Time brings about change

August 2023 marks two years since I quit my job. I was a part of the Great Resignation before I even knew it was a thing. I declared in 2019 that I only had one more year of teaching in me. I vividly remember standing at the counter preparing for the next week and feeling on autopilot. Immediately, I thought, This will continue to be my life if I stay here. Just change out kids, and it will be the same thing year in and year out. Yes, kids have different personalities and will bring out other things in the lesson and how I teach, but I am unsure if I will continue finding fulfillment. Teaching was always much more than a job for me. As I moved up age groups (infants -> toddlers -> K4), I enjoyed teaching concepts, connecting with the kids, helping parents understand what we do, explaining my worth to the administration, etc. Even the not-so-glamorous parts were tolerable. The pay is not up for discussion. With all of this information, I knew I had to make a change. As I stood there looking for our sight word of the week and pulling out activities related to our letter for the week, I knew that this part of my life was ending.

At my school, we complete a letter of intent stating our plans for the following school year. It came in the spring, which was earlier than I anticipated (even though I worked there 4 years – judge ya, momma!). Selecting my last day was so bittersweet. I wanted to be fair to my co-teacher and help her prepare the room for her new class. I had several months to prepare for my departure. The only feeling I had was excitement. I’ve never quit a job without having another in place. It was a rush!

August 2, 2021, came, and I was ecstatically bittersweet. Teaching brings me so much joy. I love learning and sharing that love is so important to me. However, I was looking forward to taking a break and waking up with no alarm. My struggle getting up, getting dressed, and driving to work was over! I had a very sweet co-worker on my teaching team who asked me for weeks what my next move was. Beyond writing, I really had no idea how my next check would be deposited into my account. God always provides. I received two calls that led to two jobs within about two days or so of each other. I already had a part-time so those two made three.

Now, I am in a position where I am not only learning about myself but also what I like. I worked three jobs simultaneously for over a year. I am not writing as much as I should (clearly), but this has been a good time for me. I have been sick off and on because of various autoimmune diseases, but even when I had COVID earlier this year, I was not stressed about work. I did not fear the number of sick days I used or how my absence affected my co-teacher. It’s a different life, and I’m learning to love it all – good, bad, and in between.

The learning never stops. I have begun my full-spectrum doula training. I completed a full-time freelance course (that I need to take advantage of). I am digging deep for a new source of motivation to keep going and working out my purpose. I am not there, but I am using September to step up, apply pressure, and serve God daily, wholeheartedly. The last thing I want is to be stripped of my talent because I let it get dusty on the shelf. I left my job motivated to do me, and as hard as it has been lately, I am thankful for this blog for reminding me of my why.

Give love. Get love.