Week one is complete.

It is week one of becoming a housewife / full-time writer and blogger / creator of a weekly podcast entitled The Real Housewives of America- A look into the lives of the women behind the President. 

I am overwhelmed. 

My stress about finding a job ended when we moved to Washington. As far as household bills are concerned, I have enough income to cover them. My husband could work, and the money would be for groceries and play. As a result, the burden of support was lifted from my shoulders, and I decided to run with it. 

In other words, I’m taking a leap of faith and creating a new world for myself. 

I find it exhausting. Creating dinner menus, cleaning the bathrooms, laundry, lawn work, vacuuming, taking the dogs for their daily walks or runs- the list never ends. When did I find time for all of this before? Of course, now that I am a housewife, the house needs to look and feel clean every day. 

I need an assistant to help me!

I have never really put much effort into my writing or my goal of becoming a published author. I just talked about it. This week I spent most of my time learning all the new and confusing ways that one effectively writes a novel, publishes worthwhile blogs, and starts a podcast. If YouTubers get paid by views, I just help fund a new home for a few of them. 

There are a couple of issues that I have run into.

First issue- If you are creating a brand-new podcast, should it be what you post on your website/blog? Or should the information be different? If it is the same, wouldn’t that be boring? If I embark on different paths- that is a LOT of work and research each week. Of course, I am a housewife- so I have the time now. 

But do I?

I just made a weekly calendar as if I were still working full-time, and it seems the non-paying job I have created for myself is 60+ hours a week. 

I need to talk to management.

Second issue- what takes priority? The blog that earns me $0.02 an hour (roughly)? It’s not a lot of money, but I enjoy my small community in the blogging world and hearing everyone’s thoughts, problems, and celebrations. I also appreciate the support that I am starting to get in return. It took about a year and a half, but now I get a couple of ‘Likes’ and a few comments every once in a while. 

However, I could potentially get a lot more from my unfinished novel if I can figure out if Caroline dies in book 1 and is brought back to life in book 2. Or maybe she falls in love with Eidolon, and they live happily ever after in book 1, and there is no book 2? 

Then again, I could work on my podcast and get picked up by the History channel as a host for a new program that will run for 15 seasons. This is a long shot- but I am sure it could happen.

Can I do all three? I think that I could- I just need to get in a flow.

Thrid issue- writing a novel. I started my book in November of 2021. I like it, but I recently discovered that I am just writing to write and not following a plan or structure. The book needs a structure, and now I am returning to square one to rework it. Not a big deal. I don’t mind. HOWEVER, I was on one of my writing groups’ forums, and someone mentioned that they wrote their book in 4 months, edited it in 1, and it is set to be published in October. 

Who let her on this page? I don’t need that kind of negativity in my life right now. What did I say in response? ‘Well done! That is awesome! I can’t wait to read it!’. Because that is what writers do- we support each other as we slowly cry inside. There is no competition until it is time to be #1 on the New York’s Best Selling list. 

I already pre-ordered her book. 

As you can see, friends, my concept of ‘Be Great at what you are Good at’ is becoming a bit of a stressful moment in my life. I am bound to be successful, but the road to getting there is long and winding.  

I once heard that 40 is the new 20, and in my 20s, I had no clue what I was doing with my life. It seems like in my 40s I am just as confused. 

Quick question! Can I also get the body I had when I was in my 20s? Asking for a friend. 

The buzzer just sounded; it is time to move on to the rest of my day. I have to wash the bedding today. Did I mention that there are no days off when you are a housewife? Nope. It is seven days a week, every week, 365 days, for the rest of my life.

Now there is a pleasant thought for you!

But a final thought- go and Be Great at what you are Good at!