“She learns what is achievable isn’t always what’s important”
Okay, so let’s be honest. I’ve been back at it for a while now - probably almost the exact time since I last posted...sounds about right. TWO full months of full time work under my belt; I have a schedule down again and am learning how to prioritize the things that matter to me again (like this). The first weeks or more like months of a new job always take a lot out of me - so much energy goes into understanding what the heck you are trying to do, what kind of people you are working with, and adjusting to a totally new schedule. I’m actually back at a company I used to work for - different group & different site - but same systems, so my on-boarding period has been expedited. I’m starting to get back to my ideal balance and now again have some energy to focus on the things that naturally get put to the side in transition periods.
Some things that have been really lovely:
Cash money - I have to say, one of the biggest benefits of being back to work is getting consistent paychecks. A girls gotta eat, ya know what I’m saying! But not having the guilt of splurging on a new pair of leggings or a big Target haul feels good. (Especially important when you are house shopping…)
Routine / structure - not having to make decisions about how I spend every hour of the day can be nice. As much as I think 8hrs/day is too much, filling those 8hrs/day with my personal defined “productive” work was sometimes stressful for me as well.
Accountability - again, something that I really loved and was looking forward to with my time off was NOT having someone to report in to. However as it turns out, that accountability is sometimes a big motivator for productivity. Even if I don’t always love the work, knowing that someone is expecting something can help push me to do it.
Being contract - some people cannot really swing this lifestyle, but having a “trial” period for me to understand the team and organization I’m working in prior to making any long-term commitments has been nice. It’s not to say you can’t quit a full time job, I just would rather not quit a full time job after 6 months. You, or at least I, are less likely to move on after a short period of time when you sign on and promise outputs. It also doesn’t sit well for future references!
Some things that have been challenging:
Going from no work obligations to full time work obligations (like 8-9 hrs / day) is a big shock to the system. I also just don’t believe our bodies are programmed to be mentally or physically engaged in typical “work” obligations for this long of time. So no, I don’t love that majority of my time is spent on a computer making presentations. Trying to remember to take breaks and do a few squats or go on a walk is always helpful. Your body will thank you!
Going into an office - this is not ideal, but for onboarding purposes in an “influencer” position, building relationships is important. I believe there is power in face-to-face conversations, but it doesn’t mean I like going into an office :) Wearing JEANS!??! Excuse me.
Creative outlets - these were things that became very high on my priority list on the bus trip. I did SO much reading, journaling, blogging with no real time table - write until my wrist hurt. Read until I lost focus or engagement. Re-forming my days to still include these things that were good for my mind & soul has been a journey! I am most creative in the mornings, so working to get up earlier & go into work later has been a nice adjustment. I’m not perfect at this nor do I spend as much time as I wish doing these things still, but even reading just 5 pages in the morning can change the game!
People - always the most challenging thing about a workspace…in my field (especially the project management space), nothing can be done without a team. Which always slows a process down. Figuring out people’s work styles and motivators can be fun, but can also be extremely frustrating.
Eating in response to hunger - I got very good at this living in Rubes. I mean, we literally drove our kitchen around with us, but also because the lifestyle was pretty low stress. Unless we were on a hike or out adventuring, we had food & a partial kitchen on us at all times. If I got hungry, I went in the bus and made eggs. We were pretty intuitive with our eating & really had a balanced and healthy relationship with food. Add in stress of full time work, wedding rescheduling, house selling & buying, and some of those intuitive measures go out the window.
I don’t mean to make work sound like a big drag, but there are a lot of things about “corporate America” that just don’t fit my ideal and most fulfilling lifestyle. Where I see myself transitioning in the future is to a part time position, so I can still keep time for the things that I hold close to my heart. Especially if this whole “buying some land” thing works out :) Definitely need time for my chickens & garden ;)
All of this is to say that our Ruby travels were really powerful. And honestly really healthy for our relationship, health, and wellness - physical and mental. Sure - it came with some of its own stressors and “figuring out” period, but we are definitely going to be taking her out for some long hauls again in the future. It’s just such a nice comfort knowing we can just pack up and take her out when we need or want an escape or break. Time to get her out of storage :D
Peace, love, & find your joy,
yo’ girl Jen
PS) find me on Peloton - you betcha my username is “yogirlJen”. Let’s kick it.
