Tell us a little about yourself – who are you and what do you do at the company?
I’m Ashley, a graphic designer in the marketing department of the company. I’m also a mother to two wonderful children: Maya, 12, and Sean, 7. In my role here, I work on everything related to landing page design, social media design, email marketing, internal branding for the company, and design for the brands. Essentially, everything related to how things look.
What challenges do you face when balancing your career with motherhood?
There are many challenges. Sometimes, I feel guilty because I’ve been balancing work and motherhood for over 12 years, trying to get everything done and be good at everything. But when I can’t do it all, it leads to feelings of guilt. Trying to overcome those feelings of guilt is another challenge. It’s important to me to do everything at a high level, and I’m learning not to blame myself if things don’t turn out exactly as planned.
How do you manage your time to find a balance between work and family?
Through the years, I’ve come to realize that it takes careful planning and foresight. You always need to prioritize and stick to that order. It’s important to write it down as a list to make sure I don’t miss the most important things first
Are there days when you feel like you can’t balance everything? How do you handle that?
Of course. There are days when I don’t accomplish everything I set out to do. When I don’t manage to do everything I planned, I try to understand why that happened and find time for it in the future. I work on figuring out how I can get things done, learn from it, and succeed next time.
Do you have daily habits or techniques that help you maintain this balance?
I write things down in lists and work with them. Another technique I use is, in the morning before I start my day, even before I get out of bed, I try to visualize myself following my plan. I imagine myself doing the tasks I’ve outlined, and it really helps. This visualization allows me to get a lot done. Thanks to this, I’ve managed to balance several jobs, be independent, and handle motherhood and relationships. It’s a technique that needs to be practiced regularly for it to succeed.
How does the company support you in balancing work and motherhood?
I feel comfortable bringing my children to work if needed, and it really reassures me to have that option. I also know that the company will always be understanding if I need something related to my children or family. The thought that I have support behind me is very calming and often enough.
Do you have hobbies or activities you do in your free time to recharge?
I have many hobbies. I draw a lot, ride mountain bikes, I can watch the sea for hours, I enjoy camping trips, skiing, strength training, and my dog, who always lifts my spirits.
Is there anything you’ve learned from motherhood that helps you succeed and grow in your career?I’ve learned to do many things at once. I only developed this ability after I became a mother. I make sure my children have everything they need, work all the hours required, and get everything done that was planned for the day. It’s a skill that you learn over time, and you also learn how not to drive yourself crazy in the process.
What project or career achievement are you most proud of since becoming a mother?
I’ve worked on many projects in various design fields. One of the projects I’m particularly proud of was designing the offices for a large company. It included interior design, graphics, and branding. The project took over a year and was both very challenging and interesting. It turned out to be very successful, in my opinion.”
How do you manage to make time for yourself amidst the demands of work and motherhood?
I wake up early and go to bed very late because that’s the only solution I’ve found. Even when I’m tired, I feel energized because I remind myself that I’m doing things I love, and that gives me the energy to keep going.
