Before I begin, I just want to send a note out to all those affected by Hurrican Harvey. I spent 5 years in Houston, TX (it’s where I earned my undergraduate and master’s degrees) and can’t even believe some of the devastation I’ve seen in the past few days and it looks like the continuing rains are only making it worse. Thankfully we haven’t had anything more than just a bit of rain here in Dallas (thank you to everyone who sent me messages asking if we are ok!). This article gives lots of options for helping however you can and I’ll be keeping you all in my thoughts.
Blazer: ASOS Linen Crop Blazer – runs small / wearing US 2 (similar, similar)
Top: LOFT Botanical Charmeuse Cami – runs large / wearing XSP (similar, similar)
worn with this strapless bra (my review)
Belt: Express Double O-Ring Belt (splurge)
Bottom: Rag & Bone ‘The Skinny’ (similar on sale under $50!)
Shoes: Louboutin ‘Pigalle Follies’ (also here, similar)
Bag: Chanel M/L Flap (similar)
Necklace: Solitaire Floating Diamond (under $50!)
Earrings: Baublebar ‘Rosita’ Drops
Sunglasses: Gucci Oversized Square Sunglasses
Work has been taking up a lot of my time lately as I’m working to finish up a large project and my posts may be a bit more sporadic for the next few weeks. Juggling a demanding job, balancing career and home, taking care of my family, fitting in fitness, as well as keeping track of blog projects has always been something I’ve worked hard to balance — and I’ll be the first to admit that I never feel like I’m getting it right! While I always considered myself as someone who was very career-driven, I found that my priorities shifted significantly after I had my first baby a little over 5 years ago. It took me awhile to get my groove back (longtime readers may remember that I posted about leaving my job) but after having been a stay-at-home mom for 1.5 years and now having been back in the workforce for another 1.5 years, I feel like I’m finally starting to have a sense of direction again. I felt like I was floundering in my life for the past few years, uncertain if I was on the right path and always feeling like I had so much more potential than what I was actually doing. On Friday of last week, I received a pretty big promotion at work and can honestly say that it felt like confirmation of what I had been feeling for the past few weeks: like I finally found the right path for me for balancing career and family.
Shifting Priorities
Before I had kids, I would have definitely considered myself a workaholic. I was consistently working 10-12 hour days and honestly loved what I did. When Adrian and I were talking about having kids, I honestly didn’t think that it would change my work life that much. But even during my pregnancy, I found myself scaling back on my hours in the office and found myself spending hours online learning about all things baby. I would spend hours online looking at different baby products, scouring Pinterest boards for nursery inspiration, and reading every birth story that I could get my hands on. When I finally did deliver my baby, I spent those first 3 months at home trying to figure out my new life with this baby and needless to say, it was a whole new world for me.
After those 3 months of maternity leave were over, I went back to work and was surprised at just how different I felt back in the office. I didn’t have the same kind of drive to work the long hours and instead was thinking about the next time I would see my baby. My thoughts shifted from work deadlines to whether I was pumping enough milk! I kept thinking that maybe I just needed time to adjust to my new lifestyle but after several months, I just realized that my heart wasn’t in that job anymore.
Looking back, I can see now that I was just at a point in my life where I just needed time to figure myself out. I was trying to still be the person that I was “before baby” but I didn’t realize that I had fundamentally changed. My priorities had changed and even though I was sad to leave my job of over 5 years, it ended up being one of the best (and albeit scariest) decisions I’ve ever made.
Find Your Passion
It’s no secret that enjoying your job means you have to be passionate about some part of it. Even though I disliked the corporate politics that surrounded my previous job, I loved writing computer programs that solved problems and made processes easier / faster. Somehow though, in the midst of trying to balance motherhood with my career, I had lost that passion. Instead I was engulfed in trying to figure out my new life as a mom. I can be a perfectionist by nature so I was obsessed with “doing everything right” when it came to parenting and needless to say, I was pretty hard on myself in that area of my life. Thankfully as my baby got older, I started easing up a bit and realizing that I was just making it harder on myself!
I started indulging in my passion for blogging as I love sharing things that I find and love with you all, and for awhile, it was the perfect compromise of being able to be a mom as well as having something for myself. Part of me had always considered going full-time with the blog and, thanks to a very supportive husband, it was my time to experiment with that prospect!
Know What You Need Out Of A Job + Career
The year and a half that I spent at home was incredibly good for me but it also made me realize that the stay-at-home mom life was not for me. While I absolutely loved having the time to spend on the blog and cherished the time I had with my kids (I ended up having my daughter during that time as well!), I realized that I missed the camaraderie of co-workers, collaborating with others to work on large projects, and even sitting in front of a computer just programming for hours on end. For me, the time away from a corporate job gave me the opportunity reflect and figure out what I wanted. While my life had definitely changed drastically with kids now in the mix, I knew that there was a part of me that wanted to create and solve problems again.
You can’t imagine how scared I was thinking about finding a job again. I was afraid that my skills were no longer relevant given how quickly the technology industry changes. It was something I had on my mind for several months but it wasn’t until we ended up buying a new house that gave me the final push to get myself out there (that new mortgage payment was pretty daunting!). This time around in my job search I went in with renewed vigor and knew I had a different list of requirements when it came to my job and balancing career. I would say that becoming a mom made me a tougher negotiator as I had a much better grasp of my skillset as well as what I needed from a job (like work/life balance!).
