Spread the love

About a year and a half ago, I decided to let go of all my virtual assistance and social media clients because I wanted to focus on my passion – writing. I can proudly say that it was the best decision I’ve ever made in my work-at-home career.

DeathtoStock_Creative Community7_small

Since that day, I’ve been fortunate enough to have been presented with numerous opportunities to do what I love to do and get paid for it. But I have to be honest and say that there were also a couple of times when I wasn’t earning as much as I wanted to.

I guess, at several times in one’s career, we can’t help but be presented with opportunities that will cause us to be sidetracked from what we really want to do. Sometimes, we just lose focus.

There was one instance last year when I was given an opportunity to handle a couple of social media accounts for a client. I was hesitant to take it because I had sworn off social media management by then but in the end I took the job because of the extra income.

I ended up really unhappy with the situation. Thankfully, the job didn’t last long because the client was having money issues. I took that as a sign that I should refocus on my writing career instead. And so I did and it has been great for the past year.

Recently though, because of certain financial stresses, I began to think once again that I need to earn more. I’ve been earning decently with my writing jobs and I’m super grateful for it. But because we’re expecting to take an out-of-town trip in a few months and also planning for additional expenses, I wanted to start earning more.

So, I decided to look for more writing jobs. Sadly, those that I found offered super low rates and have very demanding schedules and guidelines. That is when I was offered a chance to interview for a community management job for a large local food brand.

It would entail working for 6 consecutive hours each day, including weekends. It was supposed to be a very demanding job and I was already stressing about how to rearrange my life to accommodate it should I get the job. But I decided to try out for it knowing that it will pay big bucks.

Off I went to BGC on a Sunday for an interview with the client. Since I wanted to look very professional, I bought a black dress from Uniqlo and wore it with my classic black Aerosole pumps. This was a big deal because I normally just wear sandals or something low-heeled such as my super comfortable ballet flats from Zalora. It was really ironic because one of the things I love about being a WAHM is never having to buy corporate attire ever again. But here I was wearing professional clothes just for the interview. On a Sunday too, a day I normally reserve just for family.

Long story short, I didn’t get the job. And instead of feeling down, I actually felt relieved. I knew that it wasn’t the perfect fit for me. I knew that I would have to schedule everything else around that job and that is something I don’t really want to do. The reason why I became a WAHM is because I wanted to focus on my family and have everything else revolve around that.

That incident reminded me to focus on my family and my writing instead. Social media is really not what I want to do at this point in my life. I realize now that that incident needed to happen because I was feeling like I was already losing my writing mojo lately. Now, I know that it’s just because I’m a bit bored with what I usually write about and need a creative outlet. And I’m super thrilled that I finally found one. I’ll share it with you guys soon!

For now, let me leave you with this quote in case you find yourself in a similar situation.

Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress.

Working hard for something we love is called PASSION.

– Anonymous


Spread the love

33 Comments

  1. I know what you feel. I was in a similar situation before but the thing is, I was actually hired. It was so hard to decide whether to choose my passion or a job that will give me a fixed income. At the end, I chose what I love to do. I know I wouldn’t function well since it wasn’t really what I wanted.
    Louise recently posted…Be Free From Game Requests on FacebookMy Profile

  2. I got burnt out writing for magazines so I decided to retire over a year ago…
    Rowena Wendy Lei recently posted…Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo in Japan!My Profile

  3. Going for what you love is always the best thing to do. You may not always get the best but at least, you’re doing what you love. Because I think, doing what you love is always the best! 🙂
    theresa recently posted…Manicure Monday: Indian RedMy Profile

  4. There is a time we need to choose may trabaho hindi fit sa hilig natin gawin .. baligtad nga kung saan yung hindi hilig na gawin yung binibigay or natatangap mo iniisip ko nalang new experience mga yun..
    Jaime recently posted…ProduKey_2015.05.26My Profile

  5. In whatever career, there’s always up and down. At the end of the day, it is your attirude that matters. Always be positive and do not give up!!
    sef tiburcio (@seftiburcio) recently posted…Nail-bitingMy Profile

  6. I salute you mommy for working at keeping your priorities focused. happy for you.
    Lorly recently posted…Joined Kidzania Manila at Rockwell TentMy Profile

  7. Sometimes, our jobs grab the mojo out of us. Strips us of our passion. But eventually, lalapit din ang mga right opportunities sa atin. We had a similar life experience Janice. Kapit ka lang. Kakayanin mo yan. ^_^

  8. I salute you for having the courage to follow what you really want. I’ve been wanting to do that but due to our financial situation right now, I’d have to set it aside for now.
    Nilyn Matugas recently posted…Zoomanity Group joins Philippine Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions event (PhilAAPA) on June 22, 2015 in LagunaMy Profile

  9. I agree!! That is why I let go of my VA jobs na! Life is too short to focus on stress!!!
    Millie recently posted…10 Highly Recommended Staycations and Dining Treats this Father’s Day 2015My Profile

  10. Congrats on getting back your creative mojo! 🙂 I personally also have those days wherein I’m just too burned out by the pressures of reality that instead of writing a river, I only get mental block. 🙂
    nicole p. recently posted…OOTD | Albino LeopardMy Profile

  11. Mahirap nga if you focused too much on your work, mas tama un decision mo to focus on your family and to your passion.
    MrsMartinez recently posted…Sekitori Japanese Restaurant MakatiMy Profile

  12. Come to think of it, maybe not getting hired for the job is a blessing in disguise. Perhaps, God is just saving you from stress and re-directing you to do the things which you really love. Just like what I have read somewhere over the internet: “If you do what you love, you would never have to work a day in your life.”

