|
My name is Heather and I am a workaholic.
After working in a high stress position for the past eleven years, I finally burned out. I had heard about burn out, had warned my employees of the signs of burn out, but never thought it would happen to me. I didn’t realize how stressed I was until I walked out of my job that day in April.
Luckily my employers knew the situation and respected me enough to accept my spur of the moment resignation but it certainly wasn’t how I planned to leave this job I had loved for so many years. I left my office that day with tears running down my face, but feeling a million pounds lighter.
My recovery started that day but it is a long road and one that I am still traveling. I spent a wonderful summer at home with my two daughters, weighing my options. I did a lot of soul searching and self-reflection. I came to the realization that I had put my job as my first priority, followed by my daughters and husband, then my home, and last came me.
Luckily my husband’s job gave me an option; with a little cutting back, I did have the choice to stay home. But I had spent twelve years and lots of money earning two degrees. I had a career! Although my husband and I had decided I would stay at home, I secretly looked up jobs on the internet. I applied for a few and then saw one I really wanted. After the interview, I wanted it even more. It was offered to me and I accepted it.
Four weeks later, I love my new job and my family is settling into our new routine. But I have to admit, I am nervous. I don’t want to fall back into old habits and am vowing to do it different this time. I believe that women can find balance between home and work, and they must. Join me on my journey as I struggle to maintain balance in my life.
|
