Why Transitioning to Work from Home was The Best Decision I Made!

Why Transitioning to Work from Home was The Best Decision I Made!

Last year, I took a leap of faith. I started going from having a normal office job to now working from home as a mother and wife. I’ll be honest with you—this was not just a life-changing decision; it was also life-giving, I promise!

Breaking Point

Because I am a woman, I, like a lot of other women, had to deal with the constant juggling act: I wanted to be good at work and care for my family, and maybe, just maybe, I would be able to dig out for some time for myself. Newsflash, I was bad at it. I had no energy, and I was impatient, my nerves were so raw that I nearly always felt like I was flying by the seat of my pants. I had a feeling that something had to give.

The whole thing climaxed one day when I was once again home late, missing my baby’s bedtime, which is at 6 pm but I came back at 7 pm! My heart sank, and suddenly I understood that I was missing the moments that were most important. Along with that, I felt I wasn’t the wife I wanted to be. I was never there when I should have been, was too “away” emotionally at times, and was totally overwhelmed.

Finding a New Rhythm

I got the ball rolling by examining work-from-home possibilities. I was skeptical, but I also had a glimmer of hope that I would be able to make a change. When the chance came I didn’t even think of it, I took it. To work from home was a learning curve. For the first time, I was scared I might be lonely and my productivity might take a nosedive. I learned, following a bit of organization (and a lot of coffee), that I was able to establish a routine:

First, I set boundaries. I had defined hours for working, so they knew when “Mommy is working” and when I was just for them.
Secondly, I created a dedicated working space. From now on, no more laptops on the couch! I created a small spot for myself.
Thirdly, I became more intentional about family time. After finishing up work on the computer, I make sure it’s definitely shut down. That was something I did not anticipate – the kind of peace this decision brought.

I’m Present

Now, I prepare healthy lunches for the family, and I’m just there. I am feeling much closer to my family and, as a result, more satisfied with myself. It is not only the physical presence being home but also the emotional presence that has changed my life. My mornings are smoother, my evenings are merry, and my heart is more content. I have a feeling of equilibrium for the first time in years!

Don’t get me wrong – having to work from home isn’t only warming scented candles and donning on cozy socks. There are bad days—days when I feel that I am not progressing in my career. There are days when I long for the casual conversation during lunch before I went back to the office. There are days when my toddler decides to have a tantrum during a Zoom call, resulting in me trying to look professional while rescuing a tipped over sippy cup.

Yet, those moments—even when intensely annoying—are part of my authentic self. An annoying reminder that this era is not about achieving flawless details, but embracing the unrefined.

My Career Survived

Funny enough, my career hasn’t taken a downturn. If anything, my focus and efficiency have heightened. I am better at self-managing, expressing my ideas effectively, and delivering outcomes without the pressing deadlines common in an office. I now understand how fulfilling work becomes when I’m trusted to do it, even if that means I have my feet propped up in slippers.

My journey made me confront an issue I had yet to address: proper rest. Not simply rest, but rest without any guilt. During my earlier years, productivity to me was physical motion, or running around. Now, I understand that during certain times, slowing down allows me to show up better—for myself, for my work, and for my people.

Most importantly, I’ve redefined success. It no longer involves titles or a calendar stuffed to the brim. For me, success evokes a dinner table filled with laughter. A mid-morning hug from my child. A, tea that I can sip while it is still warm. These are the small, quiet victories that enable me to feel fulfilled.

You are not alone. To all the women feeling overwhelmed by it all, remember that it is absolutely fine to seek for more ease, to pivot, to prioritize tranquility instead of performance. And building a life that is genuinely pleasant to wake up to, instead of one that merely appears good from the outside, takes courage.

This decision wasn’t about staying home, but rather, coming home. To myself, my values, and what truly matters.

I am not claiming to have everything figured out. But I do have joy, connection, and purpose.

All I know is, if given a chance to go back in time, I would still take that leap.