What If the Right Income Path Isn’t What Everyone Else Says It Should Be?

I’m going to ask you this question: What if the right income path isn’t what everyone else says it should be?

Tell me if this sounds right?

You have this strange pull to make money in some way. To sell that DIY project, rehab that piece of furniture. But then you have culture telling you that you should be happy at home with your kids, doing snack runs, and the ever-ending pile of dishes.

Everyone seems to have an opinion on what a “good mom” or a “smart woman” should do when it comes to work and career, whether that is being a stay-at-home mom or getting a 9-5.

But here’s the thing: we live in a world where people are offended if you don’t hold to THEIR convictions. 

You might not want to climb the corporate ladder, but you also don’t want to spend your days answering to just life and laundry. You might have the desire to bring in resources for your family and the satisfaction of building something of your own. (Proverbs 31:10-31)

The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. And honestly, that’s a good thing. We are all created differently because we are all here to serve different needs in this world.

The right income path isn’t about chasing trends or following someone else’s version of success.

It’s about creating a life that actually fits your family, your energy, your season, and the calling God has placed on your heart.

….. Regardless of what other people think.

So let’s slow down and take a look at the real options. Both good and not so good.

Whether it’s a job, a side hustle, or something in between, my hope is that by the end of this post, you’ll see that your calling doesn’t have to fit the world’s mold.

Because peace ~not pressure ~ is the proof you’re heading in the right direction and building in alignment.

Choosing The Right Income Path Isn’t Always Black and White

Figuring out the right income path for you is often harder than it sounds.

We all come into adulthood carrying preconceived ideas. What we saw growing up, what school taught us, and what the people around us say is “normal.”

And if you’re wired to go with the crowd (which is what comes natural to humans in general), it’s easy to do what seems safe… get the steady job, follow the routine. 

But “safe” isn’t always what it seems.

Yes, a job comes with a paycheck, but that paycheck still depends on someone else running their business well enough to keep paying you.

When I was a preteen, I watched this play out firsthand. A nationally known shipping company abught the airport in the next town over from where I grew up, went under thanks to poor management, taking thousands of jobs with it. — Overnight, entire families were struggling. Local stores shut down. The box stores shrank their inventory to save money on things people were not buying. People were surviving on a third of their usual pay — if they were lucky enough to keep their job at all. Some families packed up and left the state, and we never saw them again.

That stuck with me. It taught me that even “secure” jobs can shift in the blink of an eye.
I’m not saying that to scare you, just to help you see reality for what it is. 

Your job might not be as stable as it feels right now. And that’s why I want you to see the possibilities: that you can create something to help sustain the life you’re truly called to.

Now, that doesn’t mean running a business is easy or for everyone. It’s not for the faint of heart. In fact, it can be every bit as hard (and often harder) than having a traditional job. 

But it comes with one major difference: Input control. (Meaning you can influence the cause of the effect on your income)

You don’t have to ask permission to take the day off when your child is sick. You don’t have to run your schedule around someone else’s calendar. You get to decide how you work, and that freedom is worth more than I can even begin to explain.

But freedom also requires boundaries. You’ll need to say no to some things that others might not understand. And at the same time, you can’t say no to everything or you’ll stall your own progress.

So let’s break down both paths, and you decide. 

I want to walk you through the pros and cons of both paths — having a job and running a business — so you can see each for what it really is. From there, you can make a decision that fits you, your family, and the goals God’s placed on your heart.

And remember, you can always test, shift, and adjust. There’s no one-size-fits-all path.

You can build a life that sits right in the middle of the “content stay-at-home wife” and the “career-driven nine-to-fiver.” 

Because truthfully, I believe we were meant to live both. To be driven women building support systems for our families AND creating homes that are safe and inviting. 

Looking At The Job / Employment Path

If your core desire is to have stability, structure, and the ability to show up, do the work, and go home in peace. Then this might be right for you. Here are some of the benifits of having a job instead of running a side hustle that depends on you.

1. Women who need predictable income — when you’re rebuilding financially, paying off debt, or covering consistent bills, a steady paycheck provides relief and stability much faster than starting your own business.
2. Those who crave mental separation between work and home — you can clock out and truly rest without carrying your job into every moment of your personal life.
3. Women in emotionally demanding seasons — if your mental energy is already stretched by motherhood, caretaking, or healing, a defined role can offer security.
4. If you feel calmer with clear expectations — when someone else defines the goals and responsibilities, you don’t have to handle the weight of decision fatigue.
5. If you value peace over autonomy (for now) — if you need order, not ownership, this path gives space to breathe and rebuild confidence.
   

