Priorities in Self-Employment – An Honest Look at My Everyday Business Life

Holidays, family, client feedback – how I’m reprioritizing my self-employed life. With humor, honesty, and a few mini tips.

What a month!

If I had to describe it with a sound, it would be a constant “Aaaahhh!” – mixed with nervous laughter and the occasional eye roll. Between school holidays, two kids’ birthdays (each with two parties, of course!), public holidays, garden chaos, and the ever-hungry laundry basket, there was honestly little room left for strategic networking, mindful time management, or big-picture planning.

Instead: autopilot mode. Coffee. To-do list. Next task. Repeat.

Welcome to the real-life business routine of a self-employed mom with big ambitions – and a realistic view of her limits. And while I was caught in the middle of this family logistics marathon, client feedback started rolling in, making me reflect – on communication, priorities in self-employment, and what truly matters when you’re living life between laptop and laundry.

In this article, I’m giving you an honest behind-the-scenes look at my current daily life – unfiltered, with a wink.

Do you know these kinds of phases too? When you’re functioning, but still feel like you’re never really present – not in your business and not at home?

Then keep reading – I’ll share how I’m navigating this rollercoaster right now.

Family Mode On: Why My Business Plans Took a Backseat in April and May

April and May – two months I now permanently label as “high alert” in my calendar. Not because I’m off on a world tour or launching my next big thing, but because… life is loud.

In April, we spent 1.5 weeks at my mom’s. Meant as a short break – a bit of a reset, a change of scenery, some family time. In reality, it meant: unfamiliar surroundings, limited tech setup, and two kids at full energy level. No co-working, no quiet working – just pure improvisation.

And just when I thought I’d get back into the swing of things, May arrived. With holidays, long weekends – and two kids’ birthdays. Which, as usual in our house, means two parties per child: one for friends and family, one for classmates. That’s four parties in just a few weeks – including invitations, snacks, games, decorations, and gift wrapping.

Add the usual everyday chaos: laundry, meals, the eternal “What are we eating today?” – and a spring garden that seems to explode overnight. My brain? Full. My calendar? Overflowing. My to-dos? More like a wishlist.

What did that mean for my business? Less focus. Less output. Less space for creativity. Of course, things got left behind – blog posts, Pinterest strategy, uploading my new photos to my website…

But you know what? I’ve decided that’s okay. I can’t throw perfect parties, keep my kids happy, serve clients, and grow my business strategically – not without losing myself in the process. That’s why I’m consciously lowering the bar. Perfectionism? Crossed off the to-do list.

Instead, I’m going for simple solutions and a whole lot of self-compassion. Because that too is self-employment: the freedom to adjust your own rhythm – and not forget yourself in the process.

Between Responsibility and Reality: A Podcast Launch During My Absence

Early April, right before we left for my mom’s, I had one thing left on my to-do list:

Inform all clients about my reduced availability.

I communicated openly – not completely off the grid, but limited in capacity (mentally, technically, and time-wise). My mobile setup handles most things – but not everything.

And then came the surprise: a client’s long-awaited podcast launch was scheduled – without informing me in advance. I only found out after the launch date was already set.

Timing? A disaster.

Cancelling? Not an option.

So, I made the best of it.

I hustled – between kids’ noise, grandma’s coffee, and unstable Wi-Fi. Not ideal, but I wanted to deliver. And I did deliver – just not perfectly. The client wasn’t satisfied because it didn’t meet his 100% expectations. Understandable, of course. But also frustrating, since I had clearly communicated in advance.

The twist? He never read my email.

And that made me wonder: How much responsibility do I actually bear here?

Should I follow up with a push notification? A WhatsApp message with a red exclamation mark? A carrier pigeon?

It hit me harder than I’d like to admit. Because I gave my all under the circumstances – and it still wasn’t enough.

I don’t have a solution (yet). Just this realization:

Communication is a two-way street – and during stressful times, I can’t always carry everyone’s expectations.

⇒ Mini tip for clients: Please read our emails.

Sounds simple, but it’s incredibly helpful.

