From Deputy Principal to Slow Living Blogger: My Story

If you had told me a few years ago that I’d leave behind a 25-year career in education to write about slow, intentional living, I would have laughed. Life doesn’t often take the straight road we expect, does it?

For years, my identity was wrapped up in my role as a deputy principal. I was dedicated to my work, my students, and my colleagues. I loved the sense of purpose, the structure, the challenges. But somewhere along the way, the pace of it all started to feel… relentless. I found myself constantly pulled in different directions, with very little energy left for home, for my family, for myself.

The Moment Everything Changed

It wasn’t one dramatic moment that made me step away. It was a slow realization, built up over time—small whispers that became impossible to ignore.

I remember one particular evening, sitting at the kitchen table, utterly exhausted. My husband and I were both navigating demanding careers, and our home life was filled with the constant hum of busyness—work, school runs, endless to-do lists. We were running a household, raising teenagers, and somehow trying to hold everything together. But in the midst of it all, something felt off.

One of our children was struggling, and we realized that the pace of life wasn’t serving them—or any of us. We needed more calm. More presence. More space to just be.

And so, we made a decision that surprised even us. We both stepped back. Not just from the frantic day-to-day, but from the careers we had poured decades into. I left education. He left his corporate job. We both transitioned into remote work in completely new sectors. It was terrifying. It was uncertain. But deep down, we knew it was right.

Embracing a Low-Demand Lifestyle

At first, slowing down felt foreign—like I was doing something wrong. I was so used to measuring my worth by my productivity that I struggled with the guilt of rest. But little by little, I started to see the impact.

Our home shifted. It became a calmer, more peaceful space. And not just in how it looked, but in how it felt. We started embracing a low-demand lifestyle—a way of living that didn’t revolve around rushing, overcommitting, or constantly trying to do more. Originally, we made this change to support our child’s needs, but I quickly realized that it wasn’t just them who benefited. We all did.

Slowing down wasn’t about giving up—it was about choosing what truly mattered.

Finding My Way Back to Writing

I didn’t plan to start a blog again. I had written online before, back when my kids were little, but life took over, and it faded into the background.

But as I navigated this new season, I found myself longing for a space to reflect, to share, to connect with others who might be feeling the same pull toward a different way of living.

And so, Our Little House in the Country was reborn—not just as a blog, but as a space for women in midlife who are rethinking what home, work, and life look like.

Because here’s the thing:

You don’t have to have it all figured out.

You don’t have to follow a traditional path.

And you certainly don’t have to fit into anyone else’s version of success.

Your home, your pace, your life—it’s yours to shape.

What You’ll Find Here

This blog isn’t about achieving the perfect, Pinterest-worthy home. It’s about making your home a place that supports you, rather than a source of stress. It’s about slowing down, redefining what productivity looks like, and embracing the in-between moments that make life meaningful.

So whether you’re here because you’re feeling overwhelmed, because you’re craving a simpler way, or because you just love a cozy, intentional home—I’m so glad you’re here.

Let’s figure this out together.

Chat soon,

Ciara