And You?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\nHolidays, family, client feedback \u2013 how I\u2019m reprioritizing my self-employed life. With humor, honesty, and a few mini tips.<\/b><\/b><\/span><\/p>\nWhat a month!<\/span><\/p>\nIf I had to describe it with a sound, it would be a constant \u201cAaaahhh!\u201d \u2013 mixed with nervous laughter and the occasional eye roll. Between school holidays, two kids\u2019 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.<\/span><\/p>\nInstead: autopilot mode. Coffee. To-do list. Next task. Repeat.<\/span><\/p>\nWelcome to the real-life business routine of a self-employed mom with big ambitions \u2013 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 \u2013 on communication, priorities in self-employment, and what truly matters when you\u2019re living life between laptop and laundry.<\/span><\/p>\nIn this article, I\u2019m giving you an honest behind-the-scenes look at my current daily life \u2013 unfiltered, with a wink.<\/span><\/p>\nDo you know these kinds of phases too? When you\u2019re functioning, but still feel like you\u2019re never really<\/i> present \u2013 not in your business and not at home?<\/span><\/p>\nThen keep reading \u2013 I\u2019ll share how I\u2019m navigating this rollercoaster right now.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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<\/span>Family Mode On: Why My Business Plans Took a Backseat in April and May<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\nApril and May \u2013 two months I now permanently label as \u201chigh alert\u201d in my calendar. Not because I\u2019m off on a world tour or launching my next big thing, but because\u2026 life is loud.<\/span><\/p>\nIn April, we spent 1.5 weeks at my mom\u2019s. Meant as a short break \u2013 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 \u2013 just pure improvisation.<\/span><\/p>\nAnd just when I thought I\u2019d get back into the swing of things, May arrived. With holidays, long weekends \u2013 and two kids\u2019 birthdays. Which, as usual in our house, means two parties per child: one for friends and family, one for classmates. That\u2019s four parties in just a few weeks \u2013 including invitations, snacks, games, decorations, and gift wrapping.<\/span><\/p>\nAdd the usual everyday chaos: laundry, meals, the eternal \u201cWhat are we eating today?\u201d \u2013 and a spring garden that seems to explode overnight. My brain? Full. My calendar? Overflowing. My to-dos? More like a wishlist.<\/span><\/p>\nWhat did that mean for my business? <\/b>Less focus. Less output. Less space for creativity. Of course, things got left behind \u2013 blog posts, Pinterest strategy, uploading my new photos to my website\u2026 <\/span><\/p>\nBut you know what? I\u2019ve decided that\u2019s okay. I can\u2019t throw perfect parties, keep my kids happy, serve clients, and<\/i> grow my business strategically \u2013 not without losing myself in the process. That\u2019s why I\u2019m consciously lowering the bar. Perfectionism? Crossed off the to-do list.<\/span><\/p>\nInstead, I\u2019m going for simple solutions and a whole lot of self-compassion. Because that too is self-employment: the freedom to adjust your own rhythm \u2013 and not forget yourself in the process.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ text_font=”Verdana||||||||” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px|||||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
<\/span>Between Responsibility and Reality: A Podcast Launch During My Absence<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\nEarly April, right before we left for my mom\u2019s, I had one thing left on my to-do list:<\/span><\/p>\nInform all clients about my reduced availability.<\/span><\/p>\nI communicated openly \u2013 not completely off the grid, but limited in capacity (mentally, technically, and time-wise). My mobile setup handles most things \u2013 but not everything.<\/span><\/p>\nAnd then came the surprise: a client\u2019s long-awaited podcast launch was scheduled \u2013 without informing me in advance. I only found out after the launch date was already set.<\/span><\/p>\nTiming? A disaster.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\nCancelling? Not an option.<\/b><\/b><\/span><\/p>\nSo, I made the best of it.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nI hustled \u2013 between kids\u2019 noise, grandma\u2019s coffee, and unstable Wi-Fi. Not ideal, but I wanted to deliver. And I did deliver \u2013 just not perfectly. The client wasn\u2019t satisfied because it didn\u2019t meet his 100% expectations. Understandable, of course. But also frustrating, since I had clearly communicated in advance.<\/span><\/p>\nThe twist?<\/b><\/span> He never read my email. <\/span><\/p>\nAnd that made me wonder: How much responsibility do I actually bear here?<\/b><\/b><\/span><\/p>\nShould I follow up with a push notification? A WhatsApp message with a red exclamation mark? A carrier pigeon?<\/span><\/p>\nIt hit me harder than I\u2019d like to admit. Because I gave my all under the circumstances \u2013 and it still wasn\u2019t enough.<\/span><\/p>\nI don\u2019t have a solution (yet). Just this realization:<\/span><\/p>\nCommunication is a two-way street \u2013 and during stressful times, I can\u2019t always carry everyone\u2019s expectations.<\/span><\/p>\n\u21d2 Mini tip for clients:<\/span><\/em> Please read our emails.<\/i><\/span><\/h3>\nSounds simple, but it\u2019s incredibly helpful.<\/span><\/p>\nWhen we share our availability, work hours, or tech limitations, it\u2019s not to spam your inbox \u2013 it\u2019s to plan effectively together. Communication goes both ways. Especially in high-stress phases, a quick sync can make all the difference.<\/span><\/p>\nWe all want the best results \u2013 but we only get there if we\u2019re on the same page.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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<\/span>New Project, New Dynamic \u2013 and the Budget Conversation<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\nWhenever I start working with a new client, I ask: \u201cWhat\u2019s your budget?