It’s been nearly four months since I returned to work at the St. Paul Journal after taking a year maternity leave, and the past 113 days have been some of the busiest of my entire life.
I knew coming back to work as a journalist with two young children at home and a growing side business would be a challenge. And after making it through the last few months, I am quite proud of myself for mostly keeping it all together.
But at the same time, I have come to the realization that I do need more time in my day and the only way to achieve this is to rearrange my life.
The life of a journalist is rarely glamorous. Even though I enjoy watching everyone’s children perform in Christmas concerts at times when the general population has already punched their time card, often I’d much rather be home, spending that time with my own children.
As a reporter, my weekends are often consumed by work. And I am frequently scheduling and juggling family time with events happening in the community that need coverage. My camera comes with me most places and my schedule can change at a moment’s notice.
As much as I do love the job, and certainly find fulfillment in working for a weekly newspaper, my family doesn’t. Of all people in my life, I know the person who hates my schedule the most is the person closest to me, my husband.
There have been many occasions when he rolls his eyes as I leave the house, camera and notepad in tow, grumbling under his breath, but somehow, he too has managed to keep things together (and undisputedly keeps our house in much better order than I ever would).
After much debate, I have made the decision to step away from the St. Paul Journal, and take on a new position in an unrelated field.
I know there are aspects of the job I will miss. The job offers countless opportunities to get to know people I otherwise would not have met, and has allowed me to experience things I never would have experienced.
I would be lying if I said I didn’t have any hesitations about leaving work at the Journal. I started here on May 2, 2006, just a week after writing my last final exam in the journalism program at SAIT and was writing regularly before I even received my diploma in the mail.
Through the many changes that have occurred in my life over the past five years (purchasing a house, marriage, baby number one, building a new house, baby number two…) my employment at the St. Paul Journal has been a constant, which is a little ironic given how unpredictable the job can be.
But for the third time in five years, here I am, saying goodbye to the readers of the St. Paul Journal, although this time it does feel a little different.
I know there are a few readers out there who read my column regularly, and I thank you. I also have to say thanks to the wonderful staff at the St. Paul Journal, I’ve truly enjoyed my time here.
