started to rattle off the whole list of errands that were on my agenda and launched into the following day when I was to be up early and on the road by 6 AM to head to a conference for the day. My therapist hesitated only a moment as he worked on my screaming muscles (it’s all internal screaming), and said, “Wow! I think you’re busier now than when you had a full-time job!”
I laughed, well, I sort of grunted and laughed, but I managed to get out, “This is all of the stuff that I COULDN’T do when I was working full time.”
Thanks, Facebook!
And, the funny thing is, even despite what is going on in the world, I’m more relaxed now than I had been for the previous two years. Maybe because I finally saw the light and came to my senses to pursue my dreams? And it’s not like I’m not working to help other’s dreams come to fruition, either. I have worked out a trade deal for doing some social media fabulousness. I have another side job doing some business blog writing on social media. I have worked out some other time to bring in some more income through another company, and I have time to do all the things that kept me busy between getting home and going to sleep when I had my previous job, plus…. *drum roll please* time to attempt to relax!
Honestly, that’s what was missing from life before. Relaxation. I’ve admitted in the past that I’m a high-energy, Type-A person and I can’t even watch TV without doing something else at the same time, be it some sort of needlecraft or hammering out something on the laptop. So, while I’m not stretched out on a beach in a lounge chair with a tropical drink in my hand – I’m feeling good. I’m doing what I enjoy, or at least don’t mind (for the actual bringing in an hourly wage job), and I have time to do all of those things that I want to do, or need to do, to keep the lives of myself and Mr. Muse in order. There is something to be said for that. Of course, it probably doesn’t hurt that I had made the decision to take the entire month of January off (thanks off-set paychecks) as well when it comes to relaxing.
I’ve been working since I was 15, and after 25 years, I think I’ve figured out what I want to do and I’m working at it. To borrow from Martha Stewart, “It’s a good thing.”
Musings of the Amusing Muse 
So happy for you both!
I hear you on the being busier than when you had a full-time job. Whenever I take time off, it is the same for me. I remember when we had winter break, about 2 weeks off last year. There wasn’t a single moment that I was bored. Rather, I spent a lot of time doing the things I couldn’t do when clocking all those hours at work. A lot of exercise, much more cooking for myself, writing, making beats, talking to people I love, all sorts of creative and healthy adventures filled my schedule. That was one of the most wonderful non travel breaks I’ve ever had. It was super busy, but of things that made me healthy and put me in a place to be available to others without depletion.
I think about that a lot now that work is back in full swing. Although I still must report in for the hours, I started drawing boundaries so that I can do things I need and love. No more staying late and working extra hours (especially since no overtime). The more I worked, the more work they gave me, so it became this unhealthy cycle. So, I drew a line and committed to more balance. It’s really helping a lot.
Anyway, all that to say, I totally hear you and I’m super happy for you!
Thank you, Lady! Yes, I’m happy to say that Mr Muse and I both have a “bring no work home” policy and I think in the nearly 18 yrs we’ve been together, he only brought work home once since there was a blizzard called for the next day and the office told everyone to work from home. Otherwise – work stays at work.
There did have to be a balance. We had reached a point of high income but no time to do anything we needed, and even the things we wanted to do were falling to the wayside. It’s not just that I’m more relaxed, he is, too. There is time to allow for it. That’s a good thing.
I’m glad you have found balance, too!