Work and Life

Week three of my new shift under my belt and it has been an interesting time.  Not the least of which because there is a whole new set of co-workers - people I had seen here and there in the past, but not really worked with.  One in particular who could not be described as respectful and appropriate, but since that one has now moved on to another job, I'm even less concerned about her than I was, which was not much.  I am single-mindedly pursuing my path, keeping  work-life balance a priority.  Doing my best while I am there while trying to move out of the venting and stressing routine I was in.  Focusing on home and family during the day and on weekends instead of thinking about my job.  It's a work in progress for sure.

I miss being at my sweet house in the evenings, and looking out the breakroom at the sunset is not the same as enjoying it at my house, but for now, I feel very Ok with this schedule.  It has allowed me to see a different side of myself as a worker, a mom, and wife.  I stay a little closer to home during the week, and that feels nice.  I have had a nap and reading time every day and that's nice, too.  And I am able to provide a clean home and a meal to my peeps every day and that is HUGE.  I think that overall the change has been positive for me.  And if I move yet again to a swing shift, it will continue to evolve, and I expect that to be positive, too.  

So for now, I am focusing on experiencing the happy more often and doing my best to pull out of my negative thoughts routine.  It's challenging for me as I have deep-rooted opinions and behaviors.  But I'm just going to keep moving forward!

So far

It's been about like I thought it would be on my new shift.  I like having every morning in my peaceful house with time to get things done as I need to.  I like leaving said house clean and neat every day, returning to a clean kitchen at night and going straight to bed.  I really like the new, simpler meal plan.  And I love that weekends are all mine to spend with my peeps  (even if we work around the house, which is also nice). 

But I also feel like I am in a perpetual time change.  I sleep like a rock, then struggle to get up in time to see my peeps for a short while each morning.  Mark leaves the house by 7, so if I don't get up by 6:30 I will miss him altogether.  I have better luck with Gray since he doesn't generally leave until 7:45.  But it's not exactly quality time.  I have fallen back into mothering mode, making his breakfast and setting some things out for his lunch.  And for Dylan, I heat up some leftovers for lunch and invite him to sit a bit, which he does.  As always, there is that push-and-shove that comes with people needing to get to school and work on time.

Only time will tell how long I can make this new schedule work for all of us, not just me.  It's just gotten started and I owe it a least a year or so. For me, there are more pros than cons.  

I don't miss working weekends at all.