How to Know You're Ready to Start Earning Passive Income (Even if You Feel Overwhelmed)

Let me guess...

You’ve got 12 tabs open on your laptop, laundry halfway folded, and your kid just called from school just called stating your kid isn't feeling well. You’re doing everything you can to hold it together, but deep down there’s that quiet voice in the back of your mind whispering:

“There has to be another way.”

You don’t want to miss another milestone. Another sick day. Another school event that falls right in the middle of your shift.

Your kids are growing way too fast, and if you're honest… you're scared you're missing it.

At the same time, the idea of starting something of your own feels heavy, confusing, and overwhelming. You don’t know where to begin, and honestly, you’re already stretched thin.

I get it, because I’ve been there too.

I’ll never forget the day my son’s daycare called to say he had a 103-degree fever and needed to be picked up immediately. I told my boss, and her response?

“No, you can’t leave. You’re already here, and your shift ends soon anyway.”

My heart sank.

I wasn’t good for the rest of the day—just watching the minutes crawl by until I could finally clock out and get to my sick baby. I needed that job and was terrified of losing it.

(Funny thing is, that job shut down a few months later without notice… and guess what? I survived. But that’s a story for another day.)

Here’s the part no one tells moms like us:

You don’t need a perfect plan, a team of investors, or a viral Instagram to start earning passive income.

You just need a shift in mindset and the courage to try something different.

You know the ones that are working from Bali, sipping iced lattes, sending out newsletters like clockwork. That feels so far from the real-life chaos of frozen waffles and Target runs, right?

But passive income doesn’t have to be glamorous to be powerful. You don't want to compare others day 12,345 to your day 1. We all start someone just take it a day at a time. I promise it will compound in your favor.

Here are great places to start:

• A Pinterest pin that quietly brings in traffic while you’re watching Elemental for the fifth time this week.

• A quick affiliate link in a blog post you wrote during nap time that sends $12 into your account automatically without a single Zoom call.

• A digital download you made once that’s still selling months later while you're at your daughters dance practice.

Here’s the truth:

Readiness isn’t a feeling, it’s a decision. A choice to no longer be in the same place this time next year.

You can’t wait until you feel ready, because that moment may never come. Fear has a way of moving the goalpost. The more we hesitate, the more overwhelming it feels.

So start small, even if it’s messy.

Because it will be a little messy at first. That’s where the learning happens. That’s where you begin building the systems that will set you up for long-term success.

Wondering if you’re ready? Here are the signs:

• You’re tired of trading time for money.

• You crave flexibility more than fancy job titles.

• You’ve ever Googled “how to make money from home” at midnight.

• You want to earn without having to show up live every single day.

Even if you’re overwhelmed, unsure, or scared I know you’re ready.

That feeling doesn’t disqualify you. It just means you need a little direction and a clear path to follow.

This is where most people get stuck: not because they can’t do it, but because they think there's only one “right” way to start.

The truth? There are several right ways.

You just need to choose one and begin.

You can’t fail I promise, as long as you keep making forward progress.

If you're wondering where to actually start when it comes to passive income, let me introduce you to something that changed the game for me: Systeme.io.

Systeme.io is an all-in-one business platform that lets you build a blog, create landing pages, send email newsletters, sell digital products, host affiliates for your products, and track your affiliate income all without needing a tech degree. And the best part is you can get started for free!

Think of it like the home base for everything you’re going to build.

And before you roll your eyes at “starting a blog” let me just say this:

Blogging isn’t dead.

In fact, it’s one of the best ways to build credibility and social proof online. When people land on your blog from Pinterest, they’re already in research or buying mode. That means your content can gently guide them to click an affiliate link, download a freebie, or even buy a product you recommend.

With Systeme.io, you can:

• Set up a simple blog without complicated tech.

• Create landing pages to collect emails from Pinterest traffic.

• Promote Amazon affiliate links in your posts for passive sales.

• Build a digital product funnel down the line, when you’re ready.

• You even can build a course inside the platform.

You don’t need to write perfect posts. You just need to create helpful content that speaks to the people you want to help. For me that's other moms just like you, looking for freedom.

Systeme.io is free to start and grows with you as you get more confident. It’s the perfect beginner-friendly platform if you’re dipping your toes into online income.

This gives you a place to send all those Pinterest pins, and it becomes your online hub your digital business card, your income stream, your personal platform. It positions you for success from the go, being more in control of your audience then relying on your Social Media following.

Pinterest is not just recipes and nursery inspo—it’s a search engine. And it’s designed for content to live forever, not just 24 hours like on other social medias.

That means if you post a pin today, it can still bring in traffic (and income!) months from now.

You don’t need a huge following.

You don’t need to post daily.

You just need the right strategy.

That’s why I created Pinning for Profits. This is designed to show busy moms exactly how to turn simple pins into consistent passive income, whether you’re promoting your own products or affiliate links.

It’s the guide I wish I had when I started.

You can start with Amazon Affiliates—linking to things you already love and use every day.

That cute water bottle you carry? Link it.

The baby carrier that changed your life? Link it.

Your favorite bedtime book for toddlers? Link it.

Then, create simple content around it whether that is a blog posts, short-form videos, Pinterest pins. Then let the links work for you over time.

You don’t need to “be an influencer.” You just need to be helpful.

If you’re nodding along thinking, “This sounds like me,” then don’t wait until everything is perfect (spoiler: it won’t ever be).

Start messy right where you are.

✅ Grab the Pinning for Profits guide.
✅ Sign up for Amazon Affiliates—it’s free and takes minutes.
✅ Pick one thing you already love and start talking about it online.

You can earn passive income even in the chaos.

You can reclaim your time.

You can be present for your kids and still build something that pays you back.

You’re not behind. You’re just getting started.

And I’m right here cheering you on.