The Challenges Of Working For Someone Else

1. Limited flexibility — your schedule, workload, and pay are largely decided for you. You trade control for consistency.
2. Income cap — raises and promotions are often out of your control, and effort doesn’t always equal reward.
3. Creative restraint — you might feel boxed in if you’re wired for innovation or leadership.
4. Dependence on external decisions — layoffs, company changes, or leadership shifts can disrupt your sense of stability.
5. Fulfillment may fade over time — if you’re purpose-driven, routine tasks may feel numbing unless balanced with passion projects outside of work.
   

Looking At The Business / Side Hustle Path

If your core desire is freedom, ownership, and the ability to create income on your own terms ~ even if it’s messy at first~ then creating a side hustle might be the right option for you.

The benefits of running a business and who might be more suited to it.

1. Women who are self-motivated and creative: if you see opportunities everywhere and get excited by ideas, you’ll thrive with autonomy. IF you can work without someone telling you to get the ball rolling.
2. The rebels and builders — those who don’t like asking permission or being told what to do. You’re energized by ownership.
3. Moms who need flexibility more than predictability — school drop-offs, sick days, or spontaneous family moments don’t derail your entire life.
4. Those who crave meaning in their work — you love creating something tangible that reflects your values and effort.
5. Long-term thinkers — you’re willing to work hard now for freedom and financial breathing room later.
   

Challenges:

1. You carry the full mental load: income doesn’t appear automatically; you have to plan, market, and execute to keep things moving.
2. Inconsistent income: months of feast or famine can be stressful (Which is why savings is a must)
3. Self-doubt and decision fatigue: when something fails, there’s no boss to fix it; you are the solution-finder.
4. Harder to “turn off” work mentally: your business lives in your head even when the laptop’s closed, especially if you love it.
5. Isolation: without coworkers or a boss, motivation and direction must come from you or through intentional community. But even then. You are going to have to be your best motivator.

Signs You Might Be More Suited for a Job Than a Business

Having your own business or creating income from home might sound fun. 

… the flexibility, the freedom, the idea of making money while sitting on your couch with coffee in hand. It’s easy to see dollar signs and think, “That’s what I want.”

But here’s the truth: sometimes the dollar signs don’t show up when you want them to.
And most of the time, the behind-the-scenes isn’t glamorous. You’re working hard, juggling responsibilities, and your brain feels like it’s running nonstop.

If you’re in a season where you need stability — maybe you’re paying off debt or rebuilding financially — a job might be a better fit right now.

A job might also be right for you if…

• You want to clock in, focus, and clock out without the mental weight of constantly thinking about your next idea or to-do list.
• You value mental peace more than flexibility right now. You’d rather know what’s expected of you and leave work at work.
• You feel calmer when someone else sets the plan, the goals, the projects, and the direction, and you just get to show up and do your best.
• You prefer clear boundaries between work and home, especially if your family needs your full attention when you’re off the clock.
• You’re in a season where your capacity is low, and you simply need less decision-making and fewer moving parts in your day.
  

When you have a job, you don’t carry the same level of decision fatigue that comes with running a business. There’s less guesswork and fewer “What do I do next?” moments.

And honestly, if that brings you more peace — that’s okay.

There’s nothing wrong with choosing structure over self-employment. Sometimes peace looks like a steady paycheck and the freedom to fully enjoy your weekends without guilt or pressure to build something more.

Signs a Side Hustle or Business Might Be What You Need

Running a business might sound exciting. You might even picture yourself sitting on the porch with your laptop and think, this is the dream.

But here’s the honest truth: it’s not as glamorous as it looks.
You’re going to work hard for every single dollar you earn, especially in the beginning. You’ll pour in more sweat equity than you think is fair. 

Some days, you’ll seriously consider throwing in the towel. And on those days, the only thing that keeps you going will be the calling on your heart and sheer grit. 

If you’re stubborn and driven enough to see things through, to go down swinging if you have to, then business might just be the right fit for you.

For me I would rather try and get as close to the dream as possible than to not try at all and settle for mediocre.

So, how do you know if you might be wired for a business or side hustle? Here are some signs:

• You’re willing to work hard while still protecting your family time with clear boundaries.
• You’re patient enough to build something that grows slowly, knowing it may not pay off right away.
• You’re willing to test things out, learn from what doesn’t work, and keep moving.
• You can self-regulate — calm your nerves, take a breath, and handle hard moments instead of reacting from emotion.
• You’re okay walking down an unfamiliar road, knowing faith and consistency will show you the way as you go.
• You’re self-motivated. If you constantly need someone else to push you to act, business probably isn’t your lane — because no one’s coming to cattle prod you to get you moving.
  

