Leaping #2: Don’t Hate

Since my decision to leave my full time job, I have been overwhelmed with supportive and wonderful comments, calls and emails telling me to enjoy my “leap of faith,” to embrace my time with Max and my favorite—“defy gravity.” (Thank you, Robbin Davis).

Then, there are the haters.

“Why would you leave a good job?” (There are lots of good jobs)

“Are you sure you thought this through?” (No, I didn’t at all, thanks for calling that to my attention)

“I figured you would quit sooner or later.” (Most people do quit a job—or 10—in their lifetime)

“What will you do?” (Whatever the hell I want, thanks)

(Note—and all of the above comments have had “the tone”—you know exactly the tone to which I am referring .)

I have decided that people often say something snippy or hateful because they really don’t know what to say. And most likely because they could never imagine making the same choice. It’s fine if people don’t agree with my decision because the decision is mine and I don’t require permission.

I’ve loved working and have had an amazing career. Every job I’ve had has taught me so many things about myself—strengths, weaknesses, what I love and what I won’t put up with. When I became a mom, I did experience the occasional bout of mommy guilt but it usually went away as fast as it came. But with time and age comes perspective and my perspective has changed. I want off the wheel. I want balance and flexibility. I want to stay in my yoga pants all day if I choose. I want to be where I am needed the most.

So to those who don’t seem to understand my decision, I say this: someday you may have a child or husband, an aging parent, a sick in-law, a health problem or all of the above—on top of a demanding job. I can almost guarantee you will feel conflicted about how to fit it all in. Let's just hope those around you say something nice or don't say anything at all.

Leaping

"Sometimes your only form of transportation is a leap of faith”

I saw this quote several weeks ago and it has been stuck in my head ever since. I’ve never been great at leaping—let alone jumping or even baby stepping. I’m not much of a risk taker.

But I’ve learned that it is OK to step outside my comfort zone because sometimes, that is where you find all the fun. And I am doing my best to impart this to Max. As a mom, one of the many things I want to do is to help Max learn to take chances, to learn to fail, to put himself out there, to experience disappointment—all in the name of learning who he is.

At 42 I am still learning who I am and lately, my gut has told me that it is time to put my big girl pants on and take a leap. A leap into the unknown and without a huge safety net.

So today, after an amazing 20-year career in marketing and communications--full of countless experiences I wouldn’t trade for the world—I leapt. Into what? I am not really sure. I have a few ideas but for now, I am just going spread my wings and fly.

I can’t wait to see where my leap takes me.