I've had this on my mind for a while, so I figured I'd put it to the smartest group of people I know. Any thoughts/insights would be much appreciated!
A few months ago, I left my full-time job as a veterinarian. I went to a part-time job, working just 2 days/wk from 9-5:30. Sweet. I was burned out on the profession, had a pretty successful side hustle going with freelance writing, and just wanted a chance to reset. I also wanted more time for my family (husband & 5 year old daughter) and volunteer work. I was fine with the fact that my downshift may slow progress towards FIRE... though, honestly, I seem to be making a good bit MORE with the current arrangement (even factoring in the cost of COBRA) than I was with my FT job.
In my mind, though, I think I thought that going to PT would give me time for everything. I envisioned getting to do all of the volunteer work I wanted, spending tons of time with my kid, keeping a clean house, etc. In reality, though, it doesn't seem to be working out that way. I have a lot of things that I'm into, and I'm kind of a workaholic, and there just aren't enough hours in the week.
Current paid endeavors:
- Two days per week as a part-time employee at a veterinary practice. $50k/yr.
- Occasional relief work for a friend's veterinary practice. $650 for a 10-hr day. I'm doing 3 days there this month, with a strong likelihood of being offered more days in the future. I've also had a couple of requests from other clinics, so I need to decide whether I want to do more of this or just stick with my friend's clinic (which is a great environment - may not find that elsewhere!).
- Freelance writing. Pay ranges from $50-80/hr, depending on the project, working an average of 5-20 hrs/wk over the last couple of years. I'm currently working on a big project that will bring in about $4000 over the next month, so that has me busier than usual. This particular big project is likely to become a recurring thing - I'm writing a course for an online degree program that needs to add a bunch of classes within the next year or two.
Current volunteer endeavors:
- Lead my daughter's Girl Scout troop. We aren't doing any activities over the summer, but this will start up again in September.
- Serve on my county board of health. This is a minimal required commitment (a few hours every 2 months) but I'm working on becoming more involved by serving on a drug abuse prevention task force and attending a national public health conference next month. I like public health.
- Sing in church choir and occasionally play the violin at church. Not a big time commitment, but it is something that has to fit into my schedule.
So.... I'm fine with all that, but here's the thing. I initially became a veterinarian because I wanted to work with wildlife. Now that I'm only working part-time, maybe it's time to explore volunteer opportunities in that realm? Realistically, though, I don't see any way that I can add that on top of what I'm already doing... and I don't know what I'd want to give up.
I'm kind of leaning towards waiting ~5 years until we're nearly FIRE, then ditching the steady PT job or the relief work for wildlife volunteering. Or, if my daughter decides to quit GS before that point, I could always swap in wildlife for Girl Scouts. But maybe that's wrong and I should find a way to fit it in now.
Thoughts? I realize this post is pretty incoherent, but so are my thoughts on the issue. I need more hours in the day!! Any input, even if only marginally related, will be much appreciated.