When we share our availability, work hours, or tech limitations, it’s not to spam your inbox – it’s to plan effectively together. Communication goes both ways. Especially in high-stress phases, a quick sync can make all the difference.

We all want the best results – but we only get there if we’re on the same page.

New Project, New Dynamic – and the Budget Conversation

Whenever I start working with a new client, I ask: “What’s your budget?”

Not out of curiosity, but because it helps me manage my time effectively. Some clients have a clear monthly budget; others just have general expectations. And me? I’m a service provider – the more tasks I get, the more I work. That’s both simple and risky.

In April – chaotic as it was – I logged about 10 hours for a new client. Didn’t seem like much, until the client was surprised:

“Wait, 10 hours already? What was done?”

So I reviewed: tasks, communication, execution. Yes, I could have sent a status update on the 15th – like I usually do with regular clients. But honestly? It was one of those months where I was just grateful to get anything done.

And then I wondered:

Am I also responsible for managing my clients’ time expectations?

Because if you assign tasks – you’ll get results. No surprises, right?

Yes, it was a communication issue – on both sides. And I’ve learned from it:

I need to communicate even more clearly with new clients and provide more regular updates.

But I also wish for more trust – and a realistic understanding that good work takes time, even if you only see the result, not the steps behind it.

⇒ Mini tip for clients: Clarity builds trust – especially around budgets.

If you’re working with a VA, share your time or monthly budget from the start. Ask how much effort a task might take if you’re unsure.

And remember: most VAs serve multiple clients, each with different tools, workflows, and priorities. The clearer your expectations, the better we can plan – and avoid billing surprises.

What Gets Left Behind

While I’m juggling podcast launches, birthday parties, and budget clarifications, something happens that every self-employed person knows:

Your own projects quietly slip to the bottom of the list – or off the list completely.

My blog? This very post is being written on the couch while “Sing meinen Song” plays in the background. Multitasking, my way.

Pinterest? No time – but I’m slowly experimenting with a pin generator that should make things easier soon. Baby steps, but still.

Website & visibility? My new, gorgeous photos from a mid-April shoot are still waiting to be uploaded. And the Pinterest and Instagram links? They’ll have to wait too.

And yes, it frustrates me. Not because I’m lazy – but because I love my business. I want to work on it. I have ideas, visions, plans.

But right now, I simply don’t have the energy to do more than keep the wheels turning. But you know what? That’s okay too. Not everything has to happen all at once.

Sometimes your brain is just full – and needs time to reset before creativity and clarity return.

I don’t see it as failure – but as a signal: It’s time to create space again – for my business, my ideas, and myself.

And honestly? The fact that I’m writing this post at all is a small victory. Not perfect, not polished – but real, honest, and complete. Sometimes it’s not about doing everything – but doing something. And that’s enough.

Conclusion: Between Overwhelm, Clarity, and a Glimmer of Hope

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the past few weeks, it’s this:

I can’t do everything at once. And that’s okay.

Sometimes life takes over – with all its demands, detours, and curveballs. Then there’s less room for strategy, visibility, and growth. But that doesn’t mean I’ve failed.

It just means:

I’m human.

With a family, responsibilities, needs – and a full calendar.

Here’s what I’m taking away:

♦ I can adjust my priorities – no justification needed.

♦ Communication matters – on both sides.

♦ Not every phase is productive – but each one has meaning.

♦ And: My own projects deserve more space again.

I’ve decided to block out intentional focus time in June – just for me.

Because my business deserves not just my time – but my full attention.

And so do I.

And You?

Have you experienced phases like this too – when you’re functioning, but feel stuck in place? Drop me a message – I’d love to hear how you handle it. And now? I’m leaning back, finishing my tea – and reminding myself: At least I wrote a blog post. On the couch. While “Sing meinen Song” was playing. That too is success – just in pajamas.

Relatable?

When business, family, and your to-do list start tripping over each other? Then just say “hi” – I love real conversations, honest insights, and people who don’t pretend to have it all together.

This might also interest you

About the author