How I Started My Work-From-Home Journey (And Why I Never Gave Up)
Published by This Mommy Stays Home
There was a time when I believed working a traditional 9-to-5 was simply what adults were supposed to do.
Wake up early.
Rush through the morning.
Get everyone ready.
Drive to work.
Come home exhausted.
Repeat.
As a mom, I found myself constantly wishing there were more hours in the day—more time for my children, more family dinners, more school events, and more moments that I wasn't too tired to enjoy.
I wasn't lazy.
I wasn't looking for an easy way out.
I simply wanted a different life.
One where I could still provide for my family while actually being present for them.
That dream is what started my work-from-home journey.
Wanting More Than a Paycheck
I love helping people.
In my career, I've had the opportunity to support students, families, and staff, and that work has always meant a lot to me.
But over time, I realized something difficult.
The traditional work schedule was taking me away from the people who mattered most—my own family.
Every missed school event.
Every rushed bedtime.
Every moment spent saying, "Maybe next time."
It reminded me that time is something we never get back.
I didn't just want another job.
I wanted freedom.
Freedom to be present.
Freedom to choose how I spent my time.
Freedom to build something that belonged to my family.
Discovering the World of Blogging
Like many moms, I started searching online.
I typed questions into Google like:
How can moms make money from home?
Can blogging really make money?
How do people earn passive income?
What jobs let you work from home?
The more I researched, the more I realized something surprising.
Ordinary people were building businesses from their laptops.
They weren't celebrities.
They weren't famous.
They had simply started.
That gave me hope.
Starting Was Scary
I'll be honest...
Starting a blog felt overwhelming.
I didn't know:
How to build a website.
What hosting meant.
How SEO worked.
How affiliate marketing worked.
How to write blog posts.
Whether anyone would ever read what I wrote.
I questioned myself constantly.
"What if I fail?"
"What if no one cares?"
"What if I waste my time?"
Those thoughts almost stopped me before I even began.
Why I Started This Mommy Stays Home
As I learned more, my vision became clearer.
I didn't want to create just another blog.
I wanted to build a place where moms could come for encouragement, practical resources, and real-life ideas.
A place where women could discover that building a life at home doesn't happen overnight—but it is possible.
That's how This Mommy Stays Home was born.
My goal isn't simply to teach blogging.
It's to help moms create more choices.
Whether that means:
Starting a blog
Selling printables
Organizing their home
Finding side hustles
Managing family routines
Creating passive income
Building confidence
I want this space to remind women that they're capable of building something amazing.
I'm Still on This Journey
One thing I want you to know...
I'm not writing this from the finish line.
I'm writing it while I'm still building.
I'm still learning.
Still creating.
Still making mistakes.
Still figuring things out one step at a time.
And I actually think that's a good thing.
Because it means I remember exactly what it's like to be a beginner.
I know what it feels like to stare at a blank screen wondering where to start.
I know what it feels like to question yourself.
I know what it feels like to hope something bigger is possible.
If that's where you are today, you're not alone.
What Keeps Me Going
Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself why I started.
I picture being home more often.
Helping my children with homework without feeling rushed.
Being available for school events.
Having dinner together without checking the time.
Creating memories instead of missing them.
That dream is bigger than any obstacle.
It's what keeps me showing up, even on the hard days.
What I've Learned So Far
Looking back, there are a few lessons I wish I had known from the beginning.
You don't have to know everything.
You only need to know your next step.
Progress matters more than perfection.
Your first blog post won't be your best—and that's okay.
Every successful blogger started as a beginner.
Consistency beats motivation.
There will be days you don't feel inspired.
Keep showing up anyway.
Small actions repeated over time create incredible results.
Comparison steals joy.
Someone else's Chapter 20 shouldn't discourage you from writing your Chapter 1.
Everyone starts somewhere.
Your story has value.
There are moms out there searching for the exact encouragement, ideas, or experiences that only you can share.
Don't underestimate the impact your story can have.
My Dream
My dream isn't just to make money online.
My dream is to create a life where work supports my family—not the other way around.
I want the flexibility to be present.
To celebrate milestones.
To attend school events.
To enjoy ordinary Tuesday afternoons.
To create memories that matter.
If this blog helps another mom move one step closer to that kind of life, then every late night and every early morning will be worth it.
If You're Thinking About Starting...
Maybe you've been thinking about starting a blog.
Maybe you've been searching for a side hustle.
Maybe you're tired of feeling like your time belongs to everyone except your family.
I want to encourage you to take the first step.
You don't have to quit your job tomorrow.
You don't need expensive equipment.
You don't need thousands of followers.
You simply need the courage to begin.
Your future self will thank you.
Final Thoughts
This blog is more than a website to me.
It's a dream.
It's hope.
It's the possibility of creating a life with more freedom, more flexibility, and more meaningful time with the people I love most.
If you're here because you're hoping for something similar, I want you to know this:
You don't have to have everything figured out to get started.
Take one step.
Learn something new.
Keep showing up.
Little by little, those small steps can lead to a completely different life.
And maybe one day, you'll look back and realize that the decision to start was the one that changed everything.
Start Your Own Journey
If you're ready to explore blogging, side hustles, or building income from home, I'd love to help you get started.
Download my Free Blogging Resource Guide and browse the free printables here on This Mommy Stays Home. My hope is that they give you the confidence and tools to take your very first step toward creating a life with more flexibility, more freedom, and more time for the people who matter most.
Because at the end of the day, this isn't just about working from home.
It's about building a life you don't have to miss.
