How I Survived the First Stage of Freelancing Remote Jobs (Again)

So here’s the thing: I spent almost four years working freelance before taking on a full-time remote role, doing content writing, SEO writing, research, image editing, optimizing websites, and basically whatever my bosses asked of me last minute. But, life was… predictable, in a messy “we live in a third-world country but somehow get paid in USD” kind of way.

Then earlier this year, life decided that I had to leave that comfy, predictable gig and jump back into freelancing. You know, project-based pay, no benefits, no fixed schedule… oh, and a baby. Yeah. Solo parenting, first-time mom vibes, and a whole lot of “what was I thinking?” moments.

If you’re somewhere in the chaos of remote jobs, juggling a toddler and a budget that would make a spreadsheet cry, here’s how I survived the first stage. Spoiler: it involves panic, tonsa coffee, and learning to laugh (or cry) at yourself.

When Stability Disappears Overnight

Remember that feeling when you’re in class and the professor drops a surprise pop quiz? Yeah, multiply that by a thousand. That was me leaving a full-time WFH job with consistent pay and diving into freelancing. Suddenly, I was no longer guaranteed a paycheck. My clients? Mostly overseas, paying in USD. My expenses? In pesos that somehow need to stretch like a rubber band.

Lesson 1: stability doesn’t vanish, it just looks different now. My “fixed salary” brain had to adjust to a “project comes in, I pray it pays enough this week” brain. And yes, that’s stressful. But it also meant freedom… in a slightly terrifying way.

If you need some reassurance, this work-life balance for parents article might give you perspective. Surely it did for me. You are not alone, even when it feels like the baby is the only living thing keeping you accountable.

Baby + Freelance Workflow = Chaos. Kinda Cute Chaos

Before the baby, I could work uninterrupted for hours. Now? I’m negotiating deadlines with a tiny human who doesn’t understand the concept of “I’m working, please don’t scream.” My workflow had to change, like, drastically.

Here’s my new reality:

• Nap sprints: writing, editing, or researching while my kid sleeps. Bonus if I get two naps in a row.

• Night hustle: quiet tasks like image editing or proofreading after midnight (coffee is life).

• Early morning brain power: apparently babies sleep better at 5 AM, who knew?

• Batching: do all the research at once, then all the writing, then all the editing, like a professional assembly line.

The key is accepting that some days you will accomplish less than a cat, and that’s okay.

Finding Remote Jobs Again Without Crying

Even though I’ve done remote jobs for years, getting back into freelancing felt like the first day of college: everyone seems smarter, faster, and more prepared.

Here’s how I stopped panicking:

1. Reach out to previous clients: they remember that you’re competent and, most importantly, that you won’t ghost them.

2. Update your portfolio with all the random stuff you actually did in your last job. SEO tweaks, image edits, research, ad hoc tasks, include them.

3. Keep pitches short. Nobody wants to read a novel.

4. Set boundaries early, your baby does not negotiate your work schedule, but you can.

Also, if you’re struggling with where to start, these top websites to find reliable online jobs were my lifeline when looking for gigs paying in USD while living on pesos.

Scams Are Real (Like, Really Real)

Freelancing in a third-world country with overseas clients is a double-edged sword. You get paid in dollars, which is amazing. But the moment you post your skills online, you also get the usual “work-from-home, make $5000 a day in your pajamas!” scams.

I learned the hard way, but knowing how to identify legitimate WFH jobs saved me from wasting weeks and mental energy.

Pro tip: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your gut. Also, nothing is faster at giving you stress lines than sending money upfront for “training.”

Budgeting Like Your Life Depends on It (Because It Does)

Because here’s the reality: my clients pay in USD, but my bills are in pesos. The exchange rate fluctuates, my baby eats, and life keeps happening. Suddenly, every peso counted.

• Track all incoming and outgoing cash

• Prioritize baby expenses and essential bills

• Accept that some weeks you’ll earn more, some less

• Find recurring clients to stabilize cash flow

Remote jobs are not unstable. They just require a little financial street smarts. And yes, budgeting spreadsheets are your new best friend.

Tools, Apps, and Magic Tricks That Work

I would have cried without some productivity hacks. Tools to manage my WFH work kept me sane.

• Calendar apps to block work and baby time

• Task managers to track multiple projects

• Quick image editors for “oh no, the client needs this today” moments

Even in a small apartment with a tiny human climbing everything, the right tools made me feel like I was still in control.

Networking Without Leaving the House

Networking used to mean conferences, coffee chats, and awkward handshakes. Now? It’s Slack messages, emails, and joining online freelancer and mom communities.

These connections helped me find repeat clients, sanity, and occasional “someone gets me” moments. Because honestly, sometimes the only person who understands the struggle is another solo mom freelancer in the same timezone chaos.

Workspace Setup: Tiny but Mighty

You don’t need a fancy office. I managed to convert a small corner into a workspace where I could actually focus. Minimalist desk, laptop, chair, good lighting, and it’s done. Inspiration came from ideas for a functional WFH setup.

It’s amazing what a corner and a “this is my work zone” mindset can do for focus.

Surviving the Emotional Rollercoaster

Guilt, fear, and self-doubt are constants. Being a first-time solo mom and freelancing isn’t just a job, it’s an emotional full-contact sport.

I survived by:

• Giving myself realistic expectations

• Celebrating even the tiniest wins (like finishing a 500-word article without interruption)

• Taking breaks without guilt

• Accepting that some days will be absolute chaos

And trust me, it gets easier. Slowly. With humor, patience, and a lot of caffeine.

Chaos, Coffee, and USD

Freelancing again after leaving a full-time remote job is chaotic, emotional, and exhausting. Doing it as a first-time solo mom in a third-world country adds layers of complexity I wouldn’t wish on anyone… but also gives some of the biggest rewards.

I get paid. I see my baby grow. I can choose my schedule. I can survive chaos with coffee and humor.

If you’re on this ride, remember: you’re not starting over. You’re navigating life, money, motherhood, and remote jobs all at once. And you’re stronger than you think.