Day 19: Freelancing is so easy!! (Said no Freelancer. Ever.)

Day 19 has been a confusing mix of extremely frustrating and extremely productive. I have never had to fight the urge to complete a needed task so badly. It's unnatural, but it was necessary. I am, however, extremely glad that it's over.

Let me explain. Today I decided to focus completely on completing my freelancing tasks. On a normal day, I manage my time as precisely as possible in order to balance work and home. It can be pretty challenging but so far I have been pretty successful.

This week is different because I am planning the yard sale. I decided, a little too last minute, to take advantage of the cool weather while I can, because in Texas, it can and will go away and you never know when it will come back. I already have all of my things together after all of the much needed deep cleaning I did in week one, so I just need to sort everything out, price everything, and find some tables.

The yard sale will be Friday and Saturday, so I want to have all day tomorrow to clean my house completely spotless and get everything ready for the sale. However, I still had that brick wall in the form of an article assignment that I have been beating my head against all week. I also started out this morning 2 blog posts behind because of the stomach bug and the Monday blues. So I was already swamped.

I write for a sustainable environment website called Permaculture. When I accepted the contract, I was a little worried because I had no idea what sustainability was about. It wasn't a topic I had ever paid any mind to. I still have been 100% unsuccessful in growing a single flower in my sorry excuse for a garden. I was originally hired to rewrite articles, so it wasn't as troublesome. All I had to do was read the article given to me, research it a little, and rewrite it in my own words. I knew I could do that.

With time, my client began to encourage me to find my own topics to write about. It was hard at first, but by that point I had learned SO MUCH that it became easier and easier every week. It became fun, and I was excited to learn new things about something I had previously had no knowledge of. He motivated me and challenged my talent as a writer, and played an enormous part in my success as a Freelancer.

I have always loved to write, but I never thought I could make a career of it. As a freelancer, I get to learn so many new things through my own research, and pass that info along in my own terms to my readers. It really is special.

Here's the thing. I enjoy it. I truly do. But don't look at the smile on my beautiful face and think "Wow! Look how happy she is! All she has to do is write stuff and she gets paid right from home! She's her own boss! She gets to be a stay at home mom too!"

WRONG!! WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!

Being a freelancer is not a get out of the office free card, it is not for everyone, and it is NOT EASY. I have learned in a very short time since I started the blog and started accepting writing contracts again that this is A LOT of work. I spend the majority of my day at my desk. I manage the blog site, I am still learning and researching SEO techniques and marketing, I look for webinars and conferences to attend, I manage all four of the blog's social platforms, and I write 1-2 articles per week. Each article takes a great deal of research so I can make sure that every bit of information I give to readers is factual. I am also working on spiffying up my resume and profile on my freelance platform in order to land new contracts, PLUS I am going to be subbing.

As I sat at my desk for 6 hours straight today researching, writing, blogging, and posting, my mind kept wandering to the unwashed laundry, the unswept floor, the unplanned dinner, and the dirty dishes in the sink. Therein was the maddening mixture of being productive and sacrificing my time to end up lagging behind in the housework. I felt like I was getting so much done, but nothing done at all. Once the kids get home, it's over. Time is up. My focus is solely given to them from the moment they step off the bus, because no matter what, they are my number one. Being a Mom is the best and most important job I have. Even if that means not being able to finish my work until they fall asleep.

Guys, this is not easy. Sometimes, like now, when it's 9:00 at night and I am just now finishing up my work, I just want to lay down and give up.

But who in their right minds would give up on their dream? :)

Positive Vibes,

Stacy (WW)