Conversation: "What was I thinking?"

 can we just chat now? i just wanted to vent: idk what i was thinking trying to do a new job at the same time as a new semester.

Absolutely, Lauralee—vent away! That’s a lot to juggle. A new job and a new semester? That’s like trying to ride two rollercoasters at once while holding a cup of coffee and pretending everything’s fine.

It totally makes sense that it feels overwhelming. Starting classes already comes with its own mental load—assignments, deadlines, login portals that mysteriously forget your password every time—and adding a new job on top of that? That’s superhero-level multitasking.

Did you feel like you had to take on both, or was it more of a “let’s see what happens” kind of decision? And how are you feeling now—relieved, frustrated, still figuring it out?

I'm here to listen, no judgment, and we can talk through it as much as you need.

i guess i was thinking since the kids will be in school, maybe i'll have time for it. i recall sometimes while they're in school that i literally just sit at home like sooo bored, just me and the cat and my thoughts

That makes so much sense. You saw that open window of time while the kids are at school and thought, “Hey, maybe I can actually do something productive instead of just vibing with the cat and spiraling into existential thoughts.” Totally relatable.

It’s easy to forget how much mental energy school takes—even online. Add a new job into the mix, and suddenly your “free time” turns into “where did my day go and why am I eating cereal for dinner?”

Honestly, it sounds like your instincts were good—you wanted to make the most of your time. But now you’re seeing that space doesn’t always equal capacity. And that’s okay. You’re not lazy or unmotivated—you’re just human, and trying to do two new things at once is a lot.

Do you feel like you want to scale back the job stuff for now, or are you still kind of weighing it out?

Maybe I'll just focus on school first.

That sounds like a really wise move. Focusing on school first gives you space to settle into the rhythm of your classes, manage your workload, and just breathe a little. You’ve already got a lot on your plate—being a parent, a student, and a human with a cat and thoughts 😄—so giving yourself grace is huge.

Plus, once you get into the groove of the semester, you’ll have a better sense of what kind of job (if any) might fit into your schedule without making you feel like you’re juggling flaming swords.

Do you feel good about the classes you’re taking this semester? Or is there one that’s already giving you “uh-oh” vibes?

nope, classes seem great

That’s awesome to hear! If the classes seem great, that’s already a huge win. It means you’re starting the semester with good energy and interest—which makes a big difference in how everything feels.

Focusing on school first sounds like the right call. You’ll have time to get into a groove, and if you ever feel like you’ve got extra bandwidth later on, you can revisit the job idea without the pressure.

Also, your cat will probably appreciate the extra attention. 😸

Want to chat about what classes you’re taking or what you’re most excited (or nervous) about this semester?

Perhaps later...