Opportunity Cost – A New Beginning
This post is inspired by my good friend Brett from 6 weeks and Dave Navarro from Rock Your Day.
The noise of the alarm bell interrupts my dreaming. I’m rudely awakened and can’t believe that John manages to sleep on like a baby (considering the bell is on his bedside table). Yawning I fold back the bed covers and step out into the cold morning air. It is 5.30am and the world is still asleep.
While I perform my morning ritual in the bathroom, my mind wanders to the tasks ahead for the day. As usual my plate is full and I start stressing about balancing the lot.
I can’t believe how freezing it is and don’t look forward to winter coming. I hate the cold. John is still tucked away in our warm bed, only his head sticking out and he looks so cuddly and peaceful. Right now I’m jealous of him. I so want to jump back into bed and cuddle before the babies wake up and start their morning ritual of “screaming their lungs out until we get them out of the cage”.
The temptation is great, but I stay strong and shuffle into the freezing kitchen to put the kettle on. Without my double dose of morning herbal tea, nothing noteworthy will come out of my brain.
While the tea is cooling down to a drinkable state I fire up my computer. A quick detour sees me going past the bedroom again to bring John his wake up beverage. He is still fast asleep. I gently stroke his head and quietly leave the room to give him some extra sleeping time. I also make sure to switch off that annoying alarm clock. Boy do I hate this thing!
Ten minutes later, email checked, my first cuppa warming my tummy and ready to start blogging, I settle in for a morning of heavy writing, interrupted by waking John at around 6.30AM and getting the babies up at around 7.30.
Actually by this time they are already in full swing and the melodious sing song with plenty of screaming mixed into the mix surprisingly doesn’t wake the whole neighborhood. At least they don’t come bashing at my door.
Mid morning we always have coffee, sometimes accompanied by sweets. One coffee a day is a must for me.
Back to work and more writing….
…. fast forward to early afternoon and by now my stress levels are up by another notch. John has gone to work and I already miss his presence and company. One good thing we had while I was working as a chef was that we were together 24/7. I still struggle with the lack of his companionship seven months after I stopped working in the kitchen for good.
My babies are restless and want my full attention. Like every other day I realize that it is near impossible to type while the youngest (8 weeks) sits on my hand and just doesn’t want to move anywhere else, while the other three fly around the veranda, shit on my head, my laptop and everywhere else for that matter.
So I neglect my work and spend the afternoon relaxing with my babies to keep them happy. If they are happy, I am happy. It’s as simple and complicated as that.
Simple, since their well being and happiness matters to me and complicated because I have to spend every night all night working to keep up with my work load, which makes for really long days and a very exhausted and tired me.
And so it goes…. until two blog posts reaffirm to me while I’m really happy to do what I do. Yes, I do get stressed, yes I sometimes wish I could work in the presence of my four cockatiels and one budgie without constantly having to wipe poo, get up to rescue one, because he/she got spooked and do it all over again until nightfall.
While I spent the last week or so feeling sorry for myself (pass the Kleenex please), because it all got to me (duh) and constantly fought the urge to just sleep all day, I wouldn’t want to change this for anything else.
Ok, that is a lie. I’d love to have John home with us everyday, all day and that is why I’m working my butt off to make it happen. Everyday I neglect to do the best I can, I fall behind in the plan, but after reading Brett’s moving post, followed by Dave’s, I wiped my eyes dry and re-focused on what really matters.
Thank you to Brett (time) and Dave (wake up damn it, you won’t get a second chance) for giving me a kick on the bum and making me realize that there are things that are way more important than work.
About the Author: I'm a passionate freelance writer and problogger. To further build my business I'm also in the process of building my own niche empire which pays me residual income.
Cath Lawson | May 7, 2008 | Reply
Hi Monika – Your mornings sounds something like mine – you get up early but those necessary interruptions can be quite stressful when you’re trying to work.
I’m curious – what are the babies you drag out of the cage? Are they parrots or something? And how cold is your winter? I’m guessing it’s a lot better than my summer (can’t wait to move over there).
Don’t feel too bad about your husband not working with your right now. I know you’d like it to happen. I’ve worked with my husband for a few years now and over the last year or so, we’ve both worked from home. But you honestly get so used to just working that you tend not to notice each other half the time anyway.
Monika | May 7, 2008 | Reply
@ Cath: thank you for your nice words of encouragement. I know that someday my husband and I will work together again from home and I look forward to that.
My “babies” are my beloved cockatiels. They are from the family of cockatoo’s and also called quarrions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockatiel
Our winter can get down to around 3 degree celsius but luckily that is only in June and perhaps July. Because qld style homes (especially the old style) don’t have central heating like in Europe, it can become very cold inside.
