I love shopping, can you blame me? Shopping makes me feel good. The hunt, the kill, and the compliments. Sharing a great find or deal with friends provides an odd sense of satisfaction. But why? I didn’t really accomplish anything or support the dreams of my peers.
Truthfully all I am doing is selfishly feeding my own ego and helping to maintain a corporate system in which I am not emotionally invested. Now, I am not saying that buying stuff is bad or corporations are evil. I am saying that there are other options to consider that can provide a deeper personal connection.
My story is not unique. I worked. I shopped. I had a baby. I was lucky enough to be able to stay home with my baby. AND it’s the greatest experience ever! But with this joy comes a sobering truth. I just went from a 2 person, 2 income family to a 3 person, 1 income family. Don’t get me wrong, no complaints here. I’m fortunate to live the life I do, it’s just a change.
Being a stay-at-home mom is a life of extremes. The energy and chaos of active kids to the silence of nap time. I really appreciate nap time. I often find myself quietly sitting on the couch thumbing through Instagram.
It’s amazing how the simple action of exploring a social media platform has become my new window shopping. Yes big brands cross my path, but the ones that I really connect with are the mommy makers. They have turned their down time into business. And not just for the sake of making money, but because of passion. A passion to create. A passion to provide. A passion to do. Moms are doers.
The mommy maker movement has been a wonderful slap in the face. Although I don’t have the financial resources I once did, I still have needs. Now I choose not to buy as much, but when I do, I always look to mommy makers first. I am willing and eager to sacrifice quantity for quality, especially when I know the impact on a fellow mother is so much more meaningful. I love receiving a package, experiencing the product, and sharing it. It feels even better when the same person that actually made the product interacts back with genuine appreciation and excitement.
This realization has even motivated me to take the same leap. With zero experience in making much of anything, I found a desire to just figure it out. I started simply, slowly picking up the art of sewing, packaging, and selling. I have found amazing support from friends, family, and most importantly, other mommy makers. This community is all about encouragement and generosity, not competition.
It’s a liberating feeling to know I made something, with a valuable skill, while contributing financially to my family. Of course it’s not easy, and no one is getting rich here, but it’s so fun and fulfilling.
Mommy makers put their responsibilities first and still find a way to contribute above and beyond! It’s not that shocking really. They have been doing it for centuries.
If there is anything I can do to help anyone out there, don’t hesitate to reach out! I’ll just be here raising a kid and making!
AND of course, it would be great if you took a look at my efforts. Like any other mommy maker, I appreciate the support!