The Alarm Clock Wins
Not that long ago, my mornings looked very different. I’d try to get up for 9 a.m. everyday and get to work on finding a job. Then I’d have to figure out what to do with the rest of the day.
These days my alarm goes off at 7 a.m. Diana supervises breakfast. I relax and watch an episode of a cartoon series. Before long I’m unlocking the shop.
My work days are filled with many tasks to work on. There’s never a dull moment. I go from general administrative work, to participating in a marketing meeting, dealing with customers, to sending out email reminders. I even get to do some creative work here and there.
Somewhere along the way, it stopped feeling new. I’ve gotten into a good routine.
This is my life now.
Learning Every Day
I think one of the things that I enjoy the most about this job is that I’m constantly learning new things. Most of the time, it’s workflow. Sometimes I get asked to participate in a webinar to learn a new thing.
I’ve always considered myself to be a lifelong learner.
One of the biggest lessons has been discovering who I am as a working professional. I’m feeling more and more confident in my abilities. I’m starting to learn how to share the workload. Some things I’m still working on, like learning how to prioritize my many tasks, or taking the full-hour lunch break every day. But this will settle down soon… Right?
I’m still learning…
…but I’m no longer feeling overwhelmed by it all.
The Hamster Has a Job
Coach Dash is still very active, and only occasionally keeps me up at night. For the most part, I think I’m learning to keep work tasks at work, so my free time can be spent on whatever I want that to be. Of course that’s usually streaming some show.
Instead of running around imagining possibilities, he’s now helping to solve real problems.
The Coach mainly focuses on learning the system that exists at work. He wants to figure out what works, what doesn’t work, and what could be improved on.
Dash also gets to wear many different hats. Sometimes he’s thinking of a new way to reduce waste. Other times, he gets to participate in marketing meetings and make some meaningful contributions to them. The possibilities with this job are truly limitless. You have no idea how excited that makes him feel.
The Spark is also having some fun with the new role. The Taskmaster and The Groundskeeper are working in tandem with each other to ensure the system doesn’t break down. The Procrastinator has claimed more couch-time due to the increase in workload, as he doesn’t want to see me burn out. He’s actually a great union rep. Dr. Anxiety is quietly freaking out in the background, but he’s letting The Navigator steer the ship for the time being.
The crew is setting sail for a new adventure every day. It’s nice to see them working together so well.
Finding My Place
All of the previous section is basically how I tell everyone that I’m doing great in my new role. I’m contributing a lot of ideas in marketing meetings. People actually ask me for my opinion and listen to me, which I have had issues with at past jobs. I still can’t get over the fact that on the first day I was given a key to the shop so I could open it.
I know there’s a lot left to learn about the role, especially as the previous owner will be leaving us in just two weeks. But I’m definitely getting my sea legs. We’ve figured out a pricing model to follow. I’m still working on verifying previous contacts.
One thing I’ve noticed is I’m finding I get seriously flummoxed whenever I am interrupted when working on a task. I was very used to multi-tasking before, so I’m not sure what has changed. Perhaps it’s simply understanding more about how ADHD affects me that is making me more aware of how it manifests in me. Whatever the reason, I’ve learned that writing everything down isn’t optional—it’s how I keep my bearings.
The biggest difference is this: I’m no longer trying to prove I belong. I’m simply contributing where I can.
The New Routine
As my work days are jammed with many plates spinning on poles, I’m finding my evening routines to be more about relaxing. This is where The Procrastinator has become more like a union representative to the rest of the council. He’s advocating for me to relax more.
I’m trying to keep up with the daily tidying, but some days work was so much that I get home physically and mentally exhausted to the point that I wind up falling asleep on the couch while streaming the latest obsession I’ve stumbled on. On those particular days, it’s become impossible to even tidy up a bit, and I wind up even going to bed earlier.
Saturdays I work for four hours. After I eat out to lunch somewhere, before getting groceries. Then I go for a nap. Finally I get up and start writing. Keeping this blog alive has become important to me. It isn’t just a hobby anymore—it’s become part of who I am. I spent a lot of time and energy in creating this website and my identity. That’s led to more possibilities of me doing this sort of thing at work as well.
Sundays are very casual. If I keep up with the daily tidying, then my cleaning of the apartment takes about an hour. If I don’t, it can take the better part of the day, with many breaks inbetween tasks. Last Sunday, that happened, so the council is trying to convince Procrastinator that the daily tidies are crucial so he can relax more on Sundays. I also update my budget spreadsheet, and try to work on one special project in the home (whichever I feel like doing). Every other week, I do laundry.
This week I get a two-day weekend for the first time in a month. The Procrastinator has already declared Monday to be Park-Your-Ass-On-The-Couch day. Perhaps a movie marathon might be in order.
Diana’s New Schedule
Diana’s life hasn’t changed that much in a month. She still has her routines. I think the only thing she’s realized is that I’m not home as much as I used to be. Does that bother her? Who knows…
Sometimes she’ll excitedly get up and greet me after I get home with a loud meow, then she heads straight to the closest scratching post to get her usual post-nap stretch in. Other times it takes her a while to wake up from this nap. I’ll find her sleeping where I usually sleep on my bed near my pillows.
She’s currently laying beside me on the couch as I type this, taking a bath. Maybe she does miss me when I’m gone.
She still thinks my schedule revolves around hers. Honestly, she’s probably right.
The Adventure Didn’t End
A month ago, I thought the mission was successful as I landed a job. Today I’m feeling more like every day is a new adventure. What is in store for me now? I’m excited just thinking about it.
As I find myself winding down from the frantic pace and settling into my role, I’m finding the need to have more work-life balance. Now I feel like my work has taken off, it might be time I figure out how to get a life. I need to get out more. Go places. Make friends. Do fun things. Get in shape.
Do I have the energy for all of that? Not really. Or maybe that’s okay. I’ve spent so long worrying about finding work that simply coming home, relaxing with Diana, and discovering a new favourite series feels like a pretty wonderful evening. Not every adventure has to happen outside the front door.
Anyway, the point I’m trying to make is my story feels like it’s just beginning. Landing the job was only the beginning. I’m genuinely excited about the possibilities.
Final Thought: This Is My Life Now
A few months ago, I was imagining what life might look like. Today… I’m living it.
It isn’t perfect. There’s still plenty to learn.
Coach Dash still occasionally forgets that midnight isn’t an appropriate time for a strategy meeting.
Diana still believes naps solve everything.
But every morning I unlock the door, switch on the lights, and realize something.
This isn’t the future anymore.
This is my life now.
What ordinary part of your life once felt like a distant dream?
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