As a full-time working mom, I often get asked, “How do you juggle
it all?” This question often makes me cringe and makes me feel as nervous as a
cat in a room full of rocking chairs because honestly, I don’t juggle it all.
Not even close, and most people don’t want to hear that. They want you to tell
them that you have the perfect secret formula to being a super mom when really,
I’m just a hot freaking mess. Just this morning I was 10 minutes late for work,
smeared lipstick across the side of my face and almost ran out of gas during my
morning commute. To add insult to injury, yesterday, I busted a hole in my pants during a presentation in front of 20 people. It was glorious.
Zero time. Hot mess. Walking disaster. So when do I find time to blog? Well, let me back up
for a second. I figured a few things out quickly when I started this blog:
//I would never get more hours in the day for simply deciding to
take on another project.
//Blogging takes work. It’s not going to do it on its own.
//Albeit work, I want it to be enjoyable and fun.
//Blogging takes work. It’s not going to do it on its own.
//Albeit work, I want it to be enjoyable and fun.
Having said this, I think the main way I find time to blog is by
remembering my priorities. I don’t blog at the expense of my child and my own
well-being comes first meaning, if after I’ve put Maddy to bed and I’m
exhausted, I’m not blogging. I love you guys but chances are I’m going to bed
to relax and will not be up just so I can finish a blog post.
I also don’t put a lot of pressure on myself to constantly post
every day. I know most bloggers will disagree with this tactic but it’s what
works for me. I don’t feel the need to have to post something all the time just
for the sake of posting so it really frees up my time to give me more wiggle
room on being able to focus on more important things when I need to or to
simply just set the blog aside for a bit. Remember the fun aspect I mentioned
above? Not putting the extra stress and pressure on myself to constantly have
something to say helps with keeping the fun in my dysfunctional. This space
will always be here. There’s no need in rushing things.
I’m also notorious for having several blog post drafts going at
once. I constantly have ideas floating around in this head of mine so I may log
into my account and briefly get out those ideas and then leave it alone for a
while. It also allows me time to think, research, or decide how much effort I
really want to put into a particular topic or issue.
So when do I find time during the day to get it all done?
Lunch breaks at work. Quiet mornings like today before
anyone gets up. Evenings after Chickie is asleep. Nap time on the weekends. I
keep a running list of blog post ideas on my Wunderlist app and update it when
a thought or idea pops up. I also keep a calendar with important dates noted
for the days I definitely want to post or for reminders of link-ups but I still
give myself leeway to not participate if I’m just not feeling it. I wish I
could tell you that I have the magic formula for making it all happen but I
don’t. The good news? No one else really does either. We all have full, busy
lives and have to find our own unique ways of making it work. It’s a juggling
act for everyone. Don’t let any other blogger tell you otherwise.
For me, this blog is a hobby. My life as a mom, partner, and
employee isn’t. Those things must, and will always come first, so really it’s
all in your mind-set. The truth is that we will always make time for the things
we really want to do regardless. Just remember what your priorities are.
I’m curious to know other
blogger's tactics, thoughts, and ideas. How do you make it all happen as a
blogger and working mom?
