Best Tips for Navigating Work-from-Home Challenges as an Introverted Mom

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Note from Lisa: As an introverted, work-from-home mom, I’m thrilled to share this guest post from my friend Kristy Howard. She’s sharing practical tips for navigating work-from-home challenges as an introverted mom.

Take it away Kristy…

Being a work-from-home mom can imply getting the best of both worlds, especially for introverted women. And in many ways it is! As a freelance copywriter and proofreader, I can slip my laptop into my tote or a carry on bag and literally work from anywhere. 

But like every lifestyle, freelancing comes with its own challenges. And believe it or not, remote work can feel extremely over-stimulating at times, even for introverts.

For years, I let work-from-home challenges keep me stuck in “planning” or “dreaming” mode. I’d make a bit of progress, hit a snag, and then give up for a while… rinse and repeat.

Today, I want to share a few of the unique work-from-home challenges moms face (especially if you’re also homeschooling your kids), and the ONE habit I finally discovered that helped me move past each of these challenges. 

As a bonus, I’ll give you a peek at how I make freelance and work-from-home life work as an introverted mom!  

Work-from-Home Challenges for Introverted Moms 

Working from home isn’t always pain-free. Here are a few of the unique challenges you’ll face working from home with kids. 

Interruptions

Getting interrupted is nothing new for moms. We’re used to kids banging on the bathroom door, or having an emergency the minute we sit down for a little peace and quiet. (And that’s not even mentioning the daily challenges of keeping the house clean and planning meals!)

Now throw a work deadline or project into the mix, and suddenly these interruptions take on a life of their own. 

One of the biggest work-from-home challenges moms face is the potential of continuous interruptions; everything from kids and pets to neighbors dropping by unexpectedly and never-ending household duties. (And yes, learning simple home management tips as a work-from-home mom is a must.)

Over-Stimulation 

This is a big issue for the introverts among us, especially if you tend to be a highly sensitive person, too. 

And “over-stimulation” doesn’t necessarily have to be a “disaster.” Often, it’s the little things–like a poor night’s sleep, constant chatter from little people, or being needed or touched all day long–that can make working from home feel completely overwhelming.

Learning how to practice self-care and integrate stress-relief activities on a regular basis will go a long way in creating a sustainable lifestyle.

Lack of Time or Space to Recharge 

When home is where you do work, school, and life, where do you go to unwind and rest? 

That’s a good question, and one you’ll need to find an answer to in order to make working from home feel sustainable over the long haul. 

A few other dynamics that can amplify work-from-home challenges: 

• Having a large family 
• Having a smaller home 
• Not having a dedicated workspace or office 

I’ve navigated all three of those scenarios, and especially appreciate Lisa’s tips on how to create a work-from-home office space when you have kids.

The ONE Habit That Changed Everything for Me 

A few years ago, I hit a brick wall of exhaustion. I sat down one afternoon to do some planning, and once I got everything down on paper I realized that I was working seven days a week. As a pastor’s wife, homeschooling mom, and freelance writer, there was zero margin in my week. Not one day, or even an afternoon, to recharge or rest.  

The exhaustion and burnout I was experiencing made complete sense. 

I wish I could say that I came up with a plan to “fix” my problem overnight, but that’s not how it happened. What did happen was a paradigm shift in how I viewed productivity and sustainability as a working wife and mom. 

I knew that I needed this freelancing thing to work for our family long-term. I also knew that homeschooling and raising my kids was going to take a lot of my time and emotional energy for years to come. 

I had to get creative about finding a solution, and here’s what I eventually came up with:     

The Four-Day Week

I first heard of a “four-day week” as a teenager on a foreign mission trip. The missionary family I stayed with homeschooled their kids, and they had a four-day school week. As a pastor’s kid, no one had to explain to me the benefits of having every Monday off!   

I thought the idea was brilliant and eventually integrated this schedule into my own homeschooling calendar when I had kids. My burnout moment a few years ago pushed me to dig a little deeper and craft a sustainable work-life around the same method. 

So what does a four-day week look like, especially if you’re juggling other lifestyle dynamics, too (like ministry or homeschooling)?

How to Practice the Four-Day Week in Different Seasons of Motherhood

Homeschooling Four Days a Week (with Littles)

This single habit has been a sanity saver for me over the years. My husband was a pastor for twenty years, and Mondays were a much-needed recharge and recovery day for our entire family. Homeschooling Tuesday through Friday gave us the freedom to ease back into the week. 

Limiting Extracurriculars (with Teens) 

As we moved into the high school years and my kids got more involved in activities, I stuck with our four-day week model. Our “day off” shifted from Monday to Friday (especially after my husband left pastoral work and became a chaplain). As a general rule, we don’t sign up for classes, lessons, clubs, or activities that involve a commitment on Fridays. 

Once my high schoolers start driving, they are free to stay as busy as they like on Fridays! But everyone knows that the day stays clear on my calendar, barring emergencies or special occasions. 

The Four-Day Work Week 

This is my personal commitment as a work-from-home mom: giving myself a long weekend to recharge after the work and homeschool week. 

This isn’t possible every week since I’m actively building my freelance clientele while teaching four days a week at our homeschool community. But I purposefully limited my teaching days to keep Fridays free.

When my long weekend rolls around every week, I know that I have options. 

Depending on family life, personal life, and work goals, I can: 

• Pitch articles 
• Apply for jobs or side gigs 
• Work on current projects 
• Catch up on blogging goals 
• Go on a date with my husband 
• Take a road trip with the kids 
• Go thrifting with my teenage daughter
• Tackle home projects  
• Just rest 

As an introverted woman, knowing that I always have three full days to “recover” before I have to reengage with the “people-y” work world again is a sanity saver! 

Since I’ve implemented my four-day week habit, I’ve noticed other benefits, too: 

• Sustained energy (even though I’m doing a lot every week) 
• Better sleep and deeper rest 
• No more burnout 
• I get sick less frequently
• Increased creativity in my work 
• More productivity (even though I’m resting more frequently) 
• Improved relationships with my kids and husband 
• Traveling more 
• Reaching more and bigger goals in my business

Less is More 

This season of my life is as busy as any other season has been. For the first time, I’m working part-time outside of the home and from home. My oldest daughter got married this year, so my husband and I made a big trip for her wedding (she’s serving overseas in the Army). I’ve got three teenagers and a middle schooler to keep on track school-wise and life-wise (if you know, you know!). And I’m building that freelance writing/proofreading business in the margins of time. 

So how do I feel more productive, restful, creative, and focused, even though I’m still in a really busy season? 

The answer is simple: less is more. 

Not necessarily less work, but less reactive work and more intentional work. Less saying “yes” to everything and more boundaries (which means more margin). Less burning the candle at both ends and more restful nights (and days). 

The work-from-home challenges that used to stop me in my tracks don’t really bother me any more. I don’t have a huge house or even a home office, but I laser focus on what I can control: how I spend my time.

Embracing the four-day week–and the beautiful margin it brings to my life–has brought out a whole new side of my creativity, confidence, and even playfulness.

Will there be more work-from-home challenges in the future? Of course! Seasons change, and that is especially true of motherhood. 

But I’m optimistic about navigating life as an introverted work-from-home mom in the years to come. I know I can adapt, learn, and thrive, and I’m confident that you can, too!

Tell me, have you ever tried a four-day work or school week? How could it simplify your life a bit as a work-from-home mom? 

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