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Ever wonder what it really looks like to work for yourself from home? Spoiler alert: it ain’t always pretty, but it works for me. Here’s a peek behind the scenes at what I actually do all day—and how I keep everything running without losing my mind.

My Day Starts Before the Sun’s Up

Like clockwork, I’m up at 5:00 AM. First things first: I make my husband’s lunch and drive him to work. It’s our little ritual, and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. By 6:00, I’m back home and jumping into the shower—sometimes with my favorite podcast, other times catching up with my go-to TikTok live host. That’s my way of easing into the day.

But I don’t jump straight into work. I let the early hours stay slow and simple on purpose.

The Fun Stuff Comes First

I don’t officially “start work” until after Santiago’s first break at 8:40 AM. We always chat for a few minutes—that call marks the true start of my workday. Before that, I use those quiet hours for all the lighter stuff:

Catching up on the news
Skimming through emails
Cleaning up the kitchen or tidying the house
Posting or scrolling through my business socials
Packing orders from Mama Crow’s

It’s work, but it’s the fun kind. The stuff that doesn’t feel like work at all. It helps me ease into the heavier tasks that come later.

The Real Hustle Kicks In

Once 9:00 hits, it’s time to dig into the real work. I’m blessed to be able to set my own hours, which gives me the freedom to work how I want—but that also means I have to keep myself in check.

I’ve got two regular clients I contract with, and I sometimes take on ad-hoc projects too. That means copywriting, editing, blog content, or whatever else they need. On top of that, I manage two of my own blogs, make and list new wax melt products for Mama Crow’s, and keep up with content across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Snapchat, TikTok, and Pinterest.

Yep. It’s a lot.

Lunch Dates, Even From Afar

At 11:30, it’s time for a lunch break—but not just any lunch. We’ve got a standing phone lunch date every weekday, unless it’s Friday. On Fridays, I drive to town to bring him lunch in person. We’ll sit in the car, eat, and catch up like a real date—just one that happens in a parking lot. It might sound silly, but after nearly 16 years together, it’s still one of my favorite parts of the day.

Back to the Grind (Wherever I Am)

After lunch, I work until it’s time to go pick Santiago up from work. And yes, I’m usually working in the car while I wait. If something’s due or I’ve still got creative energy, I’ll even work a couple more hours in bed that evening.

I know it might sound like a lot, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m an introverted homebody, so staying in my own space while still getting everything done is a blessing.

Schedules Keep Me Sane

Living with OCD means I need structure, or else everything falls apart. I use Google Calendar to block off time for each client, blog, and Mama Crow’s tasks. If something pushes me off schedule, it’s like a domino effect—and I don’t like chaos.

That’s why I plan every part of my day, from order packing to TikTok posting. It keeps my head clear and my business running smooth.

Why It All Works for Me

Some folks think working from home means sleeping in and lounging around. Not in this house. My day is packed, but it’s built around my priorities—my marriage, my sanity, and my business. I get to choose what matters most, and no job will ever come before my relationship.

We stay in constant contact, we support each other, and we make time for the little things—like a five-minute phone call or lunch in a parking lot. It’s unconventional, but it works for us.

So yeah, that’s what I really do all day. It might not look glamorous, but it’s honest work, and it’s all mine.

Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.

If you don’t know, South Padre Island is my absolute favorite vacation spot in Texas. We have been there too many times to even begin to count. In fact, it is my hope to live on the island someday. If you don’t absolutely love the beach, this may not be the destination for you. While there are a few cool things to do outside of sand and saltwater, the beach is definitely the main attraction.

Interesting Facts:

Laguna Madre is a super rare hypersaline lagoon. In fact, it is the only one in the United States.
On September 15, 2001, the Queen Isabella Causeway, which connects Port Isabel to SPI, collapsed after being hit by a towing barge. This senseless tragedy took the lives of eight people.
South Padre is the only tropical island in Texas.
SPI gets its name from the original settler, Padre José Nicolás Ballí, a Catholic priest.

Useful information:

Best Time to Visit: This will depend on how much you are bothered by a crowd. From Spring Break until the end of Summer, it can get really crowded. We always visit the week after Labor Day, which isn’t crowded.
What to Wear: It’s the tip of Texas – it’s hot! Casual and beach wear is appropriate in most places.
Getting around: Most people drive to the island, but some do fly into Brownsville Airport. You will also see a lot of folks walking and riding on golf carts.

What to Do:

Sea Turtle Inc. is not only fun but very educational. Their whole purpose is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured sea turtles. Sea Turtle, Inc. is funded through public donations and on-site gift shop sales only. So, when on the island, stop by and support a good cause.
Dolphin Cruises are a must when on South Padre. There are a few to choose from, but my personal favorite is Captain Murphy’s Isla Tours. We take the sunset cruise every single vacation. Who doesn’t love dolphins?
Port Isabel Historic Lighthouse is the perfect place to experience the island’s history along with some breathtaking views.
Beach Park at Isla Blanca ( former Schlitterbahn) is located right on the beach. It is one of the state’s most prestigious waterparks. Home to waterslides, a lazy river, surf rider, a swim-up bar, and cabanas, Beach Park is fun for all ages.

Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a travel writer and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and thirteen grandchildren. This is the next installment in the Let’s Travel to…series, a collection of short informational articles covering some of the world’s top travel destinations.

Behind the Scenes: What I Really Do All Day