a new chapter: designing the life I want

Just a few short months ago, I was obscenely pregnant with my second kiddo, Max, working hard at an Architecture and Interior Design firm that I love, and trying to balance a successful and demanding career with family life, which includes my hubby, Steven, and 2.5 year old Henry. 

 

I happily entered maternity leave and we welcomed Max on November 13, 2013. I was thrilled and scared. At my core, I was truly fearful that I would fail at being a mom of 2. We all have those insecurities, I'm sure, but I was kind of terrified at the thought of keeping up with the demands of a newborn and a potty training toddler at the same time.

You see, I had not liked the mom I had become.  Anyone who has spent more than 8 minutes with a 2 year old can tell you that it's stressful and exhausting (and yes, rewarding and sweet and all that good stuff too).  But I would get home at the end of a stressful 9 hour day at work, and I would have nothing left to give my family. My temper was short and I wasn't enjoying motherhood like I wanted to. I needed to simplify my life. 

Then a funny thing happened. After Steven went back to work, and my mother in law left after taking care of us for 2 weeks (she's kind of a saint), and I was alone with both boys....I was happy. Not just "oh the boys were good so it was a good day" kind of happy, but "oh my goodness, this is exactly where I'm supposed to be, life-altering realization" happy. I really liked my job, and you can't ask for a better firm and better people to work with, but something had to give.  Leaving after 9 amazing years is the toughest decision I've ever made, but I knew in my heart of hearts that it was the right one.  At least for this season of my life. The boys will never be this small again, and if I was going to seize the opportunity, now was the time. 

Thankfully, Steven was totally on board.

Then began the long soul and budget searching process of determining if we could really do this. Cutting our income in half would be one challenge; one I will post about another day.  The other big concern (and the one I was most worried about), can I be creatively fulfilled long-term if I'm at home? Interior Designers are born, not made.  I can't turn it off. I need an outlet. 

That's where Simply Crafted comes in. It will hopefully be the vehicle for my creative endeavors. Interior Design, of course, but also cooking, baking, sewing, DIYing, parenting, organizing, dance parties in the kitchen, and all of the other things I could never find the time for while working 40+ hour weeks. 

This is not about being Wonder Woman or Super Mom. Far from it.  I am imperfect in every way, but through the grace of God I get up every morning and try again. It's about simplifying life. Living more by doing less. Spending time and energy on the things that really matter. Crafting the life I (and maybe you) always wanted. I'm blessed to have the chance to take this journey. 

Honestly, I'm doing this for me. If other people can relate and get some enjoyment out of it, even better. And if nothing else, my mom will like hearing about what's going on in my life (that is if she can figure out how to work the Internet.  Love you, mom).

Well, that's my story. At least the beginning of it. If I had the money, I'd give all four of you $100 for reading to the end, but it's not in the budget. But thanks anyway. Come back soon.

 

 

{beautiful photo by Emily Mulkey Photography}

XOXO

Tara