I know, I know. I’m such a sap, but in less than a week, my baby starts kindergarten, y’all. Just like that a chapter that has formed me deeply in my adulthood is shifting, changing. As life does.
A decade ago, I was pregnant with my first baby. I had recently been promoted at work and we were in the process of looking into childcare options ($$$ on my nonprofit salary, gah!) But I had basically always intended to be a working mother. Could not even possibly imagine being a stay at home mom.
And then he was born. I was in love. I could not imagine leaving him. I knew we could acclimate. I sought counsel from experienced mamas I knew. Hubby and I did our homework and explored every option. But in my heart I knew I had to be with this sweet babe.
Fast forward 4 more years and there were 2 more babies and we had moved to a different state. Every time I was exhausted and overwhelmed my hubby would ask me, “do you want to explore work options?” I would confidently say that I KNEW I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing. I was more sure of that than anything.
When I weaned my youngest, I fell into a kind of hard to explain fog, still relishing her perfect imagination and zest, but messily figuring out the school thing with my older two. I was attempting to be the perfect mom (don’t we all at one point or another?) and my hormones were a wreck and all the socializing that (my kids) school required of me (an introvert) I was wholly unprepared for. Ugh.
So I decided to start a business. I know. Good timing. Creativity out of chaos.
It really just began as a creative outlet but with a little seed of a long term vision gently tucked away for planting later. I was making hand-lettered signs and other art and decor for my house or family and friends, and then they began making custom requests for more. I loved encouraging others with words and beauty and proving to myself I could do something (be an entrepreneur) when in my mind I had absolutely no clue or the personality to do such a thing. Words that were a little light, shining in darkness, connecting me with people and their hearts, their stories.
And, as things go, that seed was then planted, and one thing led to another and another, a new connection, a fail, lost money, more ideas, honing in. I began working with families in their homes. A dream. I had this actual dream more than a decade previously, to help families create beauty in their spaces, make room in their homes.
And now, as my baby begins kindergarten, this vision to help people SEE the JOY in their midst, to encourage them as they tackle life transitions and clutter and help them to make room, to clear space for their LIFE, y’all, is happening.
As tears stream down my face over the privilege it has been to be at home with my babies, loving and snuggling and messing up and trying and adventuring and exploring and messing up some more, I just feel so lucky that I could step away from what I had always done, leaving a great job that challenged me, beginning another job as mom that challenged me even more. A challenge that really built my confidence while simultaneously keeping me humble so that in this new chapter I am ready. Ready to build on this little seedling, Joy in the Midst Creative, and share more about embracing the waves, making room, and choosing joy.