Self

Family

Work

My first job out of college involved relocating an untold number of times to unfamiliar places and meeting an incredible number of people, all for a pretty price. And I did. I moved to half a dozen states, met hundreds of people, nabbed a husband (mine eventually, not someone else’s), and built out more found family than I could have dreamed. After years of flexibility and “for the band” mentality, it was starting to really take a toll. While I did get a lot of great experience and feathers in my cap the last three years I worked there, I still wish I’d left sooner. The hardest part of choosing to move on was “the money is good, and I get paid overtime.” What’s not enticing about picking up some extra project hours to help boost an upcoming vacation? The only thing really holding me back was the gold and the promise of better. I did end up taking a hefty pay cut to leave, but I don’t regret it for a moment.

I know now what I didn’t then: money really isn’t everything. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your family and be recharged enough to do well at your job.

And maybe have a Snickers when things get tough.