Ancient History

I've been an overachiever as long as I can remember. Bossy, opinionated, driven, successful - a true oldest child. I took a diploma from a small town high school and went away to college, scholarship money in my bank account. The next four years were more of the same...study, get good grades, work part-time and do internships for experience. No spring break or summer vacation for me. Work and achieve was the only thing I knew.

A college internship led to a good starting salary at my first job. Mistake #1 - I took a job I didn't like because it fit my budget. I had an apartment and a car payment. Frequent raises and promotions brought the salary so high that I couldn't make that money anywhere else. It became very difficult to leave. Still, I hoped for a job that I enjoyed going to everyday. I wish my older self could go back and give the younger me some advice - do what you love.

Fast forward five years and I was still in the same industry - still making great money and still not liking my job. A wedding and a surprise medical diagnosis had hubby and I trying to start a family right away. After a few failed attempts and five more years, we decided to adopt.

The decision to become a stay at home mom was easy. Both hubby and I treated it as a career choice. I was a Mom the same way I was an employee. Work and achieve, I knew no other way. I became the Cub Scout leader, the Sunday School teacher, the always there school volunteer. With laser focus, I set out to be Supermom. I cooked, decorated, gardened and carpooled. My biggest fault - I hate to clean!

It was so freeing to be a Mom and I've loved every minute (well, not EVERY minute). It's the hardest job I've ever had, and the most rewarding. I loved not going to an office, loved being home with my kids and loved being in the company of other moms. I was also happy to leave behind a career that I didn't love.

Now we've come full circle. The two teenagers in my house will be moving on to their own messy homes soon. What in the world will I do?

Here's the plan. Using my laser focus, I'm going to find out where my passion truly lies. I want my second career to reflect who I am. I want to enjoy getting up and going to a job or volunteer position. Along, the way, I'm also going to try to get healthy in both body and mind.

I hope you'll read along as I start my journey.