Plot Twist
April 19, 2006
So in case anybody was wondering which diaper bag I ended up going with...
I didn't buy one.
I quit my job instead.
I quit.
My job.
Just now.
Somebody tell me how to stop shaking.
And maybe get me a paper bag to breathe into or something.
I would also accept ideas on how to get this damn Tom Petty song out of my head.
And I'm freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...freeeelancing.
OH MY GOD. OH MY HOLY HOLY GOD.
OMG! That's fantastic! (I hope.)
Ok, now BREATHE. No, really, the breathing is going to be good for you.
Ooh! Yay! Seriously big yay. It's not as scary as it seems now, and later, you'll be shocked that you waited this long, SERIOUSLY.
I quit my last job somewhat on a whim with no prospects, no desire and just...couldn't take it anymore. And PS, there was no Noah at home for me. And it was all FINE - better, even, than I ever could have expected.
Congratulations. This is going to be great.
Wow -- big, huge news! Congrats! Now please breathe.
Congratulations Amalah! Do you believe everything happens for a reason? I'm a loyal reader/daily refresher and I do believe this is the best thing for your little family.
It's all good. Just breathe!!
Ah yes, Tom Petty's Freefallin, its our generation's Take This Job and Shove It. When I quite my last corporate job almost seven years ago, I played that song, as loud as my car stereo would go, every single day on the way to and from the office for my last two weeks. It just sort of reinforces what you did, and that it was right. Congrats.
Freelancing! Wooo! I think we should all celebrate with cake. And maybe some booze.
(Are you still breathing? Keep doing that. Breathing = good.)
Wow, you are so totally going to have to expand on this when you get over the initial shock.
How lucky for Noah. And you. Welcome to the freelancing world of "may or may not have a job tomorrow." It's kinda sorta wonderful.
Holy crap! Did you get your inspiration from Nothing but Bonfires? Because I think she just resigned from her job as well. Again: Holy crap! And: Good for you!
Holy shit! Congratulations! Your life is *so* going to rock from here on out. Yay you!
You can afford this. Just sell me Noah.
Seriously though, very courageous step you've taken. Kudos.
P.S. Breathing is overrated anyway.
congratulations?
although i am disappointed there's no diaper bag.
OH. MY. GOD.
everything is going to be fine. just keep breathing.
Oh my! How totally brave of you! Flex those muscles, Chica!
I have no idea if you allow images in your comments, so I may end up looking like a giant jackass, but...
Look! It's me! Celebrating with you!
WOW! This is awesome! I am so happy for you!! Good luck!
I was so hoping you would do this!!! Good for you! It's going to be just fine, but does this mean you are moving to Kansas? (Not that there's anything wrong with that).
Does this mean you'll be blogging more often?! Like multiple posts in one day kind of blogging? It'll be like Amalah TV!
As scary as it seems, you'll be fine. Congrats!
Ah, crap, well, um, ok...
Look! It's me! Celebrating with you!
Hey, I'm new here . . . but I know part of the reason why! ;) Congratulations!
Holy crap!
Hooray, Amalah!
You should freelance for my magazine (well...not MINE...I don't own it. But I work for it.) ...what do you know about art and antiques?
YAAAAAAAY!!
Quitting jobs is like the most exciting thing ever! I just quit MY job too! It felt so exhilarating I've decided to quit my job every six months!
Congratulations. I hope you're happy. :)
And already you're saving money by not getting the diaper bag. See? It's all going to work out juuuuuust fine.
Exciting news! Congrats!
You rock hardcore! And that whole breathing thing is *so* over-rated!
Better make Mr. Amalah take you out to celebrate!
OHMYGOODNESS!
I'm wishing you the BEST of luck. I know it's SO hard not to completely freak out because JEBUS, what a big step. My sister did it. I wish I could say I did it but I wasn't ever really working to begin with. *blush* But working for yourself? Really hard because you find you make yourself a really MEAN boss. :D Anyhow, just wanted to toss my support into the ring. Yay!! More Noah time!! :)
You rock. I tried to quit my job, but somehow it didn't happen.
Congrats !
And of all days for Notify to take a cigarette break when it counts...seriously Notify, we need to talk about your job performance issues.
