I believe that each one of us has the power to make our lives into what we want them to be. It isn’t easy. But I believe that it is always possible. You have to want it and need it. But, above all, you have to make it happen. Here is my story (so far):
I am a single mom to a 3 year old son (I’ve been raising him solo since he was 8 months old). I am a fulltime grad student (should have my master’s in Educational Psychology this summer). I am also a full-time WAHM. At first, I started working from home just as a way to help out with the bills. I got into direct sales because it seemed like a fun way to earn extra money since I would be able to socialize with other women (it was a party plan company). I made enough to pay some small bills, like internet as well as to pay my car note (I HATED when my ex-fiancée had to pay for MY car on top of everything else). It worked out well. I was happy knowing that I was contributing to our household, and I enjoyed the bit of fun that I was able to have meeting new people. Best of all, I didn’t have to leave my son every day. That was a big deal for me as a first-time mom.
However, when I suddenly became a single mom in May of 2011, my reasons for stepping it up in direct sales were different. It was no longer about helping out. It was about making sure we had a roof over our heads and food in our mouths. My ex has not helped me out emotionally or financially since he left, and I learned fast that I could not depend on that to change. Nor could I depend on anyone else to pick up when I was lacking. Granted, I do have family and friends who did what they could to help, and I am VERY thankful for that. However, at the end of the day, the responsibility for my family’s well-being is my own. Direct sales went from being a hobby to being a way of life. I NEEDED to do it. Otherwise, I would be forced to get a 9-5 job and put my son in daycare. There is nothing wrong with either of those things, but they are simply not things I wanted to have to do.
Now, during that first year, I had to work outside the home a few times. I. Was. Miserable. It literally made me ill. I was depressed. I had constant headaches. I just couldn’t cope with the idea that other people spent more time with my child than I did. And, to add insult to injury, I was not being paid as much as I was used to and didn’t even have a job in my field. My wheels were just spinning and I was not getting anywhere. To top it off, I was STILL struggling to pay the bills. Having to make payment plans. Paying bills late just to give myself more time to get the money together. Asking my landlord for extensions on the rent. Skimping and sacrificing. Barely making ends meet. And that was WITH a “real” job. So…I was miserable and broke. Something had to give.
So one day I quit my job. It was soooo freeing. Terrifying, but freeing. I decided that if I was going to be broke anyway, I might as well be happy. That’s when I went full force with the idea of working from home. I prayed and prayed that things would get better. And I sought out opportunities to make it happen. It just so happens that the biggest opportunity came to me. Through a random but fortuitous series of events, a major blogger offered me a job as a ghostwriter. I took it! Writing is a passion of mine and there she was telling me that she was willing to pay me to write. At first the projects were not very plentiful, but they came pretty steadily. Over the past 2 years since then, the projects and the pay have increased and it is the longest that I have ever held a job. More importantly, though, I am supporting my family by doing something that I love AND doing it from home. I also do direct sales, which, as I mentioned before is something that I find to be fun and fulfilling. I love meeting new people – whether they become clients, team members, or friends. Sometimes all three. I love getting paid for telling people about products that I love and use myself. And I am constantly motivated by the people I meet who are living the life of their dreams through direct sales. It keeps me going.
So, that’s my story. I am a single WAHM and I love it. For the past two years I have worked exclusively from home. It isn’t easy. Sometimes it seems impossible. But I never give up because THIS is what I want. To be here for my son in every way. 24/7. No asking for time off to be able to spend time with him or do regular things like taking him for his regular doctor checkups. Not stressing about getting fired for missing work when he is sick. Or, worse, not being able to take care of him when he is sick because I can’t miss any days at work. I am passionate about writing and about helping other people to be able to pursue financial freedom through entrepreneurship. I particularly enjoy working with other moms as they seek to support (or help support) their families with their home-based businesses. I love that I get to spend every day with my son while also getting paid to do things that I enjoy. My story has not been perfect. There have been unexpected villains and less than pleasant plot twists. But there have also been some wonderful characters that I have fallen in love with and amazing storylines that have potential to grow into something absolutely fabulous. I have a happily ever after in mind and am determined to see it play out.
I’d love to connect with you and hear your story. In the meantime, I will continue to write mine.