Recently I have had a lot of people ask me if I am going back to work now that Henry is about to enter full-time school. It has been suggested to me by numerous people that "you will probably really enjoy going back to work". I began to think it was something that I *should* be doing.
And Grant and I discussed it. At length. Very seriously.
I even printed off the forms to renew my nurses' registration and filled them out. I chased up certificates I lost in the flood that displaced us 8 years ago to put in my resume.
But for whatever reason, I couldn't quite bring myself to send them in. Even though I told people I would be returning to nursing, I procrastinated endlessly.
It turns out my heart just wasn't in it.
It turns out my heart just wasn't in it.
And then after much encouragement from Grant, we sat down and really looked at the cost associated with me returning to work. I would have a 1-1.5hr return commute, I would need to put my three children in after-school care which would be about $60/day and then 1/3rd of whatever I earn would go in tax as the farm is listed as my primary income. You may ask how the farm will earn any money in the first year but we are able to get a sustainable logging license for it, as the area has been logged for generations. Then there are Grants woodroaches which are also classed as part of the farm income. Throw in the occasional shared take away for dinner at work and there is very little money left of any income I would earn one day/week. There is possibly weekend work, but that will depend on Grants hours. He may need to work weekends, and it's not possible that both of us do.
So it seems that for now, I will continue my role as a full-time homemaker. Which has filled me with relief and a renewed sense of purpose.
But I would be lying if I didn't admit it is hard to move against the grain at times. I'm aware that the role I have is not always valued by mainstream society. There are those that think homemaking is simple and dull. Of course, that is not everyone but it is an opinion I come up against on a frequent enough basis that I notice.
But...The truth is, I love being at home.
My days are interesting and fulfilling. I’m constantly learning and reading all kinds of books from political, feminism, theological, permaculture, simple living, and great fiction. I ferment foods, I make sourdough and yogurt as well as all the usual cooking and baking.
I sew really lovely Waldorf dolls with needle felting to add details. Which have at times, become children’s own treasured versions of ‘The Velveteen Rabbit’. I have been told stories about the dolls I created becoming an important therapy tool for children who have gone through a traumatic experience. I sew personalized and thoughtful gifts for people and make clothing when a pattern takes my eye. Not to mention mending our belongings to ensure we get good value out of them.
I know how to stretch a dollar. This month I am following the Uber Frugal Month Challenge, and I'm in the process of setting up spreadsheets to record and track every penny we spend to hopefully use as budgeting reference for others wanting to live off the grid in Australia.
My days are interesting and fulfilling. I’m constantly learning and reading all kinds of books from political, feminism, theological, permaculture, simple living, and great fiction. I ferment foods, I make sourdough and yogurt as well as all the usual cooking and baking.
I sew really lovely Waldorf dolls with needle felting to add details. Which have at times, become children’s own treasured versions of ‘The Velveteen Rabbit’. I have been told stories about the dolls I created becoming an important therapy tool for children who have gone through a traumatic experience. I sew personalized and thoughtful gifts for people and make clothing when a pattern takes my eye. Not to mention mending our belongings to ensure we get good value out of them.
One of the most meaningful doll sets I sewed. A custom set for a wonderful Aboriginal woman to use as a tool for her children. To help empower them to know they are proud Aboriginal's, and that Aboriginals skin colour cam some in both light and dark.
I know how to stretch a dollar. This month I am following the Uber Frugal Month Challenge, and I'm in the process of setting up spreadsheets to record and track every penny we spend to hopefully use as budgeting reference for others wanting to live off the grid in Australia.
I’m passionate about helping our family find beauty in the simple ordinary things around them, which exist due to our immense privilege. To help them fall in love with nature, to grow up to be strong and healthy.
I work on my writing and blogging, though at times I admit it has been kind of haphazard. But this year I am determined to take my blogging to a new level. For the first time, I am carving out time daily to really work hard at writing consistently. I am in the process of mapping out a few common themes I want to have running through my blog, to give me direction as I move forward.
We read, watch documentaries, listen to podcasts, audiobooks and music.
Homemade sourdough.
I work on my writing and blogging, though at times I admit it has been kind of haphazard. But this year I am determined to take my blogging to a new level. For the first time, I am carving out time daily to really work hard at writing consistently. I am in the process of mapping out a few common themes I want to have running through my blog, to give me direction as I move forward.
We read, watch documentaries, listen to podcasts, audiobooks and music.
I love the work I do. It’s quiet, but valuable in its own right. And it’s as interesting as I choose to make it.
But much of society doesn’t value it. I have had people’s eyes glaze over and assume my simple mindedness when I have told them I am a homemaker. I have had men turn their backs on me and resume talking to the person next to me because my role is considered ‘dull’.
My life is may not shiny nor impressive to societies standards. But to me, it’s interesting and deeply fulfilling.
My encouragement is for you to courageously follow the beat of your own drum. Sometimes it is daunting to follow a different path. Sometimes we can look at others and all the wonderful things they are doing with their lives and we can feel what we are doing is not enough. That we are not achieving enough.
It is easy to feel like we should be working in a professional career, to have a nice house, with nice furniture. It's easy to see our value in only what we do, and what we do absolutely has the potential to be valuable. But our entire value does not lie in our title, nor our career. For a long time, I was 'Emma, the Nurse.' When I left my job I came to realize nursing was not who I was, it was simply something I did. Who you are does not only exist because of the work you do. Your work ethic, kindness, integrity, knowledge, empathy, and your personal attributes are a part of what make you unique. Work is simply a place where we utilize these skills. There is absolutely more than one place or setting in which we can apply these skills.
But homemakers, and those yearning to know slowness and simplicity in their lives - what we do matters, it is valuable and it remains to be an entirely valid life choice even in this modern fast-paced world.
I don't know if I will return to work of some kind at some stage, I may well want too. I will certainly be leaving that door open and be keeping an open mind to whatever the future may hold.
But right now? I am continuing on at home, following the beat of my own drum. May you feel encouraged to find and follow your own beat, whatever that may be.
Much love,
Emma
xx
