I was a preschool teacher. Over the years, I’ve been responsible for nearly a hundred different children. I planned hundreds of lesson themes, created dozens of teaching materials, sang hundreds of nursery rhymes, and repeated the same instructions thousands of times. I laughed at their antics, cried when they left, and celebrated their successes. Even today, I still think of some of them—Anthony, Lucas, Raphaël, or Zack—who touched me particularly deeply, because with some children, you develop a deeper bond. Certainly, I gave a lot to this career in education; I was an educator, but today, I am no longer one.
I took a big leap of faith. The working conditions and the pay finally got the better of me. I had two choices: keep complaining or take matters into my own hands to make things better. I mustered up my courage and went back to school. I had to make some sacrifices, but you can’t have it all in life. At least, not all at once. Do I regret it? Not for a single second! Of course, I miss the little ones sometimes. I wouldn’t have stayed in this profession for so long if I’d hated every aspect of it, and I tip my hat to those who still choose this path.
On the other hand, when I think about the water gun fights I’ve had with my kids after coming home from work, or the board game nights the four of us spend gathered around the table, I realize that the mom I am today is well worth the leap of faith I took. I would have done it again as many times as it took to have the life I have now.
Today, I get home at the end of the day and still have some energy left. Today, when my youngest throws a tantrum... bacon, it’s not my tenth one of the day, and I can handle it more easily. Today, my work conditions make my day-to-day life simpler and much more enjoyable. Today, I have a much healthier balance. Today, I’m on my X.
To you, who aren’t satisfied with the life you’re living. To you, who would like something better. To you, who feel capable of doing more, of doing things differently. Don’t hesitate any longer—go for it; take the leap! After all, we have two choices in life: keep complaining without changing anything, or do what it takes to make a change.