Freedom is the Best

October 17, 2013 /

My days have gotten much more palatable since getting laid off in July. Rather than squeezing tiny drops of enjoyment from things like my drive home from work and stolen moments of frantic writing, I now look forward to every day. Every damn day. It seems a little excessive, huh?

Granted, not every day is a cake walk (a couple of hours job searching in this economy is enough to crush even the chipperest of souls). But since deciding to go the freelance route, basically I wake up every morning excited.

I love my first cup of coffee of the day, steaming and bold. While sipping those first precious drops of my absolute favorite beverage, I absorb a chapter of whatever book I’m currently reading for pleasure. This process helps me wake up, as I am not one of the lucky few who bounce out of bed ready to wrestle an angry bear or similar. I don’t sleep very well, and I don’t wake up very well. Don’t talk to me for at least twenty minutes, m’kay?

I love writing every day. Every day. Not just furtively during my lunch break, or when I’m bone tired after working a full day with maybe overtime and then making dinner. I can write more, too, not just a blog post now and again. I can work on the writing I show no one, I can work on my novel, I can write for other websites.

I love that I have time to exercise now. Digging my hands into the cool, wet soil of our planters and ripping out weeds, pushing the lawn mower across the yard. Don’t be fooled by anyone, gardening is totally exercise. Or maybe I can do an hour of yoga, or a half-hour run. No, I can’t run any more than that; don’t ask me to, because I ~~can’t~~ won’t do it.

Shh, don’t tell anyone, but sometimes I even dance in my kitchen.

I love making myself a healthy lunch, not snacking on whatever I’ve thrown into a sack that’s got to last me the whole day or else I’m binging on the candy dish by reception. Stupid candy dish, with your Butterfinger minis and Snickers bites, I am free of you.

I love working because I love it, not because someone’s holding a financial gun to my head. It’s what I’ve dreamed of doing since starting my Master’s six years ago, though maybe it looks slightly different from what I’d envisioned.

Even still, I’d kind of given up hope I’d be one of the ones lucky enough to do what I love for a living. Okay, I’m still not exactly making a living yet, but it’s a start.

And I’m so excited.

Granted, this is still new to me, and maybe I’ll tire of it someday. But for now, the best part of my day is every moment I’m free.

