Detroit Mom Welcomes Violetta, a Royal Oak Mom

Hey there! My name is Violetta Reum and I have been following Detroit Mom for over a year. It has given me so much encouragement, support, and just helpful, everyday tips for motherhood and living in Metro Detroit. I am so grateful to now be a contributing member of this community! I hope that my writing inspires and encourages you to be the best mom, wife, and woman that you can be.

My Passion

The first thing you need to know about me is that I am a raging extrovert who is not afraid to strike a conversation with almost anyone. To me, there is nothing more important than people. I know that God has put me on this Earth to love others, to learn from others, and to make deep friendships.

Of course, as years have gone on, relationships have looked very different. I have way less friends than I did in college, and it turns out you won’t always be “best friends 4ever” with your middle school girlfriends. But still, I know that I was created for deep connection and community. Whether I am getting together with a friend or talking to a mom I met at the swings, you can bet I am trying to know their heart and make sure she walks away feeling seen and known.

My Self-Care

But no matter how extroverted I am, I do need downtime. That’s when I like to cozy up with a good book or do a puzzle which ends up taking over our entire dining room table. My husband and I like to watch TV “together” and by that I mean, I have a show on while he watches one of his Detroit teams play on his laptop next to me. Eventually, he gets his heart broken again (poor teams) and we pick something funny and feel-good to watch together (our favorites are the Office, Ted Lasso, and Brooklyn 99).

Also, I make it a priority to get up before my kid so I can make sure to get some alone time in the morning. I usually spend that time drinking coffee, reading, journaling, praying, and practicing gratitude. Sometimes, I only have 15 minutes and I just get to the coffee. And sometimes I have an hour or two which means I get to feel refreshed and ready for the day before my son begins commanding snacks, shows, and the like.

The first hours of the day are as much for me as it is for him and everyone else I get to encounter that day. If I am not reminded of who I am in the morning, if I am not inspired to keep pursuing my purpose, if I am not challenged to love deeper, I notice a huge difference in my attitude toward myself and others.

My Work

In 2019, I began working as a professional organizer. Reum Organizing is like my second baby. I love helping people organize their homes and businesses and to make people’s spaces orderly, efficient, and beautiful.

But entrepreneurship is just as hard as it can be rewarding. Working 24/7 can be exhilarating, but there are major benefits to having a 9-to-5 as well. So just a couple months ago, I decided to accept a full-time position as a head of operations of a minority, female-owned law firm as they expand their office and client list. I am very excited about this new transition because I get to really use my skills as a leader and an organizer. But I’ve had to come to terms with my own limitations and I’ve decide to stop seeing my face-to-face organizing clients in 2022. The whole process has been a rollercoaster of grieving, relief, frustration, and eventually, peace. No one’s entrepreneurial journey is linear or simple. We all have to figure out what works best for us, our families, and our future goals.

My Motherhood

My son’s name is Dominik and he is the one who made me a mom. He is two years old and he loves animals and football. He is such a joyful little kid and I love seeing how perfectly he represents my husband and I.

My husband and I have never done a good job being “normal” or having “traditional family dynamics.” We have had seasons of one of us working while the other stayed with Dominik. Currently, I am a part-time working mom and my husband has a flexible job as a fitness coach. Between the two of us we are trying to juggle parenthood, work, our passions, and relationships. We have a village of people behind us helping it all happen and we gave up our pride and learned to ask for help a long time ago.

My Home

So I’ve lived everywhere, and I am not quite sure where my home is exactly. I was born in Ukraine, grew up on a US military base in Japan, went to college and got married in Florida, lived in Germany for a few years, and then somehow ended up in Northern California. And now, as of August 2020, we live in Royal Oak, MI. But the goal is to live in the city one day. We love Detroit and Metro Detroit; the history, the diversity, the hustle, the food, all of it. We go into the city almost daily because my husband and I both work downtown and we love going there for date night and on weekends, too. For us, Detroit feels the most like home.

My Hope for Detroit Moms

As I’ve mentioned before, I am absolutely passionate about making connections (the Detroit Mom community is a perfect place to do just that!). I would love to write on a non-traditional subject of adult relationships and building community. Starting and maintaining relationships after marriage and kids is very challenging, but it’s so worth it. I believe all humans are made for deep and intentional connections, not just small talk at the playground or gossip at the water cooler.

And even though I am walking away from doing my organizing business full time, I really hope to continue sharing organizing inspiration, minimalism ideas, and productivity tips for the Detroit Mom community and on my organizing Instagram profile. I truly believe that we can have a lot more peace and efficiency if we set up the right systems in our homes and work places.

I would love to hear from you, Detroit Mom! Come say “Hi!” in the comments and let me know if we have anything in common!