| When was the last time you were truly inspired? Driven? Fulfilled? These were the questions I started asking myself when COVID hit. I’m sure you’ve asked yourself these questions, too. I used to LOVE working outside the home. I loved my job. I loved learning for my job. And to be quite honest, I think I am pretty darn good at it. (I’m a high school tech teacher). I never thought I would want to be a work-at-home mama, until I was forced to do it. Did I mention I also had my 3rd baby in March of 2020? Just when I thought I was going to get to enjoy a “normal” maternity leave, the whole world went on leave with me. I was forced to figure out the juggling act of working from home and keep my family thriving. It was hard. Like really hard. But then we figured it out. And it was awesome. Like really awesome. For the past two years, I have had this silent urge to rearrange my priorities. Why was my job getting the best of me and my family what was left of me? This past Fall I took a group of students to visit my alma mater and got to sit in on a college class with them. I looked around the room and emotion just took over me. I nearly started crying (and I am not a cryer). These kids had a passion for learning. They were eager for their futures. They were PASSIONATE about something. That used to be me and I realized I couldn’t remember the last time I was passionate about my job. I have been completely complacent, which has never been a term to describe me. I am only 30. I have been stuck in a half-in/half-out mindset (aka. The Fence). And that scared the heck out of me. I left that college classroom with a new promise to myself. I was going to pick a side of the fence to fall on. Either I am going to do the work and figure out how to find passion in working my 9-5 again, which could possibly come at the expense of my family, or I was going to find another path and COMMIT to it. That’s when I found Lauren and The Free Mama Movement. So right now, I’m still in the classroom. But I’ve already committed to leaving in May of 2022. Yep. In just a few short months, I’m taking the jump to become a Free Mama. It’s a bold statement to write out, trust me. But I’m tired of being stuck on the fence. I’m tired of making excuses for myself as to why I can’t do something. I’m not naive enough to think that the path ahead will be easy. But if becoming a Free Mama means I get my priorities back in line, it will be worth it. And because of the Free Mama program and this amazing community of women, I know I don’t have to do it alone. Are you with me? Samantha Free Mama Intern |