Days of Growing Together with My Daughters - Working from Home Edition

September has begun, and half a month has already passed🍂

Seeing my daughters working hard in their new environments for the new school term, I also started to feel that I want to take a step forward too.

I feel that a while ago, I often looked for "reasons why I couldn't" and gave up before even trying. I would make excuses like "I'm too busy" or "I don't have time," and I wouldn't try to move forward.

But now, watching my daughters doing their best right in front of me, I felt strongly that I cannot just stay the way I am.
If I take even a small step forward, a future will surely open up ahead.✨
Believing that, I solidified my resolve to start taking on challenges.

Of course, it's not that I don't have any anxieties. As my daughters grow, tuition and activity costs will become necessary. Sometimes I feel like I'm about to be crushed by a vague anxiety, wondering, "Will I be okay just as I am?"

And it's not just about money. My older daughter has started at a new school, and a French-speaking one at that. With the barriers of two languages—Spanish and French—and the increasing involvement with a new school, it is also very lonely to spend my days feeling like I can't do anything. The anxiety of whether I will be able to adapt well to changes in my lifestyle is also always in my heart.

But, to cut off these anxious thoughts, I must take action now. I have come to feel that strongly.

A New Challenge: Working from Home 💻

First, a big challenge for me is taking on work from home.

I had hoped to enrich my life through TWA (Total Wellness Advisor), medicinal cooking, and calligraphy. However, the "foundation" needed to put those to use was missing, and I was never able to make it a reality.

Yes—computer skills, and professional skills.

I have spent about 10 years as a full-time housewife since coming to Spain. During that time, I had no experience working as a professional, which is precisely why I felt that "starting to work from home" would be an important step for my future self.

And above all, working means "earning an income with my own strength". I had a strong desire to stop relying entirely on my husband and to contribute as a member who supports the household. I feel that creating an environment where I can work is very important so that I can support my children's future with peace of mind.

Meeting skimama 🌸

At that time, what caught my eye was an advertisement for "skimama".

skimama is an online community exclusively for women that supports women who want to start working from home. It is designed so that you can learn while balancing childcare and housework, and an environment is in place where even those who are not good with computers or have been away from work for a long time can start with peace of mind.

In addition to a curriculum where you can learn work-from-home skills, there is a place for interaction where you can connect with moms in similar situations, and being able to think "I'm not alone" is a great support. Seeing senior moms actually finding work at their own pace and playing an active role while cherishing their families was also a great encouragement.

Attracted by the point that I could work without strain by utilizing my spare time, I gathered my courage and first participated in a free study session.

There, they explained things kindly, and while listening to my story, they offered me gentle and positive words.

Although I was scared to make the final decision, I decided to stop making excuses for myself.

I don't want to spend my time moping around, looking for 'reasons not to do something' like I used to.

Thinking that, I decided to join the community to learn here.

Here, I can acquire remote work skills. And I can work toward my goals while encouraging other moms and women in the same situation. Just having that environment is something I am grateful for, I feel.

Starting with small preparations ✍️

The curriculum hasn't started yet. But before that, I am steadily doing what I can, little by little.

First is typing practice. I heard that the seniors at skimama practice with a typing game called 'Sushi Da,' so I tried it too. ...The result was so low-level that I could only laugh 😂 But thinking '(I'll get there, I'll get there),' I am continuing with a positive attitude.

Also, I usually wrote articles from my smartphone, but from now on, I have decided to use my computer 💻 It seems like it will take time to get used to it, but I believe that stacking up these challenges will open up a new path.

Furthermore, I am gradually researching and actually trying out terms and tools needed for remote work, and I am writing out the self-analysis sheet I received at skimama to take stock of my skills. By organizing what I am good at and what I am not, I realized the importance of finding my own strengths.

In closing 🌼

Right now, I am trying out tools I have hardly ever used, one after another. Just giving it a go.

I want to acquire skills little by little while having fun, and take a step toward the future.

My goal is to be able to work under my own power even while living in Spain. I want to connect my remote work experience to what comes next. Being able to be of help to someone and living with a sense of purpose is a great joy for me ✨

And once I start earning an income, I want to let my children freely choose the things they 'want to try' or 'want to go to.' I want to realize a life where I can support their future with peace of mind, even if it's just a little bit at a time.

I feel that this is an essential challenge for shaping my future self while still protecting the time I spend with my children.

If you could teach me 'tips like this' or lend me your strength through advice or personal experiences, I would be truly grateful and encouraged 🌸

Also, I have recently started a new X (formerly Twitter) account 🐦

https://x.com/Toshiko_ESP

I am mostly rambling there about my attempts at remote work 🗣✅️

If anyone is interested, I would be happy if you could take a look ✨

Thank you for reading until the end ☺️🍀