Before I start, I want to give some context.
I have been an entrepreneur consistently in my adult years for over 4 years. I have been a full-time step mom for 10 and a birth mom for 6. My bonus kiddo has been out of the house for about a year so really I just have to worry about the three kids I have at home who are 6 and under who are with me basically 24/7 because we also chose to homeschool.
I have been doing a lot of self-reflection mainly by listening to podcasts so trying to understand what makes me tick, how I can be more productive and how I can personally grow have started to become priorities. My husband and I agreed months ago that I would get one evening per week to “go out” and work for a few hours without any distractions.
I loved this idea. I loved that he agreed. I felt that gave me permission in a way and motivated me to get more done. And no, not permission from him but from MYSELF.
But I felt guilty.
I felt guilty the dishes weren’t done.
I felt guilty dinner wasn’t cooked.
I felt guilty he would be doing bedtime alone with the kids.
I felt guilty I would miss out on one night per week.
I just felt guilty.
We call it mom guilt.
Of course my husband can mostly handle everything.
But I stopped doing it and just kind of did it when the tasks REALLY piled up.
I also need to disclose one of my weaknesses is consistency. Call it ADHD, call it easily distracted, call it having too much on my plate. Either way, I need to learn how to manage it and I am finally on that journey.
If you can relate, just know that when you are ready, you will do your damn best to figure out how to manage.
But how do you leave and know you’re coming back to the house probably not any cleaner, leftovers are probably still out, the kids might still be up . . . and if you were home you could’ve helped and made the night go a bit smoother.
How?!
Well, you realize you’re not “leaving” - you’re working to support your family! You’re not just leaving to go do nothing. . . you’re BUILDING A WHOLE BUSINESS!
I finally started taking that ONE day of 2-3 hours of uninterrupted time to work on my businesses.
Even when there are dishes in the sink.
Even when dinner isn’t finished.
Even when the laundry I started is sitting on the couch.
Even when the kids don’t want me to leave.
Even when I am having a bad day.
Because the most successful entrepreneurs push through the hard.
We don’t give up. Even if we can’t quite see the light or know exactly what we are doing.
We are all learning.
We will have good days, productive days, days you look back on and learn from.
Keep pushing mom because you are worth it and what you are building is WORTH it!