My 34th Birthday
I fell off the corporate ladder in October of 2010. Technically, I was pushed, and I can attest to the truism–the higher you climb, the harder you fall. For more than a year I rode a litigious, soul-crushing roller coaster of he said/ she said. Throughout this painful ordeal, (as painful ordeals often go), I was reminded of what was important. It became prismatically clear that my life would never again be a pursuit of property, but of passions.
My first short story was written when I was 11. I found it shortly after my dramatic fall from livelihood and while my soul-searching process was in full swing. It was hidden away in an old, yellowed diary under miniature lock and key. It was in my parent’s basement, buried in a plastic bin, in another state, thousands of miles away. Along with that story was another I had submitted for publication when I was 15.
Sitting there on that dust-moted floor holding these memories, I cried. I cried because I finally acknowledged something I’d always known but denied to avoid the angst of self-doubt and fear of failure. I wanted to write stories.
So now, over two years later, I write. I started this blog in October of 2011 and since then, I’ve had several stories syndicated on mom-focused websites.
I have since re-entered the workforce (albeit very part-time) as a Social Media Coordinator for a mom website. Don’t ask me how, but I found a way to turn the fruitless hours I spend on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest into a bowl of cherries. That, or I was just desperate to justify my addiction to The Internets.
I live near Seattle with my husband, toddler daughter and infant son. You should know that I use a lot of sarcasm and tend to over-share. I apologize for neither.
Thanks for stopping by and please leave comments if you are moved to do so because I’m more insecure than I’d care to admit.
Love this timeline. And yet another connection: I went to graduate school in Missouri
Just found your blog. Only read a little. Got three kids so have to set aside time to read more. From what I’ve read so far I am highly intrigued. Many many similarities.
That’s awesome Anilda! My philosphy is, we’re all more a like than different, and there’s no use in pretending I’m not a human being. Thanks for reading!
Shannon… I just read your poem to your friend about (not) having kids and I wept. You are a kindred spirit. I am leaping (being nudged) off the corporate ladder at the end of the month, after riding it side-saddle “part-time” since April. I am at the bottom of that cliff! I think I’m breathing better now, just having seen your fish in the shadows. Thank you-
Dana… come sit by me. I can tell you some stories, girlfriend.
Absolutely loved your story titled Why I Told My Best Friend Not To Have Kids, you’ve said what so many Mothers feel and are so afraid to admit. Thank you for writing it!!!!
Thank you PKL and thank you for stopping by.
I read your post on Mamapedia today and I had to “find you” to let you know how much I related to it. I only started my own blog (www.blogbythephoenix.com) a couple of months ago, after I was encouraged to do so by the other contributors to World Moms’ Blog. We seem to have a lot in common despite our age difference and the fact that I’m actually an Italian who lives in South Africa!
I’m looking forward to reading more from you and, who knows, maybe you’ll relate to some of my “secret identity” Phoenix posts or the posts of “Mamma Simona” on World Moms’ Blog. 
I subscribe to World Mom’s Blog.. Perhaps I’ve already read you? I’ll be visiting your site soon! Thank you for commenting.
I have the feeling this might be the start of a beautiful friendship.
<3
Hi Shannon, I just stumbled upon your blog after reading your article on Mamapedia. I need to read more, but what I’ve read so far has gripped my heart. I too, have two small children, two and five years old, my first was also EXTREMELY colicky and still has a number of issues but sleep has always been an issue, so I definately relate to your most recent blog! We recently moved to the south Seattle area, another similarity that struck me and gravitated me to your site. I look forward to reading more and learning about you and hearing your insights. Thank you!
Hey Michele, welcome! I’m glad you found it here. Welcome to Seattle. I hope you were able to see the wonderful weather in the summer before we’re inundated with the non-stop rainy months. I moved here in October of 2005 and that next January, they set a record for most days of rain in a row. I thought I was going to lose my mind. Despite my initial experience, I still love it here! If you can swing it, going somewhere sunny in January/ February really helps.
Actually, I love it up here! I’m not a heat person (it was 106 degrees the day we moved from Cali) and it has been my dream to live in the Seattle area since I was 8 years old. It’s like a dream come true to be in this beautiful area and begin, VERY slowly of course (kids!) to pursue my lifelong passion/career move of marine science once again (gosh, it’s been awhile since I attended college!). I read more of your blog today and I’m falling in love with your writing and honesty. It’s truly an inspiration to read some of the things you’re going through and have gone through and I can’t wait to read more!
My apologies for assuming others might have the same feelings about PNW winter weather that I do! I also went back to school to study literary fiction writing. I’m in the same boat. Is it weird that I’m probably overly and inappropriately excited for you and your career move? I can’t get enough of stories of people making great sacrifices to follow their passions. I suppose it just validates my own decisions. We are members of the Seattle Aquarium and we go there all the time. My kids love it. This is definitely the perfect place for you.
Hi Shannon, just read your story here and I was moved when you found your old stories. I can relate to that. Although you just touched on it in three sentences, I remember a similar situation that I had experienced and I can still taste the tears. Thanks Have a good day
Hi Shannon, I thought I just posted to your wall but then I had to resign into the site so sorry if this is duplicate. Just saying I was moved by your self discovery and I had similar experience. Ok keep up the good work and thanks for reminding me of a found memory!