We use portable heaters for that but it isn’t the same as having a heater in every room.
It is still better than the endless fog and rain of mainland Europe and for the rest of the year the weather is warm especially up here.
It will be a nice addition to our nation having you two move over here.
When is the big day anyway (any dates yet) and where will you go?
Brett Legree | May 7, 2008 | Reply
Hi Monika,
Thank you my friend, for sharing this story with us – reading it, I know it truly comes from your heart. You are such a good writer.
And as much as I may have inspired you to write this, so you inspire me to push ahead and follow my dreams. Ever since I read about your dream to move to Oz (much like mine to move to NZ), and of your journey to freelancing independence, I’ve been working at it, slowly but steadily.
Whenever I need a little boost, I come back here to see what you have said – and I smile
It is interesting how we want to work with our spouses – and I do! It is a sign of love, for sure. My Cathryn is a much better businessperson than I could ever be, and I hope that she will give me a hand!
Anyway – thanks again, wonderful words as always – give your babies a gentle pat on the head.
Talk with you soon – Brett
ebele | May 8, 2008 | Reply
Monika, this was beautifully shared.
Hugs…
Barbara Swafford | May 8, 2008 | Reply
Hi Monika,
What a beautiful story. The writer in you shines through.
I work with my husband, but he’s usually on job sites for the greater part of the day. Me, I work in the office and blog between phone calls and other projects. We make a great team.
It’s odd for me to read that winter is coming your way, as we are now seeing signs of warmer weather.
Cath Lawson | May 8, 2008 | Reply
They look really cute Monika. Two months of cold is far better than what we get here. We are still debating on where we want to be. I’m leaning towards Perth but the trouble is – I like the look of everywhere I read about.
My ex has finally agreed to sign the form to let the kids go, so I hope he’ll stick to his word. Then I can apply for the visa.
Monika | May 8, 2008 | Reply
@ Brett: you know, that is the secret of having fun in what we do. Meeting like minded people who commonly strive for the same goals and spur each other on in our quest for world domination is what it’s all about.
Making friends is just another amazing bonus. You guys are my family away from home and like you inspire me and vice versa I get inspired from every single reader who cares to take time to comment and email me.
Helping to inspire others has always been my goal with this site and every time I hear feedback I feel like a million dollars.
Helping to make a difference to other people’s life’s is a gift worth more than millions of dollars and we all do our little bit in the process.
You and Cathryn will end up working together. It is written in the stars. With your awesome plans you’ll have the perfect foundation anyway.
Monika | May 8, 2008 | Reply
@ Ebele: thanks sista. As you see, we all struggle with our inner demons somewhere. I guess it makes us more human in the process.
Monika | May 8, 2008 | Reply
@ Barbara: yeah, it’s a twisted world alright. Maybe I should charter a plane (I wish) and fly into eternal summer by traveling to wherever it is.
Working with my husband made us realize how lucky we really are. Being able to share the day with my soul mate is priceless, therefore it is harder to see him off to work than it might be for others who simply have a working relationship.
Treasure it for all it’s worth. It seems you have created a great way to get the best out of both worlds anyway.
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Reading your compliment made me smile even more.
Monika | May 8, 2008 | Reply
@ Cath: wow, those are great news! You’ll be over here before you know it.
Perth is a lovely city. Clean, great weather, great beaches and never far from Margaret River (where they make some amazing drops of grape nectar).
As you already realize, Australia is an amazing country with so many great places. The best thing you can do is settle for one and then make it your base to score the rest of the country.
I’m sure coming from England you’ll love it, regardless of where you end up, simply for the climate and change of pace.
Brett Legree | May 8, 2008 | Reply
Good on you Cath! I know that all will work out for you, and you’ll be there before you know it. Now to get “us” over to New Zealand…
mark @ mytropicalescape.com | May 8, 2008 | Reply
Hi Monika! Just checking in to see how you are doing and what a great post to drop in on.
Mornings are my favorite time of day, for sure!
@Cath – We are waiting earnestly to hear where you will be heading…I have spent time in Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, and Noosa and all would make a fantastic home base.
Monika | May 8, 2008 | Reply
@ Mark: what a nice surprise to have you stop over. Hey, I didn’t know you were in Oz before. Seems like you’ve been to all my favourite places too.
Glad you liked the article. Mornings are definitely best as it is easy to get work done.
Thanks for stopping by.
ebele | May 8, 2008 | Reply
yes, it does…
you and hubby sound like a gorgeous couple.
hugs…