How I Started Romanticizing My Freelance Workday as a Work-From-Home Mom

I didn’t know it at the time, but once my twins started going to school. and I was already four years into freelance writing, something in my workday shifted.

My days were monotonous and sometimes just dragged on and on. I didn’t want my freelance writing business to be like that.

So I had to change it.

I started romanticizing my freelance life.

Not the glossy “perfect desk” kind of romanticizing you see on Pinterest…
but the small, intentional moments that make work feel softer and more enjoyable.

I love watching TikTok and YouTube creators who do this.

There’s something calming about watching people create a mood around their workday.

It reminds me that you don’t need a perfect life to create a beautiful one.

And over the years, I’ve built my own version of that cozy freelance romance, even though I have rowdy teens now (when did that happen?).

What It Actually Means to Romanticize Your Workday

A lot of people see the aesthetic videos on TikTok or Instagram and assume romanticizing your life is superficial.

But it isn’t.

Romanticizing your workday isn’t about perfection or staging your life for the camera.

It’s about slowing down long enough to appreciate the routines you already have, and making them feel a little softer, calmer, and more intentional.

For me, romanticizing starts with slowing down instead of rushing into the day.

Of course, in the morning, it’s chaotic to get my twins out the door but once they heady to school, serenity time!

When you pause long enough to notice your own routine, you get to build a morning that supports you instead of drains you.

It also means making your environment comforting instead of stressful.

Soft lighting, warm blankets, a clean corner of your bedroom. These small choices change how grounded you feel while you work.

You don’t need a fancy office or a renovated sunroom.

You just need a space that makes your nervous system go, Okay, I can breathe here.

Another part of romanticizing your workday is adding small moments of joy.

It can be something as simple as using your favorite mug, listening to a playlist that calms your brain, slipping on a cozy sweater, or taking a quiet walk after lunch.

These aren’t productivity hacks; they’re small, gentle rituals that make work feel less heavy.

How I Romanticize My Work Day

I don’t do a lot of things to make a stress-free cozy day for me.

It’s just the intentional little things I do that makes me enjoy every work day!

1. I Start My Day Slowly

Before I even think about opening my laptop, I give myself space to arrive in the day.

I grab my coffee, fill up a big bottle of water, and make sure my AirPods are charged and ready.

This tiny ritual slows me down and keeps me from diving headfirst into work mode before my brain is ready.

There’s no rushing, no guilt, no “hustle culture” energy, it’s just a slow ease into the morning so I can show up as the calmest version of myself.

And when I start like this, I’m much more productive with my writing work!

2. I Bundle Up

Winters up here are cold. We are battling -30 or -40 C right now!

Brrr!

I’ve learned over the years to just bundle up during the day!

I pull on an oversized hoodie, wrap myself in a warm blanket, and create my own little cocoon of comfort.

It’s not glamorous, but it’s my office vibe, it’s the kind of setup that makes writing feel like something I get to do, not something I have to do.

When the world outside feels freezing, this tiny pocket of warmth makes work feel extra cozy.

3. I Have My Cat Nearby

He takes his job very seriously, which apparently involves sleeping on my lap for hours.

It’s not the most efficient ergonomic setup (that I detail in Writeto1k) but there’s something grounding about having this little weight curled up on me while I type.

It keeps me present. It slows me down.

And honestly, it makes even the toughest writing days feel softer.

A warm cat and a quiet house is peak freelance romance.

4. My Bedroom Lights Stay Low

Yes, I work in my bedroom. Yes, the lighting is dim. And yes, I love it.

I started lowering my lighting last year and I absolutely live for it.

There’s something about low lighting that keeps the day from feeling too intense too quickly.

It creates a soft atmosphere that helps me stay focused without feeling overwhelmed.

Before emails, tasks, and life start pulling me in every direction, the low lighting lets me settle in quietly, almost like my workday gets to wake up slowly right alongside me.

5. I Listen to Music or Podcasts While I Work

My AirPods rotate through different moods depending on the task.

If I’m writing, I can listen to almost anything like pop, acoustic, lo-fi, even movie soundtracks.

But when I’m working on image creation or updating PinGenerator, I switch to industry news or YouTube updates so I can stay sharp on trends.

And yes… I absolutely keep up with hockey too. I’m in Canada you know!

Freelancing means you get to choose your own background noise, and for me, it’s a mix of productivity and personality.

6. I Take a Big Break In the Afternoon

This is one of the biggest perks of freelancing and one I don’t take for granted.

I step away from work completely.

I might run errands, get in a quick workout, go for a walk, do house chores, or hang out with my husband if he’s around.

Sometimes I just need to reset my brain by doing anything other than writing.

This break is a built-in pause, like a reminder that I get to structure my day around life, not the other way around.

7. I Make Myself a Nice Lunch

Around lunchtime, I close my laptop and make something simple but nourishing.

Usually it’s a hearty soup I meal-prepped earlier in the week or a tuna salad with crackers. I sit down and let myself enjoy it while watching a bit of Netflix, just enough to feel refreshed before I jump back into work.

It’s a small routine, but it feels luxurious because it’s completely mine.

No rushed bite at my desk, no multitasking, no guilt… just a quiet lunch in the middle of the day.