Overcoming Self-Doubt as a Stay-at-Home Parent Entrepreneur: Embrace the Journey!

Hey there, fellow stay-at-home superhero! Whether you’ve just embarked on your side hustle journey or you’re knee-deep in spreadsheets and toddler tantrums, there’s one notorious little gremlin that loves to crash our entrepreneurial party: self-doubt. Yup, that sneaky devil likes to show up when you’re knee-deep in laundry, with baby food splatters on your shirt, and you just remembered you forgot to pick up the dry cleaning… again. Self-doubt can rob you of your biggest wins and make you feel like all that you've done is just not enough.

But fear not! Let’s tackle self-doubt and turn it into a sidekick instead of a roadblock because when you can't get over it, we've got to go through it (who knew that song would come in handy someday). So grab a comfy seat, pour yourself a lukewarm cup of coffee (or tea— I don’t discriminate), and let’s dive in!

The Reality Check: You’re Not Alone!

First things first, let’s establish one undeniable truth: Every stay-at-home parent (really any person on this planet) who has built a small business has been there. Somewhere between Google searches like “How to remove spaghetti stains from shirts” and “How to start a successful business from home,” we all have moments where we feel like the world’s worst entrepreneur. You've read and re-read and maybe even looked up a YouTube video on how to build an aspect of your business, and it's just not making sense. Does that make you a failure? Absolutely not... but you may feel like one. When self-doubt rears its ugly head, we should step back, and look at our successes to remind ourselves, "I am not a failure, I just haven't leveled up yet." You want to know a secret? Even the most successful business moguls have felt that twinge of self-doubt. If they can navigate the uncertainty, so can you—preferably with a lot less hair-pulling. Sometimes, we just haven't unlocked the next stage in our business that will make that "grrr" moment magically make sense. I promise that if you continue to do the work and believe in yourself (even if it's only for a few brave minutes at a time), you will achieve the outcome you want.

Tip 1: Embrace Your Superpowers

As a stay-at-home parent, you possess unique superpowers that definitely give you an edge in the business world. Maybe you’re the master of multitasking—who else can negotiate a bedtime while cooking dinner and handling a virtual client meeting without breaking a sweat? You can turn chaos into productivity faster than you can say "where's my coffee?" Are you secretly a time bender with an uncanny ability to make 24 hours feel like 48 - cramming client calls at the playground, laundry and bedtime stories with the greatest of ease? Forget Batman; the real hero is you with a spatula in one hand and a laptop in the other! So when self-doubt shows up to the party, remind yourself of your incredible skills. You’re juggling nap schedules and Zoom calls like a pro!

Tip 2: Set Realistic Expectations (And Don’t Compare Yourself to the Joneses)

Let’s face it: social media can be both a helpful resource and a self-doubt breeding ground. When all you see are shiny success stories of other entrepreneurs sipping lattes on the beach while their businesses flourish, it’s easy to feel like you’re stuck behind in the never-ending pile of laundry. Take a step back—from scrolling and comparing—and set realistic goals for yourself. Remember, social media is a highlight reel. People show you what they want you to see. No one is posting how they failed over and over again to get to where they are. They don't show the nitty-gritty dark side of building a business and the let-downs they experienced multiple times before finally landing on what worked.

Celebrate small victories; today’s triumph could be getting three Instagram followers (hello, future social empire!) or making it through the day without a meltdown from your toddler or yourself. Remember, every expert was once a beginner—also known as “the person who found their toddler in the snack cupboard again.” Baby steps are still steps and give yourself grace; you are building your very own highlight reel.

Tip 3: Create Your Confidence Playlist

Yes, I said it! Create a playlist of your favorite empowerment anthems—songs that make you feel like a rock star! Music is a universal language that can completely change your mood so every time self-doubt creeps up, blast your make-you-feel-good jam while taking care of household tasks. Nothing like belting out some Beyoncé to remind you that “you run the world”—even if you're just running after a toddler trying to escape bath time.

Not feeling the rhythm? Try listening to a podcast! Its an awesome alternative to jamming out and can fill you with a crazy amount of motivation. Sometimes hearing how others have persevered can fill your own cup with inspiration just long enough to dispel your doubt! Speaking of hearing others...

Tip 4: Fill Your Cup with Support

Surround yourself with fellow parentpreneurs (yes, I just made that word up). Join online communities or find local meet-ups where you can share your struggles and triumphs with others who get it. Sometimes, all it takes to silence self-doubt is hearing someone else say, “I’ve been there too!” Feeling understood can be a game-changer but having someone in the trenches of 'preneurship can also bring a whole new perspective to your own journey.

Also, your family and friends are there to support you—even if they don’t always understand the intricacies of your latest business endeavor or that those spreadsheets are more than just “numbers.” Have them cheer you on, and do the same for them!

Tip 5: Laugh It Off!

Self-doubt can be draining, but humor is a fantastic antidote. So when you feel like your hustle is a total flop, find the funny side of things! Share a hilarious parenting fail on social media or a comical story about your side hustle attempts. Laughter not only lifts your spirits but also connects you with others who can relate to the rollercoaster that is balancing parenthood and entrepreneurship. Eat a cookie, hit record and lament about how your kids put yesterday's leftovers in the pantry instead of the fridge while you were packing a client's order in the other room and didn't notice until the next day. Just laugh, these things happen (and it has... twice in my house).

At the end of the day, remember that the journey is just as important as the destination. Self-doubt doesn’t define you—it’s just a pesky little cloud trying to block your light. Shine bright, embrace your unique journey, and keep moving forward. There will be bumps along the way (including tripping over toys while trying to answer emails), but with a little humor, a supportive community, and a sprinkle of self-love, you’ll build that business while keeping your sanity intact.

So, put on your invisible cape, hit that ground running, and get ready to conquer the side hustle world, one laundry load at a time! You got this! 🎉

Stay Hustling,

Jessica Murphy

Your Side Hustle Coach and Stay-at-Home Parent Advocate