Lately I’ve had a real bug for blogging. I’m a tad obsessed! I haven’t always been like that. Vicky and I only started in January, so we are still newbies in the mummy blogging world, but the last couple of months I’ve had lots to write about!
Finding the time to write isn’t easy for me. I work 3 days a week. My partner works nights. My toddler refuses to sleep. So you can see I’m pretty challenged in the personal time department! Â Because of this I’ve had to find ways of blogging around work, babies and boyfriends.
Firstly, I’ve started blogging on my lunch break at work. This in itself is a challenge, as my boss sees me at my desk and assumes I’m working. I often flick between work and blogging, but I can usually get a decent post done in the hour I’m on lunch.
Secondly, I use the WordPress app on my iPhone. Whenever I have a spare minute I’ll quickly add something to a post I’m writing. It could be while Jaxson is eating, or when we are cuddling watching Frozen. Or if we are going out as a family, I’ll ask Joe to drive so I can blog on my phone. I find the app super useful for times when I really can’t sit at the computer or on my laptop.
Thirdly, I blog in bed! I haven’t brought myself to write a post about it yet, but Lamb will only sleep in my bed. This is extremely inconvenient for me, especially when Joe is at work. What usually happens is I’ll take Jaxson to bed with me when he’s tired, put on a movie and we lay together until he falls asleep. I’ll then move him into his cot and quickly grab something to eat before going to bed myself. I’ll then sit in bed with my laptop and type away. There are pros and cons to Joe working nights, but one pro is the time I get to myself. Before I started blogging I found evenings alone pretty tedious, but now I have a hobby to fill the gap.
It’s also vital that I create drafts of my posts in WordPress. I’m pretty forgetful since having Jaxson (aren’t we all) so I forget what I want to write about. Recently I’ve been adding plenty of drafts to the blog so when I’m ready, I can write.
Finally, I blog with a friend! In the beginning, when we were both new to blogging, Vicky and I spent one evening a week discussing the blog and planning our posts. As we’ve become more experienced we don’t need to do this, but will often text each other with ideas or questions. If I’m unsure about a post I’ll ask Vicky and her marketing head to check it before I publish.
Vicky has been taking a break from blogging (I did the same back in July), sometimes you just don’t feel like writing. It’s right to take a break, you should never force your posts, it will show in your writing and come across as ‘fake’. Writing the blog together means we have each other to rely on if we can’t blog.
*Update – Vicky is still taking her break, she has yet to decide if she will come back to blogging, however she is still sending me ideas and helps when she can (she will be guest posting when I’m on holiday next week, so please comment on her posts and send her lots of blogging love!! 🙂 )
I hope you’ve found this useful. I’d love to know your tips on better blogging and finding the time to blog.
Alex x
love your posts Alex, not sure how you find time. I have all the time in the world as it is my job and somehow that isn’t enough time. Not sure how you write a post in an hour?! Mine takes me like 2 days to write haha shameful I know. Look forward to some posts by Vicky next week 🙂
thankyou for joining in with #mummymonday – love Gemma – host xo
http://www.sunshineonacloudyday.co.uk
I could have written this! This is exactly me only the other half doesn’t work nights! The only night I get is Tuesday! I do it on other nights too but am aware that he is waiting for me to finish! I love blogging, I love the social aspect of it too! I will keep writing whilst at work, on the train, on the sofa! We have to don’t we?! #mummymonday
I can completely relate to this, I’m always trying to use a spare moment to blog. I find my App on my phone really helps just like you. Such a great honest post.
Steph | http://www.raisingemily.net
Thanks hun. Blogging is definitely a full time job isn’t it. Shame i don’t have full time to do it! But I try my best around work, Lamb and my hubby 🙂 xx
I’m with you there! I’m currently going through an ‘I can’t write quick enough phase’ so it is very difficult to fit it all in. I also find myself blogging on phone, iPad and laptop whoever I can grab it! Michelle x #mummymonday
I am new to all this jazz as well, and throwing a newborn in the mix with a toddler who decided that last week naps were for wimps, well. Time is something which I am lacking!! I use apps on my phone to blog during night feeds, but honestly my brain is so fuzzy I’m not sure whats coming out there! And have started a fairly structured schedule of posts so I know roughly what I want to write and when. And have scheduled!!! And guest posts! #mummymonday
I can relate to this (furiously blogging now whilst girl is asleep!) It does become an obsession and you have to slot in little bits here and there. I have a professional blog with a friend and I find doing that as will as this even harder!! Glad I found your blog though!! xx #mummymondays
It has to become an obsession i think or it would be so easy to give up. There’s no way I could write 2 blogs, go you! Glad we have connected 🙂 xx
I’ve recently been a bit obsessed with blogging too! I’ve got schedueled posts up until May15th!!
