If you’re a work at home mom, you probably struggle with striving to achieve some sort of work-life balance.
Never fear, you’re not alone! The big question is, can you really achieve work-life balance? Is it even possible?
While honestly, I’ve never met anyone who feels like they’ve actually been able to pull off this feat, there are things you can do to make sure you’re dividing your time equally between all the things that matter in your life.
These are things you need to have that will help you gravitate towards a more balanced life.
Set Work Hours
Just because you work at home doesn’t mean you’re sitting around eating bonbons all day, am I right? But the temptation to do other things is constantly there. That sink full of dirty dishes, that pile of laundry (or three piles…don’t judge me!) that needs to be folded. It all seems to call out to you when you’re supposed to be working.
Making sure you’re working during work time and not doing other things is crucial. Because if you’re like me, once I do one thing, I see ten others that need to be done. Before you know it, hours have gone by and I haven’t worked at all.
This means that your family will have to step up and help out around the house. There’s nothing wrong with kids helping in the kitchen or doing their own laundry, and having your spouse cook dinner (or eating out) a couple times a week.
Although I’ve gotten better at setting work hours over the years, this has definitely been a hard one for me. Being a stay at home mom for seventeen years (yes you read that right) before I even started blogging, I’m used to my life revolving around my family. That’s a hard habit to break! When my kids are off school or my husband is home, sticking with my work hours proves to be challenging to this day. After all, we want to spend time with the ones we love!
During these times I often compromise. Say if I work for three hours and get whatever I need to get done finished, then we can play a game, or go out for lunch, or what have you. It seems to work well (most of the time).
Schedule Time Off
If you were working a traditional job, you wouldn’t be working every spare minute. And you’d be able to schedule time off, where you’re out of the office and not doing work-related tasks.
Scheduling time with the family is super important. I’m guessing your kids see you sitting at your computer a lot. Make sure they feel like they’re getting the time with you they need, otherwise, they’ll resent your blogging. Yes, even though you’re working at home. Trust me on this.
The same goes with your partner. Make sure they still feel like they’re a priority in your life. It can be hard to set aside time to just chill. With blogging, there’s so much to do that there’s always something you could be doing. Sometimes it’s give and take. I’ll sit and watch a show with my hubby, but have my phone and work on social media tasks. Just as long as you are also setting aside other times to focus on each other one hundred percent!
Probably the time off most moms don’t get (and need the most) is time by yourself. We always seem to put everything and everyone else first. Taking time away from it all…family, spouse, and blogging, is crucial for your success. You’ve heard the phrase you can’t pour from an empty cup, take care of yourself first. This is so true. Do what makes you happy. Get coffee with a friend, go shopping, head to the beach. Do what brings you peace, joy, and contentment.
Support
Because we can’t do it all, all the time. There will be times when you feel so out of balance that you need someone to come in and help. Maybe it’s having a Virtual Assistant take over some of your blog duties. Or having your spouse watch the kids so you can get some uninterrupted work time.
Whatever area you need support in, don’t be afraid to ask for it. If you ask any successful blogger what’s helped them get to where they are, chances are they had help somewhere along the way.
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