I wrote my last post when I started a full-time office job. Not surprising, but I didn't miss or think of blogging while working (and running my career project on the side). I've noticed the same trend with all of my blogger friends: Once back at the office (at the lastest), the blog dies down. There are enough outlets elsewhere in the job, there's less of a need to think about what drives life and our thoughts, and conversations happen as - well, conversations - not in the format of "dear diary/blog/someone out there".
I'm back at home now, on my first official day of maternity leave. Number four is arriving (at the latest) in a month's time. Kids one, two and three (sounds like Dr Seuss) are at school camp and kindergarden this week, and I'm keeping the babysitter to ensure that I maximise relaxation and own time until I'm chained to the house again for a couple of weeks.
I again realise how different these two worlds are: career and rest-of-life. I have a strong social network through my job, and although I work very intensively (and often grab a quick lunch at my desk or have 30 minutes downtime while reading the newspaper and eating), I work in a social environment, constantly coordinating with and meeting people. I occasionally meet people outside of work, but once back at the office, the "housewives" quickly made clear that I'm probably much too much in career-mode (in terms of content, drive and time management). I've had a couple of "oh, you're back? Let's have a coffee!" encounters over the past weeks, so I guess the divide is rigid, but not irreversible. I find it a shame nevertheless, because I don't think I've ever excluded either group from my different (career or housewife) phases.
This maternity leave will in length resemble the first two, where I returned to study / work within the first months (three and five respectively at the time). This time I'm planning on going back after six, when my husband takes over for a second half-year stint. It's a good feeling, to know that I have a place to go back to, and that my other-than-being-a-mom life will continue. I hope this also means that I can enjoy these upcoming months more, although based on experience, our kids don't sleep, breastfeeding is a constant juggle, and I'll be at the end of my wits.
We'll see.