Never been that orgainsed before in my whole life haha!
Beth
http://www.life-as-mum.co.uk
That’s amazing! I wish i could be that organised, but I write spontaneously. I don’t have enough time to do more than one post at a time. If I was a stay at home mum then maybe I could. But as long as i am organised enough to get them done daily I’m happy xx
Finding the time to blog can be very tricky but such a good outlet for us mums…I literally race down to the computer the minute I’ve put my little girl down for her 1 o’clock nap, much to the detriment of everything else in the house and dinner but I think a happy, fulfilled mamma makes for a happy fulfilled home life and if that means you have to take it when you can get it – like you are also doing – then so be it! Very impressed you’re able to juggle it with work too. Keep at it! x #mummymonday
Thank you! It’s difficult but I manage somehow! I agree, if blogging makes you happy, than the housework can wait! Since I started blogging my up and down emotions have really calmed down and I’m much happier in general. xx
I know what you mean. It gets extra challenging too when the lo is at that age where they are very demanding for your time. 🙂 #mummymonday
Lamb is 2 and I find it easier to blog than say 6 months ago. He’s happy to watch a dvd on a rainy day, and I’ll sit with him but do a bit of blogging at the same time. This is rare though! xx
Thank goodness for Frozen! Blogging around work, housework, children and my husband is hard but like you I love it and quite honestly I would give up sleep if it meant having a bit of time to finish a post! x
I do give up sleep! It’s naughty, but I just can’t help myself. I really suffer with tiredness, I have a condition that makes me tired so I really should learn to go to bed early, but I just can’t. Blogging is my new passion. x
I love the WordPress app too, I use it all the time for jotting down ideas and responding to comments. Your bedtime blogging sounds blissful, my husband has banned me from bringing my laptop to bed, he says the tapping keeps him awake.
Great post, it’s so interesting to know how other bloggers work blogging into their everyday life.
Thanks for linking up to the very first #SundayStars , hope to see you back next week.
My OH gets annoyed when I’m constantly tweeting on my phone. I’ve explained to him being a newbie blogger means I need to work harder in the beginning to establish the blog. Thing are going well and I don’t want to let it slip. I’ve found something I’m passionate about and feel like I’m using my brain again!! He understands and is usually really supportive. I just need to remember to give him attention sometimes too! x
I am exactly the same, working, and when I’m not working I’m busy in my real job, being a mummy, and then at night I’m often too tired! I do find the time I have on the train at 7am is sometimes fairly productive! X
Finding the time is so tough i am the same as you just do bits a pieces when i can! i have some many half written draft posts i need to finish! thanks for linking up #sundaystars
I’m the same, but sometimes writing drafts, and slowly adding to them is the only way I get to blog when I’m looking after lamb on my own. x
I have the blogging bug too so I know how hard it is to try and find the time without also compromising everything else – not easy! It just goes to show how much we love it, it really is addictive! #sundaystars
Jenna at Tinyfootsteps xx
It’s so addictive, but can be very stressful. I put so much pressure on myself to write posts regularly. Some weeks I literally can’t think of anything to write though! Damn baby brain x
I can totally relate to this, every spare minute I have is spent blogging or promoting or on social media, the commute to work (40 mins), T’s bath time and even now I’m commenting whilst cuddling T in the hope he’ll take a nap! Some great tips here! #sundaystars
I feel guilty when I’m constantly using my iPhone etc, but I know it will pay off eventually. I make sure I have a good balance between tweeting etc and playing with Lamb xx
Its hard getting a balance and getting time to blog isn’t it x
It really is, but I’m slowly figuring out how to get posts done around my busy schedule! X
You sound like me! I’m constantly trying to squeeze in time to work on my blog whenever I can nab a spare moment, it’s hard even without a job! I totally agree with you on time to yourself being a major plus to having a partner who works nights. Almost-Husband has been working nights for almost 2 years now and although there are some draw-backs, I absolutely love having those precious moments to myself after the little one goes to bed!
It’s definitely a bonus having time to yourself isn’t it! It can be annoying at times, but overall it works for us. My OH has works nights for almost 10 years! We have been together 8 years now, so it will be strange if he ever changes to days! X