Spring Forward...

[peacetraveler22]

In America, we have an expression - "spring forward, fall back." The phrase is used in connection with Daylight Savings Time, when Americans move their clocks one hour forward at the start of the spring season and one hour back in autumn. However, the saying also is a metaphor for life. At times, problems, frustrations and stresses pile to the point that we stumble and fall backward. The challenge is to not get beaten down to the point that you give up and refuse to lift yourself from the ground. People who fail to do so account for a large portion of the miserable, bitter adults roaming the planet. For me, the main frustration recently has been my job, which has become overbearing and life consuming. This leads to almost no time for the blog or anything else in life, and it's the reason for my long absence from writing here the past few weeks. Yet, we are always in control of our own lives and destiny to some extent, so I formulated a plan for change.

A few weeks ago, I started writing a proposal to reduce my work schedule as a lawyer. The goal was to convince my law firm that I am valuable, even if I'm in the office less. As lawyers, we are trained to be persuasive, to argue and advocate for the interests of our clients and, ultimately, for ourselves. I wrote here that being single with no children provides me with a lot freedom in life - ultimately, I'm financially responsible for and answer only to myself. And, for me, the most important thing in life is to keep moving forward and exploring, not having a huge bank account.

My proposal was approved on Friday and will be implemented at the beginning of April. What does this mean? Less time in the office and more time to travel! Also, a large reduction in salary so I'll probably have fewer trips overseas, although I'll somehow find a way to return to Russia in the near future. :) Two international trips already are planned, and I'll announce the details soon.

Many of you contacted me in comments and personal messages during my absence to make sure I was okay. I'm grateful to have so many dedicated and kind readers. Together, we spring forward - both on the blog and with the change of season. The cherry blossoms, pictured in the cover photo from 2013, will soon be in full bloom in Washington, DC. It's the most beautiful time in the city, and I'll show you more in future reports.

A reminder that you can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Comments

[onkel-hans.livejournal.com]

Good for that your wishes actualized.

We still are below the freezing point here. But the snow has been blown away off the rhododendrons.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I don't want to approach old age and say "I wish I would've done this..." Since my teenage years, I've been "actualizing." First, by getting my doctorate. Then I got it and am now bored with the path to which it led. So, time for change. Baby steps and maybe someday I can leave the profession altogether. It's cold in DC also, but will be warm later in the week.

[siberian-cat.livejournal.com]

Ottawa: 14F, piles of snow...

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Sounds perfect! We had a lot of snow this year in DC, highly unusual.

[mat-uc.livejournal.com]

Moscow. +18C, sunny, windy and very warm.
I don't know what to wear...

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Russian winter came to America this year. It's been brutal in many regions of the country, while Moscow had a warmer than average winter.

[grimalkin2006.livejournal.com]

Success to you!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Readers play a big role in my success, so thanks for your continued support!

[andrey-kaminsky.livejournal.com]

I hope that your positive mood is real and life pleases you

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Why would I fake a positive mood? I'm not a fake person. If I'm sad, angry or depressed you will know. Same for happiness. Now I'll just be poorer. Perhaps this will lead to unexpected sadness in the future, but I'll learn to survive.

[rider3099.livejournal.com]

Hello my dear Shannon! Glad you are here!
Have a perfect day :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Happy to be back. :) Enjoy your day in sunny California.

[phd-paul-lector.livejournal.com]

Nice photo and nice to see you back :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Thanks! DC is a beautiful city in spring time.

[mujlan01.livejournal.com]

Well after reading every week on Huffpost about "the death of middle class in us"... How welladucated people have to struggle to make the ends meet...
You've decided to work less. Fuck the money I need something else...)) I don't understand you, but wish you luck, I guess you know what you are doing))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Why don't you understand me? I'm lucky to have a great job and reasonable boss. He's a nice, compassionate Jew. :) And, even with my reduced salary, I am still earning a lot more than the average American. Enough to survive with the simple life I lead. Yes, I need something more in life than cranking out work for corporate monsters, or being in the top 5% of earners in America. Hopefully this is the answer.

[mybathroom.livejournal.com]

Good luck, Shannon!
I'm looking forward for your new posts!

P.S. Bay the way, I quit my second job too. I want more time for me and my family.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Hi Denis! Thanks, I'll publish another post later this week. Family - it's the most important thing in life (at least to me). So, I believe you made the right decision. :)

[fesma94.livejournal.com]

Woman, I'm happy that you've got this decision ! I always follow rule : We work to live and not live for work ! Yesterday I returned from my short vacation at Vilnius ( the capital of Lithuania), I also visited Trakai Castle .

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I agree we must only work to live! For some people, pride, accomplishment, and self-worth is tied to titles, prestige and income but I don't fall into this category! I get a sense of self accomplishment and satisfaction through other means. I also visited Lithuania last autumn during the Eastern Euro journey but we didn't make it to Vilnius.