WOW! Good luck in your new adventure. You have got GUTS. And also, crazy writing talent, so I am sure that you will do well with your freelancing!
Congratulations....And I'm supremely jealous. Now where will I turn for working mother guilt/drama/tribulation validation?
Just sending (((hugs))) and calming vibes.
Enjoy the time with Noah, he'll only be a baby once!
Wow seriously? More power to ya kid- they never deserved you!
Whoa! That is QUITE the unexpected twist! Can't wait to hear more about it. And congratulations!!
Rock on, Amy!
I did that when I was pg. We did not think there was ANY way we could afford to live, but it has never been a problem. My husband got an enormous raise the next month. I thought it was God's way of telling us we were doing the right thing. (If things are tight for a little while, that's okay! It is worth it! Breathe, breathe!)
Having been doing the freelance writing/editing thing for about 5 years now (the last year with a baby), I'll let you in on the secret of my success: consulting for your old employers. Yup, quitting and coming back as a consultant can be a surprisingly advantageous career move. Seriously. Knowledge is power, after all. Doing things you've always done for more money whilst being able to walk away at any point. How great is that?! Of course, you could go glad-hand new clients too, but personally I prefer to schooze people who already like me and recognize how valuable my brain is to them--even if I do have baby poop on my jeans.
Rock on sista!
Congratulations!
Home with Noah. Congratulations! You'll love it. But it always starts off scary.
When I left my job I couldn't get this song out of my head the whole way home in the car:
"Schoooooooool's out for the summer...
Schoooooooool's out FOREVER!"
Best of luck to you! Can't wait to hear more.
Congratulations! My parents raised two kids and paid their mortgage off while they *both* worked as free-lancers. It's possible - and scary - and wonderful!
Wow, good for you! I am only the teensiest bit jealous, but mostly happy you're able to give this a shot.
Awesome. I'm proud of you.
Wow! Actually, I'm not all that surprised - you've been torn over the last few months, really. It seemed like it was more a matter of "when," not "if."
Good luck to you, and many blessings.
You will not regret this decision. Fact is, you do what you need to do when you need to do it. I know, for me, the last straw was the umpteenth cold/ear infection/yucky runs bout my son had in daycare...he was only 6 months old as well. It's scary as hell at first, but you have your talent and skills to fall back on as a freelancer. Yeah, Amalah! Yeah, Noah!
great choice - I made the same one once my mat leave was up. and have not regretted it for a second.
oh. my. god.
can i say i'm happy for you? i mean, can i say that without sounding indifferent to your skeeered nerves right now? because i totally think you'll be happier this way, and IT WILL BE OKAY! once you settle a bit, you MUST give us full quittage detail.
Holy shit.
I second, third, whatever...
BREATHE.
You'll be fabulous! Don't worry! So easy to say from here!
You are doing what's right for you. Congrats baby!
I did this Monday, so I know the cure: go out to your car RIGHT NOW and shout "I'M FREE! I'M FREE OF YOU! I NEVER HAVE TO SEE YOU AGAIN, WELL, ONCE THIS AWKWARD TWO WEEK PERIOD OF WAITING IS OVER! I'M FREE!"
And then do you have a bar near you? Because you'll want to go. Like, NOW. And what do you mean, you can't leave your desk in the middle of the day? What are they going to do -- FIRE YOU???
(I just got back from a two hour shopping trip. My reasoning with myself was just the same: I cannot get fired, therefore I will drive to the place where the Banana Republic and the Ulta are RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER.)
No. More. Crate. Races.
:(
Very very sad. But very very good for Noah! I assume this means no more daycare, no more virus exposure, no more chaos, just lovely pleasant home environment and wonderful one-on-one attention from the momma to properly encourage and develop every possible aspect of his wonderful baby self.
Until you both go friggin crazy, whereupon you can call us, the ever so supportive webworld, to help you in your times of need. Because every SAHM has been there a few million times. Or is currently there.
Anyway, congrats to kissing off the machine.
Holy Shit! I was not expecting that AT ALL! But it's awesome! Good for you! And for Noah!
You did not.
DID YOU!?!?!!