Have Grit
I can be pretty persistent and I actually think it’s probably the one quality that’s helped get me to where I am today. There have definitely been a few rough patches in the road and even these past few weeks as I’ve been putting away extra long hours, I’ve realized that being able to work through tough problems makes for some of the best opportunities for growth. My promotion didn’t come easy but after having felt lost the past few years in my career path, it’s been a sense of validation that I’ve been doing things right. It’s pretty amazing to know that I’m now a senior member of the company and the future is looking promising!
Thanks so much for your patience with me the next couple of weeks as I focus on my work commitments and I’m so appreciative of all of your support!
Blazer: ASOS Linen Crop Blazer – runs small / wearing US 2 (similar, similar)
Top: LOFT Botanical Charmeuse Cami – runs large / wearing XSP (similar, similar)
worn with this strapless bra (my review)
Belt: Express Double O-Ring Belt (splurge)
Bottom: Rag & Bone ‘The Skinny’ (similar on sale under $50!)
Shoes: Louboutin ‘Pigalle Follies’ (also here, similar)
Bag: Chanel M/L Flap (similar)
Necklace: Solitaire Floating Diamond (under $50!)
Earrings: Baublebar ‘Rosita’ Drops
Sunglasses: Gucci Oversized Square Sunglasses
For this week’s On Trend Tuesdays linkup! Sandy and I are excited to feature Shannon from Upbeat Soles this week. How gorgeous is her smocked off-the-shoulder dress?!
Now it’s your turn to share a recent outfit with the rest of our community for a chance to be featured! Just link up a recent outfit and remember to include either the button below or link to both me and Sandy in your post. We’d love if you could comment on 5 other bloggers too as this is a community where we can all get to know and support each other! Tag us on social media too to join the conversation with #OnTrendTuesdaysLinkUp!
Margaret says
You must have a very good time management to accomplish all that! I like how you match your earring with your top!
xx Margaret
http://www.maleemaleehong.com
Shelbee on the Edge says
Kileen, thank you so much for sharing your journey with us! I think so many stay-at-home moms feel the same way. I know myself and many of my friends are hitting this point of antsiness after 6 years of staying at home where we need something else. The same fears creep in, too. Have I been out of the work force for too long? I am not sure which direction I am heading yet, but staying at home is my only option for at least the next two years until my husband retires from the military. Because you throw military life and all its craziness into the mix and what a mess any type of scheduling becomes! I am glad you are finding your way through the transition. And you look fabulous as usual!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Mica says
That’s such a beautiful top! Congratulations on your promotion too! I found adjusting to life with 2 bubs tricky, it’s taking a while to get back into the swing of things at work. It’s definitely a second to my mum life, haha!
Thanks for the link up!
Hope you are having a lovely start to the week 🙂
Away From The Blue Blog
Erica Valentin says
Such a cute outfit! Love those earrings and the belt!
Erica Valentin
http://www.EricaValentin.com
Cheryl Tucker says
Great post and I am sure so many can relate to it. Beautiful look!
Peace!
Cheryl
http://www.northwestmountainliving.com
Elegant Duchess says
thank you for sharing your amazing journey. It’s great to see you back and already succeeding in your career. You must have pretty good time management and determination to achieve all of this. I love you look, especially the Louboutin heels.
http://www.elegantduchess.com/2017/08/29/striped-skater-dress-summer-bargain/
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amy says
I think it’s amazing that you’ve been able to balance both a demanding career and kids. I never could. I was a stay-at-home mom. Still am! Though I’m a stay-at-home mom to a cat named Jackson! LOL! Gorgeous outfit! I love the top, and I keep seeing that belt everywhere! I might need to invest in one myself!
Rachael Thomas says
That is such a pretty camisole, and I love your blazer. Congrats on your promotion! Having a career, blog, and being a mom is a lot, and I love your hard work that you’re able to balance it all. Very motivating!
Rachael
http://www.threadsforthomasblog.com
Jessica says
Wonderful post & outfit! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
I have a quick question about the blazer – did you shrink it at all or get the sleeves altered? Or did you just roll them up?
Melissa Ruddy says
Congratulations on your promotion. I have been following your for most of the year and was hoping to make a request. Since you are one of the only fashion bloggers I see that also mentions the undergarments they wear, I was hoping you might do a post about what undergarments to wear with halter tops. I keep buying them but am struggling to find something supportive to wear with them. Really enjoy your blog. Keep up the good work.
Jessica says
It’s can be tough, but it’s doable. Just dont forget to give yourself some “me time” from time to time. Such a lovely outfit! Your earrings are really cute, perfectly complements your top. Also, those shoes!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Lyddiegal says
I have a lot of respect for all the mothers out there who balance work, family, and blog – it can not be easy!
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Ashley says
Hooray & congratulations! Thanks for posting about your life as a busy mom and tech worker! It’s good to know you were able to change your mind a few times without derailing your career or family! Way to go!
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Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style. Great outfit!
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