“Mommy, look! Do you see it?”
I pause mid-detail on a t-shirt, ready to toss out a distracted “Mmhmm, baby, I do,” but instead, I take a breath, close my laptop, and go inquisitively to what we’re seeing. Because if motherhood—and living abroad—has taught me anything, it’s this: presence is the real productivity.
The Beautiful Chaos of Creating & Parenting Abroad
Raising a child while building a business is already a juggling act. Now add living thousands of miles from family, grocery store labels you can’t read, and the occasional gecko in your bathroom.
And yet, here I am. It’s late. I should’ve been asleep at least an hour ago, but there’s work to be done sometimes. And sometimes, you gotta do it.
Slowing Down (Before Life Speeds By)
Every now and then my Google Photots flashes photos of when my daughter was a baby and I’m like Dang, that didn’t seem like that long ago! Here she is at now at four and I realized—these years will fly by.
So, I started making space for now:
✔️ Sitting with her for five extra minutes at breakfast, really listening.
✔️ Watching the sunset instead of checking notifications.
✔️ Letting her “help” with dinner, even if it means twice the mess.
And you know what? The designs will get made. The projects still get done. And my daughter? She gets a mom who’s actually there.
Mindfulness ≠ Perfection
Let’s be real. Some days, I’m pressed. Some days, I put on Khan Academy Jids so I can work (Thank you, Khan Academy).
But mindfulness isn’t about being some zen goddess—it’s about catching yourself before the moments slip away.
And the more I do that? The less guilty I feel. The more patient I become. The more I actually enjoy this whole mom-life-while-building-a-business thing.
Presence Over Perfection
If you’re out here balancing big dreams with little hands tugging at your shirt, hear me when I say this:
You don’t have to “do it all.” But if you can pause—even for a minute—to be all in when it matters, you’re already doing it right.
So yeah, the tiny ant adventure can wait. But maybe, just maybe, so can that email.
Are you balancing parenting and a business? Living abroad? Trying to be mindful but also a hot mess? Let’s talk in the comments—I’d love to hear your story!
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How I Started My Printify Pop-Up Shop While Parenting & Teaching (and What I’ve Learned So Far)
“Mommy, can I have a snack?”
Ah, yes. The universal anthem of children sensing their parents trying to be productive.
At the time, I was knee-deep in lesson planning, designing product listings, and asking myself—what even is SEO?
Fast-forward to now, and I have an Etsy shop, a handful of sales, and a whole lot of lessons learned. So if you’re thinking about starting—or you’re in the messy middle like me—here’s what I’ve figured out so far.
Step 1: Just Start (Even if It’s Messy)
I thought I needed a fully stocked shop, perfect branding, and a crystal-clear niche before launching. Spoiler: I had none of that.
I started with a few designs, threw them up, and told myself, “Let’s just see what happens.” Because the hardest part? Is starting.
Step 2: Work in the Cracks of the Day
Between teaching and mom life, my time isn’t exactly unlimited. So, I squeeze Etsy into:
✔️ Early mornings (coffee-fueled listing updates).
✔️ Nap times (aka, my golden hour).
✔️ Evenings (when I should be winding down but… here we are).
Not ideal, but when you’re building something for yourself, you make it work.
Step 3: Progress Over Perfection
Would I love a stunning, high-converting Pop-Up storefront with a dedicated social media strategy? Sure.
But if I waited for perfect, my shop wouldn’t exist.
Instead, I’ve embraced:
✅ “Good enough” product photos
✅ Messy first drafts
✅ Descriptions I tweak as I go
Because done is better than perfect.
Step 4: Sales Are Slow? Keep Going Anyway.
Etsy isn’t an overnight success story (unless you’re a wizard, in which case, please teach me).
Right now, I have a few sales, not a flood. But I know that consistency, better SEO, and increasing my exposure will help me grow.
So instead of feeling discouraged, I’m:
✔️ Learning what’s working & what’s not
✔️ Watching which products get views vs. actual sales
✔️ Tweaking, testing, and staying patient (ugh, the hardest part)
And every time I get a sale? It’s a reminder that this is working.
Final Thoughts: The Journey Is Worth It
If you’re balancing parenting, teaching, and trying to build something for yourself, I see you. It’s messy. It’s frustrating. But it’s possible.
I’m still in the early stages, but I believe in this—and if you’re thinking about starting, I hope you do, too.
Now, tell me—are you thinking about launching a digital shop? Already started? Let’s talk!
Stay playful!