If you read that list and something inside you says, yeah, that’s me, then maybe it’s time to test an idea. Start small. Don’t over-invest until you see potential. But give yourself permission to try.

Building Your Unique Path Down The Middle Of 9-5er and SAHW

This is where things can start to get really exciting, when you’re brave enough to take a step back and honestly ask yourself,

“What kind of life are we trying to build?” What kind of rhythm do you want your family to have?

What kind of life does your spouse want to live, and what kind of income path will actually support that vision instead of working against it?

This is where you start looking beyond just “a job” or “a business” and really think through what your end goal looks like.

If you’re not sure what that vision even is, grab the Focus Filter — it’ll help you start clarifying what matters most and what kind of life you actually want to create.

It’s okay to build slowly. In fact, I think it’s wise to build slowly. 

Here’s why: when you fix one area of life that feels heavy or chaotic, there’s this sense of release. A peace that reminds you you’re heading in the right direction.

And when that happens, the other rough spots in life don’t feel quite as hard anymore. 

The pressure starts to ease up. You can breathe. And that gives you the capacity to move on to the next thing that needs attention without burning out.

So maybe right now you just need more time.

Or maybe you need to let go of something for a season to make space for what’s next.

That Drive To Make An Income a SAHW Is Not Wrong

You are not broken for wanting to earn an income and still create a peaceful home.
You are not wrong for wanting to live a little differently than what social media says a “successful woman” should look like.

Maybe a small side hustle really is the right path for you, but it’s going to take slow, intentional action to test what works.

Here’s what I’ve learned: clarity comes from action, even if it’s one step at a time.

If you think a part-time job might be the best balance for your season, see if your current workplace offers that option. 

If not, start exploring others. And if you’re worried about the pay cut, take the time to look at your budget. What’s the bare minimum you actually need to create breathing room for your family?

Even if you don’t consider yourself a “religious person,” I’d encourage you to take a few minutes and read Proverbs 31:10–31.

You don’t have to understand every verse right away just read it and let it sit with you.

I read the King James Version, and there are a few verses that stand out every time:

Verse 15: “She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.”
Verse 16: “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.”

You know what that tells me?
She’s an investor.
She looks at her resources, she recognizes opportunity, and she puts what she has to work.

That’s the balance I think so many of us are craving, not the “boss babe” hustle culture, but also not the passive, dependent life that waits for someone else to provide.

You can be both — a woman who builds and a woman who nurtures.

A woman who creates income and also creates peace.

So read those verses and give them a chance.

Peace Becomes the Proof

In a world that’s constantly trying to tell us what the right path looks like, whether that’s devoting ourselves entirely to motherhood or chasing a full-blown career, it’s easy to feel like there’s no middle ground.

But here’s the thing: sometimes the path that fits you is going to look different than what the world expects.

And that’s okay.

Peace is your confirmation of where you are supposed to be in life. It doesn’t mean the work is easy. But when your soul is at peace the hard work doesn’t seem so hard.

Trying to fit in, is one of the biggest things that can slow you down or pull you off track. It’s human nature to want to belong. But the moment we start making decisions to please others instead of walking in what God’s called us to, we lose the steady heart that comes from peace.

Every single time I’ve chosen to follow what I knew in my gut (what I felt God whispering) instead of chasing what looked logical or proven, I’ve watched His path work out to be the best path.. Every. Single. Time.

And maybe you’re not naturally instinctual or decisive. That’s okay too.

But if you create space for quiet — even five minutes a day — and invite God into that space, He will speak.

For me, I’ve always needed to slow my busy brain enough to hear Him. So I started handwriting my prayers. I’d write everything out. Somewhere in that quiet, the noise would soften, and I’d feel him speak to my heart and the answer start to form.

Find what works for you.

Maybe it’s writing. Maybe it’s a quiet walk. Maybe it’s five minutes alone in the car before picking up your kids. Maybe it’s sacrificing sleep in the morning before your kids wake up, like I do, to spend time with God and sit in silence.

Whatever helps you still the noise — do that.

Take the time you need to create the vision God’s pressing on your heart, and hold it with open hands. 
It might take more time than you want — or it might unfold faster than you expected. 

But if He’s calling you to it, He’ll give you the tools you need to get there.

That saying is true: God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called.

You might not feel ready or capable. I often wonder why He would use a shy Dyslexic girl to use her words to make a living and run a YouTube channel… But it’s the best thing I did and still do for my life and my family. Allowing us to homeschool, live a flexible life, and help other moms make an income and be available for their families.

If you’re willing to trust Him, to take one small step toward what He’s showing you, He’ll handle the rest.

Life becomes deeply rich and peaceful when you stop chasing someone else’s version of success and start living in alignment with your own calling.