Why Working From Home is for Me!

I am sitting at my dining room table while my daughter sits next to me practicing her name.

While I may not get a ton of work completed, I love being able to sit with my daughter and help her, while I work; I love that I have the choice.

This wasn’t the plan

I never envisioned myself working from home. I always thought I would have this successful career as Counselor and work with children.

In fact, I am in School now working on my Master’s Degree in Clinical and Mental Health counseling; so being a Counselor is still very much something I want to do, but I needed something better in the interim.

So why am I writing?

Honestly, the idea regarding freelance writing first came to my mind about 5 months ago. At the time I was about 2 months pregnant with my 2nd child; knowing I had another child on the way I quickly felt the anxiety surrounding leaving my baby and returning to the work world.

Although that bridge was a way down the road, I couldn’t stop those same emotions that I had after my daughter from resurfacing; the feelings that I was abandoning my daughter and neglecting to spend adequate time with her.

I couldn’t believe these feelings were coming back up so soon, and I knew I didn’t want to be faced with that decision again!

I had to figure out a way to elude these feelings. I was beyond determined to find a way to stay home with my babies and still be able to make an income – because not working was not an option for me and let’s face it, not working is not an option for many mothers.

The Process

I started by looking into being a virtual assistant. Which I talk about a bit more in another post “7 Vital Tools You Need to Efficiently Work From Home”  Take a look if you want to know a bit more. https://michelleanderson.org/2019/04/12/7-vital-tools-you-need-to-efficiently-work-from-home/

I stumbled across Freelance writing when I ran across the blog of Alicia Rades and one of the authors for The Write Life. https://thewritelife.com/category/blogging/ I also found some pretty helpful tips from Elna Cain, creator of innovative ink https://www.innovativeink.ca/.

Both websites are jammed packed with so much helpful information for beginners like myself!

Although what works well for one writer won’t necessarily work for all writers; I appreciated the knowledge and personal feedback/experience shared on both of these websites.

Hundreds of websites offer up some valuable information to get anyone started on their writing journey.

Where am I now?

Not too far – haha

To be honest, I am not writing this after becoming some sort of success story – I am still in the early stages, and I am still learning a lot from research, trial and error!

I have learned a lot over the last 5 months, but I did not actually put my self out there and start launching my career until about 2 months ago.

I woke up one morning told myself it was time! It was actually beyond time to get started – so  I did!

And honestly, it was the best choice I could have made.

No I am not rolling in money from my 500+ freelance gigs and offers, but I am getting tons of experience, and I happened to land a few clients within 30 days of starting my business – not for free either!

But you see this is only the beginning for me!

While only doing this for such a short amount of time I have been successful. That statement does not make me cocky or conceded because I know that I have not reached the top!

I am continually re-evaluating my goals to push myself for greater success!

Are you are a freelance writer? Are you a mother? Or even a Father?

How do you juggle wiring and taking care of your littles? Please share your story – maybe someone can learn from you!

Pregnancy: The real

Let’s be honest pregnancy is not always this beautiful, blissful experience that everyone wishes it was.

It is okay to acknowledge its truths, no matter how ugly they may seem.

Social media

The thing is social media has put this distorted view in our minds regarding pregnancy, parenting, fitness and so much more. We see perfection everywhere that we feel it’s a requirement; we feel like what we see on Instagram and Facebook must be what real life looks like or what real life should be.

The reality is, that perception and that image you see on Instagram isn’t everyone’s life – and that’s okay!

Reality

Although I would love to be a fitness guru at 8 months pregnant, while running my business, tending after my  4-year old, keeping a spotless house, cooking healthy meals daily and having plenty of energy left to hang out with my girlfriends…. the reality is that isn’t my life!

Big props to the women that can do just that; whoever they are! I am not speaking anything negative on their lives; but I am stressing the fact being that image, that lifestyle isn’t for everyone – and that’s okay!

Hey lady you are still winning!

The reality is your probably 30 pounds heavier than before you were pregnant. You are either going to have a clean house or have dinner cooked by 8pm. Energy these days seem to be non-existent, and you can’t remember the last time you took a moment out for yourself!

The reality is you probably hide from the camera because you don’t feel comfortable in your own skin. You smile when people joke about how big your belly has gotten, but in the inside, you just want to slap them. (No, just me?)

The reality is you may act as if you are 100% prepared and have it all figured out, but secretly you are probably scared out of your mind and hope you are doing everything right; whether this is your 1st or your 5th pregnancy, we still have fears and concerns at some point.

Be Real Be Happy

Ladies we have to understand that everything we see isn’t right; it isn’t real.

Our want or need to be perfect, the perfect mother or just the ideal human, makes it so much easier to take these things that we see and allow them to imprint on us and ultimately drive us crazy because we strive for the impossible.

One photo, one post, one video does not tell the entire story. It is only a piece of someone’s life. Most of the times it is the piece that they want us to see or that they create to promote the idea that they that have it all together!

And maybe she does!

But you don’t have to; you don’t need to!

Don’t break yourself trying to be perfect when all you have to do is live life and take in the experiences you are meant to have.

You are still great! You are still winning.

Your Journey just looks different than mine and hers!