Five on Friday: The Realizations That Led to An Epiphany

I wasn't looking for a new job.

If you know me at all or have been reading my blog for a bit, you may know I work at a nearby local historical Mill. I first started there as a school tour guide when my youngest was in kindergarten. The following year they offered me a part-time position as a Museum Administrator. I agreed as long as I could continue with tours as I really enjoy doing that. 

They agreed and I came to love so much about my job there: continuing to give tours (sometimes in costume!), helping plan, promote and run the various fun events they host, the rotating cast of characters that a small museum seems to attract, learning local history, the camaraderie of my co-workers. I couldn't believe my luck in finding a such a fun and interesting job that was also excessively family friendly. (Okay if I bring my sort-of-sick kid with me? Sure! My kid's actually sick, I'm staying home. Fine! It's summer, I might only really work two days a week instead of three. Okay!)

So I really, really wasn't looking for a new job.

But a new job found me anyway. The even smaller museum right in my own town was looking for a new part-time Curator. For a multitude of reasons, it was a perfect fit. The hiring committee agreed and offered me the position.

Because I feel so loyal to the Mill, and technically there are enough hours in a week for two part-time jobs, I entertained the idea of working both.

I put a lot of thought into it and realized:

1. I am already always on the verge of feeling completely overwhelmed. 

2. Just because I can doesn't mean I should

3. My Mill co-workers, though they like me and appreciate what I do, will not die without me

4. Scheduling time with extended family and friends is already way harder than it should be

5. This is going to be big year for our family with my oldest going to college this fall

I had an epiphany: I was not going to work two jobs. And as a matter of fact, I would take a hiatus from Meta Theatre Company for the time being. I would step away from two committees I am on. I would start saying "let me think about it" instead of "yes" when asked to do something. (Success with this twice so far!)

While it was hard to tell my co-workers and fellow actors about my decisions, overall everything felt so right. Nothing happened immediately, it's more of an extraction than a clean break: I had a few more rehearsals and one more show with Meta and I've told the Mill I'll leave slowly and still do school tours. (I really love them and that's only seasonal.)

Last show with MTC before my hiatus

So while I ease away from the Mill I actually am working two part-time jobs but with a light at the end of the tunnel. I look forward to that upcoming time when I'll be only working one job, won't feel so overwhelmed, will have an easier time scheduling time with family and friends, will have time to help my oldest get settled at school (& visit her if she stays local enough), can eventually consider adding acting or other interests back in slowly.

"I'll rest when I'm dead," I always say, but right now I'm pretty comfortable with this decision to cut myself some slack while I'm still alive.

Here's "my" museum!