Disclaimer, when a blogger starts blogging about well blogging, what does that even mean? Someone somewhere wrote about how bloggers write for other bloggers, isn’t that silly? But, it makes sense, bloggers share a lot of passions so why wouldn’t we enjoy reading about one another’s experiences. So, maybe I’m becoming passé or maybe I just want to share my journey. Whatever the reason, I’ve officially crossed the line into “writing what everyone else writes about.” But, only on every other Friday or just whenever I feel like it so maybe you can forgive me.
I remember when I first started instagramming, I read something another mom wrote on this topic and I was like she did what? Why would she give that up. She can do that and still blog. Ha, that’s before I started getting serious. Regular writing, social media, and public relations takes up a lot of time, which means I have less time for these things:
TV. I don’t spend as much time in front of the tube after the kids go to bed. Instead, I work on writing, editing, and designing. This is not necessarily a bad thing but it can be kind of hard to unwind and I often find myself with a wandering mind as I’m trying to settle down for sleep.
Face to Face Friend Time. Let’s be honest, this has more to do with my lifestyle than blogging. I have four kids. I just don’t have as much time to socialize. But, the deeper I get into the blogging world, the less time and energy I have for other things. That means you may not see me more than once every other fourth Friday. But, it’s afforded me some self fulfillment that doesn’t involve time away from the kids.
Freedom from Deadlines. Before blogging, the only deadlines I had were holidays and birthdays. Now I have a casual blogging calendar and plan posts at least a week in advance. That means I have to do photos, review them, get them to my photo editor, and write about them all within a certain amount of time. Sometimes, that feels like a lot on my plate. Most of the time, it feels like an accomplishment to hit schedule on a post I’ve been working on for a week.
What I’ve gained far outweighs the small “losses” (do we really consider TV a loss?). I have gained purpose outside of being a mom (moms you know what I’m talking about), experience for my resume, and a hobby I can share with my husband. I’ve also gained a sense of stability I did not feel I had before blogging. I used to worry about what would happen if some day J couldn’t work and support us. I didn’t have any marketable skills, what would I do? I don’t worry about that anymore.
So, yes, I have less time and energy than I did before I started blogging. But, I have reorganized my priorities to include following my passion for writing. What I have now is confidence, budding business skills that make me a marketable commodity, and a “job” that not only doesn’t take me away from my family but often involves all six of us. You should see us scurrying around trying to take the perfect shots (stay tuned next week when my family picks my outfit and I wear it without complaining- okay maybe a little;). (Don’t worry, I still have times for books and my fabulous friends on and off Instagram.)
Coming soon, I’m going to share with you why I decided to collab and why you might want to as well, until then…
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As a blogger reading your blog, maybe this is just the new writing community? We used to have circle critiques, but now we have this? Have you read “On Writing” by Stephen King? He says TV is the first thing to go, but really you’ll be much better off without it.
I haven’t but I’ll have to check it out…it’s definitely an interesting notion. I mostly write about what inspires me at the moment – not all of it makes it to published status though ❤️
I need to start a blogging schedule!!! I find that its taking up so much of my time and as of right now its just a hobby!
That’s exactly how I feel! But when you have four kids, everything takes up too much time ha. Btw I adore your blog name ?❤️
Sometimes I think I should give blogging some serious consideration, but I am a little overwhelmed by the thought. I think I could handle the logistics of it, and I do write well, but content would be the challenge. I don’t have a passion, an area of expertise, or any interesting points of view or anything. But I keep thinking it would be a viable source of income for us. I make at least 500 a month, usually more, doing transcription but unless we want to keep living paycheck to paycheck, I need to eventually figure out something else.
Blogging might be a fun way to make some extras Michele! Even if you don’t bring in income. I’m going to be posting a series about collaborating soon that you might enjoy. Blogging is fun and collabing gives you a source of content. Shoot me a message if you want some pointers or to just chat about it ?