Grab a cup of coffee, tea, or whatever gets you through the day, and if you’re ready, I’m sharing about my wild ride as a work from home with no experience adventure.
As a parent to four beautiful chaos-creators, a writer, and a consultant who’s been navigating the work-from-home jungle for 8 years now…
Let me say… it’s been quite the journey,
It’s filled with hilarious mishaps, surprising victories, and everything in between.
In this blog, I’ll be sharing what it’s really like to turn your home into an office (and sometimes, a circus). Warning: No filters!
First, let’s look at the Sunny Side of Working from Home
Siyempre, good stuff muna tayo, yeah?
Working from home has some serious perks that made me fall in love with it and never thought of getting back to working in a corporate setup.
My top 1 is Flexibility!
Here’s how some of my morning looks like..
At 8 AM, I’m in my comfy clothes, just got back from sending my 8-year old to school, and ready to enjoy my workout routine or house chores while my toddler happily pours down his box of building blocks nearby.
Oh, you do workouts with a toddler? You might ask.
Yes! 
While doing my squats, he would come wanting for me to carry him and so, my workout has gotten to a new level of difficulty, lol.
And in the middle of the workout, he would want to use the bathroom, or want to go play with the puppy outside –
WITH ME, mommies! Haha!
And so, we’ll tackle that first without worrying that I’m gonna be late for whatever client work is waiting for me in my tiny home office space.
Well, I’m still gonna finish my workout or house chores no matter what.
That’s the magic of flexibility, my friend!
Yes, it’s such a blessing that I can design my schedule around what matters most – my family.. and health.
Need to attend a PTA Meeting at 2 PM? No problem.
Want to take a break to enjoy a cuddle party with my little one?
Oh, sure! I’ve slowly learned to make work fit into life, not the other way around.
Well, enough of those “humble brags”. I won’t lie, this also comes with challenges I shared in the next section of this blog. Let’s first move on to my other favorite about working from home, even with no experience, which is..
Saving Time, Money, and Sanity
Don’t get me wrong here, I’m not saying that other professions or careers are the opposite – it really depends on the “eye” of the beholder, yeah?
I remember those days of rushing and leaving home not finishing my breakfast because the bus to work is already 10 meters away.
Working from home means I can be “at work” in minutes.
That’s just one thing. What else?
Those precious hours I used to spend commuting to and from work are now devoted to other magical experiences – like watching my kids while they’re still asleep in the morning, playing with them, walking them to school, and sharing stories with them.
Siyempre, another magical event that I’ve recently practiced is enjoying morning coffee time with my husband. It’s bliss!
Well, How about the Money, Honey?
Here’s a little secret: working from home with no experience can actually be a financial game-changer.
I work with clients from first-world countries who are willing to pay more than the standard monthly income offered here in the Philippines.
And the best part? Yes, many of these gigs require less formal education or experience than traditional office jobs. Can I say, it’s more about soft skills coupled with love and passion to serve?
Let me share – I didn’t have any additional knowledge about copywriting except for the basic definition I understood which is – the main goal of copywriting is to offer and sell. I stayed in my comfort zone writing blog posts because all the while, I believed that I am not a copywriter. I fed myself with the belief that it’s just for “intelligent” people.
And then, another magical event happened. I met a client who can “see” more than I can see in myself. And because of that, even if I was so scared to take on this new challenge to write copy for him, I still did. Honestly, one of the biggest motivations at first was MONEY. He’s going to pay me $15/hour which is way higher than my current service charges that time which is from $4/hour to $10/hour.
But falling in love with my role which led that business connection with the client – my UNICORN client, to continue until now was another story I might share again next time, only if you want.
The point I want to share here is yes, this industry is where I learned that MONEY can easily be earned, or received.. Or what about experienced?
Next, let’s chat about Work-Life Balance, is there such a thing?
Ah, I seem to have a lot to share here but I don’t want to exaggerate especially if you’re still starting out in your journey.
Being inside your home and sooo close to family means I can give more love to what (and who) matters most in my life. See, I am known to be a chatterbox. I am a very friendly person – that one who would enter a room and say hi to everyone.
Of course, that changed a bit when I became a mom, especially in my previous relationship where I wasn’t ACTUALLY allowed to be that version of me. But to cut the story short, coming from that outgoing personality to suddenly getting confined at home, the transition wasn’t easy.
