Slow Down and Enjoy

I am one of those people that likes to feel useful and likes to be productive. Even when I’m not moving, I like to be constantly thinking through my schedule, my meal plans, my leisure time, my crafts, my life and making plans. I don’t enjoy excessive down time and I don’t enjoy work that keeps me busy but un-engaged. I don’t like feeling useless.

And this is exactly how I feel when starting a new job. There is always that amount of time that needs to pass while everyone tries to figure out if you really know the things you claimed on your resume. And you always have those situations where you have to be re-trained before you are allowed to perform the tasks you’ve been doing the last 11 years. I know! Training is necessary and I respect its place. But I want to rush through it all and become an active, productive member of the team.

I’m ready to show what I know and to prove that I really am worth six figures. I don’t know why I always think someone is in the background comparing my hourly rate to my production but I always do. Anyway, there are definite benefits to going into a new place and hitting the ground running, but there is also value in just taking a step back and observing.

The last three jobs I’ve had were a bit of a whirlwind. I learned a lot very quickly and I traveled a little too much for my taste, working crazy hours when needed so I was always showing my value in the most tangible and visible ways possible. My productivity was high but that came at a cost--I burned out quickly and often. When I mastered something, I was ready to move to the next thing. The enjoyment I once found in working and learning was fading more quickly with each new task that landed before me.

But my life is changing and my priorities are changing. I want to slow things down. I want to focus the passion I still have in my work and foster it into something new and exciting. I simply just want to slow down and enjoy what God has blessed me with.

There are so many changes coming at me all at once--new job, new city, selling my first home, getting married! I don’t want to rush through any of them. They all are bringing a certain amount of stress into my life, but they are also bringing me these incredible experiences that are blowing my mind. I want to savor each and every moment of this journey and show some gratitude for it all.

I am not one for making new year’s resolutions, but I am compelled to stop mid-year and resolve to slow down and enjoy.

Hiya!

Hello my lovelies. Yes, I’m still here but productivity has not been my friend lately. I am in Kansas now. I’m not completely relocated, but I am here and working and trying to figure out what life will look like here until the future husband joins me next year.

I foolishly thought I would be one of those bloggers that would keep everything moving during the relocation, giving you all the details here and there. The summer heat waves and shaky WIFI kept me from getting much done. Now that I’m cooler and connected, it’s still taking some effort to get back up and moving.

Soon, my friends. Soon. In he meantime, I am trying to get back into the swing of things by working on the one knitting project that I brought with me.

IMAG0403-2012-08-7-19-54.jpg

This is the

Jared Flood Inversion Cardigan

and I am casting on the final piece. I have already stitched up and joined the first two pieces. Waiting until this thing was blocked just wasn’t in my DNA so I’m piecing and joining as I go. It really does look lovely and I can’t wait to wear it when the weather cools WAY DOWN.

Needless to say I have fallen a behind on my reading goals for the year, but I am very much still committed to meeting that goal. More on that soon. For now, I am sending some productivity mojo your way and hope that it serves you well in the coming weeks/months.

What To Say?

First, I want to remind you to visit this week’s guest post and leave a comment to be included in the drawing for Sarah’s e-book. And don’t forget to visit her site to ender the drawing for the Kindle Touch. It’s quick and easy, I promise.

I feel like knowing what to say has ended up being the theme of my life this week. There are many, many changes coming the way of Casa de Moi (don’t you love when people mix languages). My way-too-long stint of unemployment is coming to an end and will require me to relocate.

Yep, this little blog and the life behind it is moving to the suburbs of Kansas City, Kansas! I’m very excited to be moving to a new place, but sad at the same time. I’ve built a nice little life here in Chattanooga over the last 11 years and I will miss the community and support system I have built. More than anything, I am dreading the packing. I have a whole house to move about 10 hours away…and into what? I have no idea. Will we rent an apartment, a house, buy a house, a condo???? So many questions need to be answered and so many books need to be packed.

But none of that will happen until I am well into working so I have a little time to think and plan, but will be bringing you all along with me. That’s the best thing about establishing online relationships…I can take you anywhere! Isn’t that fabulous.

So, be on the look out for moving and relocation blog and resources and please send those things may way. I’m going to need all the help I can get.

So many great things on the horizon...