Courtesy Kelly Burch
I work from home full-time as a freelance writer and am on track to break $100,000 this year.
I do most of my work from my home office, but also go to coffee shops once a week.
I try to get most of my work done without children around, but my daughters often sneak into work time.
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This year, I’m on track to crack $100,000 working from home as a freelance writer. When I used to think about six-figure jobs, I envisioned sleek suits and corner offices. My reality is far from that.
Here’s what it really looks like: carving out large and small chunks of time to get work done when I can. Getting the 5 year old on the bus at 7:45 am and off at 3:45 pm each day, and the 1 year old to daycare on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Sometimes, it looks like taking a call in my car, or working in a parking lot while the baby sleeps, or trying to squeeze some exercise into my days and telling myself it’s brainstorming time. It looks like trying to get out of the house now and then.
Here’s a glimpse.
I mostly work from my home office.
Courtesy Kelly Burch
Although the lines are blurred between home and work, it’s important to me to have designated work space.
I do about 80% of my work in my home office. Sometimes I’m at my desk, but often I’m in my rocking chair. I initially bought it for rocking babies, but in reality it’s nurtured more stories than infants because it’s just so comfortable.
One of the biggest challenges about working from home is being able to ignore the mess. Putting in a load of laundry, sweeping the floor, or stopping into the grocery store are all quick tasks, but combined they can take hours from my work day.
Having a clean office space where I can shut the door on the endless household tasks allows me to really focus on work.
It’s tough, but I manage to balance full-time work with parenting two young daughters.
Courtesy Kelly Burch
Peeking into my week, it’s sometimes hard to tell where work stops and home life begins. I work about 30 hours a week, with most of that concentrated Monday through Thursday.
I reserve Fridays for email, light work, or any necessary catch-up, but I’m usually too mentally exhausted by then to do any in-depth work.
My oldest daughter is in school every day, but my little one (15 months) is not. She goes to daycare two days a week (and I add a third day if it’s a busy week).
Still, that means I do a significant chunk of work while she’s home. Sometimes, that means letting her make a mess while I type away.
I break up my day by taking a purposeful lunch break.
Courtesy Kelly Burch
When you work at home, for yourself, there’s no structure to the day. Instead, I have to find my own. Generally, I aim to be “butt in seat” working by 9 am (on the days the kids are both gone). That gives me a solid three hours before lunch. This is my best working time, perfect for writing long stories or delving into reporting.
Then, I take a 30-minute lunch break, which doubles as a mental reset. Usually I’m working on a different assignment in the afternoon, so I like to clear my head during lunch by avoiding anything work related. Sometimes, that means making cookies, but more often it’s heating up leftovers and maybe turning on a podcast.
Early afternoon is my most challenging time of day because I need to motivate myself when I would much rather be napping (and my bed is oh-so close). That’s when I head outside to work in the sunshine, or at least with a view of nature. This is always a good stretch to work, since my baby is napping if she’s home
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