A Day in the Life of a Cottage Baker: Juggling Business, Family, and Recovery

A Day in the Life of a Cottage Baker: Juggling Business, Family, and Recovery

The alarm clock buzzes before the sun has even begun to rise. I rub my tired eyes, stretch as much as my healing shoulder will allow, and slowly ease myself out of bed. The day is already in motion, and there’s no time to waste. My first task? Getting my husband to work. It’s a quiet drive, filled with sleepy conversations and the gentle hum of the car radio. I cherish these early morning moments together because, once he steps out of the car, the whirlwind of my day truly begins.

Appointments & Self-Care (Because I Have To)

As much as I’d love to head straight home and dive into baking, my reality looks a little different. Living with a shoulder injury and ongoing health struggles means that my schedule is often filled with doctor’s appointments, physical therapy sessions, and the constant mental reminder to take care of myself. It’s frustrating at times—there’s so much I want to do, but my body has limits.

Recovery is slow and unpredictable. Some mornings, I feel strong, ready to tackle the day without hesitation. Other days, even the simplest tasks, like opening a jar or kneading dough, remind me of my limitations. But if I’ve learned anything through this journey, it’s that pushing through pain without rest only sets me back further. So I go to my appointments, I follow the exercises, I ice my shoulder when I need to—even when I don’t want to. Because without my health, I can’t do what I love. And I love baking.

The Kitchen Calls

Once appointments are over, I finally get to step into my favorite place: the kitchen. The scent of yeast and cinnamon welcomes me like an old friend, instantly putting me at ease. Flour dusts my countertops, and I pull out my well-loved mixing bowls to begin the day’s work.

Every weekend, customers look forward to their fresh-baked breads, cinnamon rolls, muffins, and pepperoni rolls, and I take pride in making each batch with care. I measure, mix, and knead, being mindful of my shoulder as I work. Some tasks take longer than they used to, but I remind myself that slow and steady is better than not at all. I pause when I need to, stretching my arm gently, shaking out the stiffness before moving on to the next task.

Baking is therapeutic for me. It’s the one place where I feel most like myself, despite the challenges. The rhythm of rolling dough, shaping loaves, and watching them rise in the oven is a process that brings me both joy and peace. But as much as I love the baking itself, there’s a whole other side to this business that demands my attention.

The Business Side

Running a home bakery isn’t just about making delicious treats—it’s also about keeping everything organized. Between batches, I check my phone for messages from customers confirming orders, respond to inquiries, and update my social media pages with mouth-watering photos of my latest bakes.

Marketing, customer service, inventory management—it’s all part of the job. And it’s a job I love, even when it’s overwhelming. I take breaks when I can, often sitting down with an ice pack on my shoulder while I type out responses or plan the weekend’s menu. It’s a constant balancing act, knowing when to push through and when to slow down, but I’ve learned that taking short breaks makes me more productive in the long run.

Family Time & Rest

By late afternoon, it’s time to pick up my husband from work. The drive home gives us time to catch up on the day, sharing little victories and frustrations. Once we’re back, I shift my focus to winding down—at least as much as I can with a business to run.

Some evenings, I’m back in the kitchen, finishing up orders or prepping for the next day. Other nights, I give myself permission to rest, curling up on the couch with my family, letting the warmth of a heating pad ease the tension in my shoulder. It’s hard to shut off my business brain, always thinking about the next bake, the next order, the next weekend. But I remind myself that rest is just as important as work.

Why I Keep Going

Despite the challenges, I wouldn’t trade this life for anything. Baking isn’t just a business for me—it’s my passion, my creative outlet, and my way of bringing a little joy to others. Each loaf of bread, each cinnamon roll, each peanut butter ball that leaves my kitchen is a reminder that I’m doing something meaningful, even on the hard days.

Balancing a business, family, and health struggles isn’t easy, and some days, it feels like an uphill battle. But every kind word from a customer, every repeat order, every satisfied smile reminds me why I do this. It’s about more than just baking—it’s about resilience, about finding a way to keep going even when things feel impossible.

So to anyone out there juggling life’s challenges while chasing their dreams—you’re not alone. Take it one day at a time, listen to your body, and give yourself grace. Because at the end of the day, the small victories add up, and that’s what truly matters.