Fall Leaves
As of last Friday, I’m unemployed. That sounds dramatic, but it was planned — because we’re moving overseas. My coworkers threw me a wonderful farewell party, and bid me the best of luck. This weekend was pretty normal, but today feels a little weird. Usually I wake up to multiple alarms and snooze buttons, and rush to get out the door. This morning though, Thomas woke me with a kiss and wished me a great day as he headed out. He hardly ever is out the door before me.
The next couple of weeks will be dedicated to prepping our house to move, but once we’re in Belgium, I’m not going to be working for a while either. I’m a little anxious about what I’ll do all day. Thomas keeps reminding me that I can easily go on day trips to neighboring countries, but traveling alone isn’t the most fun. I’m going to have to seek out people and things to do. I’ll probably take a French immersion language class, and hopefully get involved with the American Women’s Club. It would be great if I could find a volunteer group too.
So, any advice for a first time housewife? I really have never not worked before. I started in high school working internships, and through college… When I left my first job, it was to go to grad school where I also worked at assistantships between classes. From there, I went straight back to the corporate world. Any advice on not wasting your days, doing something meaningful with your time, feeling like your professional background isn’t going to waste, splitting your household chores with your spouse, living on one income, or anything else? In the meantime, I’m off to run all the errands I put off while I was working full time.
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I would LOVE to be a housewife but my husband won’t let me. You will find stuff to do throughout the day, I know you :) Enjoy it!
Sabrina´s last blog post..Alyssa’s Kindergarten Teachers Conference
Wow! Good times could be coming up soon! Enjoy not having to work. Use your time wisely, so you don’t regret the time passing. Make lists. Get your housework done first in the day, so you are free to do what you would like. Keep a schedule, so you aren’t completely lost when you have to go back to work or when kids come along. Use this time to learn new things like your French class and sewing and embroidering. I tell you all this because I lost a few years being free of work and a SAHM. I look back on that time and wish I was more organized and more disciplined. However, no one really taught me that in preparation, so I’ve sort of figured it out as we have gone along. I’m still not that good at it…
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I am super jealous too. I’d love to be a SAHW.
You can spend your days sleeping in, reading books, taking walks, cleaning house, making copious cups of tea, crafting, little home decorating projects, reading blogs, phoning your mother and best friends, taking photos, editing said photos, painting your nails, volunteering (for animal rescue!), browsing art galleries, grocery shopping for dinner, preparing said marvelous dinner (and make dessert too, while you’re at it!). And then, since the house will be sparkly clean and you’ll have nothing else on your to-do list, you can spend the evening cuddling with your honey on the couch.
(Okay, so that is pretty much what I would do, but taking walks would be with the dogs.) Enjoy!
sohobutterfly´s last blog post..In exactly one week… Mexico, baby!
well- you are now “retired” for a bit.
It does feel very weird when that happens.
I like the advise you got from sohobutterfly :)
I do the house work, playing with the puppy, unpacking, hanging out with friends, taking classes (pottery this month), volunteering, going to the library and many other things.
Sometime i feel like im spending more money since i go out during the day but im not. and I also end up doing nothing all day some days as well.
You guys have to come visit us one day. We would like to see you before you go.
When I was in Europe i wandered the streets and rode my bike. (i also wasnt in a city) but I understand the lack of motivation to visit other countries by yourself (besides you almost need a night over to appreciate it)
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I couldn’t imagine being stay-at-home in Houston, I’d go out of my mind with boredom. But with an adventure of experiencing a new country — well, that would take the boredom right out of the picture! Meet some adventurous friends and you’ll find travel companions so you don’t have to go alone. Definitely get immersed in those language classes — a good immersion class is nearly a full time job already (people I’ve known who’ve done it have had full day classes four days a week). And even though you’re not making money, you should do something you consider meaningful – volunteering, writing, photographing, creating, etc. You’ll end up shouldering more household chores since you’re at home, but don’t make those chores your “job” or you’ll start to think of yourself as professional cleaning lady.
And here’s the cynic my-mother-was-a-feminist-SAHM-who-had-a-bad-divorce — I always worry about women who stay at home — a LOT can happen that can leave you in trouble (divorce, death, illness). So protect yourself. Try not to lose touch with your professional contacts and experience — if you can freelance occasionally, attend conferences, take related classes, whatever you think you need to do to keep your skills current, you don’t want to be disadvantaged when/if you decide to or need to return to your profession.
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I am jealous! But I think I understand how you feel. I am working 20 hours a week, going to school full time and trying to find time to craft and of course keep the house livable.
I am dreaming about staying at home and just sew, all day long, not feeling guilty that dishes are not put away or I have homework to work on, but I try remind myself that if I would have all that time to sew, I might not enjoy it as much.
You probably will be pretty busy to get everything ready for the big move, and later in Belgium I am pretty sure you’ll find new friends and things to do.
All those crafty projects you would have time for.
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You’ll have tons of time for crafts this way. :)
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Oh…. take lots of naps. :-)
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Learning French (and/or Dutch?) and exploring your new adopted country will keep you busy for a while. One of the good things about Brussels is that it’s very difficult to get bored. Apart from all the normal things to do and see, the fact that there are so many expats here means that there are lots of clubs and organisations constantly running events and get-togethers. Plus there’s always a festival of some kind in Brussels – it’s a very lively place if you make the effort to get out there and find stuff (which I’m sure you will).
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WOw! Belgium! Sound super exciting and a bit scary. But what an experience it will be. Too bad you don’t have any kids. That would take of all your free time ;D Just enjoy the ride.
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I have been where you are–almost one year ago. I never imagined life without a career, but I have loved every moment of being a hausfrau and spend each day doing what I want to do, rather than what I have to do. I hope you enjoy it to! Congrats! It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. DOn’t forget that!
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I’ve never not worked, either. Coming from someone who would LOVE to be a housewife…enjoy this! Take full advantage! Do things you enjoy, things that fulfill you, and take it one day at a time.
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Life here is wonderful! I thought I would be bored too, but things really fell into place. By choice, I am busy most every day. I take Dutch twice a week and teach English to Belgian kids on Wednesday afternoons. I also volunteer at the kids’ school once a week. You are right about the American Women’s Club. They offer day trips and travels to all the places you may have never known about. You can take cooking and wine tasting classes too.
Picking up and moving time zones away is not for the faint of heart. You have to be a self starter and be prepared to explore on your own and with people who may be just as new as you. I know you will love it. Think of each day as another adventure to photo and blog!
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