One week in from quitting my job and I’ve resumed working on my new novel, renovated a closet, and worn make-up only twice. Once to go to the mall and the other time I put it on simply out of habit. I’m going to save a fortune on make-up and perfume, not to mention hair cuts. I’m now sporting a disgruntled afro and I’m torn between letting it grow out into its former unmanageable lion’s mane, complete with Pepe Le Pew streaking, or cracking the whip and taming it down to a sophisticated Judi Dench razor cut.
Actually, if I didn’t have to walk the dog in the morning I’d probably forget to brush my hair, and I’d stay in my PJ’s around the clock. Okay, that’s a bit extreme, but it amazes me how quickly I can let go of all the frilly garnishes of life; those little extras that swallow up hours of my time and money.
My husband isn’t complaining. He’s so thrilled with having me around again, to scratch his back and listen to his stories, that I could tattoo earthworms on my face and speak pig Latin with a lisp and he’d overlook it. Ours is a spiritual union.
I know that writing is a sedentary activity, so I’ve committed myself to going to the gym three times a week. I do this in order to keep myself from morphing into a giant marshmallow; although I still feel totally intimidated by all the high tech equipment (mine is a state of the art gym) and the pushy personal trainers who all but call me fatty. “I could have you down to a size three in six weeks,” they boast. Yeah, for only fifty bucks a session and a gallon of my blood. Yikes! I stay to myself, plugged into my music, and count the minutes until I can leave.
Seriously, I am extremely grateful to have this time for creativity. It’s a gift that I’d been yearning for for years, and now that it’s here I can’t imagine ever living without it. I promise not to ignore showers, waxings, and oral hygiene, but otherwise I intend to enjoy this freedom and let my freak flag fly!
14 comments:
Enjoy this time, Leah. It really is a gift, one that I am very grateful for as well. Even though I have some freelancing and parenting responsibilities, I love my freedom...and have been known to forget to take a shower until 20 minutes before the kids get home. :)
That's fabulous Karen. How long have you been freelancing and how old are your children?
I'm totally psyched. I just have to be careful not to waste my time on distractions. I am a follower of rabbit trails which sometimes gets me into trouble;)
I've been freelancing on and off ever since sophomore year in college, so that is more than 25 years--yikes! One of my kids is a senior in high school. The other started junior high this year.
A warning--stay away from social media--it can be a time drain. I use online stopwatch to keep me in line.
You are a busy woman! Your kids are at that age where they cost you a lot of money.
I've noticed how the social networks suck it out of me. I say to myself, "you must network or your books won't sell." Hmmm, if I spend all day on these networks I won't have any books to sell;)
Enjoy your weekend Karen and thanks for the tip.
From Janu: This renovation of your page is fab. Enjoyed your post...you enjoy your time with yourself.
Hi Janu, I accidently deleted your message so I posted it above. I changed the page color because one of my readers said that the white font was playing tricks on her eyes, making it difficult to read. I like it too, but I'll probably be making some more changes in the future. Thanks for your post and good wishes!
You are too funny! I wish I could write with a funny bone!
~Debbie
Yeah, it's amazing how quitting your job can make you giggle;)
Well, have a good time finishing your book..
Thank you Alfandi, It is fun, especially when I have the time to do it right. Thanks for popping in;)
I am so glad you have the time to be doing something you love. As with everything, it takes time to get adjusted to the new pace. I love that your husband wouldn't notice the tatooed earthworms and pig latin (with a lisp, yet) Very humerous or would that be umeroth-hay.
LOL!! Cheryl, you crack me up. Yeah, it takes some getting used to. It will probably be a month before I have it all ironed out. I'm just grateful to have the opportunity to do this.
Enjoy your weekend;)
I am so happy that your new lifestyle is working out for you. I left the out-of-the-house workforce 2 1/2 years ago for medical reasons. It was hard at first but mostly because I was forced to do it. I have found that on days when I am feeling well, I make sure to get to the gym, take the dog to the dog park, etc. so I have human interaction and physical activity. Now, I don't usually miss going to a job every day as I have my writing, volunteer work, friends, family, etc. there is so much more to life than going to an office everyday; or in my case a hospital!
Yes, I love being able to stay at home. I'm sorry that you were forced to retire from the office but it seems you are making the best of it and honing your writing skills for future publications;)
Health issues are always difficult to deal with but you have a great attitude Christine!
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