The past couple of weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind for me. I found myself applying for, and getting, a full time job. It will be the first time I’ve worked full time in nearly 10 years. The whole process has been rather terrifying and exciting all at once.
I had to do a resume. Write an application letter. Sit an interview with a three person panel via video conference. I had to put on a suit. And shoes. And get out of my pyjamas. When you work for yourself, clothes are optional. Aside from the getting dressed part, I haven’t had to do any of those things for about a decade.
It’s not like I haven’t worked, I have. Freelance writing is a hard slog, growing and raising three children is both a gift and enormously taxing and blogging is all encompassing at times. I’ve had to put myself on the line a lot for work, but not actually sell myself to a future employer by way of resume and interview. The road to work is a little scary.
At times I’ve worked full time all from my home office and at times I’ve not “worked” at all. Although many would argue having three kids in the space of four years is work enough. Soon I will be working full time, which is a big change for our family and myself.
I have cried a lot. I even went a few days with no appetite because of nerves (and that never happens to me). I have lay in bed wracked with guilt and I haven’t even started work yet. As a mother you are always guilty, of something. And I have celebrated, as I am really looking forward to this new adventure.
The position is a media coordinator role with Oxfam and will involve me traveling regularly. I’ll work mostly in the office, yet have negotiated some time working from home, which will enable me to drop or pick the kids up from school a couple of days a week. I will also spend some time in the Melbourne head office which is awesome because I adore that city.
I suppose the crazy part is the speed as to which my life has changed. I wasn’t looking for a new job. I wasn’t even planning on working full time until all my kids were at school yet this job is perfect for me and I couldn’t let it pass me by. My new work team sound like a wonderful bunch of people and I’m really excited about the next chapter in my life.
What will come of the blog, you might be thinking?
Well, I plan on still blogging. It might not be as often as before, while I settle into my new job. But I’ll definitely keep writing as it keeps me sane and happy and I’ll miss you and this too much. And I’ve worked too darn hard to give it up. Most probably I’ll be writing more about the work life juggle and would love any tips from others also working and those who travel for work. It will be a big change for us, but one the whole family has discussed and we are ready to embrace it.
I am very lucky to have a husband who works from home and he is very lucky to have me. We are a good team. And as for the kids, they’ll be more than ok.
In fact, I’m off to take my youngest out for a milkshake right now.
Have a great day,
Bianca x
Hi, I'm Bianca Wordley, I write about life.
This is so great, and I bet you – and your family – will thrive. I’m working full-time for the first time since before having kids and, although it’s from home, my kids have adjusted better than I’d have ever thought to me not being as available to them. Having said that, when I am with them I’m REALLY with them. I never really got it when people said that kind of stuff, but I think – from the kids’ perspective – there’s something to be said for having a happy mum who wants to be involved in their lives as well as in her own life. x
PS – let me know when you’re in Melbourne in case it coincides with any of my trips back there!
woo hoo! Congratulations! Big news and what a fab organisation to work for. Life is a funny beast, sometimes it just sends you random opportunities. I had my year all planned out perfectly and then a publisher asked me to write a book and I was suddenly reconfiguring my plans. I am jealous of your loss of appetite as I’ve been doing a considerable amount of eating which is the dead giveaway that I am finding this more stressful than I let on.
x
Mazal tov on the job!! Life just happens that way sometimes, and you just have to roll with it. The family will too and somehow it will work out in a way that you can all manage. Years ago, as a sole parent (two boys, pre-school and primary aged at the time) I found myself half time at art school, on contract in the chorus at the State Opera of South Australia, and working one day a week for a garden store. It got pretty crazy sometimes. I remember the panics every time I got a new opera schedule, thinking I’d NEVER be able to manage the rehearsals – especially the week we moved into the Festival Theatre. Then I’d take a deep breath, call Mum, and we’d work out which ones she’d be covering, then call the babysitter with the remaining times, and it would be crazy and exhausting, but we all survived. The kids had crazy photos to take of me for show and tell, sometimes there were deals so Mum got to see the show, I landed at rehearsals covered in clay, charcoal and goodness knows what else from art school and I look back and marvel – both about the panics and that I did it and no one was harmed in the process! Good luck and ENJOY!! x
Wow Bianca! A huge change for you and your family, but I’m sure it will be a good one for you. Good luck with it all. xx
wow this is huge and so awesome! Congratulations what a brilliant opportunity. I worked when my boys were younger, know that there will always be a bit of mother guilt, there shouldn’t be but we all feel it and that’s ok. You will still be an awesome mum with more to give because of your new role. Anyway they grow up and care mostly about cars and parties and friends and forget all the stuff that we as mums agonise over. Enjoy, good times ahead x
Great job for you can totally see why you went for it. Will do enjoy reading about your work and also about the home/life balance. Well done you and good on Oxfam for making a good choice.
Congrats love! That is all kinds of awesome! Looks like Oxfam struck gold! Let the good times roll xx
Congrats! Big change, but big change will bring big reward in this case no doubt. You are ready. Best wishes for the new chapter x
Well done! It seems like a great organisation – as well as the great work of Oxfam, they seem like a great organisation. Do you have anything to do with the media / fundraising area relating to the Oxfam Trailwalker? I’ve been contacting the Melbourne team quite a lot, plus receiving info / going to information sessions as part of the Trailwalker training, and they are really good, and efficient. If that’s who you are working with, it seems like a great team!
Fantastic news Bianca. I know you will nail it. Congratulations on that huge step xx
Congratulations. It sounds like such a fantastic and rewarding opportunity. Good on you for going for it.
I am about to face some of the first really structured interviews I’ve had. It’s all a bit scary.
When you start something new – there is always a transition period – but I am sure you will ease into the role wonderfully well. Congratulations – on getting such a great position – best of luck!
What a wonderful opportunity Congratulations Bianca. Brett and you are an awesome team. Timing is perfect as the girls are now old enough and ready to see their mum expand her horizons and you will be brilliant.
We are very excited for you and the family. Krys x
That sounds awesome! Good on you xx
Congrats Bianca! I went back to work 3 days a week this year and it’s a juggle finding time for the blog.. I am constantly having ideas for it (must get a notepad!) but on the other hand I am finding it really rewarding working with actual adults all in the same room! Oh and it’s nice getting positive feedback, something I’d forgotten (and possibly missed a tiny bit). Good luck with it all – look forward to reading more… maybe a Melbourne after work drink is in order 🙂 xx
This is great news Bianca, and I too join in the congratulations. Wonderful reading about how it will all pan out too. Time for you to ‘get out there’ and be with others in an office again…and often in a city you love. What’s not great about this? Love it. Denyse
What a great opportunity! I hope the transition has been going well for you.