apparently I've joined a club!

becoming a member of a club - not quite a Mouseketeer though
Joining a club - even cooler than the Mickey Mouse club 
Without even realizing it, I have joined a club - it turns out that there are a lot of midlife women who are tired of sucking up miserable jobs and have stepped out to take time for themselves.
When I blogged about quitting my job last week I thought I was the only person "reckless" enough to walk away from a job that was boring me to tears and where I felt under-utilised and under appreciated while making an income that I assumed we needed. I thought long and hard about the repercussions of walking away from a steady job and in the end I decided to invest my time and energy in finding what makes me happy - just taking a leap of faith and hoping for the best. My husband is a great one for believing that things will work out, so I am taking a leaf out of his book this time.

 What has brought me real encouragement and joy was finding several comments on that post from other bloggers who have done the same thing recently - the very first comment was from Pam from over50feeling40 who has just done exactly the same thing but after 17 years! (Double my effort this time around). The other ladies who commented had all felt (or are feeling) exactly how I feel and a change was definitely in order. So nice to know that I wasn't completely crazy thinking this.
I keep having that Beyonce song "All the Single Ladies" wafting through my head - but in this case, it's not single as far as a relationship goes, it's single in employment status……no longer part of a dysfunctional work environment but happily going it alone until something much better turns up on the horizon.
Beyonce - pixabay

 The bonus of blogging is that you meet people who are like-minded and often in a similar life stage - this isn't necessarily the case with my "real life" friends. Many of them are tootling along in jobs that they are happy in, or have husbands with large enough incomes to allow them to be "ladies who lunch" and I'm a long way from either of those scenarios. Others I know have children quite a bit younger than mine still living at home and that defines their life in a different way than empty nesting does - especially in regard to what is important time-wise and with what they invest their emotional energy in and what defines them.

 It's nice to share a journey with others who are in the same head-space at the same time. To hear stories of how it's working out and for the understanding and encouragement that comes with being in the "All the Midlife Ladies" Club - thanks girls!
midlife blog cresting the hill
Planning on getting some wear out of my new
socks and comfy pants now I have more spare time
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14 comments

  1. Grace Esedeke17 May 2015 at 16:13

    I completely agree with this point: "The bonus of blogging is that you meet people who are like-minded and often in a similar life stage - this isn't necessarily the case with my "real life" friends"....

    I have had to meet a lot of like minded blogging friends who are either at the same stage of life or have had a similar experience.
    Thanks for sharing Leanne.
    And thank you for joining us at Christian Bloggers Connect community.

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    1. Leanne17 May 2015 at 16:43

      Thanks for stopping by Grace and being one of my new like minded blogging friends!

      Delete
  2. Pam @ over50feeling4017 May 2015 at 21:21

    Leanne, we are walking this journey together! I will be tying up loose ends for a little while, but my employer posted my job as a opening on Friday, so I guess it is official!! Looking forward to what lies ahead!

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    1. Leanne18 May 2015 at 08:43

      Hi Pam - I'll be following your journey too now that you're officially a member of the club!

      Delete
  3. Diane Stringam Tolley17 May 2015 at 21:37

    And we're happy to be here with you!

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  4. Unknown18 May 2015 at 02:42

    I think that's what brought us together here and that's what we all share as midlife women - the need to defy the status quo and change our life for the better (no matter where we are in life and what age states our birth certificate). Plus I love your comfy look:)

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    1. Leanne18 May 2015 at 08:44

      Hi Abby - I'm going to have to be careful not to slip into pyjama day on a regular basis!

      Delete
  5. Middle-aged Diva (Carol)18 May 2015 at 20:55

    How exciting to have a fresh page ahead of you! Don't knock pyjama day, though!

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    Replies
    1. Leanne19 May 2015 at 08:26

      I have a secret yen for pyjama day - I think there will be a few of them!

      Delete
  6. Unknown18 May 2015 at 21:29

    You are never alone! There is always people out there who would be a great part of a values based, supportive community.

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    Replies
    1. Leanne19 May 2015 at 08:27

      So I am discovering Ali - and really appreciating too :)

      Delete
  7. Rena19 May 2015 at 02:21

    We could be the pajama women! There are so many of us! So glad you are here to join us.

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    Replies
    1. Leanne19 May 2015 at 08:27

      Thanks Rena - lovely to be part of the comfy pants brigade!

      Delete

Thanks so much for your comment - it's where the connection begins.

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