– – –

37 Comments

Considerer
October 17, 2013 at 5:14 pm Reply
What gorgeous things you have going on in your days. And how beautifully described. I’m happy for you that you have them 🙂
Considerer recently posted…7 Quick Takes #49 x FTSF
- Natalie DeYoung
  October 21, 2013 at 11:39 am Reply
  Thank you! I feel lucky. 🙂
Julie DeNeen
October 17, 2013 at 5:15 pm Reply
You helped remind me of why I love what I do. Working from home, setting my own schedule…it really is quite amazing. Love the photo of you!
Julie DeNeen recently posted…Christmas Shopping Finished Early
- Natalie DeYoung
  October 21, 2013 at 11:39 am Reply
  Yeah, though it’s been a slow start, it’s already been so rewarding…
Ilene
October 17, 2013 at 5:28 pm Reply
Yes! I love that you are loving your days and finding the time to do the things that matter for you! There is not enough time in this life for soul crushing jobs or soul crushing schedules, no matter what we have talked ourselves into thinking that affords us. Keep at it, girl.
Ilene recently posted…What If I Told You
- Natalie DeYoung
  October 21, 2013 at 11:39 am Reply
  I agree – life is too short.
Stacie
October 17, 2013 at 5:57 pm Reply
Oooh go you! It’s that HUGE yeah write salary liberating you, right? I quite work when we moved from CA to NJ 3 years ago. But I feel like I have NO time to write. What am I doing wrong compared to you?
Stacie recently posted…Fiction: This Chance
- Natalie DeYoung
  October 21, 2013 at 11:40 am Reply
  It’s still new, so the enthusiasm levels are high. Also, I am not a parent, which I’ve heard can suck up a lot of free time…
Janine Huldie
October 17, 2013 at 7:34 pm Reply
I know that feeling all too well here also, because since working from home I haven’t been happier or felt more like I am right where I am supposed to be. Funny how sometimes you find freedom in the last place you may have thought to look. Wonderful post and thank you for linking up with us again!!
Janine Huldie recently posted…Pre-School Pickup Is The Best Part of My Day~FTSF #40 & My Favorite Scents~October Daily#18
- Natalie DeYoung
  October 21, 2013 at 11:41 am Reply
  Almost everyone who works for themselves says the same thing. We’ve got a good gig. 🙂
Kristi Campbell
October 17, 2013 at 7:50 pm Reply
Yes yes yes. I love that you’ve found this passion and time to exercise. I haven’t found the balance yet. I thought I had it once my son was born. But then, he went to school and I thought I needed to work. Which is also when I remembered how much I need to write. You’re doing a great job. I love this and the photo of you? Kicksass!!!
Kristi Campbell recently posted…Being Here is the Best Part of My Day
- Natalie DeYoung
  October 21, 2013 at 11:42 am Reply
  It’s all a learning experience! I am guilty of taking on too much all the time!
Sarah | LeftBrainBuddha
October 17, 2013 at 8:07 pm Reply
I love this ~ what a great perspective and I am so happy for you that you have time to do your own writing, your own reading, and also do all the things we need to do to take care of ourselves. I can’t wait to read your novel!
Sarah | LeftBrainBuddha recently posted…Diamonds and Water: An Economic Analysis of Motherhood
- Natalie DeYoung
  October 21, 2013 at 11:42 am Reply
  🙂
Chris Plumb
October 17, 2013 at 8:20 pm Reply
You made me miss unemployment. I really miss writing everyday. Some days my day job feels less like my job than writing does. Maybe that’s because I like my job, but I love words.
Chris Plumb recently posted…No One Left to Party With (Burning Out Your Audience).
- Natalie DeYoung
  October 21, 2013 at 11:42 am Reply
  Yeah, I feel really lucky right now. I miss the steady money part, though…
Hailey
October 17, 2013 at 11:18 pm Reply
This is seriously, totally awesome! So fun to read about your new routine and inspiration!
- Natalie DeYoung
  October 21, 2013 at 11:43 am Reply
  🙂 I knew you’d appreciate it, Hailey.
Karen
October 18, 2013 at 7:52 am Reply
Oh, how I relate! I work from home, and it’s kind of on-again, off-again. The days I have free are such a treasure!
Karen recently posted…Giving thanks, a case of the blerg, and a traitorous chair: Karen’s week in review
- Natalie DeYoung
  October 21, 2013 at 11:43 am Reply
  Free time is vastly underrated. 🙂
Stephanie @ Mommy, for Real.
October 18, 2013 at 1:20 pm Reply
Not gonna lie- I am pretty much crying with jealousy right now. I am so happy you have this sense of peace and appreciation right now!
Stephanie @ Mommy, for Real. recently posted…Motherhood and Grief: Where Gratitude Meets Reality
- Natalie DeYoung
  October 21, 2013 at 11:44 am Reply
  Don’t get too jealous yet – the money isn’t exactly steady, which will be hard to get used to.
Stephanie @ Life, Unexpectedly
October 18, 2013 at 1:53 pm Reply
This sounds beautiful! I sometimes wished I had time in the mornings, more than just going through the motions until I arrive at work semi-conscious…
Stephanie @ Life, Unexpectedly recently posted…The Favorite Part Of My Day
- Natalie DeYoung
  October 21, 2013 at 11:45 am Reply
  I know it! I spent so many years waking up at the crack of dawn, just shuffling through like a zombie…
Menopausal Mother
October 18, 2013 at 8:55 pm Reply
I am so happy for you that you can finally do what you were meant to do with your life—write. I am finally free, too, after many years of boring jobs. The money isn’t so great in our family but like you, I wake each morning excited to get into my writing…whereas before I dreaded each day when the alarm went off. I have to believe that the financial sacrifice will be worth it in the end.
Menopausal Mother recently posted…Fly On The Wall At A Birthday Celebration
- Natalie DeYoung
  October 21, 2013 at 11:45 am Reply
  Me too. 🙂
Pam
October 19, 2013 at 7:36 pm Reply
This is awesome!!! It’s so refreshing to hear from someone who loves her life every single day. I want to high five you in a major way right now.
Pam recently posted…A Good Problem To Have
- Natalie DeYoung
  October 21, 2013 at 11:48 am Reply
  *high five* 🙂
Kate Hall
October 21, 2013 at 6:10 am Reply
Aww, that is AWESOME! It sounds like vacation. I went on vacation for a week with my husband before we had kids. We were in Orlando and he was going to a convention. I tagged along and did the things you mentioned during that vacation. I read (by the pool), walked, jogged, wrote, ate at a few local restaurants at a leisure pace – LOVED it! One of the best vacations I’ve ever had. You’re living it! Good luck on your new career! You’re a great writer, so you should do well.
Kate Hall recently posted…If you think YOUR blog stats suck, then check out mine.
- Natalie DeYoung
  October 21, 2013 at 11:48 am Reply
  It feels like a vacation. I’m waiting for someone to pull the rug out from under me and force me back into the 40+ hour a week torture we call regular employment…
Samantha Brinn Merel
October 21, 2013 at 7:34 am Reply
I love this and am so glad for you that you found your happy. I think you’re wrong when you say you may tire of this. This post just radiates contentment.
Samantha Brinn Merel recently posted…Happy Friday. Happy Weekend.
- Natalie DeYoung
  October 21, 2013 at 11:48 am Reply
  Here’s hoping! 🙂
Ericamos
November 3, 2013 at 12:00 pm Reply
Enjoy this time! I miss my unemployment. I was just beginning to get used to the freelance lifestyle when I got hired in Redondo Beach. It’s crazy, but I’m actually thinking of quitting my “steady” employment so that I can go back to subbing and freelance. I miss blogging and reading blogs (although I know the main reason for its absence was wedding planning). Even though unemployment took its toll on my psyche, the freelance was making me feel better about myself, and I enjoyed the freeness. That picture of you is SPOT on to how it feels! I envy you. 🙂
Ericamos recently posted…Why I Should Work With Children
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