I got my dream job. It came a lot sooner than I anticipated but it was an offer of a lifetime. I had time to consider whether I should take the job and nine months to prepare. When the day came, I was starry eyed and excited, with all the prospects of this dream job. I was naïve, ill-prepared and frankly out of my depth for this new life-long-career but I had love, and at the time I thought that was enough.
Plenty of people have wanted my job a lot longer and a lot more than I have. It’s been their lifelong dream. They’ve applied time and time again, each rejection making their dream seem impossible and breaking their hearts.
Some people have had my job before and say I’m not equipped. They tell me to “suck it up” and “it’s not that bad”.
Some people decided it wasn’t the job for them. Some people took the job and found they weren’t suited for the role and hoped there was a better candidate, or the job was better suited to another.
Some have been fired from the job, and some have been hired.
Some people tragically and suddenly had their jobs taking away.
Some people couldn’t get their dream job the “traditional” way but still made it happen.
Some have had my job and loved it. Some have had it and hated it. Some took years to grow into it, and some were ducks to water.
But this job is mine; this career is a life-long commitment, and I need to experience it myself. I need to learn the ropes, grow my skills, find my strengths, identify my weaknesses, get some training, employ some help and enjoy the highs and learn to ride the lows. Just because I might not be a natural, or some days hate my job, doesn’t mean I don’t love it. Just because it’s challenging and thankless at times, doesn’t mean it’s not rewarding. Even if I tell my boss to get fucked, or cry in the bathroom after another relentless day, doesn’t mean I’m not grateful for this blessed opportunity.
Motherhood and parenting is my “new job,” for lack of a better word, and it’s uniquely mine. Sure, some might have done it before or been better prepared. Some might still be applying time after rejected time and hate me sharing my experience because they can’t even get in the door, but I can’t allow that to guilt or shame me into not embracing all aspects of mine.
If you have this job, have done this job, are preparing for this job, have lost this job or are trying everything to do this job, then I salute you. You’re having your own unique experience. You’re having your own triumphs, tragedies and struggles. You are doing the best you can every day. I might not know you and I might not understand your unique experience, but I embrace you because we’re all in the same field.
We’re aren’t competitors, we aren’t each other’s judge and jury; we are co-workers. We’re the largest workforce and while our experiences are unique the job description is the same. So whether you’re a to be, want to be, was one, old one or new one parent, you’re doing an amazing job and I hope you get that metaphorical raise or that literal day off you so deserve!!!!!