#60 Three things I want to experiment with this year as a working mom to also nurture my personal business
This spring, I will finish my second maternity leave and return to work full-time.
When I returned to work after my first child, I reflect on how I would often let work hours drag on, and then use sheer willpower and grit to dedicate the few remaining hours after work and childcare to my personal business. It was rewarding, but honestly, I was pushing myself too hard.
Instead, I want to find a way that is kinder to my own heart and body.
I want to enjoy my corporate job, too.
But I also want to grow my side business (my personal business).
Of course, I want to spend time with my family with a smile.
So, I've decided to try an experiment.
1. Take time to rest even when I want to do just a little bit more
Since becoming a working mother, my ability to prioritize has improved. I have to, otherwise I wouldn't survive.
Nursery school pickup times.
Even if my child catches a cold, work deadlines don't change.
Inevitably, I have increased my productivity by thoroughly cutting out things I do, whether in work or housework.
Nevertheless...
I have so many things I want to do!
I want to respect my child's pace more, I'm concerned about my lack of exercise, and I want to improve my output skills on note.
Just a little bit moreI would extend my corporate work hours thinking, 'I'll just finish this email,' or after putting the kids to bed,
just a little bit moreafter finishing the housework,
just a little bit moreafter writing this note article, and I would end up extending my family or side business time.
In those moments, I feel a sense of accomplishment because I'm doing what I want to do.
But when I repeat this,
the time to care for my own heart and body is the first thing to get cut short.
As a result, I end up taking my frustration out on my children (showing them through my attitude that I'm displeased, like responding to them while sighing), and I regret it later.
That's why, after all,
I feel it's important for me to have the resolve to set time boundaries, even when I think, 'Just a little bit more!'
Specifically, once I finish putting the kids to bed and finish the housework, I will not do any corporate or side business work! I will rest!!
I'll put my phone away and spend time journaling to organize my thoughts, doing Pilates to connect with my body, or moisturizing and pampering myself.
For my corporate job, I'll set a 'my-quitting-time' and force myself to close my PC!
After that, I'll take 15 minutes to check out by reflecting on the day in my journal before switching from a corporate employee to a mother of two. I want to enjoy reading the picture books my children love, too.
2. Stop viewing things as preparation for the future and enjoy the present without rushing
Doing what you want to do should be about enriching your own life.
I realized that the stance of 'growing my personal business (side business)' while being chased by time is simply wrong.
Because I'm anxious about my future self, I push my current self to prepare. I feel that this mindset makes me tell myself 'it's still not enough,' even though being a working mother is already hard mode.
It will be tough enough just returning to work in April and balancing a corporate job with childcare. Wouldn't it be great if I could just make one mark in that time? Especially since no one praises you for your personal business (side business), I've come to think that I should praise myself! I want to fully realize what I've accomplished!
I will continue to be active as a graphic recorder. That won't change.
But my perspective has changed.
Even when doing the same things,
instead of a gung-ho mindset of 'I'll make it happen by utilizing every spare moment!'
I will go with a mindset that has the leeway to enjoy the present, thinking, 'I was able to do this because it felt doable right now, how nice.'
I will decide that the night is for self-care, and divide my time by designating the period from when I wake up in the morning until the children wake up as my own business (side hustle) time.
3. Accept that I have waves and that there are times when I cannot do things
When I set rules, I tend to think, 'I have to do this, anything else is not allowed!'
Like, 'Morning activities must start at 5:00 sharp!'
But we are human, not machines. Sometimes we just aren't feeling it.
Until now, it was
When feeling it → do it thoroughly
When not feeling it → do it anyway
but (writing this out, I start to feel sorry for myself).
When feeling it → stop when a certain amount of time has passed
When not feeling it → rest, and do it if it seems doable
I think I will try switching to this.
Writing it like this, it sounds like my work time will decrease and my productivity will drop significantly, right? But I have a hunch that might not be the case.So, it's an experiment.
1. Take time to rest even if I want to do a little more
2. Step out of the perspective of preparing for the future and enjoy the present without rushing
3. Accept that I have waves
These are my goals for 2024, as I prepare for life as a working mother of two.
I feel like I'm more relaxed than before. I might tense up again once work starts (lol), but when that happens, I'll look back at this note!
▼ About the author of this note
I am a graphic recorder who works under the motto, 'Nurturing the feeling of being understood through the power of handwriting.' I am a working mom of two and a company employee. I share tips and ways to utilize visual thinking and graphic recording. I also hold visual thinking classes that help you take a step forward even in a busy daily life.