I did it! I passed my Master’s level social work licensure exam! I am 13 years out of my MSW coursework, worked in Community Health for all those years, and I was able to pass the test! I had much help and support in this…current graduates shared their study materials and my family and extended family went above and beyond in support and encouragement. I received my notice from the State on Tuesday that I was approved for licensure, so I submitted my license request and paid my fee. So as of Tuesday, May 2, I am a LMSW. 😃

Aaaaand….I made the leap and resigned from my job of 7 years as the Assistant Director of Administrative Affairs at a research-based Community Health center. And I accepted a position as a therapist at a local community mental health center! I did all my credentialing paperwork based on my temporary license, and now I have a permanent license. I have been working as a therapist since April 3. My new job is 3.5 miles from my house and it takes me exactly 7 minutes and 55 seconds to get to work. And I have an office! I lived the cubicle life for 7 years and now I actually have walls, a door, and my own thermostat. My job offers free LSCSW supervision, and opportunities for free CEUs. I absolutely love my job and the kids I work with. I love the hours, and I’ve been given good training and strong support from my supervisors. 

The time I have now with my family is priceless. There is so much less stress than with my former job, where the primary stressors were the 100-mile round trip commute, and my time away from home because I wouldn’t arrive back from work until 6:00 or 6:30pm. I get home before 3:30pm now. I am continually amazed and grateful because often when I am doing something with my Swirlies I’ll look at the clock and tell them “I am so happy! With my other job I would still be at work and here we are….doing fun stuff.” I have time and energy to cook, we have been eating our dinners earlier and we have more time in our evenings for homework, walks, relaxing, crafting, etc. 

I also feel very passionate about the work I am doing. I work with middle school kids and they are as awesome as they are challenging. My work feels purposeful again. I am happy to drive to work to see what the day brings. And I work with an awesome team of mental health professionals. My team leader strongly encourages self-care and her and my immediate supervisor often check-in with us to make sure we are not neglecting ourselves. That we cannot help people to the best of our ability unless we are healthy in all the areas of wellness. 

I put so much of my life on-hold while I was going through all this transition and working toward my career goals. Now I feel it’s time to get back to being me again. It’s time to get back to doing the things I love to do. It’s time to start riding the new bike my dad gave me for my birthday. It’s time to finish my dentalium cape. It’s time to train in earnest to get back to shawl dancing. It’s time to drag my daughters and husband along with me on my road to wellness. Its time to start running with my big puppy on some trails. It’s time to take the time to do nothing and just sit and enjoy….I envision something like drinking coffee on my deck in the morning to start my day. 

One of the most memorable moments of this whole process was when my daughters would give me neck and back massages after I got done studying. And when my 10-year old inquired as to what I would be doing at my new job. After I explained to her, she asked me, “So you are going to listen to people and try to help them? I think this will be a good job for you because you are so good at that.” 

Sometimes I just come home from work and I just sit here and let all the gratitude wash over me. Everything up to this point has been a huge leap of faith. And it’s a leap in the direction of getting back to myself again.