My Go-To Tips for Juggling Design Work and Mom Life on the Move

As an interior designer, business owner, and mom of two, I often feel like a chicken running around with its head cutoff. With projects, client meetings, and golf practices all competing for my attention, busy and chaotic days have become the norm. However, through years of navigating this busy life, I’ve developed several effective tips that keep me organized and productive. Here are some insights that can help you balance work and family life, even when you're on the go.

Create a Mobile Office

One of the perks of being a designer is the ability to work from anywhere. I’ve transformed my car into a mobile office equipped with snacks, my sketchbook, and essential design tools. I also keep a tote with materials for spontaneous brainstorming or quick client meetings. This setup enables me to work efficiently without needing make an extra trip to my at home office.

Time Blocking for Kids’ Activities

With kids' busy schedules, efficient time management is crucial. I often find pockets of downtime during their activities. For instance, while my kids are at their golf lessons, I dedicate 30 minutes to catching up on emails or sketching new design ideas.

By focusing on short, concentrated periods of work, I've found that I can enjoy quality time with my kids while completing necessary tasks. This intentional scheduling makes it possible for both work and family time to coexist harmoniously.

Set Realistic Boundaries

Distractions are a given when you work from home; interruptions may come from the kids or unexpected client calls. It's important to establish clear boundaries around work time and family time.

Communicating my schedule with my family has made a significant difference. They know when I’m busy and can respect my focused work periods. A simple "Mom is with a client right now" helps minimize interruptions and keeps everyone’s goals aligned.

Organize Your Design Kit

To keep my design projects flowing, I keep a design folder stocked with design swatches and samples for every project. This allows me to do impromptu design brainstorming whenever I’m out with the kids, between meetings.

Staying organized not only keeps my mind at peace but also means I can jump into creative work without being far away from my children.

Finding Balance in the Chaos

Managing a design career alongside the demands of motherhood is not always easy, but it is incredibly rewarding. By utilizing creating a mobile workspace, blocking time effectively, setting boundaries, and organizing my design resources, I’ve found ways to bring order to the chaos.

I hope these strategies resonate with you and help you achieve a better balance while navigating both work and family life. Here’s to making each day a bit more manageable, no matter where life's journey leads!