And by 'this', I mean work outside the home at a job where you are subjected to the unusual torment of being on someone else's schedule?
Seriously? How the hell do you do it?
I only work outside the home part time, but I also do freelance editing and manuscript review, and then there's my own writing. Between those things and being a parent, I've got a lot going on and btw, I'm a terrible multi-tasker. The part time job has made my life a lot more difficult. Don't get me wrong, I love the work and the people I work with are fantastic (shout out for indie bookstores!) but I'm struggling to find balance.
Here are the major challenges.
1. Janked up sleep patterns from working events until 10pm, and having to be up early with the kids in the morning.
2. Turning down freelance work which pays well but isn't a steady source of income, because my part time job, which is steady but pays a lot less, takes up a big chunk of my time.
3. Sick kids means last minute unavailability, which majorly inconveniences co-workers and makes me feel terrible. That's not even considering my own illnesses. I have never been sick so often as I have since starting this job.
4. My kids miss me and my house is a disaster.
5. I don't write much anymore.
But there are benefits too.
1. Steady, if modest, income.
2. I get to be with my people (authors and book lovers). I love organizing and hosting literary events, and for an introvert and borderline misanthrope, I'm surprisingly good at it.
3. I've become better at coping with social anxiety.
4. I work with generous and kind people that are so smart they scare me a little and inspire me a lot.
5. Two words: Staff Discount
Since vodka is not a great stress management strategy, at least not in the long term, I'm trying to devise better ways of organizing and prioritizing. And it's hard, you guys. I'm good at some things, but it turns out work/life balance is not one of them. Fortunately I have a legendary stubborn streak. I'll keep trying figure it out. Until then, there's vodka, and good books.
Seriously? How the hell do you do it?
I only work outside the home part time, but I also do freelance editing and manuscript review, and then there's my own writing. Between those things and being a parent, I've got a lot going on and btw, I'm a terrible multi-tasker. The part time job has made my life a lot more difficult. Don't get me wrong, I love the work and the people I work with are fantastic (shout out for indie bookstores!) but I'm struggling to find balance.
Here are the major challenges.
1. Janked up sleep patterns from working events until 10pm, and having to be up early with the kids in the morning.
2. Turning down freelance work which pays well but isn't a steady source of income, because my part time job, which is steady but pays a lot less, takes up a big chunk of my time.
3. Sick kids means last minute unavailability, which majorly inconveniences co-workers and makes me feel terrible. That's not even considering my own illnesses. I have never been sick so often as I have since starting this job.
4. My kids miss me and my house is a disaster.
5. I don't write much anymore.
But there are benefits too.
1. Steady, if modest, income.
2. I get to be with my people (authors and book lovers). I love organizing and hosting literary events, and for an introvert and borderline misanthrope, I'm surprisingly good at it.
3. I've become better at coping with social anxiety.
4. I work with generous and kind people that are so smart they scare me a little and inspire me a lot.
5. Two words: Staff Discount
Since vodka is not a great stress management strategy, at least not in the long term, I'm trying to devise better ways of organizing and prioritizing. And it's hard, you guys. I'm good at some things, but it turns out work/life balance is not one of them. Fortunately I have a legendary stubborn streak. I'll keep trying figure it out. Until then, there's vodka, and good books.
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