Back to Work

I have been off of work for 13 weeks. I am lucky enough to work somewhere that allows for 12 weeks of ‘parental leave’, so I took them, plus an extra week for good measure. I spent that time, obviously, with my new (first) son and his lovely mom, my wife.

The time was glorious for many reasons.

But earlier this week, I went back to work. I thought I knew how I would feel about it, and I was correct. It was not the most exciting morning of my life, to say the least. But you gotta do what you gotta so sometimes. Again, I was grateful for that time, but I did not want it to end. But, back to work I went.

Busy. Bored. Bummed.

But there is a major positive surrounding this feeling, the feeling of going back to the 9 to 5. I know now, clearer than ever, what I want. I want my life to feel more like it did in those 13 weeks. No timelines over my shoulder. Me being in control of my day. Morning deck coffees and mid-afternoon walks with the family. I also want to start writing more, like I did everyday while writing my first book. Even if it is just a little something, like this post.

Family. Freedom. Flexibility.

For quite some time I have complained about the limits that depending on the 9 to 5 puts on a life. I have been poking around some ideas about how not to fall further into this trap, but I have yet to truly act on anything. I likely won’t for a little while longer, considering the kid needs some time to settle in, and my 9 to 5 can provide that for him. But now I know for a fact that I need to make something happen. For myself, for my family, for my sanity.

What it will be, who knows? I surely don’t. But I will pursue it with a renewed vigor moving forward. I will do my best to set a good example for my growing son in this ever-important area of life: being happy with what you do for a living.

Those 13 weeks, those weeks that flew by in the blink of an eye, have changed my life in many ways. It is time for me to do the same. For all of us.

-Houston Bailey (@BumpBailey)