Do you work in your PJs? and other balancing questions...

[#1]

As I sit here at 2 pm in my pjs (which are more like sweats) I was forced to ask myself, am I the only one?

I know it's ridiculous, but between cleaning my bathrooms, feeding and caring for children, packaging orders, and just generally taking care of things, I haven't even had time to shower and get dressed yet.

So, how do you balance life with your shop (especially if you have kiddos)? I try to devote an hour or two to my house each morning so it stays in order. After that, I try to devote some time to my kids and work here and there until nap time. Then it's work work work until they get up. By that time, it's time to make dinner, get kids ready for bed, etc.

I know I should be thankful that I have orders and this is an issue... I'm just a little overwhelmed right now. It definitely doesn't help that my husband is going to be out of town with work all next week.

[Former_Member]

I'm done the whole powersuit thing,...PJ's much better :D

[KriyaDesign]

I bike riding first thing in the morning, stationary that is. Either I want it or not, I need to take a shower after that. Then... I like to spray some flowery stuffs. Some lotions on my hands. Taking time to admire them. Finger comb my hairs. Fluff 'em a bit. Put some lip balms on. Gal needs to feel... sexy :-)

Then back to yoga pants and tank top or tee. That have seen better days. I practically live in those. So comfy. Except when I need to go to post office around 11 PM. I change into... don't think I change into anything. While hoping I don't bump into anyone I know.

[Former_Member]

when it's not my taxi day I will stay in my night gown till around 2 pm, it's cooler and once I start on updating the websites, photographing and posting listings I don't want to stop. Because our yard is private, I water the garden, fill the bird baths in my nighty and even clean house.
Taxi day it's a different story, drop one off at school, come back to work on something for an hour or do the dishes and clean up the kitchen, drive the other one to work (we share a car), run to the post office and send out orders, back to the house to work, clean litter boxes, do some laundry, pick up one and then the other, drop one off at home and the other at swim, back home to take the other one to her 2 nd job then back home to supervise home work while working on the websites and making dinner, finish laundry and then it's story time. Luckily I don't have to pick up the older one from work at night, that is her dad's job. When do I really work on my designs? I put together several zip lock bags with every thing I need and work on designs at swim practice, sneak into the back garden for 30 minutes and home movie nights with my little one..... When I "Worked" full time I would make jewelry on my breaks and if I was car pooling. (I think I got more made when I did work out the house).

[BostonPaperCompany]

Balancing is certainly a challenge... whether in PJ's or fully dressed!

I work anywhere from 40-65 hours a week on average. The past two weeks I've worked 70+ hours at my day job. Needless to say, this has not allowed much Etsy time.

I am trying really hard to organize myself and be disciplined in the same way as I am in my day job. For me, this means keeping good lists/checklists and daily breakdowns of what I want to accomplish.

[Former_Member]

Ok I'm busted, yes I live in my PJ's my husband hates them, but since I'm either hanging over a project or cooking enough to feed a small army they are comfy, and like several others I'm done with the heels and corporate acceptable suits. I do put on clothes now and then but when I do my kids panic and want to know where I'm going, wearing makeup is a sporatic thing, I do that when I'm afraid i will bump into someone I know or I'm just feeling ugly. I'm glad to know I am not alone!

[Former_Member]

I definitely am a fan of the PJ/Sweats trend haha. I work in whatever I happen to be wearing; that is, if I'm not modeling the clothing I sell!!

[Former_Member]

Nope no pjs here! I get dressed since I have to take my son to school in the morning. I work on my items while my 4 year old is napping, at school, and at night time after everyone goes to bed. The rest of the day is spent spending time with my daughter, working on the house, and attending to my other duties (MOPS)

[Former_Member]

You're definitely not alone. I sometimes find that it's been days since I put on "real" clothes. Last week I made myself get dressed up a bit, did my hair and put on some make up. I figured it was probably a good idea to remind hubby that I could do those things. Comfy clothes are definitely the way to go. I made myself get dressed this morning because I had to go to the PO. Sometimes I feel guilty for being sloppy all the time but I work better if I'm comfortable.

