I read a phrase a long time ago that I never forgot. “Your kids are only in your way when you rather be somewhere else.” While raising and homeschooling six kids, that was a phrase that I kept front and center in my mind. It helped me stay present. As a result, I loved spending time with my kids.
What I have found through the years is that this phrase can apply to many parts and seasons of life.
- Your job is only in your way when you rather be somewhere else.
- Your spouse is only in your way when you rather be somewhere else.
- Your daily routine is only in your way when you rather be somewhere else.
Applying that phrase to my life has always given me the opportunity to ask myself some important questions.
- What do I really want?
- Where do I really want to be?
- Do I really want to be somewhere else?
Let’s go back to my kids. When I was with my kids 24/7, I sometimes needed a break. And let’s be honest, they needed a break from me too! So when I started to feel like I didn’t want to be there, I would ask myself, “When was the last time I took a break?” The answer was usually weeks or months ago. So, I would plan a day off and that gave me the energy to be present and enjoy my time with my kids again. Or sometimes, all I needed was to get them in bed at a decent hour so I had some “alone” time before bed. Even now as an empty nester, if I don’t get some down time to read, I start scrolling through my phone, which is usually a sign that I haven’t taken a break all day.
I have a confession. Until I joined Arturo in real estate, I would have never thought that I would go into this field. I was a psychology major! What did that have to do with real estate? But I really found my passion in helping people in this profession. Arturo goes out in the field. He shows the homes, lists the homes, negotiates contracts. He loves that and it shows. What do I do? I found my niche in creating workshops, writing articles, putting a podcast together, putting seminars together, calling to check in on past clients, I love it!
Do I love everything about my job? No, I don’t like doing the bookkeeping or having to cut out business expenses or stressing about money (I know too much…), as well as some little things here and there, but this is where I want to be. And if I ever feel like I want to be somewhere else, I ask myself, “When was the last time I took a break? When was the last time we went away for a weekend?” Inevitably, I find the reason for my discontent in the answers to some of those questions.
How about you? Do you ever feel like you’d rather be somewhere else? There are absolutely times when we should consider that feeling as a red flag, inviting us to move to a different job or do things differently, but asking ourselves the question, “Why am I feeling this way?” Could help us remember that we actually do love being where we are. Maybe we just need a break.