Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Sinden
Hi Emily, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have been a writer my entire life. For nearly all of that time, I dreamed of becoming a published author but struggled to finish any of my works in progress. One day, while scrolling through Pinterest to break through writer’s block, I came across a blogger who helped others start their own blogs. I thought to myself, Why not start one too?
At first, I had no idea what I would blog about. I’m a writer, a reader, a mom, a blue-collar wife, and a type-A personality with a type-B inner monologue—how could I fit all of that into a single blog? But I decided to start anyway. I realized there weren’t many women documenting life as the wife of a blue-collar worker, especially when their significant other was away. Most of what I found came from long-haul trucker families. So I thought, Why not share my own experience as a blue-collar wife, working mom, and writer?
My husband recently started traveling for work as a journeyman electrician with the IBEW. We’re fortunate to live in southwest Ohio, close to several locals with steady work and decent incentives. But while Columbus is only two hours away, a four-hour daily commute just isn’t realistic for us. So, with the help of his uncle, my husband stays outside our home 90% of the week. This leaves me to handle the cooking, cleaning, raising our two wonderful kids, caring for the dog, and working full-time as a public school teacher—all while earning my master’s degree in special education.
I wanted to create something for moms and wives who are doing this alone, so they know they’re not alone. The 2 a.m. nursing sessions when your eyelids are barely open, teaching your three-year-old to read, trying to find the motivation to clean the house—I’m right there with you.
So, here I am, documenting life as I live it, hoping others can relate. I’m incredibly proud of the progress I’ve made and excited to use my growing platform to foster a sense of community among people who may not have a “village.” I also want to inspire others to lean into their hobbies—because they should bring joy and excitement to life.
As I always tell my readers: grab a drink, get cozy, and welcome to the chaos.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been smoother than I expected. I’m definitely not as tech-savvy as I used to be, so setting up my domain and handling the technical side of things was hard. Luckily, my sister runs her own small business and built her own website, so I bombarded her with about a million questions a day.
The biggest challenge I’ve faced since then is finding time to write while taking care of my kids. My three-year-old insists on typing on my laptop at the exact moment I’m trying to work, and my seven-month-old wants to be held constantly. So, I’ve had to get creative when it comes to finding time to blog.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Right out of college, I started working for a well-known law firm in Cincinnati. But I wasn’t finding joy in that work, and with our first child on the way, I began thinking about what I truly wanted my life to look like. Coming from a family of educators, I thought, Why not see what teaching has to offer? After all, I love learning. I’ve also always enjoyed reading and writing, so teaching English seemed like a natural fit.
In January 2022, I started teaching—though not English, but science. It was a learning curve, but I enjoyed it. Since then, I’ve taught 5th-grade ELA and Social Studies and am currently teaching Pre-K. I’m earning my master’s degree in special education, but I plan to remain a classroom teacher. I subbed as an elementary intervention specialist for a maternity leave but didn’t find joy in that style of work.
Looking ahead, the plan is for me to stop working in a few years and begin homeschooling our children—an adventure I am incredibly excited for.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I wouldn’t consider myself a risk-taker. I tend to be a rule follower—it’s part of my oldest child syndrome. But the risks I’m taking right now, like starting a blog, considering homeschooling my kids, and preparing to move 1.5 hours away from the life I’ve always known, feel huge to me, even if they might seem small to others.
Moving, in particular, is a big one. While we haven’t moved yet, we’ve found the place we want to be, and I know I’ll be leaving a significant part of my life behind. My siblings will stay in our hometown, my friends will remain there, and my parents may or may not move with us. It’s a lot of change, but I know it’s the right step forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://inkandoverallsblog.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/inkandoveralls
