And so the new journey begins

Well I did it today. Most of you will think it's probably not the most sensible thing to do in the current economic climate (as have some of my friends), but it felt right to me.

What is it you ask?

Well, after four and a half years I handed in my notice today. Was it easy - absolutely not. In fact it was one of the hardest things I've had to do in a long time (childbirth of course does not count). But do it I did, and now I feel as if a great weight has been lifted. Not because my job was horrible or anything like that, but because it was time for a change.

They say you have at least a few career changes throughout your life, and it was time for me to embark on a totally new career path. Since I started full time work (and part time in later life) I've always worked in an office environment. Each job better than the last, each teaching me new and exciting things and giving me opportunities I never thought possible. But it got to the point my life was becoming consumed with my work to the detriment of me and my family. Even when I wasn't working (and I only worked part-time) my head was consumed with work. It got to the point I'd wake countless times at night with one issue or another to do with work.

I expect some of you can relate to this, but for me who has a husband who travels a lot for work, and two very active and lovable kids, my focus needed to be on the family.

And so, toward the end of last year I decided to rethink my priorities and look at what else I wanted to do. Something that didn't impact immensely on me, and on my family. The answer was a new career direction.

My initial thoughts were to study on the days I wasn't at work - made easier by my hours being reduced toward the end of the year. But after time spent with the family over Christmas as well as the death of my wonderful great aunt, from a disease my mum has just been diagnosed with, I came to realise that the time for change was now.

Which brings me back to today. I plan to work a good few weeks still at the company, to help kick start the year for them. The company has been good to me, and for me, and I plan on leaving with me head held high. In the meantime I will slowly shift my focus back to me, the family and what's important to me.

And so the new journey begins...