When my babiest bear turned four, my thoughts started to turn towards what I’m going to do when he starts school next year. I don’t want to sit around home watching bad telly, but I also don’t want to work full-time; the last time I worked in New Zealand was almost ten years ago, and I don’t have a job – or a career – to step back into.
I toy with the idea of going back to university, but I’m not sure what I want to study. For a long time I wanted to obtain a Master of Counselling, but I’m not as passionate about that as I once was. I think approaching 40 makes me question whether I’m past that stage in life, but then I think of the number of clever people I know who have gone back to study, and I know that age really isn’t a valid excuse. Maybe I’m scared of failing, of not being able to keep up…but that’s silly, because I’m a bit of a nerd, and an organised one at that!
I play with the idea of finding a 9am-2pm job so I can still take my boys to school and pick them up at the end of their day. A job where I don’t have to think too hard or work extra hours…but I know that I would go insane if I wasn’t challenged in some way.
Something I am seriously thinking about is starting my own business, but that’s going to take a lot more planning and thought. The appeal of that is being able to set my own hours and therefore still be available for my kids. I’m doing some investigating…but am I really the businesswoman type?
I’d love for this blog to be my “job”, but the reality is that I don’t have the audience numbers, I don’t have a “niche”, nothing makes me stand out from any of the other mummy bloggers around. I also think that in order to really make it as a blogger in New Zealand, being based in Auckland is three-quarters of the battle won?? I’m not being self-pitying or looking for plaudits, I’m simply being realistic. And to be honest, I’m not sure that I’d enjoy all the pressure that would come with being paid for something I genuinely love doing.
We’re incredibly fortunate to be in a position where I can stay at home with and for our children right now. I’m very lucky to have a husband who is not pressuring me think about this, but I know he realises that I won’t be content to be a lady of leisure, and will support me in whatever I decide to do – and whenever I decide to do it.
Tall, Short, Tiny & a Pickle 
Sounds like you have lots of good ideas and upcoming opportunities. I usually try to picture 5 or maybe 10 years down the road. Do I still want to be saying: I’d like to do, or have…whatever it is, or do I want to have done it already, with all the hard work behind me. I know, easier said than done. Best wishes for great choices!
Thank you so much for your thoughts – I like the idea of thinking ahead to a time when I want it (whatever “it” is!) to be done!
I’m all for studying! I’d spend some time browsing your local and distance providers and see what they offer, even if you just did one or two papers you were interested in for a start. I know what you mean about pro-blogging being an Auckland thing, even in Christchurch there are much less opportunities. Your business idea sounds intriguing!
It’s a tough process to decide what to do, I know how you are feeling!
Thanks, Amy! I do need to look into what is on offer around the place, might make it easier to make a decision if I can narrow the study option down a bit more xx