I honestly thought I could squeeze in at least 30 minutes to an hour a day for my blog but I was totally wrong.
I’m super passionate about growing this space, but between my full-time job and chasing after a toddler, finding time for it is way harder than I imagined.
So, I’m keeping it real here, let’s dive into what’s actually working and what’s totally not.
Creating a Sustainable Routine
What’s Not Working:
- Blogging every day
I’m definitely the type who sets big, ambitious goals, and one of those was to blog every single day for an hour. Spoiler alert: That didn’t happen. With a full-time job? Nope, just couldn’t make it work. - Overestimating how much you can accomplish after work
Let’s be real, after a full day of work, who’s got the energy left for a side hustle? And with mom duties taking up pretty much every spare minute, there’s not much time left for blogging. - Burnout from trying to do too much
Trying to do everything all the time only leads to burnout. I learned the hard way that if you’re exhausted and overwhelmed, your blog won’t get anywhere. So now, when life gets tough, I take a breather. Slowing down is okay. Your blog will still be there when you’re ready to dive back in.
What’s Working:
- Time-blocking
Instead of trying to squeeze blogging into every day, I pick specific days where I have extra time. For me, that’s usually a couple of hours on the weekends and some quiet time during work-from-home days. It’s been way more effective than trying to blog every single day. - Using your peak hours (e.g., early mornings, after kids bedtime)
I’m at my best in the mornings, so I dedicate that time to blogging. It’s been a total game-changer to focus on my blog when I’m feeling energized. It really helps me stay on track and makes the process feel more rewarding. - Delegate and automate where you can
It’s amazing how much time you can free up when you ask for help or use tech to your advantage. I’ve started having my partner pitch in with chores, and using things like online grocery shopping or bulk meal prepping has saved me so much time. Every little bit helps!
Planning and Staying Organized
What’s Not Working:
- Overplanning and never doing
I spent three whole years overthinking, researching things I didn’t even need to know, and questioning whether I should even start this blog. Honestly, you don’t need a perfect plan. Just take that first step and figure things out as you go. - Constant multitasking
I gave this “hustle” idea a go, trying to use all those little pockets of time like lunch breaks, commutes, etc., to work on my blog. But it just burned me out. Jumping from one task to another takes so much mental energy. It wasn’t worth it. - Relying on motivation
I used to only blog when I felt motivated. But let’s face it, motivation is hard to come by when you’re juggling a full-time job and toddler life. In two months of blogging, I only had two posts live. Consistency is key. Set up systems and don’t wait for that “perfect” moment of motivation, work on your blog when you’re feeling energetic, like first thing in the morning.
What’s Working:
- Keeping a simple editorial calendar
I’ve found that having a calendar to track when I want to publish posts is a lifesaver. Even if it’s just planning a few months of content ahead, it helps me stay on track and saves a ton of time that would’ve gone into brainstorming topics on the fly. - Using tools to stay organized
Technology is my best friend in this blogging journey. I use tools like Notion or Google Docs to keep track of blog ideas and upcoming posts. Even tools like ChatGPT to brainstorm or help with SEO. Honestly, the possibilities are endless, and it’s made everything so much smoother. - Setting small, realistic goals
Big, lofty goals don’t do much for motivation. I’ve found that setting small, achievable goals (like one post a week) really helps build momentum. Every few months, I review what I’ve achieved and check if my goals are still realistic or need to be broken down even further.
Managing Expectations and Staying Motivated
What’s Not Working:
- Being a perfectionist
If you think you need to know everything before starting a blog, you’ll never begin. Trying to get that perfect first post? Newsflash—nobody’s going to see it anyway. The key is to just get started. The more you do it, the better you’ll get over time. - Obsessing over numbers and growth
Looking at numbers too early can really mess with your head. I’ve learned that blogging isn’t an overnight thing. Just let go of big expectations, keep learning from your mistakes, and keep showing up. The growth will come when it’s meant to. - Feeling guilty for missing deadlines
Life happens. Whether it’s work stress, sick kids, or just not having the time. You’re going to miss deadlines sometimes, and that’s okay. Step away, take care of life, and come back when you’re ready. There’s no need to feel guilty about it.
What’s Working:
- Having low expectations
The progress will feel super slow some days and that’s normal. Not every day is going to be a big win, and that’s totally fine. Some days you’ll feel like you’re on fire, and other days, the hours will just slip away. Don’t sweat it. - Remembering why you started
Sometimes you might question, “What’s the point?” when you’re not seeing immediate results. But take a moment to reconnect with why you started your blog in the first place. That’s the spark that’ll keep you going, even when things feel slow. - Celebrating the small wins
Every little bit of progress counts. Starting your blog? Big win! Getting a post published? Win. Don’t skip over the small victories, celebrate every step. You’re doing amazing.
Conclusion
Balancing a full-time job with blogging is definitely a challenge. Honestly, I don’t know if my blog will take off or if anyone will even read it. There are times when I wonder if it’s all worth the time and effort.
But one thing I do know is that instead of just overthinking, I’m actually doing something to build the life I’ve always dreamed of.
So, if you’re in the same boat, just keep going. Don’t overthink it. Give your dream a real shot!
I’d love to hear about your own blogging journey—what challenges have you faced, and how did you push through?
Drop a comment below!