Imagine me not being able to keep my mouth shut for 1 hour to practicing that new habit of not talking to someone for 3 to 4 hours – it was crazy! Well, I was crazy, I would find myself talking to the TV or my computer.
And when my 3rd baby came, I think that’s how she learned to speak at an early age, lol! Naawa siya sa akin kasi wala akong makausap kaya nagsalita na din siya.
Anyways, let’s take a look at the more exciting part.
Working from home allows me to take a quick break simply to hug my kids, prepare lunches, or even throw in a load of laundry. It’s not always perfect, but it’s the work-life balance that works for me.
Finally, for the Sunny Side of Freelancing, I don’t want to miss this.
Personal Growth
More than Professional Development, working from home gave me a lot of space for personal and spiritual growth. Remember my UNICORN client? When we started, he was in the holistic wellbeing space. He shares about physical fitness, personal development, and wellness technologies and practices. To date, he’s into spirituality and as I align with his values and mission to spread love, I am growing spiritually myself. Being with him led me to discover practices, events, and people who helped me discover or remember who I am before all the “bad” beliefs and programming became a part of my system.
I became closer and more connected to God, myself, the people around me, and even with nature.
There’s a lot to share here either and I would only know if you’re interested if you’ll let me know your stories and or your questions in the comments section. Speaking of spiritual growth, one of the learnings I received was that everything in this world has its opposite – the Law of Polarity. If there’s good, then there’s bad.
So, to make this story REAL and WHOLE, let’s now take a look at the
The Not-So-Sunny Side of Working from Home
My friend, I know that you’re already aware that life is not always rainbows and butterflies, so, this part is to be shared – still with grace and gratitude.
With each magical experience I shared earlier, there are some challenges that can make you want to run screaming back to the office or corporate setup (well, I honestly went out applying for work outside home one time).
Here we go..
Some love this, some don’t - Isolation
Some days, like I mentioned earlier, I find myself talking to the TV. Until I built this new habit called – being BUSY – as if it’s a trophy I get to earn every single day.
You’ll find me washing dishes and cleaning the house, and then at one point, I’ll be crafting paper flowers, posting my finished products online, and getting orders, and in the next couple of hours, I’m logged in to work for a client.
The only time I actually take a break is when my husband gets home.
Wait, I don’t even remember if I stood up to drink water.
Hmmmm.. Not so healthy, right?
Oh, well, wait until you read this next one.
Sweet Distractions
When I first started working from home without any experience, I discovered that I have a SUPER POWER to binge-watch CSI for two straight hours. And when the deadline is at red alert, I could be up aaallll night long — no, that’s exaggerated. I’ll go to sleep – for at least 3 hours. Really unhealthy, right? uh oh!
What else do I consider Sweet Distractions? The endless siren call of household chores, haha! I am supposed to just wash the dishes, then suddenly, cleaning the dish drainer and decluttering the refrigerator seems urgently important. Relate? 😀
And well, the SWEETEST ‘distraction’ of them all – my ever loving kids. Nothing tests your concentration like when you’re trying to write a long blog post and the house suddenly gets too silent. And well, if you have a toddler, you know that “SILENCE” isn’t “normal”. So, you get up and then voila! You’ll find a cute human swimming with white powder on the dark brown sofa silently dipping her index finger inside the kilo pack of Bearbrand milk.
Well, wearing “The Great Juggler’s Hat” switching from “mom mode” to “professional mode” can be that crazy. One minute, you’re watching Miss Rachel, and the next, you’re on a call with a client.
Speaking of, while on a meeting, meron kang pa “Please excuse me, my background is too noisy” tapos biglang “mute” ka muna and yell “I’m having a meeting here!” Professionalism at its finest, lol!
The Burnout Beast: When Working from Home Bites Back
Now, let’s talk about something serious: burnout. 😩
This has been the darkest side of working from home – at least in my experience. When your office is just a few steps away, it’s tempting to always be working. I’ve found myself taking in more than I can chew, leaving me working until past midnight. Until the line between work and home life got so blurred, I forgot it even exists because I got exposed to a lot of opportunities I wouldn’t want to miss.
Heard of the acronym “FOMO” or Fear of Missing Out?
