I am not sure what to call my current state- a SAHM, retirement, a working break, semi retirement. Not sure how to define it. I am also not sure of what the future will bring, if I go back to work or in what capacity. Getting over that fear of not having a clear path in life was a huge part of me finally quitting my job. But I am so glad I did and now I get to share my first week as a SAHM (SAHM seems to fit the best at this very moment, so I will use that title for now).
As someone who is always on the go, work gave me an outlet for that energy. But now I get to focus that energy on other things I want to. I had a job that measured my day in .1 (6 minute) intervals and now I do not want to measure my days by filling up every minute or trying to see how much I can cram into the day. I want to enjoy each day and the things I have time to slow down and finally do. Check out my post about quitting my job here.
December 1 was first day as retired(ish). I have now had 1 complete week at home. And, I admit, I really, really enjoyed it. While working I survived because I had a pretty strict routine, for myself and the kids. While I kept the kids nap/quiet time schedules and bed time routines, I did not put any pressure on myself to make a routine. I had things I needed to do, but I did what I was able to. I did not worry about waking up before the kids to get ready and pack lunches, because for the first time, I didn’t have to. If I got ready with a baby hanging on me, then I did. If my toddler put on makeup while I was trying to put on some makeup, well then he wore some makeup that day. It was nice not to rush.
Not feeling like I had to get to the next task (a work task, a phone call, a work bill to review, laundry to change out, starting dinner or order groceries), was really, really nice. I was able to just enjoy the day.

I did not measure my days or rush any activities, I just lived. I am reflecting now on the week- and I am realizing I actually did a lot of things that I wanted to do. While the list below may seem mundane, I am feeling like myself again, which I have not felt in a long time.
So what did my first week as a SAHM?
- Regularly brushed my teeth and took care of my skin. Seriously, there were so many days I started work (when I worked at home) that I never got around to brushing my teeth. I made sure to take care of myself.
- I made myself some delicious lunches. I had a baby holding onto my legs as I cooked, but I did it. I also ate lunch at a table and not working (which I have not done in years).
- I went to the library. I live within walking distance of a library, but I have not been in a year. I took my one year old to story time and brought my four year old back the next day to pick out some books.
- Went to the mall to just walk around. My holiday shopping is almost done, so I went to get coffee and just walk around with my daughter. Window shopping without feeling like I needed to rush to get the items I needed and get home to get to the next chore was very relaxing.
- Downloaded and worked every day on Doulingo. I have wanted to learn Spanish for years. I have started before, but now I committed.
- Spent some time working on graphics for the blog and learning more about blogging. I would like to listen to some podcast and read up even more about growing my blog.
- Spent some time working on some projects on my Cricut that I planned for the holidays.
- Worked out a few times. I did a Yoga class, a bare class, two core classes and two 1/2 hour cycle classes on my Peloton. Considering I worked out a total of 4 times in November, I am already beating last month’s record. I missed working out and it was fun to try new classes.
- I have watched more Disney+ than I will admit. I am catching up on movies I missed over the last few years- Frozen, Frozen II and Encanto have become my kids favorite movies of the week. I was so surprised at Encanto- I loved it. I would watch it even if I did not have kids. I can’t remember the last movie I watched, but I have now seen 3 in the last week.
- Did some simply crafts with my kids. We decorated foam snowflakes I picked up at the dollar store and hung up the snowflakes up with holiday cards.
- Worked on cleaning up the garden. This was a task that was far overdue, but I took some time to pull dead plants and ready the garden a little for the spring. Still have some more to do, but I did more in an hour than I had been able to do since September in the garden.
- Read books to my children in the middle of the day, because we could.
- Obsessed over Instagram accounts about sourdough bread.
- Started a sourdough starter. And threw it out. And started again.
So I said earlier I wouldn’t measure my days in .1 intervals and I won’t. The point of this list was not to see how much I accomplished but rather, to see all the things I did this week that I have not been able to do in a long time. I wanted to relish in all the things I did just because I could. I can’t wait to see what else I can do now.

Leave a Reply