[iiiko.livejournal.com]

Groundhog Phil guessing the arrival of spring?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Groundhog Phil predicted a very long winter, and he was right! We had snow in DC last week, then +25C and now cold again. Perhaps Phil took too many vodka shots and became confused this year. :)

[whiteeye.livejournal.com]

Hi Shannon! You know, today i thought about you and why haven't been writing for so long. Glad you are back! Hope you are really happy with the results of your willingness:) And definitely looking forward to seeing you finally:)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Hi Anna! I'm happy to be back! I do hope we have the opportunity to meet in the future. :) Do you have any business trips or vacations planned for America?

[famulan.livejournal.com]

What's your undergraduate degree in? :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I have a B.A. in English, with a concentration in Writing. :) Doctorate degree in law came later in life, when I decided to go back to school in my early 30's.

[madestiksun.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's also time to return to studying Russian language? :)
Interesting video about American people are learning the pronunciation.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

The video is very cool! Btw, did you see the video of me speaking Russian? At least a few sentences. :) Go here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8zRNxouWS8.

[girlspell.livejournal.com]

I didn't know you were a lawyer. My sister in law is, but she's a mentor to other other lawyers. Not criminal law though. She works in the Virginia area.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I don't do criminal law either! I'm an intellectual property lawyer, protecting trademarks and brand names throughout the world. I also provide charitable legal services to some immigrant organizations. This is the most rewarding part of my job. :)

[yarowind.livejournal.com]

>> I am valuable, even if I'm in the office less.

If salary has not decreased - it would be absolutely wonderful!:)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Sadly for me, the salary will be a lot less. This was part of the compromise. However, I'm a simple girl and will survive fine. At least I hope. :)

You're back!

[(Anonymous)]

Dear Shannon, so happy to see you blogging again! You are brave to take steps to figure out what you want in life/this life period. I was afraid, you decided to be less involved in LJ. Thank god (I know it's not just about blogging, it's expressing oneself and finding yourself, could sound silly for some, but in your case I think it's more level-headed decision, I hope )). Irina from Baltimore

Re: You're back!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Hi Irina! Thanks for the nice note and encouragement. I sometimes think about leaving LJ and writing my blog on another platform where I could reach more English speakers. But I would miss my Russian readers too much. They are very dedicated and loyal to me. :) Stay warm! So cold in the DC area today.

[sineglazzka2301.livejournal.com]

I think it's a goal that every person should try to achieve - that is, to get the right balance between work and other interests in life.
One of my favorite stories, "The Fall of Edward Barnard" by W.S.Maugham is absolutely about this. The action takes place in early 20th century America, but I think little has changed in peoples' characters since then.
It's definitely better to be a happy traveler than a nervous workaholic:)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

To be a happy traveler, I need money. :) So, my schedule is only reduced by 20% but still better than before. Finding balance is very difficult - in relationships, work and life. But we must simply do our best to achieve harmony. :)

[anna-sollanna.livejournal.com]

Hi Shannon, glad to see you back in LiveJournal!
And I wish you luck with your new schedule, hoping to see more your posts soon!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Today we have snow in DC again. :))

[(Anonymous)]

When you come to Russia, how long will you be staying in Peter? Are you going to drink some coffee or tea with your online fans?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Hi! "Online fans." Makes me sound like a movie star. :) Sure, hopefully next time I'll be in St. Petersburg longer and can arrange a gathering. I'm always happy to meet my readers. I try to avoid Moscow at all costs, so moving forward I hope to use Peter as my connection city when traveling in other regions of Russia. I always make announcements on my blog above travel plans, but I probably will not return to Russia until autumn or early 2015. Unfortunately, it's very expensive to travel there and financial resources are limited.

[g-kar.livejournal.com]

More travel, less work - that's just awesome :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yes, but with a reduced salary there will be fewer overseas trips. However, I think I've made the right decision and life choice. At least I hope. :)

[nar-row.livejournal.com]

Welcome back, Shannon. :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Thanks! How are you? :)

[qi-tronic.livejournal.com]

www. youtube. com/watch?v=uXSCckkQBgI

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

It's all very nice and romantic. But one problem - I have no man. :))

[qi-tronic.livejournal.com]

kot-de-azur. livejournal. com/1117611.html

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yeah, cool! I saw it in Top LJ. I love these vintage photos from various countries. I was just viewing one about Italy. http://lightbox.time.com/2014/03/27/italy-1980s-photos/#1

[real-marsel.livejournal.com]

Very fine pic.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Unfortunately, we have had bad weather in Washington, DC recently so the blooms will be later this year (probably mid-April). But they will be beautiful as always!