If you don’t know, I have two degrees in education, and was once a high school chemistry teacher. When I had Lily I decided to leave and pursue a different dream of mine – to be home with the baby we tried for so long to have.
I have been seeing so many posts recently from teacher friends of their classrooms as they begin another year of teaching, and a part of me feels like I have failed. Because I’m not returning to what would have been my seventh year of teaching. Because that’s what my degrees are in. And because that’s what I wanted to be for my entire life.
Just like the work these teachers are doing is important, the work I’m doing at home raising Lily is also important. There’s no “better” or “right” way to do it.
I don’t know why I’m sharing this, other than to say that sometimes it’s okay to be bummed that things are different than you thought they’d be. It’s okay to be doing something you love and are so grateful to be doing, and still feel something other than bliss.
I guess that’s part of being human. I think it’s important to acknowledge and recognize those feelings, and then let them go.
So, this is me – acknowledging these feelings of failure, letting them go, and looking at the good work I’m doing now. One day I might go back to teaching, but I know that though I miss the art of teaching so very much, I’m still not ready.
I hope that this can encourage someone today. Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!
Linda is a Boston-based photographer specializing in weddings and creating family legacies. You can see more of her work online at lindabarryphotography.com, on Instagram, or on Facebook. If you want to reach out directly: linda@lindabarryphotography.com. To sign up for the monthly newsletter full of encouragement and real life, click here!
If you liked this post, you might like these also!
comments +