The first day of August, the month in which I will turn 40.
Well, that has crept up on me rather quickly I have to say. I wanted to make a list of all the things I hoped to achieve before my birthday, but I totally forgot, so now will have to wait until my 50th to learn a new language, play an instrument and jump out of a plane… I have ten years (& 3-weeks) to think of an excuse to get out of that last one.
I am however, about to embark on a completely new journey. For the first time in my adult life, I will not be in, or trying to be in, full-time employment.
I will also have to cut back on some of the luxuries I have been able to justify while earning my own crust. Like, popping to the hairdresser every 7-weeks to have a glossy brown tint pasted all over my bright grey roots. I will have to make do with running two coats of waterproof mascara through my hairline instead and hope for the best.
I will no longer need new clothes, shoes or bags for the office. This has been my staple excuse whenever the Greek God(zilla) has copped a look at my bank statement and asked who Zara is, and why she is on our payroll.
Goodbye to Planet Organic deli lunches at £8 a pop, enjoyed in Hyde Park. Hello cheese on toast, taken on the sofa. I am not sure if I will even still be able to afford gluten-free bread at £3 a loaf!
We have not yet had the discussion about the lovely woman who comes to our house for 4-hours every other week and cleans the toilet, but I am hoping if I just avoid having the conversation with the Greek God(zilla), I will be allowed to keep her. This approach seemed to work 3-months after my c-section, when I simply just forgot to let her go, and have continued to forget for almost 4-years.
Will I still need to wear make-up and straighten my hair for the school run? I am guessing not so much, but as this only costs me time, and I am soon to become less time-poor, then I think I can afford to keep this little treat in.
If I had a gym membership, I would definitely cancel it. In a heartbeat.
But what I am getting back in return is more time with my son. I will be there for drop-offs, pick-ups, after school activities and school holidays. I will no longer be a slave to the washing machine at 10pm, or found emptying the dishwasher at dawn. I will not have to book annual leave to wait in for a delivery, or wait 16-weeks for an early morning doctors appointment.
I will be able to slow down and catch my breath.
I will never have this time again, and you really can’t put a price on that.
*****
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It’s going to be wonderful and you deserve it! Zara crops up a lot over here too! Enjoy every minute lovely! X
Author
thanks lovely x
P.S I’ll come do your roots every 7 weeks in between my London meetings, won’t do your loo sadly!
Author
hahaha, it’s a deal!
I think that a lot of people would love to have ‘spend more time with the kids’ on their bucket list.
But the fact that you have manged to get this chance to do so is just wonderful. These days will
never come back again so make the most of it and enjoy it! 🙂
Author
thank you so much, I am nervous/excited/scared depending on when you ask me. Am very much looking forward to it though and happy to have the chance 🙂
I’ve got a feeling that this is going to be the 1st day of everything for you x enjoy x
I have fantasised about this. Hubby is constantly trying to work out if we can survive on 1 income if we moved. I don’t think it’s possible to be honest. I really will watch your journey with interest. How exciting. I know you won’t regret spending more time with your son.
Enjoy this time….. yes, you will have less money to indulge yourself BUT I’ll bet money you’ll feel much, much happier and content in the long run. And you are going to have more blogging time :o). Who knows, you might even come up with ideas for a business you can run from home, or find ways of making money ie through a review blog etc….. X.
You’ll be a lady who lunches. We’ll have to meet half way? xx
Great post. I’m looking after my girl full time now too. Took a long time to have her and don’t want to miss anything. I don’t miss all the material stuff that I can now no longer afford to buy. Well, tell a lie. I do miss my hairdressers. But there you go. My girl is worth the messy hair.
I hope you’re enjoying the well-deserved new regime. Like you, I’ve cut back (still working – but working from home now) and am already feeling like a new woman! Amazing how long you cope with something and it becomes normal, then once it’s finished you wonder how you ever managed so long.
Sounds fantastic. Keeping the lady who cleans the toilet will also give you more time to spend time with your son (and indeed get your hair done too). Childhood is such an important time and I’m glad to hear that you are able to spend such quality times together.
What is it with dentist/doctors/delivery appointments only really being when people work though?!
It’s going to be fantastic! Spending time with son and not rushing around doing lots but not really feeling like you’re doing a good job with anything. x