Storytime with Friedl

Thank you, ladies, for letting me share my own story.

YOU are a part of this journey!

So I must admit, I felt that writing an article about myself was a little too self-serving. A little too “look-at-me, look-at-me.” But then I remembered a recent TikTok post I made where I mentioned this big life change I’m on and bragged on all of these inspiring women I get to meet, interview, and write about. I love sharing their stories with you and hoping that their brave, intimidating thing will motivate you to conquer your own.

Plus, my husband reminds me that this career change I’m on IS a brave, intimidating thing that is taking courage and persistence. So why not share and connect with you all?!

So I’m a teacher at heart. And that’s been my career of choice off and on for the last 22 years. I taught high school in Milwaukee, stayed home to raise babies for a little bit, then jumped back into subbing and then full-time teaching where I live now (north of Madison, WI). Teaching is really all I’ve known. Much like nursing or military careers, teaching is one of a “calling” more than choice. And when you’re called to do this thing, and then feel that calling leave you, then what? What do you do when your strongest identity was in the role of “Teacher,” but you just don’t see yourself doing that anymore?

You recognize that dreams can change, and that’s okay.

Side note: Wanna know where the term “Strong Girls Travel” came from? It’s actually the name of a children’s book series I’ve been working on, and the idea was spawned on an all-girls road trip to visit my daughter in Glacier National Park back in 2021. See, since I was a kid, I’ve had a dream of writing children’s books. I have fond memories of hunkering down in my best friend’s basement bedroom, writing down memories of our Epic Friendship, thinking it would make a fantastic book. We even spent a couple days calling publishers and asking them to make our book - very grateful for the grace on the other end of that phone that chose NOT to laugh us off the hook!

While I was doing the Stay-At-Home Mom thing, trying to work odd jobs here and there to help bring in some income, but also not wanting my full-time paycheck to only go to daycare, I was also taking courses in writing children’s literature. I thought it was a hobby and that I would never actually make a go of it.

Enter Spring 2022. I knew the Call to Teach was leaving me. I was frustrated with the system, the lack of student disciplinary follow-up from administration, the endless addition of things to our plate without solid reason, and the apathy of students who schooled through Covid and learned they can do very little and still move to the next grade. I wanted to pursue copywriting and creative writing, but didn’t have a plan. So I decided to stay in the classroom and work on my writing after hours.

Anyone who’s been in a high-stress job where you have to make hundreds of split decisions all day and be ON for your “audience” knows the mental and emotional energy left at the end of your shift. I couldn’t do it. I had nothing left. And my workplace grew progressively more toxic and uncaring of teachers’ mental health this year.

So I took a step. Away. From the only career I’ve ever known, from the “dream job” I thought I’d thrive in until I died. I just didn’t think it would kill me so quickly.

And today, June 12, 2023, I’m starting my new career as a children’s book author. I don’t know what this will look like, or how long it may last, but I have to go for it. I cannot just sit and live my life in situations that don’t help me to emotionally thrive. 

If you follow Strong Girls Travel’s Inspiring Women page, you’ll get how inspiration is contagious:

Noranda Smith is teaching me to be more afraid of not living than of staying stuck in a job that doesn’t help me love me.

Kelly McDermott is reminding me not to undermine my strengths. I have skills as a teacher that will transfer into a new career.

Trina Justman is proof that I don’t need to run my thoughts by every person I meet in order to make the right decision for myself and my family.

Elizabeth Meadows plays in my head when people overhear my new career goal and laugh. “Don’t let other people belittle your goal,” she says.

Watching Katie Colburn’s adventures shows me that there will be more satisfaction in watching my amazing goals met than in wondering if I could do them at all.

Traci Martin is actively living out the idea that “you can choose how you want to live your life.” And it’s okay to make a different choice than you thought you’d be living out.

Mandy Kempka (who taught down the hall from me!) shows me that change is scary, but doable. I can’t be more afraid of the change than the step forward.

Ashton Woll is a prime example of stepping forward in your fear to conquer that fear. Walking away from teaching was scary, but now that I’m away, I’m seeing clearly again.

And Jessica Zalewski is my most recent reminder that if I want my life to look differently, I need to be the one to rearrange it. No job will do that. No boss will determine my value. No career needs to define me as a human.

I have plenty more interviews (from Spring Break!) that I’m excited to share with you in the upcoming weeks. And an author’s career to chase. I hope that you will stick around for the journey. Strong Girls Travel…outside of their boxes, away from toxic jobs, past the breaking point of their fears… And they cheer each other on to greatness. 

Thanks for being here for the ride!