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Monday, January 22, 2007

Working from home

When I decided to stay at home with my children and work on fulfilling my dream of becoming a writer it seemed liked paradise. Who could complain about shuffling out of bed to play with her little ones and then sauntering over to the computer in her pajamas to type out a few words?

But as the weeks turned into months I found myself upset a lot of the time. I snapped at the kids for no reason, I didn't feel like eating, and I wasted valuable writing time surfing the Internet. Life at home didn't end up being as peachy as I thought it would be. Feelings of isolation crept up on me. I didn't know how to change the way I felt, but I knew I couldn't put my girls into day care and return to working outside the house just to make me happy.

So what could I do?

Here are a few quick tips to help quell the feelings of isolation those who work from home can experience:

* Use email to chat with friends and colleagues
* Join chat rooms or forums
* Change the scenery by getting up and going out
* Attend professional conferences
* Volunteer in your community

I've used more than one of these tips over the past three years. That's how I stumbled across StoryCrafters. I find if I keep in touch with people and make a point to get out of the house at least once a week--even if it's just to the mall for lunch--I can cope with spending the majority of my time at home. There are still days when the kids are cranky and I don't feel like accomplishing much, but knowing how to push those feelings of isolation aside, helps me be in the right frame of mind to handle just about anything--like my girls getting into my craft supplies and pulling balls of yarn from one upstairs room to the other while I edited an article.

7 comments:

Jean said...

I'm home all day with the kids too. Thankfully they aren't small any longer but I still have to get out and get away from them for a while.

I think if I didn't have a puter I'd be stark raving looney though. Between the LR chat room and StoryCrafters I get to interact with adults who have the same interests I have. And that is so very nice.

Yes, I make it to church on Wed. and Sunday but they have no clue what it is like to be a writer. Having Sassy as a messenger buddy and y'all here really helps fulfil this trolls need to socialize:--)

When the kids were little, I had a healthclub membership and would go when hubby got home...talk about wonderful!!!

Now it is mostly trips to walmart but every little bit of time to myself helps me be able to give back to them later.

Soooo...take time for yourself. It's good for you...and the ones you love:--)


Speck

Cheryl said...

Winter is always a rough time for me. I am affected by the dark, gloomy days. So it is especially at this time of year that I need to make a point to go out and be sociable.

Yesterday, the girls and I had a mall day. There was no pressure to come and go at a certain time, and we just enjoyed each other. Today, the little one and I had a play date.

There really are tons of things you can do for yourself, and I don't feel guilty anymore for wanting time just for me.

Cheryl

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