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nNot 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\u2019m a service provider \u2013 the more tasks I get, the more I work. That\u2019s both simple and risky.<\/span><\/p>\nIn April \u2013 chaotic as it was \u2013 I logged about 10 hours for a new client. Didn\u2019t seem like much, until the client was surprised:<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cWait, 10 hours already? What was done?\u201d<\/i><\/i><\/span><\/p>\nSo I reviewed: tasks, communication, execution. Yes, I could<\/i> have sent a status update on the 15th \u2013 like I usually do with regular clients. But honestly? It was one of those months where I was just grateful to get anything done.<\/span><\/p>\nAnd then I wondered:<\/span><\/p>\nAm I also responsible for managing my clients\u2019 time expectations?<\/b><\/b><\/span><\/p>\nBecause if you assign tasks \u2013 you\u2019ll get results. No surprises, right?<\/span><\/p>\nYes, it was a communication issue \u2013 on both sides. And I\u2019ve learned from it:<\/span><\/p>\nI need to communicate even more clearly with new clients and provide more regular updates.<\/span><\/p>\nBut I also wish for more trust<\/b><\/span> \u2013 and a realistic understanding that good work takes time, even if you only see the result, not the steps behind it.<\/span><\/p>\n\u21d2 Mini tip for clients:<\/span> Clarity builds trust \u2013 especially around budgets.<\/i><\/i><\/span><\/h3>\nIf you\u2019re working with a VA, share your time or monthly budget from the start. Ask how much effort a task might take if you\u2019re unsure.<\/span><\/p>\nAnd remember: most VAs serve multiple clients, each with different tools, workflows, and priorities. The clearer your expectations, the better we can plan \u2013 and avoid billing surprises.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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<\/span>What Gets Left Behind<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\nWhile I\u2019m juggling podcast launches, birthday parties, and budget clarifications, something happens that every self-employed person knows:<\/span><\/p>\nYour own projects quietly slip to the bottom of the list \u2013 or off the list completely.<\/span><\/p>\nMy blog?<\/strong> This very post is being written on the couch while \u201cSing meinen Song\u201d plays in the background. Multitasking, my way.<\/span><\/p>\nPinterest?<\/strong> No time \u2013 but I\u2019m slowly experimenting with a pin generator that should make things easier soon. Baby steps, but still.<\/span><\/p>\nWebsite & visibility?<\/strong> My new, gorgeous photos from a mid-April shoot are still waiting to be uploaded. And the Pinterest and Instagram links? They\u2019ll have to wait too.<\/span><\/p>\nAnd yes, it frustrates me. Not because I\u2019m lazy \u2013 but because I love my business. I want to work on it. I have ideas, visions, plans.<\/span><\/p>\nBut right now, I simply don\u2019t have the energy to do more than keep the wheels turning. But you know what? That\u2019s okay too. Not everything has to happen all at once.<\/span><\/p>\nSometimes your brain is just full \u2013 and needs time to reset before creativity and clarity return.<\/span><\/p>\nI don\u2019t see it as failure \u2013 but as a signal: It\u2019s time to create space again \u2013 for my business, my ideas, and myself.<\/span><\/p>\nAnd honestly? The fact that I\u2019m writing this post at all is a small victory. Not perfect, not polished \u2013 but real, honest, and complete. Sometimes it\u2019s not about doing everything<\/i> \u2013 but doing something. <\/i><\/i>And that\u2019s enough.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”|||1px||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
<\/span>Conclusion: Between Overwhelm, Clarity, and a Glimmer of Hope<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\nIf there\u2019s one thing I\u2019ve learned in the past few weeks, it\u2019s this:<\/span><\/p>\nI can\u2019t do everything at once. And that\u2019s okay.<\/b><\/b><\/span><\/p>\nSometimes life takes over \u2013 with all its demands, detours, and curveballs. Then there\u2019s less room for strategy, visibility, and growth. But that doesn\u2019t mean I\u2019ve failed.<\/span><\/p>\nIt just means:<\/span><\/p>\nI\u2019m human.<\/span><\/p>\nWith a family, responsibilities, needs \u2013 and a full calendar.<\/span><\/p>\nHere\u2019s what I\u2019m taking away:<\/span><\/p>\n\u2666 I can adjust my priorities \u2013 no justification needed.<\/span><\/p>\n\u2666 Communication matters \u2013 on both sides.<\/span><\/p>\n\u2666 Not every phase is productive \u2013 but each one has meaning.<\/span><\/p>\n\u2666 And: My own projects deserve more space again.<\/span><\/p>\nI\u2019ve decided to block out intentional focus time in June \u2013 just for me.<\/span><\/p>\nBecause my business deserves not just my time \u2013 but my full attention.<\/span><\/p>\nAnd so do I.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”|||1px||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
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<\/b>And You?<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\nHave you experienced phases like this too \u2013 when you\u2019re functioning, but feel stuck in place? Drop me a message \u2013 I\u2019d love to hear how you handle it. And now? I\u2019m leaning back, finishing my tea \u2013 and reminding myself: At least I wrote a blog post. On the couch. While \u201cSing meinen Song\u201d was playing. That too is success \u2013 just in pajamas.<\/span><\/p>\nRelatable?<\/b><\/b><\/span><\/p>\nWhen business, family, and your to-do list start tripping over each other? Then just say \u201chi\u201d \u2013 I love real conversations, honest insights, and people who don\u2019t pretend to have it all together.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]