[Former_Member]

I'm pregnant, it's still unbearably hot in the south for a northerner like me, and a lot of days I don't have to leave the house. I've got you all beat. Sometimes I work in my underwear. Unless someone here crafts naked, I think I take the 'not getting ready in the morning' award.

[Former_Member]

I am usually in comfy clothes until I leave the house, then I make more of an effort. All my clothes have little loose threads on them though.

It is super hard to balance being a stay at home mum with my work and everything else I have to do. I try and limit my etsy work time to when my daughter sleeps or early morning or night time or weekends when my husband is home. But I want to spend time with him too and I also have a long list of things to do whilst my daughter sleeps.

In the end, I just have to wing it. Each day I might get a lot done, and others I might get nothing done.

[LaurasLastDitch]

My mom used to wear her garish hot pink fun-fur robe and slippers when she took us to school. She ran out of gas once and had to walk. It was winter. She doesn't remember if she was more cold or more embarrassed.

[Former_Member]

Nope!! I'd never get any work done if I didn't wear "real" clothes. I don't typically wear makeup unless I'm going to go out, but thats about it

[littleglamour]

I live in pjs or yoga clothes - the latter because I have to go to the post office every day. My 3 year old is in day care so I work 8-5, take a break from 5-9 to be mama/wife.....another hour of work then bed around 11. I keep telling myself I need to take some me time and go to the gym as soon as he leaves for daycare....but it hasn't happened yet! :)

[Former_Member]

Honestly, if I feel like starting work stuff before I take a shower, the pj's stay on...
And if I feel like I'll be more productive if I get ready & dressed, I go that route.

So at 2:00 pm on some days, I'm thinking it's great to still be in pj's... and other days, I'm thinking where did the whole day go.

Routine stuff and predictability don't suit me!!!

[WendyHodgsonMudPups]

In my PJs right now. Sunday am, must get up and do something else, pls come pry this 'puter out of my hands...

I struggle with those same issues and I don't have kiddos, well, a dog.

[Former_Member]

Oh yeah, I've worked in PJs, forgot to shower and brush my teeth, eat breakfast at 10:00 am or pm. However, I have recently decided to stop getting out of the bed and walking straight to the computer and then start working. I'm determined to shower, etc and go to work (to my other bedroom/studio).

[denisemcguire]

I work full time as a teacher mentor besides my new etsy endeavor, so I'm forced to get showered, dressed, etc. early. I work on my shop in the evenings, and I have to be comfortable to be creative. My goal is to try to get a single day a week to shower and then just work on my shop.

[Former_Member]

If it is an at home day I work on my computer from 6am-about 10 am then get dressed. DH comes home for lunch. We eat & then I work a couple more hours, prepare supper and head to the pool to do my treasurer stuff for 2 hours. I get home about 9pm and change into my pj's so as much as I'd like to I cant spend the day in them. Maybe when the kids are grown and its lets busy around here I can have a pj day. :)

[1AEON]

i wish i could answer it honestly..

[starlightwoods]

I cut wood with my chop saw in my robe and slippers. :)

[Former_Member]

No, because I would start them on fire. . .

[Former_Member]

Right now, as I am typing this I am in my PJs! :)
So...that would be a yes!

[SallyArtCo]

Oh yeah! Pj's are my etsy uniform, especially when doing the computer part of the work. And to you moms and dad's out there, doing all that juggling...I take my hat off to you bc I have a hard time managing my life, work, small business, painting, etsy, school and home without kids. I can't imagine kids on too of that. You are superheroes!!!

[MidwestAtticTreasure]

I wear my leopard furry slippers every time I sit down at this computer. A must!

[BrushStrokeOrnaments]

You are certainly not alone. My kids are in school...and sometimes it's 2:30 in the AFTERNOON (right before they get home from school) that I'm actually getting in the shower and getting dressed for the day! :-)