Tue 4 Apr 2006
So I’m one step closer to my writing goals. I’m no longer a full-time software developer. That could change in the future, but for now it’s just me, my PowerBook, a Rails manual, and some freelance web projects. I left my day job on St. Patrick’s Day and have been crazy busy in the two-plus weeks since.
In theory, this should leave me with more time for this blog and other writing pursuits. But that hasn’t been the case until now. I have a month’s worth of errands to run. I’ve tried various combinations of playing stay-at-home dad, paying Grandma to babysit, and working at the corner coffee shop. I haven’t found the right balance yet. It’s nice to sit out on the porch, soak up the nice weather, and watch pollen collect on the screen. But my toddler yells “DADDY!!” and tries to bowl me over every time he remembers that I’m home.
I’ve also gotten excited about doing web work again. That’s bound to happen, I guess, when I’m doing it for me and not for my boss. The unfortunate side effect is that I’ve honestly been less excited about writing. Working on my own and learning Rails has become today’s shiny thing. That’s scary.
But.
When people ask “So what are you going to do now?” I still say that I want to be a writer, and I mean it, and feel guilty that I haven’t done more of it. I’ve spent most of this morning proving to the blogosphere that I still exist, and I’ve enjoyed it.
Things should settle down once I get into a routine with work, errands, and general time management. And that routine will include regular posts. You heard it here first.
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Hi, here from Michele’s.
When I was laid off in Nov. 01, I knew I would have so much time to get stuff done. HA!! It is over 4 years later and I’m still trying to find a home/writing/life balance. Three kids make it tough. But there’s the challenge. Good luck.
Jonathan,
i totally know what this kind of transition is like. i wish you the best and i’ll be sure to let you know if i see anything out there for Rails.
Thanks for stopping by this morning and I wish you luck on your new adventure!
Jonathan — The very same thing happened to me when I went full-time freelance years ago…so much so that I freaked out and went back to full time work. But. I, too, have just gone full-time freelance again. (The similarities in our last few weeks are astounding, per your comment.)
It is natural for the web work to take precedence initially, because you don’t know where your next client is coming from and you are building your business. Give yourself the space and time to figure it out, because you will find your rhythm. You will. And as soon as you do, it will hit you “My goodness, I’m lucky. I can just decide that today from 1pm – 2pm, I’m going to write. Then back to work.”
That’s the key. Discipline. Forcing writing time into the day. Otherwise, its WAY to easy to work, work, work…especially when its your own business.
Bravo to you for taking that step. You are going to do great things on both sides of your creative endeavors…web & writing. I’m sure of it.