Copious amounts have been written about the challenges of being a mom who works from home – how to stay motivated, disciplined, keep the kids entertained, not work too much, not work too little, make enough money to make it worth doing, etc, etc. Being someone who has worked in the corporate world all her life, much of this didn’t concern me until I decided to quit that life, move my family back to my hometown, and start a business from home.
One year in, it’s dawning on me – I miss my peeps!
There are many challenges and many rewards to working from home, but the one thing that I think I miss the most is ‘community’. Wait a second! What I do is all about building community so what do I mean? Well, the in-person, live connections you make when you’re working with people in the same space. So much of working from home involves building relationships online and by phone which is all fine and dandy, but if you’re like me and you’ve come from a career that was completely people-driven, it really takes some getting used to. The irony that my business is all about connecting people – moms, like me, who are busy working in the corporate world or running their own businesses and trying to manage family life – is not lost on me. But the fact remains, aside from monthly events and meeting with new clients and members, much of my time is still working from home…alone.
So, I’m creating new opportunities, outside of work, to form new connections. A walking/running group in my community. Volunteer work. All the things I thought I didn’t have time for when I worked in corporate that just seem to make so much sense now.
I’m sure this is a transition that many moms who start working from home go through so feel free to share your comments/solutions/tips with the momcafé community!
Lovely post Tara and it is a huge transition – so important to stay connected within community and with positive like-minded ‘peeps’:)
I work with many women undergoing transition – it’s important to understand it, along with it’s potential impact and best ways to manage it – here at Uplift! we teach women how to manage transition and create mindful positive change. With every transition there can be so much learning and growth realized.
It sounds like you are well on your way! Well done.
Much kindness,
Paula Pyne
Uplift! Consulting
I applaud all women/moms who make the transition from the corporate world to home. I am one who often thinks about it but fears to take the acutal step, therefore you are all inspirational and I hope one day soon to join you.