New Year, New Job!

Well, let's see if I even remember how this goes. I took all of 2018 off of blogging. I feel like I took off of a lot of things in 2018. I just wasn't motivated in so many ways I was before. I completely simplified life. But in some ways I feel as though I simplified so much that I became lazy. My work completely took over in 2018. I had little energy for anything else. I also may have spread myself a bit thin, Treasurer of Habitat for Humanity, on the Board of Trustees for our church, greeter and usher for 8 of the 12 months of the year for our church, and working towards Partner at my firm. These things, while all good, were time consuming. It took a lot of energy for these. All while trying to be a wife and mom. Unfortunately the wife and mom roles suffered mostly due to work. Anything extra like blogging, fun activities, and rest took a back seat. At the end of an almost 9 month busy season I started to rethink my profession. I was just so worn out from always being at work and on for the people that counted on me at work, that my energy for my family was so incredibly low. I was tired and cranky when I finally transitioned to home. And when I was home I was checking email because there is always a crisis. Like really taxes are a crisis?! Come on, Amy!

So when an opportunity showed up I decided to explore it. I finally made the really hard decision to leave the firm that I was trying to make it to the top. For someone that is very much driven by ambition, it was a very hard decision. I was making a lateral move, but this new adventure had a real promise for valuing family time. As I began the negotiations of the new job and announced my departure from my current job, I took leaps back and put my family first. I picked up the kids everyday. They weren't the last from after care and sometimes even got to be picked up as school let out. Addy also started basketball and I was the main provider for them while Tim's basketball season started. I was less swirly and able to completely be in mom mode in the evenings. I noticed a change in my kids. They were happier and less fussy. They weren't completely rushed everywhere and mom wasn't constantly saying shhh kids I have a work call.

This made my decision totally worth it. Yeah, I may not be partner in a big 4 accounting firm, but I will be present in my kids lives. I will make memories with them where I am completely present. I know these past two months have been different then the months to come. But I hope to have a much better balance in this new role. I am very excited to work with my new boss. He actually helped hire me as an intern 13 years ago. He went on to be a client of mine for many years. We have always kept in touch and am excited for all the changes he and I want to implement together. He has a young child and completely understands the school events and promises I never have to miss anything I want to attend. So here is to completely new beginnings and a new year. I am hoping I gain the energy I had in the years past and find a new balance.