Juggling motherhood & business- Can women truly have it all?
On Monday 26th June 2023 at around 8pm, I went into labour. One hour prior I had been sat at my laptop in tears, manically attempting to finish an impossible mountain of tasks that I hoped would enable me to take 4 months leave for maternity.
9 days later I was back at my laptop processing invoices & checking prices & images of product sent over by my supplier, my tiny daughter asleep beside me. I’d just had major surgery, every inch of my body hurt and I’d barely slept more than a few hours since she’d arrived. I wasn’t in any fit state to be working, however despite my best efforts there were delays that were out of my control and things that needed to be done. The irony that I had wanted to start my own business to gain more freedom in life…
Stella is now 8 months old and I still haven’t quite found the balance. Although I have by no means been working full time, (thanks to having a very small team to support me with the day to day running of the business) there has been a constant pit of anxiety that I am in some way behind or missing something. “I haven’t replied to that email/ DM/ finished that stock order/ launched that delayed product/ posted on Instagram. I’m on my phone when I should be interacting with my daughter. I’m not enough of a mother, a founder, a boss, a partner, a friend.”
If I’m really honest, I could have slowed down. I didn’t need to squeeze four new launches with a brand new supplier into a 6 month period whilst heavily pregnant (and suffering from hyperemesis). I saw motherhood as a death sentence to my previous life, and yes, becoming a mother has changed me; I have less time to work, less time for friends, no time at all for myself. But it’s also taught me to focus. I procrastinate less. I’m currently fitting a four day week into one and a half days, and although business isn’t booming it is surviving and I’m ok with that. Our sales still grew 13% in 2023 and that’s a win. 🥳
So no, I don’t think you can have it all. All at the same time.
Right now I’m still behind on everything, we didn’t manage a marketing campaign for Valentine’s, IWD or Mother’s Day. Some of our best sellers are out of stock and we don't have any new product launches planned. But instead of feeling sorry for myself I’m going to move forward with a glass half full approach. I’m grateful for my daughter and the opportunity to be a mother (a huge privilege in itself), I’m grateful for my business and the opportunity it gives me to create my own career, and I’m still grateful for every single order that comes in (even if it wasn’t the result of a well executed marketing plan 😉).
This Mother's Day, let's challenge the motherhood penalty, advocate for fairer policies, and create a supportive environment where every woman, whether she's raising a child, running a business, or doing both, can thrive.
Happy Mother’s Day!
❤️
Catch
Xxx