Establishing a Balance while working from home and being a mom

To get those creative juices flowing, I need to be in the correct zone, both physically and mentally. My environment must be conducive to creativity, both in my mind and in my workspace. While I can’t control external events, I’ve always loved a good rainstorm. It seems to help set the mood and get me in the right frame of mind. Here’s what I like to have in my creative space…

Creating an atmosphere

Lighting
smells
notebook
pens
music
pillow (booty Comfort)
drink(s)

Establishing Balance while working from home

Running a business from home can often feel like living the same day on repeat, like a broken record. Never getting a break from work or home is tricky business.

However, I love this lifestyle and wouldn’t give it up for anything, particularly the joy of being with my dogs all day.

The hours of the day—morning, afternoon, and evening—can easily meld into one continuous stretch of time. Before long, days blend into each other, and suddenly, it’s the end of the week. You pause and think, “When was the last time I even stepped outside?”

How we start our day sets the tone for everything that follows. Around this time two years ago, I introduced what I call “quiet coffee walks” into my mornings. This practice serves multiple purposes for me: sometimes it’s a workout, other times it’s yoga, but often it’s my devotional time. Essentially, it’s my time for myself.

The concept is simple. To create a good routine, I combine something I love, in this case, my most delicious streamy hot cup of coffee, with something beneficial that I need to do (moving my body, getting outside, and connecting with nature). It starts my day and puts my mind in a positive place. It’s my favorite part of the day.

Sometimes, I need to trick my mind to stay productive. How do I do this? When I leave the house for a morning errand, I believe that when I return, I’m ” “I arrived” at work. Hey, I have to do what I have to do some days!

Many of you have read my blog posts and have seen the creative work and networking I do at Skelly Designs. You’ve also explored my personal style and followed my life’s journey through fabricthatmademe. I love my job on both platforms and am excited to see where the future takes me. But it takes effort and love to keep them both going every day!

One habit that sets a productive tone for my day is changing out of pajamas and into clothes that make me feel good. Another trick I use is putting my shoes on—it signals to my brain that it’s time to get down to business. Interestingly, when I take my shoes off, my mind switches to relaxation mode as if the workday is over. So, to stay productive, I keep my shoes on!

Small rituals like turning on my lamp, lighting a candle, and placing my coffee on the coaster may seem minor, but they serve as visual cues that tell my brain,” Okay, we’re switching on.” These actions, repeated daily, help me transition into work mode.

When the day is over, I know it’s time to wind down when my dogs start dancing, my husband comes home, and my kids return from their day, all signaling that dinner demands my attention. This is my cool-down mode. I transition to closing time by cleaning up my office space, preparing for the next day, turning off the lights, blowing out the candles, organizing my desk, and closing the door.

I then head downstairs, feed the dogs, make myself a drink, and start preparing dinner as my family shares their day with me. It almost feels like we all just got home from a busy day out in the world. We enjoy dinner together, and while the kids clean up, my husband and I update each other on today’s events. To bring the day to a final close, we might take a walk, read my book, or watch our favorite series on the couch before hitting the shower and going to bed.

I hope this helps you get your workday and space in good working order and establish a healthy routine. I understand that everyone is different, and what works for me may not work for everyone else. However, I will say that being flexible is crucial. Although the process I use now works for me, I know it will change when the school year starts, as Gracie will be homeschooled this year—a change we’re very excited about! This will alter my routine significantly as my daughter becomes a part of it. Flexibility and perseverance are everything! Don’t give up. Life will continue to change and evolve, and so must we as well!

SK-