Contemplating Completeness

Well, now I am officially a college graduate. I'm on to my next goal in life, only thing is that I have no idea what that is supposed to be. I'm not planning on going to graduate school; maybe in the future, but not now. I'm also not planning on going straight to work. No, I'm planning on being a stay-at-home mom. Adam and I feel it is important that one of us stay home with Owen and any other children we might have. So now that I'm a stay-at-homer, my next question in life is: What next?

I now feel like I have no direction in life. I felt that way before I decided on college, but now that that goal is complete, I have no idea what I should now be doing with my life. Yes, raising my child is important to me, but I feel like there must be something more out there for me.

I have toyed with the idea of working from home, but it's hard to find a legitimate telecommuting job that's not a scam. There are some article-writing sites out there that I've wrote for in the past, and I'm thinking about doing that just so I can keep up with my writing skills. And once I go back to work, it would look decent on my resume if it looks like I've been keeping busy.

But what else could I do with my free time?

I'm wanting to get back into my couponing. The past two semesters left me with little time to keep up with deal searching and coupon organization. There aren't many DFW deal blogs out there, so that's something I could consider creating and running. There also aren't a lot of couponing workshops this way, so I could always start up a group and maybe teach a few classes.

I'm also big into supporting animal non-profit groups. In the town I live in there has been some despicable things going on at the local animal shelter including unnecessary mass euthanasia and cover-up attempts. I've been wanting to help the organizations that our attempting to make this shelter become a No Kill shelter. I could always offer my writing skills or other talents to volunteer efforts.

But these are just ideas I'm tossing around. I'm still not sure which direction I should turn. I just feel really disconnected from myself right now. School work was something that I could lose myself in. It's important to me to spend time with my family, especially since I felt like I lost a lot of time while in school, but I still want to be true to myself. I still want to feel successful and like I'm here for a purpose.

I guess this is something I will just have to figure out along the way.

New Semester, High Hopes

Well, classes have started for the Spring semester. In just a few shorts months I will finally be a college graduate. Although I am excited to graduate, I am a little sad and scared at the same time. I have been in college since August of 2007, and I'm beginning to feel a little nostalgic about each semester I have experienced. I can't believe all the time that's gone by and that I will soon be finished. This part of my life will soon be over. Will I miss it? I think I will. Or at least some parts of it.

My next role is to be a full-time mommy. I am already a full-time mom to Owen, but I feel like school has caused me to miss a lot during his two years of life. After I graduate, I look forward to spending time just being a mommy and a wife. I plan to eventually return to work, but not for a while. I do not want to miss any more time with my son, so I want to stay home for a while.

Adam and I feel that it is important to have one of us stay home with Owen (and any other children we might have) at least until he starts elementary school. I am toying with the idea of trying to find an online position so that I can stay current on my writing while staying home with Owen. I want to make sure that I stay marketable and up-to-date so that I am prepared when I do decide to return to work.

But first, I have to get through this last semester and walk across that stage. It's going to be a busy few months, but I am looking forward to it. Last semester was a beast, so hopefully this one will not be as stressful. Of course a lot of that also had to do with a family emergency I experienced toward the middle of the semester. My emotional and physical health have been through a roller coaster ride since this past summer, so I am hopeful things will be looking up in these upcoming months.

So far, I am trying to start this semester off optimistically. Now, I just need the rest of my life to get on board so I can keep up my positive attitude. Go me! You can do it!