The Secret to a Balanced Work at Home Life is…
YOU. You are the secret.
Taking care of yourself is not only a gift to you but a gift to everyone you care about and to your business.
So what should you do to take care of yourself?
First, accept that you are human. Remember that you make mistakes, get angry and act a little crazy sometimes. That’s ok. As long as you are trying to do your best don’t let being human get in your way of being your best.
Second, find time for you. Yes, you heard me. Take time for YOU. Do what you enjoy everyday, even if you need only take 15 minutes to read a book. Or eat some really good chocolate. Or chat with a friend. This is “you” time and it will refresh you.
And third, love yourself. Give yourself the opportunity to grow and be you. When you can accept that you are just human, find time for you and love yourself, the rest of your life will start to fall in place.
Now let’s talk balancing that life, family and business.
We can talk a lot about you but you also have a life to live and sometimes it gets a bit hard to handle everything. You will need to experiment a bit with what works for you and your family to get balance.
Communicate.
Definitely speak with anyone involved at home about the fact that you need time to work. Spouse, sig other and older kids will understand that you feel fulfilled when you work and, yes, it pays the bills. Just reassure them that there will always be time for them also.
Keep a schedule.
Every weekday wake up, get ready and start work at the same time. Take breaks at the same time. And stop at the same time. The routine will help your mind and body work at peak. And your family will know when you are available.
Have a plan for everyday things.
Be sure to plan out quick and easy dinners for the weekdays. Also plan to have your kids wash the dishes and help with a few chores. Plan on helping with homework and spending some quality time with the hubby. Plan a walk or workout. Planning is a major key to making sure your household can run smoothly.
Balance is Not Perfect
Balance will never be perfect but it will work for you and your family. Don’t forget, YOU are the key to all this working out as a work at home mom. What you need to make it all happen is faith in yourself, communication, planning and a schedule.
The secret to successful balancing is YOU.
I actually have to schedule a shower in some days! lol!
Sometimes getting that shower in can be difficult…lol
I love this! Sometimes it’s the smallest things – just doing something seemingly insignificant for yourself, that can make the biggest difference!
I took THREE showers today to reset myself! LOL
You are a busy woman! Wait, come to think of it today I scheduled in my shower at noon. LOL. I never really thought of that. I don’t really make a weekly or monthly schedule to do those daily things but sometimes I do wake up and think, “darn, I guess I’ll shower at noon”.
I totally see where you are coming from.
~Allie
I do not have that challenge of finding a time to do for myself as much. I am not a mom, but single. some people think that being single is a cakewalk. No it is not. so I have to schedule everything.
Audrey,
there is no small or insignificant thing as long as you feel it is good for you. Heck, sometimes just laughing helps me get through a busy day.
Thanks. 🙂
~Allie
Trisha,
LOL! I love that! Three showers to “reset” yourself. I honestly did laugh out loud. But you know, sometimes that is just what it takes to get things done or to feel great.
~Allie
Jennifer,
I felt guilty too taking time for me. (Actually I still do at times but I get over it as long as I know I’m not being selfish or excessive.) But after actually taking the time to work on me in healthy ways I realized I was more comfortable to take on hard tasks and had more time for my loved ones. It felt strange at first but I am coming along just great. And you will too.
~Allie