I've read in a self-help book that writers write about things they need to learn themselves. Case in point; I am writing Relaxed Wahmmy because (1) I need to learn to relax and (2) I need to relearn how to become a WAHM. I am a Relaxed Wahmmy not because I am perfectly in control of my emotions, but because I sometimes am, and I try to be when I'm not. I am a work in progress.
The roots of Relaxed Wahmmy can be traced back in 2009 when I first began to freelance and when I became a mother. I became both a freelancer and a parent without preparation. Bunch and I were both very young. We both don't have stable jobs. Bunch worked in Video City. I, on the other hand, had to resign from my job as a call center agent because graveyard shift wasn't healthy for my pregnancy. Our income was far from ideal for a couple starting a family. Our families both earn just enough for themselves-- extending help to us had not been easy for them. Needless to say; it was a very stressful situation to be in. Then, things changed. I discovered freelancing.
TURNING POINT
The difficulties I experienced during my pregnancy with Isha proved to be a blessing in disguise. I was jobless and pregnant, not a good combo-- I had every motivation I needed to persevere to find a source of income. I needed to work from home! I searched Google.
I found oDesk. I studied how the system works and applied to writing jobs. No one hired me after a week of job search so I searched elsewhere. I found a job posting at Craigslist, I applied as an article writer and was hired. Pay was Php 100.00 per article, then it became Php 150.00 per article. My income from the writing gig was barely enough to cover our needs, but I still worked on writing tasks with all my heart. I charged every unpaid cent to experience. I continued to search for a better paying writing job in oDesk while writing for the client I met at Craigslist. On my third week of search in oDesk; I was hired. The rest is history.
I no longer write articles these days. My job as a writer evolved over time. I now work as a Personal Assistant and as a Social Media Manager. I have two long term clients, and have not applied to any job posting in less than a year. I get referrals from former clients and co-workers to work on writing/admin tasks from time to time. There's a steady stream of work for me. I am lucky.
RELAXED WAHMMY
Blessed and favored; many would say. I work from home so many think that I am almost always available to my daughter whenever she needs me. It is an ideal work setup for any working mom, but it takes a lot of effort and patience to keep the balance. I experienced two great dryspells in my career as a freelancer. The first forced me to sell two computers, give up my apartment and live with my parents. The second left me without a steady income for two months. Both are painful experiences that I had to go through because I needed to learn my lessons. I need to balance. I need to relax.
Relaxed Wahmmy is my attempt to document my journey as a WAHM. Deep in my heart; I always knew what needs to be done: I need to work to live and not live to work. Freelancing is a blessing, but only next to the birth of my daughter, which will always be my life's greatest joy. As in my story, she came first. Freelancing may appear to be my life's turning point, but that's just from the surface. Isha changed my life.
Now that my priorities are crystal clear; I can already move forward with freelancing with fewer reasons to be guilty or stressed. I can manage my time better. I will know when it is time to work and when it is time for Isha/family. I now know that self-love is key for me to keep my motherly light well lit. I need to live a good life for her; save up for our future. Fulfillment at work is important, too. I have to learn to enjoy work more so when things aren't easy; it wouldn't be easy to take work to the backseat!
Keeping these things in mind will make my life less hurried. I can focus. I can be at my best. Looking back; it became obvious why God led me to become a WAHM: It is to keep my life in order for my daughter. Freelancing is my tool; a tool I have got to put to good use.
How about you, Wahmmy? What is your story?
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