Dear Nautie, I am confused as to why, when you have just finished a demanding rotation at sea, that you come home and immediately step into an office job. Seems that you would be ready to kick back and relax for a bit once ashore. Is the office job with the same shipping company? Is it leading towards a land based job? Sorry to be nosy, it’s just that I get whip lash following you going from shipping out to sitting pretty. I can’t even imagine how it must be to LIVE such a sharp shift- which you seem to manage quite gracefully. Thanks for any insight. One of your faithful readers. :>)

Bridget, everything you've said in the above paragraph is true. I am ready to kick back, it is with the same shipping company, I hope it leads to a shore based job, I also have whip lash and lastly, the beauty of a blog means I can make it look as graceful as I want (*wink*).

I didn't exactly plan on going directly from the vessel to the office but, they were short handed and asked me to come in. I fit it into my schedule - even though I knew it was going to be a bit rough - because I actually really love working in the office.

Here's the thing. I feel as a Lady Sailor that I only have X amount of years. Please note: I said I feel. The rational part of my brain knows that what will be will be and that most likely everything is working out just fine.

I've been working hard - particularly in the last year to get myself 'set up'.

When I transition shoreside I want it to go smoothly. I don't want to take a huge pay cut. I don't want to be sitting at a desk job I hate. I don't want to be living in a city that I don't love.

I'm making sacrifices now so I don't have to make them later.

I realize this could blow up in my face. I mean, what if I'm making too many sacrifices now.

The other thing I'm doing with all this 'off-ship work' is figuring out what I like. Do I like vessel management? Do I like chartering? Do I like Port Captaining? Right now, honestly, I don't know. All I know is I want to put myself in a situation where there is flexibility in my schedule. Where there is room for growth. Where I can keep my house in Hawaii and not eat PB&Js all month. I'm exploring my options - actively.

All that aside - Bridget I know that you know that I know that it's important to BE STILL.

I will be. Soon.

In the meantime, I'll wrap up my work in the office on Wednesday and fly to Napa on Thursday!

I'm superduper excited about Napa. Going to Napa for a getaway is kind of like being still....right?!

Bridget, I know what you're up to. You're subtly telling me to stop and smell the roses. I am smelling them. I swear!

Strangely, sometimes it takes Mettle to stop working. I'm going to consider this a Mettle Maker of sorts.

I'll find the Mettle to BE STILL. Soon...ish.

Via

also, I wrote this on my phone...and didn't proofread....apologies.