Year of Joy

Sixteen years as an educator… and I walked away. Not because I didn’t love the kids, but because I didn’t love my life anymore. This year, I’m trading lesson plans for late mornings, business suits for yoga pants, and stress for joy.

I’ve spent my career helping students grow, cheering them on as they tackle their goals and reach beyond what they thought possible. I’m fiercely proud of every one of them. But in focusing on their journeys, I stopped paying attention to my own.

I wasn’t spending time with my kids the way I wanted to. I wasn’t relaxed at home — my mind was always racing toward the next work task. I got good at ignoring emails after hours, but it just wasn’t enough. I missed so many important moments: first days of school, evening events, just hanging out.

My kids are teenagers now. And I only have a few years left with them under this roof — a few more summer vacations, a few more first days of school. I don’t want to miss a thing.

So after careful planning and saving, my husband and I decided: I’m taking a year off.

Instead of waking at 4:30 a.m. to sneak in quiet writing time, I’ll write while they’re at school. Instead of late-night marketing work for my husband’s business - did I mention I work for him - I’ll handle it midday — in yoga pants. I’ll meditate, journal, work out, write, and spend time with my family, without having to sacrifice one joy (or dare I say healthy living habit) for another.

I ‘sacrificed’ the job so I could have everything else.

For the first time in as long as I can remember, I get to decide what brings me joy — and then do it.

Maybe I’ll hate staying home (I doubt it).
Maybe I’ll get bored (do you know how much work I do for my husband’s business?).
Maybe my kids will find me annoying — always reminding them to read, go outside, or hang out (they definitely will).

But I know this: I’m choosing joy, and that’s the best example I can set for my kids. They’ve only seen stressed-out working Mom the last few years. I want them to see that life can be full of joy. That you can find or create work that you love.

This year of joy isn’t just about slowing down — it’s about finally finishing the stories I’ve been quietly writing for years. When they’re ready, you’ll be the first to know.

So join me on this adventure as I discover what exists beyond the 9-to-5 grind. I’ll share the ups, the downs, the surprises — and maybe even sneak peeks of my upcoming books.

If you want to follow along and get monthly updates about my Year of Joy, sign up below — I’d love to have you with me.

Here’s to choosing joy — together.

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