Coming Back to Work
Kids and I at North Park Nature Preserve Waterfall
After almost a decade of devoting most of my time to childcare, I am coming back to work three days a week and adding Mondays to my schedule. What a shift this is! For some people, it doesn’t sound like a lot- I am still in the office only three days, but for me it is extremely significant.
First of all, I wanted to come back. I felt the urge and desire to see more patients and expand my impact on the world. That alone is a big shift from the internally focused dynamic that has been my world for so many years. This to me, means that I have the ENERGY to be expansive, and that is because my kids are growing, thriving, and becoming more independent. Diarmuid, at nine, cooks some light meals for us, makes his own lunch, takes care of his little sister when I need him to, does chores to support the family, and generally needs me just a little less for emotional support. Deirdre, at three, sleeps through the night and has stopped nursing which means I am more rested and resourced. I am finding I have pockets of time where I don’t feel completely exhausted! I have moments where I recognize that my brain is focused with tremendous clarity, on a topic OTHER than my kids! As you Mamas know, this is a monumental change that deserves recognition and celebration. Mothering is probably the hardest job in the world. It is thankless and ceaseless. It is also the most fulfilling and joyful. But the post- partum time can last three years or more. For me it was three years almost to a tee. I am so glad I took that whole time to focus on them and home and not rush myself to resume my regular activities. I wouldn’t change that precious time for the world and honestly, I couldn’t have come back sooner. I felt I was just surviving for so long, especially that year or two after each of them was born. Now, however, is a different story.
Ok so what to do with this increased energy? I naturally found myself gravitating to my core interest of health and wellness. I have been reading so much lately on peri-menopause and menopause. I am finding myself suddenly in this stage and also noticing my practice is aging too. Twenty years ago my patients were all trying to conceive. Now those same patients are in menopause. What better way to share my newfound knowledge and understanding of this stage of life than to expand my practice?
I am also making sure to spend some of this newfound energy on ME. In doing so, I hope to model for you how important self-care is, and to walk the walk. I am back to getting acupuncture for myself twice a month. I am going to a Korean Spa once a month with some girlfriends so we can catch up with each other as well as relax and soak in hot water and warm rooms through this winter. I am finally making an appointment with Dr Shelly, whom I have referred so many of you to!
Of course, I am still spending so much joyful, special, loving time with my kiddos at home, nurturing their spirits and lives. But I am also nurturing myself and those of you in my greater community and that feels like a beautiful balance. Thank you for being patient with me and my journey. Now I am happy to be here more often for you and yours.