A close friend Watsapp-ed me a question out of the blue just last week. She asked what was my first thought when I decided to quit my 9-5 job. I replied to her the 4 letter words spelt K-I-D-S. A short and sweet answer. I often heard people said, In today’s generation, it is essential to have two incomes than one because everything is expensive these days. Yes, it is true in some aspect. During the olden days, taking a bus costs you 5 cents only. Today when you are earning a four-digit number, you cant expect the cost of public transport to remain at 5 cents isnt it? Before I quit my office job, I used to earn a 5-digit number during bonus period. The feeling was really awesome, I Wow-ed and Woah-ed! Then I came home to a nest where I dreaded playing with my kids after a long day at work. I cared and played with my kids only during weekends or public holiday. Sometimes not at all, coz those days is used to do laundry and so on. Not forgetting a ME time with colleagues and friends during those days as well which means even lesser time for the kids. Then I decided to hand in the resignation letter and so far have never looked back. My life is changed 360 degrees. No more expensive overseas family trip. No more cars. No more shopping for no good reason. No more splurging on unnecessary item. Some of you might ask, maybe the husbands earning may worth a lot such that he can support a family of 4 by himself. Those who know me personally will know that its not the case. I remembered during those times when I was working, I withdrew a decent salary. But money is NEVER enough. I settled for expensive overseas trip although a less expensive trip to the neighboring country sufficed. I wanted to buy this and that even if it was unnecessary. And I bought expensive clothes for my kids too! Even though clothing with cheaper price tag was good enough. Now, I am totally amazed that the sum of money that the husband gave is enough to sustain myself and the family. Money IS enough. It is mind-blowing that you can survive with the little amount of money you have but you sometimes feel financially tight when you are earning loads of income. I learnt one valuable lesson along the way, the more money you have, the more wants you have. Sometimes your wants can turn into a need after much inner justification. With lesser money you have, you tend to have less wants and more needs. You ended up going to the airport (often) without boarding any flights. And your chill-out sessions are no longer with friends or colleagues talking about life and work, but just accompanied with your life partners instead, 2 children who would be vying for your mobile phone when you sat down for coffee. Lesser income doesnt mean you cant move on with life. You CAN if you want to. Today, I am enjoying the free hugs and kisses from my children. During bed-time, one will lay his head on my chest (or shoulder) and indicated another hand of mine to hug him like a pillow. And when they were sick, I would be there for them. Yes, you do get burnt out (even when you’re working, you get burnt out too? Simply because the burnt out comes with a price, it looks a lil ok) with housework, piles of laundry to wash & fold and teaching the kids. I wouldnt trade my time with my kids for millions of dollars. In the future, I may come home one day to an EMPTY nest when my children are all grown-up and enough to manage their own family. Meanwhile, I shall enjoy the moment with this smaller pocket of mine.
Posted on: Sat, 16 Nov 2013 03:13:25 +0000