The occasional skim, a rare few posts, an annual profile update―I’m definitely what you’d describe as an inactive LinkedIn user. Yet, the same thing happens anytime I decide to log on. I see my former colleagues or classmates who’ve recently been promoted or raked up an impressive score of skills or designations in a short period of time, leaving me feeling less than.
It becomes glaringly obvious to me that I’ve stayed at the same level in my industry for the last five years, at least. But what I fail to remember is that I’ve actively chosen to be where I am. Why? Because I’m a parent. And not just a parent, but one of two young kids, of which my eldest just finished kindergarten.
There will always be opportunities to advance in my career, if I want them. And you ‘re never too old to learn something new. But those early years and sweet moments with your baby, your toddler, your preschooler―you’ll never get that time back.
It’s ok to end work at 5 p.m. sharp every day, knowing you’ll get to spend that extra hour playing with your kids before they eat a quick dinner and head off to bed. It’s ok to completely tune out your job on weekends and focus entirely on your family and the fun activities you’ll do together. It’s ok to go a few years without taking a single course or scaling back on your volunteer commitments. None of those things make you unsuccessful or less ambitious than the next person―they make you human. And aren’t we all just trying to find that work/life balance?
To the working parents who get down on themselves on occasion or whose career hasn’t quite gone as planned: you ARE enough, and you have so much to be proud of. Just by making that incredibly difficult decision to work while raising kids is a huge accomplishment in and of itself. And to the ones who’ve still managed to climb the ranks and further their education―mad props and respect to you, because I know how hard it is.
I’ll end with this quote, because success doesn’t have to fit in this perfect little box, nor does it look the same for everyone.
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” ~Theodore Roosevelt
The Many Pages of Paige 