Pacific Northwesterners
Today, I quit my job.
I know that sounds crazy after I’ve admitted we’re pretty broke, but… we’ll live. We’ve been scraping by for two months on just my husband’s paycheck, so I know we can make it, even if it is tough. 
There are moms out there who work part time or full time, and I don’t know how they do it. It might sound really weak to admit that even working 4 hours a day wore me out, stressed me out, made me emotional and more prone to impatience with Asa… I just can’t be that woman. I can’t be a superwoman who has a steady job and takes care of a house and kids at the same time. It’s not a strength of mine.
And I knew it was time to call in and quit after I tried going back to work today and had no less than three breakdowns while trying to get Asa down for a nap so I could log in.
If work means I’ll be less of a mother and wife, then… I can’t work.
So, aside from continuing to cultivate my Etsy shop and perhaps grabbing a few sponsors here and there for the blog or doing photography sessions when people want me, I am officially no longer a working mother. We are solely living on what my husband makes, and it’s going to be tight, but less stressful.
I am thankful for my husband’s understanding this morning, when I told him that I just couldn’t work AND be a good wife and mother. His response was to quit work, if it’s what I needed to do.
And here we are.
It should have felt like a big decision because this is the first time in years and in our marriage that I am officially done working bar we become absolutely destitute and I’m forced to work again. But really… I’ve not been working for two months already, so it’s just relief. Relief that the dread of having to go back to work is over; that I don’t have to figure out how to fit four hours of work into my day as well as try to be a good mother, a good wife, eat healthy, exercise, work on my Etsy shop, work with sponsors, blog consistently (and with good content), write, work on photography, and whatever else comes my way.
I no longer have to worry about whether I’ll be able to socialize with the people I love because I might still have a few hours of work I need to get in. I don’t have to stress over shopping day because going to get groceries cuts into the hours I could be working. I don’t have to get anxious when Asa refuses to take a nap because all I could think about was that the longer he napped, the less time I had to do what was required of me for my job.
And it was a great job, don’t get me wrong. Working from home with flexible hours that can be done at any time during the day is really an amazing opportunity. But knowing I was required to do those hours and the pressure was on to get everything done in the day… it’s just not something I am cut out for,.
Perhaps it also felt unfair to me that I had to do two jobs — work a job and be a mother and a wife and a housekeeper. Not that I thought it was anyone’s fault, but… it did feel unfair that I had two jobs and my husband only had one. (I really want to emphasize that at no time did I feel like it was his fault. It was just life. Life happens, and neither of us can control some things.)
So, thankfully, after the first and second breakdowns when I finally told him I just couldn’t do it, he understood. I am unbelievably blessed to have a husband willing to be the sole provider so that I can be at home where I want to be with my child, being the wife and mother I’ve always wanted to be. Sometimes it seems so incredibly lucky that I get all of this. 
In view of everything that’s happened today, and to take a step towards the things I’ve been putting on the back burner as I waited for work to start again, and in celebration of this new crazy chapter of life, because I’m sure it will be crazy, I’m offering all of my readers a chance to nab something from the shop at 15% off from now until December 31st.
Everything is eligible for the discount, and in the coming weeks I’ll be trying hard to list more of the things I’ve got waiting to be listed. The code for the discount is OWLREADER. So, see something you wanted? Now’s the time. 
These pictures are from a week or so ago, when I was taking inspiration from Marlen and basically came out looking more like the typical stereotype of a Washingtonian. Plaid, coffee, hipster hat. Y’know.
I convinced my husband to pose with me because he sort of looks like a Washingtonian, too, doesn’t he?
On me: shirt, skirt, belt, and brooch, Thrifted | tights, Target | hat, mom-made | shoes, Modcloth | coffee cup, gift
On him: sweatshirt, pants, and socks, Target | shirt, c/o Joules | boots, Kohl’s
I hope you all have a beautiful Friday and a fantastic weekend! I know I will.
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14 Comments
Hot Mitts
Y’all are the cutest couple! Kudos for taking your life back from work to focus on mom and wife activity. I’m not as domestic and just got used to working the 9-to-5 with kids. My house is a mess. I miss my kids every day. But I think I would go insane at home. Have a great day!
Eccentric Owl
Thank you! I do know moms who love working, and taking the break from their kids, which I totally understand! Kids can be crazy sometime. But I definitely was not cut out for it. I really admire you working 9-5 and having kids! It takes a lot of strength to do that!
Michelle Warren
I love love your style and am so happy for you. I’m a stay at home mom of a 10 month old boy (Levi) and I tried going back to work also, and felt so similarly. It wasn’t good for me or my family. It did take adjusting to the new dynamic and one income, but I feel like the things we gave up and changed are more than worth everything we gained by me being the sole homemaker/mommy (I know that sounds old fashioned but it works for us)! I’m in Tennessee and so jealous of the beautiful weather you have. Our summers are brutal and last forever! Congratulations on your new journey!
