Why I Left Academia (Getting Honest, pt. 1)

Because I no longer wanted to do research in my area.
Because I always felt like an imposter, even when things were going well.
Because I could no longer ascribe to the policies of my workplace in good conscience.
Because I didn't desire to find another job in academia.
Because other job listings didn't motivate me to improve or move.
Because I just wanted out.
Because my teaching methods and content were outdated.
Because I had no energy to overhaul them.
Because my workplace was problematic in ways I couldn't change.
Because I lost energy.
Because I'm not a 'good enough' Christian.
Because I'm not even a practicing Christian right now.
Because I couldn't talk about my job without getting stressed out or upset.
Because I grew bitterhearted and hopeless.
Because my friends and family worried about me.

Because we had a business plan we'd been working on since 2010.
Because I wanted new challenges.
Because I wanted to reconnect to myself.
Because the thoughts of Urban Roost inspired me like nothing else.
Because I could.

Not because I didn't love teaching or my students.
Not because I didn't love literature.
Not because I regretted my Ph.D.
Not because I think such work is unnecessary or unimportant.
Not because I didn't love my colleagues.

Just because.

Days Go By (Getting Honest, pt. 2)

"The days are long, but the years are short."

--Gretchen Rubin

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it."

--Ferris Bueller

"And days go by, / I can feel 'em flyin' /
Like a hand out the window in the wind."
--Keith Urban

Ever since I ended my career as an English professor last spring, some people have asked me if I miss those days. They ask me if I miss the academic calendar (not a chance), or they ask if I miss writing syllabi (of course not). They ask if I'm doing okay (umm, better than!), and they ask if I'm feeling sad not being in a classroom (with dysfunctional technology? leaking all my good energy? realizing my time evaporates without much to show for it? not. one. bit.)

It was time for a complete change, and my new life as the owner and manager of Urban Roost has reenergized me. Even when it wears me out completely.  Even after I fail many times. Even when I've been unmotivated on some days, manic on others.  Simply put, I'm just a much happier person than I ever was as a teacher and academic. (More on this in pt. 1)

The days have gone by so quickly since I broke up with higher Ed. Here's how I typically spend them now.... 

First things first:  I get to sleep later now. My commute is short, nearly non-existent. Sometimes I do yoga. Sometimes I manage to get in a morning meditation. I drink water. Lots of water. I have a vegan green monster smoothie.  Hair and makeup no longer matter -- I am all about braids, pinups, and ponies. I don a bit of sunscreen, blush, mascara, and lip gloss. That's it.  I drink coffee. Lots of coffee. Clothes are easy -- long tunics, sweaters, boots, yoga pants even -- I don't need to worry about heels or perfect outfits. I can just be comfortable and able to work on my feet. 

Morning (9:00 am): I jump online and manage the future reservations for Urban Roost on AirBnb.  This task involves answering questions, completing reviews, sending welcome letters, or updating anything that needs it. I usually do this throughout the day, even into the evening hours, but I try to catch up as much as possible in the morning. I also look at the day's check-ins to determine when they are arriving and if I have updated our Smart locks with their codes. Eventually, my goal will be to devote this time to the website, blog, and other social media.

Turnovers (11:00 am):  Urban Roost workers, Beth and Lucy, usually arrive around 10 or 11 to complete the day's turnovers.  I'm so thankful for them! They clean the apartments after guests check out to prepare Urban Roost for incoming guests. Turnovers involve not only cleaning but also staging the place so it always appears welcoming and stylish. I usually take this time to put out some new decor, restock items that have run low, make sure clean towels and sheets are plentiful, and complete general checks of the apartments.  We want the apartments to be homey, warm, aesthetically pleasing, and show no trace of previous guests.

Afternoon (2:00 pm): Beth and Lucy typically leave by this time, and I have time for lunch! I usually take a break around now and determine other errands or projects for the afternoon. This time usually involves a Home Depot-Target-Revive-bank-Aldi-bill paying run, if anything. (Pssst....after 2 is a good time to reach me on most days.)

Later...(4:00 pm): Guests usually arrive by now, or later. If I'm not able to do a live check in, I stay close to my phone in case anyone has problems accessing their apartment. 

Evening (6:00 pm): Dinner (Blue Apron has been a real game-changer!).  This time of day gets tricky for me because I'm usually more tired than normal.  It's so easy to melt into the couch with wine and TV.  I need to reintegrate a work out or a daily reflection time so that I can better prepare myself for the next day. #lifegoals, right?!

Night life?! (7:00 or later):  The perk of hosting a BnB is that you need to know the best places to go!  Guests have all sorts of preferences, so the more we try out the local scene, the more we can provide personal service to them.  And can you say "write-offs"? ;)   Ok, naturally, we don't go out every night, nor do we write off every outing -- we aren't always working! :)  However, as we learned at a BnB seminar several years ago, hosts must know their scene, and in order to do that, part of our work doesn't always seem like work. Isn't that the goal for everyone?

When we aren't out exploring our city for our guests or working on Urban Roost directly, our evenings might include Jesse's improv shows, seeing friends in the neighborhood, or just catching up on some Netflix with the cats. Do I miss grading? (what do you think?)

What I do miss is being in better touch with my friends.  It is hard for me to find time to return calls during the day because of being on the go, and at night, I'm making dinner, heading out somewhere, comparing days with Jesse, or maybe.... just maybe!.... I'm spending some time all to myself.   

But my days make me happy now.  They have energy and urgency.  I meet new people every day, and I can never predict what will come up. It is a new way to spend days -- whether long or fast -- and I'm grateful.  Very.