  13. I know what you mean when you say that you may want something but it turns out that it may not be the right fit for you. I was in a similar situation just recently – I was invited to join this company but when I went to the interview, it was so obvious to me that there was a huge disconnect between Company X and my values + priorities.

    Just hang in there and I think there’s no need to rush. It’s best to be smart about what you’d take on in the future. You’re good and you know what you want & how to achieve it – with that, it’s only a matter of time til all those great opportunities come knocking at your door.
    R U S S recently posted…Enjoying a city home & living the good life at Ortigas CenterMy Profile

  14. It’s really great to work on what you are passionate about as it won’t feel like work and you’ll enjoy every moment of it.
    Franc Ramon recently posted…Join the Health Junkie Bootcamp at The PlaygroundMy Profile

  15. I love your post, but I especially loved the quote at the end. But it’s such a sticky dilemma, isn’t it? As much as we’d like to focus on our passions we still need money. I hope you find a way to be able to earn the money that you feel you need without needing to sacrifice your passion. 🙂
    Jackie recently posted…Bilingual From the Start: The World is our TeacherMy Profile

  16. I love this post, Janice! Like you, I experienced rejection some months ago, but if turned out to be for the best because I couldn’t have been as happy in that job as I am in my job now. God’s plans are great!
    Maan recently posted…I Passed The Board Exam (!) and Other StoriesMy Profile

  17. Happy that you have “something” new in you career now. I know how it felt about the ups and down in anyone’s career- I guess most people had experienced that too.

  18. I agree that at some point in time, we have to do something that we are passionate about. 🙂
    edel recently posted…Only the Best for Dad at Chef Jessie Rockwell ClubMy Profile

  19. Thanks for sharing, Janice. I really admire your openness and honesty about your life’s choices and challenges. I am still figuring out the steps I have to take to sustain freelance writing rakets and your insights are very helpful especially on how to always choose family, happiness and your passion. 🙂 Keep writing and inspiring!
    nadia recently posted…My Little Firefighter goes to the City of Kidzania My Profile

  20. You know sometimes sticking to what you’re passionate about can be very costly but when you’re persisten eventually doors will open and you career will begin to flourish. thanks for sharing

  21. There’s always a reason why things don’t work out, right? 🙂 Keep on chasing those dreams! You’re already there.
    Patty | MrsC recently posted…Learning about life from Loli and MamaMy Profile

  22. Passion is very loosely defined, but I would say if people took the time to focus on what they want to happen, things will change, and change is contagious 🙂

  23. I have to share that quote with my husband. He’s the one who is having a hard time deciding what kind of job he really wants to be in.
    Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen recently posted…CRU Steakhouse at Marriott ManilaMy Profile

  24. I hope you find your niche soon. use this crossroad to really look into what your passion is about and follow your calling.

  25. i love that quote! writing is also one of my passions + it is a blessing that I get to do it + earn from it. one day, when my little one is a bit bigger, i hope i can find a regular writing job that will not only help me pay the bills but will also make me feel accomplished + fulfilled as a writer.

    i know you can do anything you set your heart to achieve + yes, the family always has to come first! 😉
    jared’s mum recently posted…Meet + Greet With The Hi-5 Philippines Cast!My Profile

  26. Yes, it’s so easy to lose focus talaga in our work-at-home industry, especially when we have financial obligations to think about. But that’s when our faith in God comes in, right? Because we look at Him as our source and not our jobs. Ako rin, hirap na hirap talaga ako minsan to gauge ano ba talaga ang priority, bec whether we admit it or not, our bills bully us into jobs we hate.

    Love this blog!
    May De Jesus-Palacpac recently posted…Easy to prepare Chicken in Asparagus soupMy Profile

  27. I love that idea. Someday I will find time to really focus on my passion. Theres a lot of things to enjoy but you are right time is too short.
    Carlo recently posted…Sagay Marine ReserveMy Profile

  28. Glad to hear that you’ve found what you really want to do in life. Not many people can say that. Can’t wait to discover your “creative outlet,” too.
    Maria Teresa Figuerres recently posted…Product Review: Moringa-O2 Malunggay Herbal Shampoo and Herbal Conditioner with Argan OilMy Profile

  29. Congratulations! God will provide, we just have to have faith!
    Que A Sullano-Gavan recently posted…Philippine TOYCON 2015My Profile

  30. Being a WAHM is hard but when you find your groove or what best fits you it’s good to stay with that. If times should change and you look for other things usually a sign is there. That’s the way it is for me at least and I seem to be doing fine. 🙂
    Louisa recently posted…Dairy Queen Blizzard Speculoos Cake from Lotus BiscoffMy Profile

  31. Im in a similar situation right now. I’m part of the design industry but I’m also passionate about writing/blogging. And I’m currently focusing on topics that most people consider “taboo”. I’ve pissed some people lately but at least I’m starting to spread awareness through my blog.

    I understand what its like to be a work at home mom and grab job opportunities away from home from time to time to see if its right for you. What really matters is that you love what you do.

    I wish all the hardworking WAHMs success. Cheers! =)
    Rhoda Fajardo recently posted…Basic Bitches in the Design Industry (Warning: This might be YOU)My Profile

  32. I can fairly relate to this post. Just this year, I resigned from my corporate work as a Software Engineer. It’s what I thought I wanted to be my career. But after becoming a mother, I realized that the IT world – Software Engineering / Development in particular – is not fulfilling. The desire to grow a career at home became stronger when I realized that what I wanted to give focus to is my family life and my passion for writing. And so I started blogging and eventually left the high-paying corporate job. Nothing’s ever the same again. And I am happy with the choice I made.
    Michelle recently posted…Better Preggy Days Are Coming!My Profile

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *