From workaholic to actually being present, 18 months in

1d ago1 min read

Used to be that guy checking emails at 11pm, missing soccer games for conference calls, telling myself I was doing it for the family. Reality hit when my 6 year old asked why daddy's always sad when he's home. That broke me. Quit the corporate job, took a step back, and yeah the money's different but I'm here for breakfast now. My kids actually know me. I know what they care about. The crazy part? I don't miss the old life as much as I thought I would. I just miss how hard I thought that was the right answer.

7 comments183 views

Comments(7)

SStevenRegular4h ago

This is the content I need to see on this forum. Real transformation. Your kids will look back and realize they had you when it mattered most. That's everything.

TThomasNew Dad1d ago

I respect this so much. Making the most of the time you've got with them is what it's really about, even if the schedule doesn't always line up perfectly.

OOmar S.Regular1d ago

Man, this hits home. Those soccer games add up fast and you can't get that time back. Glad you're seeing what matters now, 18 months is solid progress.

PPhil K.Regular1d ago

This is the kind of real change that sticks. Kids remember if you show up, not if you made more money that quarter.

AAntonioRegular1d ago

I'm in the middle of making this shift right now and it's harder than it sounds. The guilt from missing stuff gets replaced with guilt about work not getting the same attention. But reading that you actually made it happen makes me believe it's possible.

MMasonNew Dad1d ago

The email at 11pm thing hits close to home. How did you actually break that habit? Like was it cold turkey or did you gradually step back? Because I want what you have but I don't know how to flip that switch.

MMarco R.New Dad20h ago

This is inspiring man. Going from that guy to actually being there for the soccer games is huge. 18 months of that change and I bet your kids feel the difference every single day. That takes real work to break that pattern.