BLOG - Audrey JoAnn | Content and Copy Writer

My Approach to Maternity Leave as a Freelance Writer (& My Interview on the Goal Digger Podcast!)

October 6, 2020

When I found out I was pregnant, one of the first things that crossed my mind was: How in the world am I going to figure out maternity leave as a freelance writer? I know, it should’ve been more baby blankets and bottles than worrying about work—or taking time off of work—but I love what I do SO much, and I work with several clients on a weekly basis who I didn’t want to leave hanging just because I’m experiencing a huge life change.

So, I began looking around and researching what my options were. Obviously, I create my own schedule, so that works out in my favor. But I knew immediately I wanted to give myself at least two to three months of complete flexibility and freedom to be fully present with the baby after he or she gets here.

Even though I work from home and have a ton of leniency with my schedule, I still have people to report to, deadlines, and last-minute requests from clients. So I was torn between trying to figure out a way to still be there for my clients, while also completely unplugging from work so I can soak up first-time motherhood…

No biggie.

First Trimester Update & Covid Pregnancy Experiences

July 8, 2020

What a wild, amazing few weeks it’s been! We have been so overjoyed by and thankful for the outpouring of love and excitement for our quarantine baby news! I’ve also been so heartened to hear from so many women who experienced similar fears about conception/fertility/motherhood that I had. It’s simultaneously such a personal AND collective experience as a woman to go through pregnancy. It’s different for everyone, but I also think we experience so many of the same big questions and concerns.

I wanted to take the time today to answer some of the questions I’ve been getting and just document where I’m at with pregnancy, symptoms, feelings, etc. to remember later on in the future! I’m 15 weeks + 2 days and cannot believe I’m inching closer and closer toward that halfway mark. It’s feeling more real each day (and each time I have to pee… which is a LOT!).

Quarantine Baby Skelton: Coming January 2021!

June 23, 2020

So… that escalated quickly. One minute we’re quarantined and the next, we’re pregnant! I have a feeling we won’t be the only ones coming out of this weird season with a quarantine baby.

Okay but truly, we could not be more thrilled! John and I have just been spending the last couple months wrapping our minds around the fact that we’re going from a family of 3 (including Piper) to 4 in just about a half a year! I’m 12 weeks and 1 day pregnant, due January 4th, 2021.

The due date is actually one of the sweetest things for me. Of course, I know he or she could come early or later, but I’m guessing it’ll be after the holidays regardless. First, my sister’s birthday is December 29th and it will be so fun to have a side-by-side celebration. Plus, I LOVE the holidays and always have a bout of sadness when they’re over, but now I’ll never be sad after the holidays again. Just one of so many blessings both known and unknown in this new journey.

8 Things Getting Me Through The Q

May 7, 2020

As an introverted, Enneagram 6 homebody (who also already worked from home!), I feel like I was oddly prepared for life in quarantine. In fact, I’m actually less alone than before because now John’s here with me all the time. It’s so funny though because we still spend most of our days separate as we work, and even do our own things for breakfast and lunch and then reconvene for dinner as though it’s a normal, non-quarantine day. Even though I like my alone time, it’s been really nice having someone around during the day. And let’s just say I’m unloading the dishwasher way less than I normally do with him being here. DOUBLE PERK.

In Sonoma County, some businesses are slowly being allowed to re-open, but the general public’s stay-home orders were extended indefinitely last weekend. So we might as well keep getting cozy and used to being here (which bodes well for our pup recovering from knee surgery). As completely weird as this whole thing is, I don’t HATE the whole slower pace part of it.

It’s allowed me to plan and work on things I’d put off for a while (like the gorgeous new branding of my website, thanks to my friend behind Ink + Ellie). And I’ve been able to lean into hobbies that a normal pace would keep me from (or more truthfully, that I’d say I didn’t “have time” for). Reading in the middle of the day, gardening, painting, and baking up a storm are on my short list of things I can’t quit right now. So I thought I’d share all the little joys and bursts of brightness that I’m leaning into while we’re under quarantine, in case you need some ideas or are getting tired of the same old things every day.

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