The Real Scoop on Working From Home

A lot of people ask me exactly what I do for work and sometimes it is hard to explain. I am a marketing coordinator and freelance writer. I have about eight clients, ranging from a non-profit organization to a women's online magazine to a tool and die shop, but not all are active at the same time. Any given day I have ongoing projects that require more than one day of work, such as helping create a new website for a non-profit organization and new projects, such as creating an email newsletter for a client to send out for that month. Here are some common misconceptions and truths about working from home...

Yes, I regularly work in my pajamas. Most days I wake up without an alarm, unless I have something scheduled like a phone call or meeting. I get up and check my emails and to-do lists for the day, grab some breakfast and get working. Some days I stay in my pajamas for a short time and sometimes I stay in them until the afternoon when I realize, well, I should probably change. :)

Just because I work at home, doesn't mean I can do whatever I want, whenever I want. Yes, it is great because it allows me to grab lunch with a friend or take a few hours off for a haircut or appointment and finish my work later that night, but it doesn't mean I can do whatever I want. I regularly have phone or in person meetings and I am now up to a full-time load of work. Things have got to get done so I can't just skip out whenever I feel like it, just like a normal job.

Just like any job, there are upsides and downsides. The upsides are working in my pjs, being able to have more freedom over my schedule than a 9-5 job, the flexibility and change of pace of working with different companies from my home office, etc. The downsides are that often clients expect you to work more than 9-5. I sometimes get "urgent requests" late at night or on weekends, no matter how much I try to put those time periods off limits for working.

I am considered a contract worker. I am not a full-time or part-time worker with any company. I am a contract worker that gets paid by the hour with no benefits or taxes taken out. Right now this isn't too much of a problem. I pay my taxes quarterly. I can still be under my parent's health care benefits, so that works out. Eventually I will have to get my own benefits and hopefully I will be making enough profits so that benefits and taxes won't be too much to handle.

Still, no matter what annoyances come up, I have to realize how much I love working from home and having a flexible schedule.

Anyone have any questions about working from home or what I do on a daily basis?

My Favorite Workouts

Growing up, I was lucky. I was never into team sports or really that into exercise but I was always skinny and one of the tallest in my class. I was more into drawing, reading, writing and watching movies.

Now, at 22, I realize more and more how important exercise is even if you have a great metabolism. It has so many benefits including better immune system, a release of happy endorphins, makes you smarter, wards off disease and the list could go on and on!

So needless to say I am trying to exercise more. Luckily, my schedule is pretty flexible so I have the time to put into it.

I never used to enjoy running or jogging much, but now it is one of my favorite ways to sweat. I've been working my way up, right now running about a mile without stopping. I eventually want to work myself up to be able to sign up for a 5K.

I also really enjoy yoga these days. I started going a few years ago but never really stuck with it. One of my goals for this year is to keep going at least once a week. I think yoga is a really gentle way to exercise, get flexible, relax and stay stress-free.

When it is warmer out, I like riding my bike, rollerblading and running outside.

I also think a great and fun way to work out is using the Wii (what I own) or any other game console. Playing Just Dance or other exercise games actually do make you sweat if you really get into it!

Some workouts I would love to try are Zumba, Kickboxing and Pilates. Are you into any of these workouts? What should I expect and which should I try first?

Fall Favorites...

Check out my guest post on Dancing in the Rain! Thank you Kendra for letting me share my fall favorites. I love your blog! :)

True Life: I'm a General Blogger

Today I am participating in "True Life: I'm a "General" Blogger" from Mrs. Monologues and Fabulous But Evil.

Here's one of those about me & about my blog posts if you're visiting me from one of those websites. :) My name is Lauren and I blog about anything and everything. I mostly blog about relationships, experiences, and just general musings about life. I love reviewing books and girly products. I recently graduated with a degree in Journalism and I currently work as a freelance writer and assistant. You can find me on ASKinyourface.com, The Daily Leap, and I help out with the Michigan Lean Consortium. I've been dating my boyfriend for over three years and I have two pets, a dog named Hannah and a rat named Buddy.

Some of my favorite and most popular posts are:

Why are Quiet People Weird?

New Nail Polish Effect: OPI's Black Shatter

Life Goes On

How To Be a Great Girlfriend

See photos of my pets

My Boyfriend of 3 years

Generation of Online

I hope you enjoyed visiting my blog and stay for more! xo

A Little More About Me...

{one} how often do you do laundry?

Whenever I start running out of clothes!

{two} what is your favorite type of cookie?

Chocolate chip! Bad obsession of mine.

{three} what would you do with an extra $2000 per month?

That would be amazing. I would be able to save up for a new car.

{four} what was/is your favorite subject in school?

In high school it was creative writing. In college it was an online class called What's on your playlist.

{five} have you ever ridden in a hot air balloon?

No but I'd love to!

{six} what was your high school mascot?

Falcons!

{seven} if you had the chance to go into space, would you?

No way, that really freaks me out honestly. The lack of oxygen and being in such a small space for a long period of time.

{eight} how often do you go dancing?

Pretty much never.

{nine} would you rather drive or fly?

I guess drive. I haven't been on a plane since 2000!

{ten} have you ever been caught re-gifting?

Nope, I don't think so!

The Answers!

Here are the answers! There were only a few so far, but I didn't want to keep those people who asked hanging... so feel free to keep asking and I'll keep answering. :)

What did you have for breakfast today?

Well, most days I have either cereal (Cinnamon Toast Crunch is my favorite!) or a granola bar. Today I was babysitting and had to get up early so I grabbed a chocolate chip granola bar.

Why did you decide to start blogging?

I have always loved writing and chose it as a career path in college. About a year ago, I started to get into other people's blogs from one of my journalism classes. My teacher was always showing us new blogs and talking about them. So I looked into a few different sites and decided on blogger and began writing. I had been putting some blog type entries on Facebook Notes so I just started using my blog and began from there. I had no idea that anyone would read it, let alone like it!

Favorite book/movie/band?

Hmmm, tough ones! I have many, many favorites of each! My favorite type of book are girly but funny. My favorite author at the moment is Sophie Kinsella and I just finished reading all her books. A book I've always called my favorite is "This Lullaby" by Sarah Dessen too.

I always tell people my favorite movie is "Anchorman" when they ask. I can recite it by heart and I love Will Ferrell. I'm not sure if that is still my favorite. But my favorite genre of movies are romantic comedies and pure comedies (I may seem innocent, but I love those dirty comedies like "The Hangover"!)

My favorite band was Relient K for years and years. I've seen them in concert around six times and met them once. I still love them but right now the music I've been listening to (it changes a lot) is Regina Spektor, John Mayer, and I am obsessed with "Telephone" by Lady Gaga and Beyonce. :)

What is your favorite color?

Light blue or teal and pink!