theguardian.com
From Journalist to Stay-at-Home Mom: A Redefined Life
A journalist's experience of losing her professional identity after moving to the US with her husband and how she redefined her life and self-worth.
English
United Kingdom
Labour MarketLifestyleFamilyWellbeingCareerIdentityWork
White House Press CorpsMajor Us Tv StationLabour Party
Jeremy CorbynAbi Wilkinson
- Why did the author move to Washington D.C.?
- The author moved from London to Washington D.C. with her husband in December 2017. She initially struggled with a loss of identity after giving up her career as a journalist while waiting for a work permit.
- What is the author's current perspective on her career?
- She is currently back at work, but has a changed perspective. She wants to earn money doing something meaningful but cares less about outside perceptions.
- What job did the author take after receiving her work permit?
- After obtaining her work permit, she chose to prioritize her mental wellbeing over career status and worked as a nanny for a while. She later became a stay-at-home mom after having a child.
- What challenges did the author face after arriving in Washington D.C.?
- She initially felt like she was on an extended holiday, but after six weeks, she began to feel the impact of not working and her confidence took a hit. This led her to contemplate doing something different with her life.
- How did the author's perspective on work and identity change after having children?
- The author's experience led her to realize that paid work is a major source of self-esteem for many women, however her loss of journalist identity made her transition to motherhood less jarring. She enjoyed being known only as her children's mother and felt a sense of freedom in not caring how she was perceived.