My Digital Journey

No one really ever told me that building a digital life while raising a toddler is unpredictably hard and yet fun at the same time.

Actually, I also never thought that I would build my digital presence, because at first, I was just aiming to have a simple business. A simple one where maybe it would help me not to go back to a 9-5 job again and just be a stay-at-home mom but also an entrepreneur.

Yeah, that's actually my dream.

And this dream? I never realised that I was already building my digital life when I started my print-on-demand side hustle when I was pregnant.

Yep! I was pregnant when I decided to do it and pursue it, for the reason that I'm on maternity leave. I'm not earning so much aside from my maternity allowance, and also I want to help my husband financially.

We are actually okay. My husband has a good job, but I know it wasn't enough, especially since he's the only one who's working. And I know that if he's quiet, I know that he's struggling financially and thinking very deeply about how to survive until the next salary.

But you know what? There's another hidden "why".

And I think this is my major reason why it pushes me to continue my digital journey.

Ambitious. Yes. I am an ambitious person or woman but not in a bad way, okay? I just realised this recently because part of me being ambitious is I want my family to have a better future, especially my two kids.

A future where they don't need to worry so much about what their future will be. I mean, in a sense that they can study and achieve their goals in life with their parents' support.

Don't worry, I'm still going to teach them how to be independent and to stand on their own feet.

And also, aside from that, I want the future where my husband and I don't need to worry about how much the steak costs in this fancy restaurant, like, no need to worry about the food bill, you know what I mean, right?

And stepping into the digital world and continuing my journey is one of the stepping stones to reach those ambitions.

Oh! I really wish there were an easy way, but there isn't. And building it while raising a toddler at the same time is a very, very different topic.

One day, you and your toddler are in a good mood, and because of that, it will be an easy day for you to continue what you are working on. But then tomorrow, another day, another different day, you and your kid, both of you, were crying.

Why? Possibly, your child was not in the mood. He's fussy and grumpy. He's experiencing different emotions that day. He doesn't know how to communicate it with you; that's why you're exhausted and tired. And all you could do was cry in the shower, silently, because of the very exhausting and stressful day for both of you.

And you as a mother, who are building your online business, all you can do is do the job at night, which is the bedtime that starts at 10PM until 1AM.

Nothing is easy. Even though you have a daily routine, or system, nothing is easy, especially if you have a very unpredictable toddler.

I remember those sneaky hours too, when he's having a nap but doesn't want to put himself down in his bed, so all I can do is carry him facing his front body, and his shoulder is comfortably lying on my shoulder while he's sleeping soundly. Oohh... shoulder ache after that.

But it's okay, because those nap times were my working hours using my phone. Yep! I really love my phone because of that, because my phone is where I write, design, publish content, research – everything.

That's why even though it's hard, it is still worth it.

Look, I love my family, and even if I have a moody toddler, I'm very happy. You know why? My family is my biggest WHY – why I became ambitious and built a life digitally as an entrepreneur.

I know there will be a lot of challenges in life, online and offline, but there's no time to give up or quit. And besides, I'm already in the middle of my digital journey; there's no reason to go back now, and aside from that, I'm already loving it. Everything.

The challenges, getting new ideas, and, you know what, there are a lot of opportunities. Especially now in these modern days.

So, if you are a mum like me, a stay-at-home mum too, and you are also raising a toddler and building a digital life at the same time, my advice is don't give up.

Don't give up to achieve your dreams. Be ambitious, in a good way. Find your calling; maybe not now, but sooner you will. And always try to stay calm and be patient with everything.

Because building a digital business is not an overnight success. It might take you months or years before you see the results that you want. You will experience lots of hardships, but always try to remember why you started all of this and the reason why.