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[quote=Anonymous]I think you need to take the long view, while taking small actions to live something closer to the life you want for yourself.

Professionally, this doesn’t have to be your role forever. I mommy-tracked for a solid decade and then stepped it back up. I’m now a exec level with considerable professionally respect, media appearances, etc. I’m not saying that career success is necessarily important or should/can be a focus for everyone, but if it is for you, it’s helpful to recognized that life is long (hopefully!), there are many different seasons, and the person you are right now doesn’t need to be the person you always are. A return to something more closely resembling your old self can come in time. (And there are huge trade offs! I miss the days of 30 he workweeks and lots of time with my kids and in the kitchen)

At the same time though, start doing something to cultivate your interests. In my youth, I was super adventurous (ice climbing, travel, long biking expeditions), etc. Most of that has fallen my the wayside, but I’ve channeled it into fostering that sense of adventure into my kids. A two day backpacking trip with 7 year olds, or week in Europe with no real itinerary is very different from my old adventures, but doing something a little out of the norm reminds me of my old self, and as the kids have gotten older, we’re able to do some pretty neat stuff and it’s been a joy seeing things through their eyes and learning/doing new activities based on their interests. we manage mini adventures at least a few times a year and a big one every couple years.

Also cultivate friendships (see the recent NYT happiness challenge) and try new things. I learned to swim and did a triathlon in my 30s during peak kid monotony years. The challenge of it, and having something I did just for myself, was mentally a big lift.

All of this takes initiative and effort, but at the end of the day I feel like I have a pretty full life and am an interesting person. Admittedly, doing those things has gotten easier as kids moved into middle school/high school.[/quote]

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