my story
I’ve been working from home since 2007 when I started my very first website, colorarmy.com. It began as a fun way to stay busy while my Husband was at work and transpired into a fun way to make money while my Husband was at work. I created and provided the code for free myspace layouts, shared my favorite recipes and placed google ads on my site. The content was free and I essentially made money off of website traffic. When I first started using the now semi-defunct website (myspace), I had a hard time finding a layout I liked. Given that I was a stay at home Army Wife at the time and had ample hours to fill, I taught myself how to create a myspace layout. I learned html, css and that led into learning how to design websites. Which led to me starting Pretty Darn Cute Design Studio, www.PrettyDarnCuteDesign.com .
light bulb
After a few wasted years of college, where all I did was watch FRIENDS re-runs and eat Taco Bell, I’d finally discovered my passion! I would stay up all night sometimes just to try out new styles on my site 
Designing, coding and creating was, and continues to be, a blast to me! I’m constantly teaching myself new things and enjoy every second of it. I have to turn my computer completely off at times, or I’ll cook dinner (like I’m doing right this very moment) and work simultaneously. Oops, burnt the chicken…
Moving on..
I tell you that to tell you this… I love, absolutely love, working from home. I feel so incredibly blessed to have found something I love doing and to be able to do it from home. However, a lot of the time I feel guilty. I’m a Mom and a Wife first, but I don’t always put my family before work when I have a deadline. You see, when you work from home you cannot simply leave work at “work” because, well, you get it. Sometimes dinner is a little late, or Chloe watches a few more cartoons than I’d like, and I have a hard time dealing with that. Another hurdle to jump is convincing people that you do actually work and cannot just take the day off. If you are a fellow work at home Mom I’m positive you’re nodding your head right now.
For every problem, I must find a solution.
Whenever I feel like I’m struggling with something I stop and pray. Forget the going somewhere quiet part, kiddos won’t allow for that, and I simply cannot wait for nap time to chat with God. Plus, I’m sure he’s 100% okay with the background noise After lots of prayer, I developed a schedule for the day. The schedule frees me from that constant feeling of guilt and allows Chloe to feel a sense of structure that I believe every child needs. If we stray from the schedule a bit here and there, no big deal, but we have a basic outline to our day. Most importantly we don’t accidentally skip nap time, that’s never fun.
how to make a schedule that works for you
I started with a list of things I want to do every single day. For instance, I want to make sure Chloe gets to play outside for at least an hour every day and I want to exercise for at least 30 minutes each day. I ended up combining the two and threw that into my morning activities. I also want to read to her and do some sort of project together each day. Growing up my Mom always had her hair and makeup done, every single day. I’m assuming that’s why I feel I cannot start my day without a shower, putting on my make-up and blow drying and styling my hair. When I don’t make the time to do this my day goes south from there. I don’t know what it is, but I have to “get ready” every morning. So does my Sister, thanks Mom 
Along with the constants, I listed things I want to do a few times a week, a couple of times a week (cleaning, laundry), one day a week, and so on. Then I worked in breakfast, lunch and dinner times allotting enough time to prepare each as well. From there the schedule pieced itself together
are you thinking about working from home?
My advice to you is find something you could do all day without being paid a cent. Passion and success are best friends Don’t try to do something someone else is doing because it looks like they’re having fun, or making a ton of money. Find something you LOVE to do and then explore ways to monetize that passion. You’ll also want to be sure you’re the type of person who would be okay staying at home all day, a lot of people need to get out of the house every day and physically go to work.
in conclusion…
When you’re inspired and passionate you’re successful. When you’re organized and plan ahead you’re able to enjoy that success. Now if someone could come thump me in the forehead once a day and remind me of this I’d appreciate it, thanks
p.s.
This post inspired me to create a printable that I’ll be offering as a free download later today.
About Lindsey
Amen sista, thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, this was quite inspiring and insightful actually
I’m just trying to get organized now lol
Thanks for sharing! Your job is really great especially for a military wife who has to move so much. Your job can move with you and that’s really great!
I am like you and I like to get ready every day, so my question is if you get ready then work out do you have to take two showers? I know it sounds silly but I have long thick hair and if I wait to shower after my work out I feel like it takes more hours from my day and I just end up not wanting to work out. haha, just wondering!!
Victoria, definitely not a silly question
I’m the same way! I work out first thing after coffee and a light breakfast, then shower and get ready for the day 
gotcha
Thanks for sharing this! I have an almost 6 month old son and I too work from home & feel guilty a lot of the time for leaving him in front of the tv or in his bouncy seat…
I think having a schedule is a great idea & I am going to get one going – how exciting!!
Thanks again
Did you get a degree or are you solely self taught? Oh, and love the article
Great list of advice on working from home! I think you said it best when you said find something you could do all day without pay. If you don’t love what you do, what’s the point in doing it?
Thank you for this! It is hard to find a balance when working from home (which I do) I too am an army wife and mom as well! And you are so right..you can never leave your “work” at work! Have a great day!
I loved this artice. I found it very inspirational. I am new to blogging and I am finding that I enjoy it more and more everyday. I would love to make it a career. Thanks so much for this article!!!!!
this is great info!! I find myself trying to get organized and balancing it all! Life is work in progress! Learning, changing and conquering the challenges!! I’m excited to check in on your blog!!
I love this post! It’s something I have been thinking so much about and praying about. Thank you for your thoughts! You are totally inspiring me!
It’s so funny because as I was reading I was completely nodding, LOL! Agree with you 100% as a WAHM
) After years of teaching I decided to stay home with my little girl (now 3 years old) and it was been the best decision I have made. It has not been easy, but after 2 years I’m so happy I did. With 2 beautiful little girls 3 years old and 10 months, it gets pretty hectic with house chores, family events, and work. BUT I wouldn’t have it any other way! I do have to agree that having a schedule definitely helps! I have started making a weekly menu and getting ready with homeschooling materials on Sunday, that way I know that I’m mostly prepared for the week 
) Thank you for sharing!
Bless you Lindsey for this post! I love hearing stories about WAHM’s. I’m working on becoming a mom and a WAHM. If you have a spare minute (and I know you are probably super busy so I appreciate you responding) could you give an example of what a typical day is like for you? Right now I get up at 5:15am and work while our doggie sleeps (she’s my practice baby
) I work quietly for about 2.5 hours – then get ready and head to my full time job, then after I get home from work spend time with family and doggie and then work for another 2-3 hours. I’ve heard about other WAHM’s who hire a nanny/babysitter to come maybe a couple times a week for a few hours so they can get some uninterrupted work time – do you think that is a good idea? Anyways I don’t want to ramble on too much! Any details you can give would be so much appreciated and thanks again for your precious time! Love your work!!!