From Sacrifice to Success: How I Balanced Being a Stay-at-Home Mom and Pursuing My Dreams
As a mother of two boys who are total opposites and seven years apart, I know the secret struggle that many mothers go through. Balancing the demands of family life and pursuing your dreams can be a real challenge. For years, I found myself sacrificing my own needs for the sake of my family, but I reached a point where I knew I had to find a way to do it all, without burning myself out.
My journey towards balancing my roles as a stay-at-home mom and pursuing my dreams has been challenging, but also rewarding. Through it all, my focus has been on Jesus, my mental health, and loving my family, while still finding time to help others.
One of the most important things I've learned is the power of a positive mindset. By focusing on what I can accomplish, rather than what I can't, I've been able to adjust my daily schedule to meet my needs. For example, I start my day at 5:30 AM with Bible study and exercise, before my boys wake up. This helps me to start the day feeling energized and focused.
Another strategy I use is to break up my day into chunks of time. My boys are homeschooled, so I focus on my own work in the mornings, before we start school at noon. During these four hours, I tackle the most important tasks for the day, while also leaving some time for smaller tasks that may come up during our homeschooling hours. This way, I'm able to stay on top of my work, while still being available to my children.
Over the last ten years, I've discovered a variety of tools that help me balance my creative and business needs. Some of these tools are cost-effective, like using social media to promote my work or investing in a good planner to keep me organized. Others are more specialized, like graphic design software or online courses to help me develop my skills.
Here are some tips that I've found helpful for juggling daily life and pursuing creative dreams:
Focus on a positive mindset. Believe in yourself and what you can accomplish.
Prioritize your daily tasks. Tackle the most important tasks first thing in the morning, while you have the most energy.
Find ways to stay organized. Invest in tools like planners or project management software to help you stay on top of your tasks.
Take care of yourself. Make time for exercise, rest, and self-care activities that help you recharge your batteries.
Seek out support. Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who can help you stay motivated and on track.
Balancing motherhood and pursuing your creative dreams is a challenging journey, but with the right mindset and tools, it's possible to achieve both. Remember to take things one day at a time, celebrate your successes along the way, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. With perseverance and determination, you can achieve your dreams while also being the best mother you can be.
