Success in Mediocrity: Renouncing the Hustle

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I think of myself as an average person. Five feet, seven inches tall, average build, straight blonde hair. I have a bachelor’s degree and a successful career, but I’m not my own boss and I don’t work for my parents. I’m married to an amazing man and have two children. Together, we live in a kind of small house built in the early 80s with an odd staircase. We have an average income. Our bills are always paid on time. We live within our means and don’t take fancy vacations.

Gray or Brilliant? 

This description of our life could be interpreted as horribly gray, but I love it.

I have a career that I went to college for and worked really hard to obtain. My favorite part is that I rarely work more than 40 hours a week. I go to work, wear clothes and dangly earrings I couldn’t wear as a stay-at-home mom, then come home to my absolutely beautiful children and cook dinner from the plentiful, fresh and healthy groceries in our fridge. Sitting on the couch and talking with my husband after the children have gone to bed is one of the best parts of my day and it happens practically every night!

I don’t spend my spare time on a “side hustle,” networking or volunteering. I spend my precious spare time bettering what I already have. Recently, I have been focusing on keeping my house cleaner and tidier so my family can enjoy it more readily. And I’ve taken so much joy in making tasty and nourishing food for my family.

Average isn’t for Everyone

I know there are people who find the value in the number of events they attend or the amount of money they make or the neighborhood their house is in.

Those things have lost so much importance in my life. I love being able to slow down and enjoy my loved ones and this simple life we have. It certainly is important to have goals, but it’s also important to build up the lovely things that are already in our lives.

There’s so much focus on doing all you can all of the time these days, and it just isn’t what I want to do. I want to spend time with my kids while they’re little and show them that they are the most important thing in my life—not work or money. And that’s okay! If you’re slowing down, taking care of your kids and yourself, then you’re doing it right. Resist the pressure to feel like you need multiple jobs, lots of activities and a big house in the newest neighborhood to be successful.

There is success, and peace, in mediocrity.

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Sara
Sara was born in Colorado Springs, and lived here her entire life until she attended college at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. There, she earned her degree in Journalism and Political Science. Sara met her husband, Luke, in the summer of 2008 while working at Wag N Wash Healthy Pet Center, although they didn't start dating until 2011 - after Sara had graduated from college and Luke had joined the Air Force. They married in 2012, when Luke was stationed in a small town in West Texas. Shortly after moving to the Lone Star State, Sara started her career in local television. She did everything from running the cameras, to producing the five o'clock news, to creating marketing campaigns for local businesses. Sara's daughter Cora was born in 2013, and Sara got her first taste of being a full-time working mom while living over 600 miles from her own parents. Luke's Air Force enlistment ended in the summer of 2015, so they high-tailed it back to Colorado Springs. Now, Sara lives near Old Colorado City and works in the marketing department of a law firm in Downtown Colorado Springs. She loves spending time with her family, cooking, biking, photography and playing with makeup (that’ll happen after working in television in Texas).

1 COMMENT

  1. I love this! There are so many voices out there encouraging women to hustle. They are so well-intended but you are right, it’s not for everyone.

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