Hello, Hivers! This is Syd from Davao, Philippines, and I'm thrilled to be part of this awesome community. Since I posted this in the month of love, let me share with you how this love broke and made me the person I am today.
They say love changes everything—but no one warned me just how far I’d go for it. This isn’t a love story, but a story of love!
My story is proof of just how much a person is capable of doing anything for love. It is the love for family, love for passion, and love for purpose. I was a committed teacher with a stable career, and my life was just enjoying the share of so many joys. Then came motherhood, presenting me with life choices. I could either continue with my job and partly raise my children or be that hands-on mom present in all their “firsts” and be the foundation of their everything because this would only come once in a lifetime.
The Passion and Purpose of Teaching
Teaching was not merely a profession for me-it was a calling, a pathway to a better community. It was a blessing to have the “AHA!” moments of students happen before my very eyes on any given school day. The progress of my students toward maturity and understanding brings me a solid sense of purpose and happiness that you can't justify logically. The ability to impact their lives made me feel in touch with something larger than life itself. Of course, there were hurdles, too; for example, I spent most of the time in school preparing my lessons and activities. Also, traveling distance posed another disadvantage, given that it would take me one hour to go from home to school. Despite my occasional complaints, I always remember why I began.
The Crossroads – Love and Sacrifice
But life had other plans. My husband, from a broken family, wanted me to resign from a stable job. He vowed to take on all financial responsibilities. He doesn't like the value formation of my kids to come from the grandparents or hired babysitters. He strongly believes that no other person can take our place in the parenting process and that one of us must be there constantly during the formative years of our children's lives. I understand him and where all these emotions are coming from. While I resisted at first, I knew I had to make a choice. My internal struggle was overwhelming—I love teaching, but I also love my family. Letting go of my career made me feel that I was lost. I felt like I didn’t have my identity because this is what society feeds us; success means a stable job, profession, and money. I asked myself questions, and conversations with my family became toxic because they, too, didn’t want me to let go of my profession. I was lost for a while but glad that I was able to find the right path forward.
The Challenges and Growth of This Decision
Leaving behind a steady job was perhaps the hardest decision. I'm an extrovert, and I was feeling the pang of contact with tons of people daily. For a time, I battled with mental health, and being cooped up inside the house ( thanks to good old COVID-19) didn't help. The shift was indeed a challenge; I totally felt lost in an endless routine of things around the house. I cried at any time, wondering if I made the worst decision. With time, I let go and embraced my newfound “job.” Before, in school, I taught life. Now that I am officially “outside” of school, life has taught me so much. It taught me to be selfless, to love unconditionally, and so much more. Through this journey, I discovered so much strength from within me that I honestly had thought didn't exist and geared me up with all resilience.
Moving Forward – Embracing a New Chapter
Although I left the classroom, I kept my passion for teaching through the years. I designed my homeschooling curriculum for my children where we can play and learn at the same time. Also, after a long negotiation with my husband, he allowed me to work as an online ESL/EFL teacher given that during my work time, he will be there for the kids. I am currently in my 16th year of being a teacher, and although the set-up has changed, I am making an impact and serving a greater purpose. I also ventured into doing some new things besides teaching, such as managing social media accounts of foreign businesses and opening a micro-business of my own that allows me to keep making an impact differently.
Love compels deeper sacrifices than one could imagine. For me, leaving my teaching profession created a greater sense of purpose for building a family. It gave me different avenues to express my passion for education outside the classroom and expanded my horizons in business. I used to think that sometimes, love is about making the hardest decision. However, those very decisions lead to much learning and growth. I realize now that real fulfilment comes not with landing a single route; instead, it is about the joyful exploration of the impact we leave on others.
How about you? Ever had to make a sacrifice in support of love? Drop your thoughts and experiences in the comments—I would love to know your story!
Note:
All photos are personally owned by the author.
Collaged images were created using Canva.
PS.
I'd like to say my heartfelt thank you to Miss 