I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, too. Do you think that homeschooling, and learning to embrace our children’s many, ever-varying interests, “broke” (fixed 😜??) our work brains? And then, when the kids *aren’t* homeschooling, we feel we need to dust off that old work hat? But it no longer fits, or it doesn’t feel good. So we think we are failing, when really our kids taught us that dabbling is a good, soul-soothing thing? And it is ok to do things differently? And to try to not care what They say? (Kind of like the whole unplanned homeschooling journey.) It’s like unlearning again, but for 40+ year-old big kids.
This is exactly what I have been pondering lately. I literally told my midwife that I was no longer employable when I was 38 and pregnant with my 4th baby.
Beautiful. I screen shot so many pieces to remember. Reading your words and even the comments, I feel like you are my people and have the same stuff bopping around in our brains.
So happy you are back to writing ...well at least sharing your writing! This fits me so much. I have an extreme ADHD brain and am all over the place with passions and what I'm interested in and that is ok!
I joke with Allan that I am no longer employable because I just have too many interests and passions and things I want to do with my life. I feel like now that I am a full-fledged grown-up of 40 years old I can own it- I love a good dabble and if I can plod away while dabbling, even better. 😊
I just happened to open up Substack, while waiting for a friend to meet me at our local coffee shop for my 46th birthday, and read this. THIS. THIS is the best birthday present; thank you. 46 today. Do I know what I want to be/do? Nope. I'm retired from homeschooling (they're 21 and 19 and actually adulting), looking forward to my Nana Era with the arrival of grandbaby number 1 in April, and learning what it means to embrace all that it means to be me. Me: undiagnosed ADHD (but I can show in my genetics where it is), learning to love homemaking (after 24 years), questioner of the narrative, lover of stickers and all things paper, language lover, bibliophile, absolute introvert, highly sensitive person, and coffee/caffeine lover (addict). I don't want to master anything, but I do want to try all the things. Anyway, thank you for the validation!
This is wonderful. I fully relate to this. What a gift this writing is! I will share this with my homeschooling co-op group! I think many of us relate.
Also, look into Sokoglam for beauty care… I like the website. I am finding that for our fam, So by Mi Korean skin care line and Cosrx are the best, as well as their The Klog pimple patches.
Yes to all of this! Why is it such a bad thing to dabble? Do the thing fully and enjoy it, but it's okay to love lots of things. Also I love your pen suggestions. The frixion stick pens make the most boring of things interesting.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, too. Do you think that homeschooling, and learning to embrace our children’s many, ever-varying interests, “broke” (fixed 😜??) our work brains? And then, when the kids *aren’t* homeschooling, we feel we need to dust off that old work hat? But it no longer fits, or it doesn’t feel good. So we think we are failing, when really our kids taught us that dabbling is a good, soul-soothing thing? And it is ok to do things differently? And to try to not care what They say? (Kind of like the whole unplanned homeschooling journey.) It’s like unlearning again, but for 40+ year-old big kids.
Oh my goodness - YES. The old hat doesn't fit anymore.
"Our kids taught us that dabbling is a good, soul-soothing thing." 🩵🦋
* 40+ year-old big kids
This is exactly what I have been pondering lately. I literally told my midwife that I was no longer employable when I was 38 and pregnant with my 4th baby.
Um…French songs, that is brilliant. I love how you’re leaning into you! ♥️
Love this! And I think you should share your skincare tips 😍
Beautiful. I screen shot so many pieces to remember. Reading your words and even the comments, I feel like you are my people and have the same stuff bopping around in our brains.
Aww. I love that. I love that feeling of finding your people 🩷🩷🩷
So happy you are back to writing ...well at least sharing your writing! This fits me so much. I have an extreme ADHD brain and am all over the place with passions and what I'm interested in and that is ok!
I joke with Allan that I am no longer employable because I just have too many interests and passions and things I want to do with my life. I feel like now that I am a full-fledged grown-up of 40 years old I can own it- I love a good dabble and if I can plod away while dabbling, even better. 😊
Hi friend! Yes - dabbling + plodding!
I just happened to open up Substack, while waiting for a friend to meet me at our local coffee shop for my 46th birthday, and read this. THIS. THIS is the best birthday present; thank you. 46 today. Do I know what I want to be/do? Nope. I'm retired from homeschooling (they're 21 and 19 and actually adulting), looking forward to my Nana Era with the arrival of grandbaby number 1 in April, and learning what it means to embrace all that it means to be me. Me: undiagnosed ADHD (but I can show in my genetics where it is), learning to love homemaking (after 24 years), questioner of the narrative, lover of stickers and all things paper, language lover, bibliophile, absolute introvert, highly sensitive person, and coffee/caffeine lover (addict). I don't want to master anything, but I do want to try all the things. Anyway, thank you for the validation!
Happy Birthday! 🎂 (And thank you - yes to trying all the things!)
This is wonderful. I fully relate to this. What a gift this writing is! I will share this with my homeschooling co-op group! I think many of us relate.
Thank you so much. I appreciate you sharing 🩵
I love everything that you’re doing and thinking and trying and writing! I’m here for all of it!
Also, look into Sokoglam for beauty care… I like the website. I am finding that for our fam, So by Mi Korean skin care line and Cosrx are the best, as well as their The Klog pimple patches.
Hooray for Kara S Anderson!
This feels like a wonderfully long Instagram caption, just the kind of thing I like to read! ;)
I love your earnestness.
I resonate with so many of these things, just as I have in the last several years of reading what you’ve written or listening to what you’ve said.
I still have 5 kids at home at least parts of the days (homeschooling aka learning and living and enjoying learning and living together)
I enjoyed reading this while I was supposed to be changing the laundry over. 😜
It felt like a really long caption!
And I almost never remember to change the laundry over 🩵
Yes to all of this! Why is it such a bad thing to dabble? Do the thing fully and enjoy it, but it's okay to love lots of things. Also I love your pen suggestions. The frixion stick pens make the most boring of things interesting.