I officially started back to work a few weeks ago, and lo and behold, I have already become a blog slacker (blacker? slog?). Sigh. But I am here now and promise to be better!
In many ways, it's like I never left...like I put my "work self" on pause for a year and when I pressed the play button, I just started up where I left off. I was so afraid that I had forgotten everything, and that I would be absolutely useless to anyone for a while. But it all came flooding back pretty much as soon as I stepped through the office doors. Yes, some things have changed. I have a new office, for one. It has a fresh paint job, and is definitely cleaner than my old office. And at least once a day, I walk past it, forgetting that it is where I "live" now. I am also in charge of a whole list of new products that I know nothing about, which is both exciting and frustrating. To be honest, it makes me feel smart to have a bookshelf full of engineering and computer science books. That is, until someone asks me a question about them...
But perhaps the most significant change has to do with me. I came back as a different person. Not just in a 10lbs-heavier-saggy-boobed-tired-mom sort of way either. If this last year has taught me anything, it is that every single moment in life is important, and fleeting. I learned how to slow down, and just live. Even on my worst days, when Kailyn had been screaming for hours, and all I wanted to do was have a nap or eat lunch, I just kept reminding myself that she wouldn't be that little again...and someday I would look back and wonder where the years went. So, I made a pact with myself to enjoy every moment. And now, I can honestly say I am a calmer, happier person.
So now, on those days when I start getting stressed at work, I plan to try and take the same approach as I did with my screaming baby and repeat, "nothing lasts forever, just enjoy every moment." And if that doesn't work, then I plan to move to strategy #2: nothing is as bad as natural childbirth. If I can deal with that, I can deal with anything.
