Redefining Motherhood: My Journey of Self-Discovery Through Creative Side Gigs

I don’t enjoy sitting on the floor for hours building block towers or sipping pretend tea in plastic heels. 

There, I said it. 

This isn’t to say I don’t play with my kids. Usually not for hours on end, but like most moms, my children’s smiles are one of life’s greatest joys, so if a princess tea party is what they want, hand me my tiara.  

As a stay-at-home mom, though, especially with two under two, my days often begin bleeding together, melding into a monotonous loop of diaper changing, homework helping, and cooking.

After my eldest two began preschool part-time at ages 2 and 4, I became a much happier mom. They were able to enjoy socializing with other kids, and I finally had a consistent break that allowed me to rediscover myself. I went back to school for nutrition and eventually began offering consulting during the times they were away. 

That creative outlet, for me, was transformative. The adult interaction, helping other moms improve their health, and the writing and designing required for marketing and client education — it became my therapy that helped me cope with the challenges of motherhood, and even moreso, with the struggles I faced years later when my 14-year marriage came to an end. 

Maintaining a work-life balance has proven more challenging than I anticipated, especially now as a mom of four with my youngest two at home full-time, but I prioritize my creative side gigs — freelance writing, course creation, and designing — just as I do a healthy diet and active lifestyle, as they all lead to me being a much happier, fulfilled mom, and here’s why:

1. Self-care

My creative side gigs serve as a form of self-care, allowing me to tap into my creative side and focus on creating something I’m proud of. I stress the importance of self-care to my children, and try leading by example by showing them that even during the most hectic chapters of our lives, we can always find ways to carve out moments to care for ourselves.

2. Socialization 

I’m personally an extrovert, but even my fellow introvert moms usually benefit from socializing with other adults on a regular basis. Even interacting with others on social media with similar hobbies allows us the opportunity for mature, meaningful connections with others who share common interests.

3. Personal Fulfillment 

While I admittedly envy moms who enjoy all aspects of stay-at-home mom life, I find that I am the best version of myself when my “mommy hat” isn’t the only one I wear. The ability to create things that I love, and make money doing so, provides me a sense of purpose that I simply don’t get as a mom. While it will always be the most important of my roles, I don’t believe it must be the only role I serve in order to succeed at it. 

Conclusion

I’m a long way from finding the perfect work-life balance — as if one exists. But the effort required to manage my creative side gigs with motherhood are well worth it in the end, as they provide a much-needed opportunity for self-care, socialization, and personal fulfillment. 

I’m excited to continue sharing my experiences, wins, losses and discoveries with other creative moms also on a journey to nurturing their creativity while maintaining a healthy, happy household.