Eccentric Owl
Thank you Michelle! It sounds like we are really similar; Asa is ten months old, too! And I agree — the traditional/old fashioned roles are definitely what works for us, too, and there’s nothing wrong with that! It definitely was not healthy for me to be working, just in how it affected home life– I neglected a lot of things, I got much lazier with my free time, I was much more prone to getting irritated or impatient with Asa… yep. I’d much rather have less money and a happier home!
Oh, man. I have heard of the Tennessee weather, and it makes me glad for Washington. I really do love it here! I hope you get some cool weather soon!
gentri lee
I am so soooooo happy for you, Kristina!! I am not a mom or even a wife, goodness, I don’t even have a boyfriend. hahaha But I can understand that stress that comes with life pulling you in so many competing directions, I’m happy you were able to sort out which were the most important. Also glad that your blogging is here to stay!
Also, these outfits are so cute and I love that your husband took some, too! Just more evidence of his support for you. 🙂
Eccentric Owl
Thank you Gentri! It definitely is stressful, especially when you have something in your life that deep down you know is just not for you. I wanted to make working work out so badly, but it just was not for me!
Thank you! I’ve been coaxing him to get in front of the camera more. To be honest, it’s not hard to get him to pose, it’s just hard to get him to not be a complete goof while he’s posing, haha!
Grace e
I’m happy for you. I have two kids and being a mom is a full time job! Anytime I’ve had jobs to do for people my home life just goes down quickly so I completely understand. I would definatly go forward with your writing. I feel you have enormous potential to get published especially with Christian literature! I’m a voracious reader but I have seldom run across an author I enjoy as much as you. I find myself rereading your stories frequently which I think is the hallmark of a good author. Some books I read and they might have been good but I seldom go and reread them. If you ever get published I will b the first to buy a copy (non electronic just a wee but old fashioned about books). Best of luck on this new stage in your life I know it’s going to go well.
Grace e
Ps. The cliffhanger for my beloved is a killer 😉
Eccentric Owl
Thank you Grace! I really, really want to keep going with my writing, even though lately it’s been a backburner thing. I’m hoping to first finish and publish Sweet Ireland Air; I always thought that had good potential as a first novel.
And I will TOTALLY be publishing via physical copies of books; I have a thing about that, too.
Oh, man! I will be getting back to putting up My Beloved hopefully after Thanksgiving! Life got me a little pulled away from that, oops! <3 I always appreciate your comments and support!
Lyosha
great looks! both of them! I adore the way all of your outfit works, the color palette is gorgeous! in this outfit you hair-do works amazingly as well
Lyosha
Inside and Outside Blog
skye
Love the eclectic influences here. Plaid shirt with bright mod tights & shoes – who woulda thunk it?
Amen to following your bliss. It’s wonderful that women have been afforded workforce opportunities, but the choice to take them should always be yours. I hope no one gives you flak about it!
Re: writing – oh yeah, I need to remember to do that myself sometimes…;)
MrsCornfield
Went to check out your Etsy shop but the links in your blog post aren’t working!
Also, props to you for having the courage to quit. Being a wife and mom are two of the most important jobs. So happy to see you investing in your family and making them the top priority.
Eccentric Owl
Thanks for catching that! I fixed the one that wasn’t working (I just clicked through all of them and the first link I mentioned was the only one broken.)
And I agree! I love being a wife and a mom, and I’m glad that I am able to pursue that!
Erin
I just discovered your blog and have been really enjoying browsing through some of your posts. You seem like such a lovely person, inside and out, and I love your style and your honest, friendly posts. 🙂 I really admire you for being brave enough to quit your job in order to put your family first, and for writing about it. 🙂 I know there are some amazing women who can balance career and family, but I know I am definitely not one of them either! Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that your post encouraged me, and I appreciate your honesty. 🙂 Sometimes I feel a little guilty or discouraged that it seems to take all of my energy just to be a wife & mama of a one-month-old, but I am SO grateful for the opportunity to stay home with our daughter (the tighter budget is so very worth it for all three of us). 🙂
Mariah Alysz
Sometimes quitting your job is just a must. I completely understand everything you described in this post! Going to school full time, working a part time job, and having a home and pets and man to take care of was making me go insane! (not that it’s entirely similar to being a mother by any means) I felt for so long that if I quite by job I would be seen as a weak woman, as a failure…but some people just function differently that others, and I would much rather give my all to being a good partner and student than being stressed and frazzled and having break downs just for the sake of a job. I send all my love and understanding.
<3 Mariah Alysz