This is how we do it when we work at home! LOL

Cut the cake! Throw some confetti! Let's do a little jig! Okay, okay.. So it doesn't warrant that kind of celebration, but I must say that a year ago when I was laid off from work I had no idea that 12 months later I would actually be a bona fide work at home Mom (WAHM). I certainly had hoped that I might be working from home. However, in the back of my mind I seriously had doubts.

Finding another J.O.B. just seemed like the most reasonable and easiest path to travel. I knew I could find another job, maybe not quickly, but with some ingenuity and networking another job would surely be mine. Plus, the fact I had very recently separated from Tar's Dad and the boys and I were adjusting to that change, made the thought of rejoining the outside workforce all the more appealing. Working from home as a single Mom just didn't see like a sensible thing to do. However, despite all the variables that tried to convince me to go back to the corporate world, I was also being pulled by an epiphany I had the morning of my 37th birthday. I could feel that a big change was going to happen, but I didn't know what it was.

As destiny would have it I lost my job and to the surprise of my family & friends (although they lent amazing support) AND myself I decided to give working at home a go. The journey thus far hasn't been without it's bumps. There have been times I had to look myself square in the face and say "You CAN do this!" I even took a 2 month job to help a friend simply because having the extra cushion seemed like a good idea. AND it was a good idea, because I ended up needing that cushion later on. I did freelance opportunities of various kinds - from customer service to web content writing and I even dabbled in social media marketing. I discovered that I genuinely enjoy writing and social media, and consequently that is were I am making the greatest effort to build my portfolio.

I learned that freelancers are easily expendable and that if you see an opportunity you want you can't be afraid to whore sell yourself. However, on the other end I discovered that if you make a great impression to your client they will be devoted and loyal to you even to the extent that they will send you a lovely spa package for your birthday. Awww - how sweet... ::blushes::

So, as you can see, it hasn't been easy, it hasn't always been smooth, but it's definitely been worth every learning experience along the way. And now that I've come this far there is no turning back.  I finally figured out what I want to do when I grow up, so watch out world I'm coming for ya!

image: courtesy flickr