A Day in the Life of a Localization Specialist (and Mom): How I Reclaimed My Workday Without Losing My Mind or Myself

Ciao! I’m Giulia — a freelance Italian localization specialist with a passion for tea and newfoundland dogs. I spend my workdays translating and tweaking digital content until it sings in Italian. And the rest of the time? I’m raising a wonderfully spirited toddler who thinks socks are optional and that “No” is a negotiation.

After a year-long maternity leave, I returned to freelance life with a clear goal: to show up fully — just not as a martyr. I’m not here to be a superhero. I’m here to be sustainable. The “supermom” narrative? Thanks, but no thanks. It’s just another polished pressure dressed up as empowerment.

What you’ll read here isn’t a polished Pinterest routine. It’s real life: a balancing act that doesn’t always balance, where boundaries matter more than inbox zero, and where being a “good enough” parent and professional is the actual win.

7:00 am – Wake-Up, Morning Chaos and Cuddles

Our mornings follow a kind of semi-predictable rhythm — emphasis on semi. I try to ease us into the day with slow wake-up cuddles and some early play. It’s a soft start for both of us before the outside world kicks in.

Breakfast isn’t a curated Pinterest moment — it’s about survival. A bite of banana here, some toast negotiations there, and maybe (if I’m lucky) we both eat something vaguely nutritious.

By the time we’re out the door for nursery, I’ve already clocked a full shift — unpaid and unseen, like most caregiving work. But we make it. No capes. No medals. Just a quietly defiant victory in the face of toddler chaos.

8:30 am – Nursery Drop-Off + Assam tea = Sanity

Once I drop off my daughter at nursery, I make a beeline for my desk — usually with a strong black tea or matcha latte in hand. Emails, Slack messages, and other digital pings await. I scan for urgent client updates, localization briefs, or context clarifications that need my attention. I’m not saying I live in Lokalise and Phrase, but let’s just say we’re on a first-name basis.

Before I jump into the actual work, I take a moment to ground myself in the day. I open my trusty paper agenda, check my weekly layout, and glance up at my corkboard where sticky notes and colour-coded cards give me a visual cue of what’s on deck. It’s decidedly old-school, but it helps me see the big picture and resist the digital chaos.

That five-minute ritual — cup in hand, planner open, corkboard cleared — is my version of a morning stand-up. And it works fine.

9:00 am to 1:00 pm – Deep Work, Deep Focus

This is my prime time. I go full translator-mode: headphones in, CAT tools open (Trados, MemoQ, Lokalise — depending on the project), and fingers flying.

Some mornings I’m knee-deep in app UI strings for a women’s health product, balancing tone, brevity, and clarity across multiple languages. Others, I’m localizing eLearning modules or adapting a newsletter for a sustainability-focused brand. These are the kinds of projects that light me up — meaningful content for people, not just platforms.

Between segments, I Pomodoro my way through terminology rabbit holes, Xbench QA checks, and the occasional dash to stir lunch or fold a pile of laundry. It’s a bit chaotic. But it’s my kind of structure.

During Pomodoro breaks, I also carve out space for rituals that keep me grounded — reading a few pages of a book, watching a YouTube talk, or journaling a thought that struck mid-translation. Most importantly, I’ve built a habit of dedicating at least one hour a day to education. Whether it’s a localization webinar, a UX writing course, or a deep dive into SEO trends, this time is mine — an intentional investment in staying sharp and inspired.

1:00 pm – Pasta

Pasta is the unofficial mascot of my lunch hour. It’s quick, comforting, and — crucially — toddler-approved (on good days). I try to eat mindfully, but most days I’m mentally rewriting a string or pre-proofing tomorrow’s glossary updates between bites.

2:00 – 4:00 pm – Creative Window

This time block is softer. It’s when I write blog content, update glossaries, explore client stories, or plan my side project — a localization-inspired Etsy shop. It’s also when I allow myself to explore curiosities and industry trends. Found in localization rabbit holes are real.

This time is sacred — not because it’s productive, but because it’s mine. After a morning of serving others (clients, child, inbox), this is where I reconnect with why I started freelancing in the first place.

4:00 pm – Pick-Up & Perspective Shift

At 4:00 pm, the laptop clicks shut. No “just one more segment,” no sneaky Slack replies. I’ve drawn a clear line between work and home — not always easy in freelance life, where the pressure to always be “available” can creep in quietly. But setting this boundary has been one of the healthiest choices I’ve made for both my wellbeing and the quality of my work.

Once I pick up my daughter, the shift is more than just physical — it’s mental and emotional. The work hat comes off (well… most days), and the rest of the day belongs to us.

Sometimes we go for a walk with our dog, other times we cook or simply lounge on the floor, flipping through books — often switching between English and Italian at her request. She’s fascinated by the way I speak in “different voices,” and even if she doesn’t fully understand the concept of translation yet, her curiosity fills me with joy. It’s a quiet reminder that what I do for a living — shaping language, making meaning — is deeply rooted in human connection.

It’s not about having a perfect after-school routine. It’s about presence. And presence, I’ve learned, is its own kind of fluency.

5:00 pm Onwards – Evenings in Real Life

Evenings are no longer an afterthought — they’re a core part of my daily rhythm. Once we’re all home, it’s a winding-down window filled with a little bit of everything: laughter, laundry, leftovers, and language games.

We might take a short walk with our dog, throw together something simple for dinner, or dive straight into our usual reading ritual. Books are a big deal in our house — we mix Italian and English stories freely, and lately, my daughter has started requesting translations of her own. Watching her develop a love for language (and being curious about the “other ways” I speak) is one of the most heartwarming and affirming parts of this phase of life.

Dinner’s not fancy, and bedtime isn’t always smooth, but there’s a softness to this time of day that I’ve grown to really protect. No laptops. No work. No guilt. Just the day slowing down — and us settling in.

Notes from the Eye of the Storm

Returning to freelance life after maternity leave hasn’t been linear. The biggest challenge? Letting go of the idea that I could “go back” to how it was. I had to rebuild my workflow from scratch — with more acceptance, more boundaries, and a whole new appreciation for time.

I’ve become a master of the Eisenhower Matrix. I’ve ditched guilt as a project management tool. I no longer romanticize burnout.

My advice to other new moms in localization or freelancing? Forget balance. It’s a myth. Embrace the mess, the milestones, and your own pace. Talk to someone who *gets* it. And never, ever compare your rhythm to someone else’s highlight reel.

Redefining What ‘Having It All’ Looks Like

There was a time — pre-baby — when I thought success meant saying yes to everything, working until 2 a.m., and never missing a deadline. Now, I know better.

Being a mother has reshaped how I value time, energy, and emotional bandwidth. It’s taught me that protecting my own boundaries isn’t selfish — it’s essential. It’s also made me question the invisible labour expected of women, especially freelancers who mother.

I don’t work after 4 p.m. I say no more often. I choose rest without apology. That’s not weakness — that’s sustainability. And while my days are still full, I’ve stopped chasing the impossible ideal of “balance.” I’m chasing presence instead — even if it sometimes comes wrapped in laundry, leftovers, and lullabies.

Let’s Stay Connected

If this day-in-the-life resonated with you — whether you’re a fellow localizer, a parent navigating freelance life, or someone questioning the ‘supermom’ myth — I’d love to keep the conversation going.

👉 Let’s connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giuliabonati/
👉 Read more reflections on translation and freelancing on my blog: https://giuliabonati.com/found-in-localization-blog/

Thanks for reading — and for honouring the messy, meaningful middle of it all.