By Olivia Cook
So far, I’ve been working fully remote for about 70 days. Before this opportunity with Elevait Solutions, I was in-person every day, surrounded by Marines and Sailors of all ages, leading/mentoring, balancing meetings, briefs, working groups, and the daily workflow. I used to joke that I started every morning eating Outlook emails for breakfast, with a side of little fires that needed to be put out.
I thought the transition to remote work would be huge. But surprisingly, I’ve fallen into rhythm. My new coworkers? Three dogs: Annie, a 4-year-old Golden Retriever; Wilson, a 3-year-old Golden Retriever; and Layla, a 4-month-old Bernese Mountain Dog. They keep me busy, whether it’s cleaning up puppy pee piles or watching them play in the yard while I sip my coffee in peace.
Working from home has also given me space to reflect on all the roles I carry: Marine, wife, daughter, sister, friend, and Auntie. Those titles matter deeply to me. Some carry more weight depending on the season, but for years I let almost all of them take a back seat to one: Marine Corps Officer.
That’s the tricky thing about dreams. When they finally become reality, sometimes it’s hard to admit they’re not your dream anymore. Transitioning off active duty was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. I went back and forth in my own head (and with my MOS monitor, ha) trying to create a role that fit both my family and my evolving dreams. The Marine Corps worked hard to find me a fit, but in the end, the cons outweighed the pros.
Meanwhile, my husband had already moved back to his home state for an amazing job. One that checked every box: career growth, progression, and promotion. The very things that I had been guaranteed in the Corps, so long as I stayed the course. But it was time. Time to let him chase his dreams, the same way I had. Some might call it a compromise, but I don’t see it that way. It was simply the right thing to do.
And now, I get to chase new dreams too. Remote work has given me balance in ways I didn’t realize I was missing. I’ve started taking barre and devoting more time to my watercolors. I’m reading for fun again, I just finished The Only Purple House in Town (a cozy read, 8/10). On weekends, I get to watch my husband play rugby with the local club. These might sound like small things, but they’re the pieces of life I didn’t realize I had put on hold.
What I’m learning is that balance doesn’t mean choosing one role over another. Remote work has given me space to enjoy life in new ways and soak in the small moments I used to rush past. Dreams can change, and chasing new ones can be just as exciting as reaching the old ones.
Cheers to new beginnings 💫
~Liv