What am I doing?

This is my first blog post for Goodies & Grit. When I first thought up the concept for Goodies & Grit, I was in high school… which, at the time of writing this post, was over 20 years ago!

If I think back to what my original intentions had been for Goodies & Grit, it would have been centered around the realities of traveling to and eating in other countries as a 20-something. I imagined something “gritty” and real, like roaming Thailand and sampling the local food. Not at a fancy restaurant, but amongst the busy streets and hoards of food vendors. And for a moment in time, I would experience and share a slice of what daily life was like from those not in the United States. I think my goal was to feel, learn and convey something real and insightful, akin to what Anthony Bourdain and others like him have done.

But that time in my life has come and gone. I am now a 40-something with a family. I did travel parts of the world, but not in the way I had hoped. My destinations were often dictated by my work, and my experiences (though wonderful in their own way) were by no means that of a hungry nomad. I spent a lot of my life in my 20s and 30s doing what most people that age do (at least in the U.S.): working. I had what you would call a typical corporate career and trajectory, ultimately moving my way up to a senior-level role overseeing an entire function for a global company.

Was I happy? Yes, and no. I definitely felt accomplished in my career, and I had the potential for more growth if I stuck with it. But I can’t say that I felt fulfilled… I was happy, at least in my personal life. I married my wonderful husband, and eventually we had twin boys. So I felt fulfilled from a family standpoint, for sure. After the birth of our sons, I decided to take time off from work. My job at the time was very demanding, and I didn’t want to miss all the important milestones. I don’t regret taking time off, but – now that I have more headspace – I do find myself wondering if I could use this time to pursue something more worthwhile. Something that gave me joy and purpose.

And… enter Goodies & Grit. One day I woke up, and I decided I was going to start a blog. Of course, I had nagging thoughts… like, “Who would even read my blog or care?” and “Am I having a midlife crisis?” Honestly, whatever the answers to those questions are, I don’t care. While I’d love to have my blog take off and actually entertain or (better yet) help people some way some how, I think I’d be content just to have a blog. To have a space to publish my thoughts and share what I find more valuable and fun. So yes, here we are… and if you’re reading this, I truly hope you enjoy.