How about the phrase “overworking and underliving”? I didn’t realize I was going “workaholic” to the extent that I’ll say “may titingnan lang ako”, while turning on the computer monitor and then eventually, I missed dinner with the family. Such a wake-up call! I’ve felt disconnected and it took a toll on my relationship with my family before I even realized it.
Before I end this blog, I’d be really sad if I won’t share some friendly reminders on how to keep the Burnout Beast at Bay
So, how do we enjoy the perks of working from home without losing our minds? Here are some strategies that have worked for me:
1. Be Self-aware and Carve Out Your Space
I’ve set up a dedicated workspace that’s just for work. When I’m there, I’m in work mode. When I leave, I know right away that I’m back to being Mom. I used to work on the laptop which is really easy to carry with me but that didn’t work out really well. So, I went for a desktop PC instead. My daughter’s laptop is now like a backup for travels that I really need to take some work but most of our travels this year, are work-free.
2. Be Humble and Arrange Schedules with your Support System
I am super flexible. But of course, I won’t be that flexible and joyful without the help of my husband and older kids. Find windows for deep work or high energy tasks by communicating your schedule. Nothing beats having another hand to babysit while you work.
3. Be Loved and Take Breaks (…and Actually Take Them)
I may not set reminders anymore like the Pomodoro technique but I practice standing up, leaving my work station for a quick stretch, or simply step outside after a major task. It’s amazing what a 5-minute breather can do for your productivity and mood. Well, to be honest, the break can lead you doing other chores but the idea is to be free first and breathe out from your work, right? It’s a dopamine boost anyways to have one house chore checked (for me), so…. find your choice.
4. Be Connected
If you’re someone like me who cannot NOT TALK in straight 2 hours, make an effort to connect with your housemates, family members at home, your hubby, your kids, whoever is with you. I chat with mine from time to time especially during my breaks. Well, it annoys them sometimes but I just love learning how they are. And I recently built a habit to stay in touch with friends from church, my Ohana, and fellow writers and freelancers each month. Think about filling your cup by receiving love and respect so you can share it too.
5. Be Mindful of your Choices
I learned to say NO the hard way – both on choices that will break my non-negotiable to ❌ NOT work during Sundays.. Or family interruptions during work hours that will compromise my core values as a Digital Marketing Consultant and Copywriter. It’s not always easy, but it’s necessary.
6. Be Healthy and Prioritize Wellbeing
Whether it’s exercise, meditation, or just reading a book, I make time for activities that recharge me. Thanks to friends who gifted me with books like the Didache from sis Miles, my 5AM Active Club, and The Feast Baguio. That’s just a slice of the whole pie. There’s also proper nutrition, relationship with nature, family, and more but well, small steps matter.
7. Embrace the Imperfection
Ahh! This “progress to perfection” thing is a life-long journey, I guess. Some days, everything will go smoothly. Other days, you’ll be on a client call while your kids scream at each other in the background. Some days, you don’t exercise, some days, you walk more than 5k steps. Sometimes, you’re working too much, and sometimes, there seems to be no project coming in.
And that’s okay! Embrace the chaos, silence, and mishaps and remember that perfection is overrated. You know what works for you.
The Bottom Line: Working from Home with No Experience
Working from home is a bit like parenting – rewarding, challenging, and occasionally makes you want to tear your hair out. But for me, the benefits far outweigh the challenges. That’s why I stayed for more than 8 years. It’s allowed me to be present for my family while still pursuing my career goals. Plus! I got ample time for my dreams too!
Well, let’s be honest, being able to work in my pajamas is pretty awesome too!
If you’re considering making the switch to working from home, or if you’re already in the trenches and struggling, remember this: it’s a journey. Sometimes, you’ll love it. Sometimes, you won’t. There will be ups and downs, moments of brilliance and days where you wonder if you’ve made a huge mistake. But with pure intention, a bit of planning, some flexibility, and a good attention to your core values, you can make it work. So, here’s to all of us work-from-home warriors – may our coffee be strong, our internet connections stable, and our mute buttons always within reach, lol!
What about you?
Are you working from home or thinking about making the switch? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Drop a comment below or reach out to me directly. Let’s support each other in this exciting, somewhat magical, and wonderful work-from-home adventure!
💞 Until next time, stay comfy and productive!
