I currently run my own business from home, where 90% of the time, I work 11 hr days. Weekends are over and done with before I even blinked and usually consist of paperwork, housework, or prepping things for the following week - very little time of it actually gets spent with my children doing meaningful things, let alone my extended family and friends. Basically I'm tired ALL the time, I get headaches almost every day, I eat a crappy diet because I literally dont have the energy at the end of the day to make something decent and I just feel generally miserable these days. The business that I once loved and worked so hard for is now sucking the life out of me...
A few months back, I got sick, and at the time it looked very serious (but after several tests, it turned out to be something simple) But at a time where I should have been worried and feeling very anxious about the future, I felt somewhat releaved - I was looking at the prospect of giving up work, having my income insurance to cover the stress of bills and was excited by the idea of being at home every day purely for the sake of my children - where they would have my complete and undivided attention.
Ive worked full time my entire adult life, and even when I had my two children, I was back at work in 4 and 3 months respectfully. But I've now reached a point where Im thinking to myself - Is my life any better for it? Would I have a more meaningful connection with my children if I was a stay at home Mum? Would my life have more fullfillment and joy if I wasnt worried about work, and invoices and deadlines and tax time and all that comes with being a business owner?
I guess Im just at a crossroads where Im trying to ask the universe which path I should take...
2 Replies
Is it possible for you have one or two employees so as you can share the work load around?
Personally I don't think it would be worth it for me, but I guess it's not that simple. What will be your situation financially if you were to stop working?
From my own childhood I remember my mother working full time and not spending much time at home with us and when she was home she was always stressed out and tired and it upset me. She eventually became a stay at home mum and even though we had less money we were all much happier having our mum around more and in a better state of mind. Once we were older and in high school she went back to work full time.
You could speak to your kids and ask them if you working so much is affecting them.
I find part time a perfect balance. Full time just leaves you with no time, everything's rushed it's sad to miss a connection with your Kids especially when they're little.