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It’s Monday afternoon already after a lovely long weekend spent with my three boys and lots of friends. Grab a cup of coffee and take a break with me. I want to chat a bit about some changes in our lives plus how my days and weeks are as a freelance writer.
Our lives have changed quite a bit in the past three weeks. It may not seem like a huge deal, but Ezra started childcare. Having worked with minimal childcare help for nearly the entire first year of his life, I’m honestly having a hard time adjusting. I got used to rushing to get anything done during naps and hoping for the best (a long nap). I still tip-toe through the house and only catch myself 20 minutes later when I remember that Ezra isn’t home napping. He’s adjusted really well and I love that I can focus 100% on my boys when I pick them up in the afternoon.
This has been a positive change for our family, although I had a massive amount of guilt and gross feelings during his first week or two of childcare. I now feel very content with our decision. Working is very important to me.
I’m trying to create a bit of order in my working life now that I have the luxury of having the time I need to focus on work and I’m finally able to take on new opportunities, some of which I’ll share here soon. I’m still struggling with the working from home balance and trying to figure out how to separate our house stuff from my work hours. It’s tough and something I’ll just keep working through.
For now, here is a look at a day in the life a freelance writer and blogger:
Wake up. Move, move, move for an hour and a half packing lunches, bottles, dressing the boys and myself, putting sunscreen on the kids, chugging coffee and finding anything else that needs to go to school with the boys. Kisses for my husband and we’re off.
Load the car, turn on our favorite children’s music on Pandora and drive.
After drop-off for the boys, I spend my mornings responding to emails, photographing and writing sponsored posts, brainstorming ideas for non-sponsored posts, communicating with brands, working with my editors of the various publications I write for on story ideas and edits and so much more. I work with brands through my work on Momtastic somewhat regularly so I spend time creating beautiful images with Melissa Oholendt or on my own and write content for them pretty regularly as well.
I’ve found a groove with running over my lunch break (I’m currently training for a 10K, but am FAR from ready) and then follow that up with 30 minutes of cleaning in our home. This helps me deal with the “stuff” I see while working from home that I feel I need to deal with and can sometimes distract me from work. I have to set a timer or I would keep going and going. In 30 minutes, I can get a few loads of laundry folded and put away, a room tidied up and the dishes done. I sometimes spend the time on other household things, but allowing myself 30 minutes to do it and 30 minutes only really has helped me.
I spend a few hours each week researching and communicating with people about new opportunities and ideas. This is something I simply didn’t have time for when Ezra was home. I was holding on by a string when he was home and I was only working during naps so this is definitely something I’m feeling thankful for. And it’s something I absolutely have to do. Blogging and online writing means I need to stay up on things and need to constantly be open to new ideas and opportunities for growth. If you’re not open to change, this is not the career for you.
I’m trying to use my flexible career to our family’s advantage as well. I try to run errands on Friday afternoons so our family doesn’t have to spend the weekend doing that. I also try to squeeze in lunches with friends so that I don’t feel like I just NEED a girls night out. Honestly, I haven’t done this yet at all, but I have one on the books on Friday with two very encouraging, inspiring and creative friends. It’s the start of a healthy habit.
I know that I am beyond lucky to have this setup for my career right now and I don’t take it for granted. I shared some of my story of how I left my corporate career a while back. I think I owe you an update on how my side job of freelance writing and my hobby of blogging became my career, but for now, check out past articles.
How are you? What’s new in your world?
Photos by Melissa Oholendt Photography.
Good for you! Working 3 days/week… I used to send the boys to daycare on Fridays to work from home + get stuff done around the house… I had HUGE guilt, but also got so much done that it made my time with them so much happier. This summer, I’ve been keeping them home on Fridays & enjoying summer. You’ve gotta do what’s best for you and your family!
So good to hear that. There is something to be said about getting things done so we can truly enjoy our weekends, am I right?!
Love this post, Jess! I absolutely appreciate your honesty in balancing everything. You inspire me to write a “day in the life” journal entry myself…life moves so quickly it would be fun to be able to look back on this time years from now and answer the question of “how did we do it?” :) Living only 2 doors down I enjoyed a virtual “catch-up” on how things are going :) Let’s make it the real thing very soon, friend!!
Thanks lady! Yes, let’s connect soon.
Loved this! I’ve found that having something of my own is important to me too (although right now it’s a “hobby” vs. work) and I can’t wait to be able to justify childcare in order to turn this hobby into work! I also was inspired by your routine. I’d like to get a little more intentional with how I structure my day once 2 of the 3 kids are in school. This has given me some ideas. Thanks for sharing!
I think it depends on one’s personality, but for me, this works. Hugs to you! Can’t wait for you to take your blog to the next level.
Loved reading this! The fast pace of the internet world is difficult to manage while juggling a family especially when they are little. My kids are out of childcare for the summer. There really aren’t any options around here for the summer either. I’ve slowed down considerable since this is the last summer before kindergarten for Ramona, so I want to just be present and let the work be dealt with later. August will be here before I know it!
It sure can be, but it definitely beats working a strict 8-5 corporate job for our family. I try to remember that when things feel big. Enjoy your summer with your beautiful family!
Love this post! I’m currently cramming in what I can while baby takes a morning nap (did I say nap?! Why, yes I did! SCORE!). Love watching you do your thing with two littles, it’s inspiring.
Glad you are finding your groove! It’s important for all of us to feel balanced and happy in our lives.
Hi Jessica!
I sat next to you at the Minions movie so I am stopping by to say hi. What a pretty blog and I am excited to spend some time looking around. And I completely relate to doing ALL THE THINGS during the (too tiny) window of naptime. Sounds like you have a really nice work/life stage that you are settling into (though it obviously comes with its own challenges!).
Laura