I tucked my kids in bed, turned off the light, and then sat down at the table to work on the script for my next YouTube video. My goal was to create two videos per week to help women move forward and thrive after becoming a single mom. One of the two videos was already complete. I thought I was making progress until I opened my eyes and looked at the time. It was 1 a.m.! I’d fallen asleep. But I was determined to hit my goal, so going back to sleep wasn’t an option. I finished the script, changed my shirt, put on makeup, and recorded. Completing the video felt like climbing to the summit of Mount Everest.
Sometimes you feel tired, busy, and stressed and wonder if it is possible to pursue your goals while raising your children on your own. The good news is that it is possible. Here are 4 ideas for how to hold onto your dreams and pursue your passion as a single mom .
1. Eliminate the stigma.
When I was pregnant, my twins’ dad told me it would be impossible for me to pursue my dreams as a single mom. Unfortunately, I believed it. Television shows that portrayed single moms as burned out, stressed out, and barely getting by reinforced his words in my mind.
There is a stigma that all single moms are just getting by, and that’s not true. Many single moms are thriving. By reading their stories, you can shift your mindset and learn how to hold onto your dreams, too.
2. Maximize pockets of time.
When I was working on my book, I downloaded the Evernote app on my phone. This helped me keep the outline and chapters organized. While I was in line at the grocery store or waiting at the cell phone store, I made small progress on the book.
As single moms, we have a lot on our plate, and maximizing pockets of time can help us get things done. Break down the big goal for your dream into smaller chunks. Then, when you are tempted to scroll through social media during downtime, you can work on the small items that add up to significant progress toward your dreams.
3. Focus on the possibilities.
One day, I told a friend I was writing a book. It was close to complete, but I hadn’t worked on it in nearly four years. She offered to hold me accountable to finish the book. Whenever she asked about the book, I responded with reasons why I couldn’t finish it. Then one day, I said, “I’ve been telling you why I can’t finish this book instead of how I can. Can you please help me come up with a plan?”
Sometimes, we don’t know how to hold onto our dreams, so we begin to find reasons why it won’t work instead of reasons it will. Ask yourself, “How can this work?” That way you see it’s possible and then can begin to develop a plan to work on your dreams.
4. Prioritize your dreams.
I had to work one Saturday morning, so my parents watched my kids. On my way home, I learned my dad was about to take my kids to the playground. I thought about meeting up with them, taking a brief nap when I got home, or going to my favorite ice cream shop for me-time. Then I remembered the goal I set for my YouTube channel, so I decided to record a video. I felt good about the decision because I knew if I recorded while they were at the playground, then we could have a family movie night later.
While you’re pursuing your dreams, it’s good to rest and enjoy leisure time with your loved ones. Prioritizing your dreams doesn’t mean never resting; it just means doing things in the right order and choosing wisely how you spend your time.
How do you hold onto your dreams as a single mom?
