For the last nearly 5 years this blog has been similar to an extra child. I have loved and nurtured it and over the last few years it has become a job, admittedly one that I have loved.
It has been an immense journey of discovery for me, to find who I am and my voice.
It has captured moments of my life that ordinarily would have passed by without a second glance allowing me to reflect and remember some amazing adventures
Since this has become a full-time job it seems that it can be hard for some to accept its a job that pays the bills, after all I am at home all day. That being the case it isn’t easy to balance a home and baby around working full-time with no childcare.
It helped drastically when my husband and I converted the spare room into my office but finding enough hours in the day has been a struggle.
As much as the opportunities my blog brings are amazing before my operation I was frazzled. I was worn out and working till 3.30am just to meet deadlines.
I have decided that when coming back to work properly after my operation I am going to use my time more wisely. I am going to ask for help more from family, and I am going to involve more freelancers in my stuff.
Although I have a wide grasp of so many new things though blogging some task take me days to do and in effect paying someone else to do them would be cheaper and less time-consuming in the long run. Leaving me to do what I love and still get time with my family.
I am hoping 2017 will be the year I take control of my blog and my business and re address the work life balance to allow me enjoy my children and family instead of seeming to rush from one thing to the next.
Time is precious and I want to make the most of every single second.
If you are new to blogging and think this is going to be an easy way to earn an income, forget it.
Blogging to earn an income is not an easy route, many people will need key skills above and beyond their blog such as social media management experience, photography or even being a qualified writer. For me not having those before I started meant it took years of working and networking 10+ hours a day, seven days a week to become established.
There is an influx of new bloggers on the scene at the moment and there is a high percentage of them with only weeks under their belts shouting about contacting brands and wanting to be paid for just about everything and it makes me more weary at how so many presume blogging is an easy route to income.
Like anything else blogging and working on social media is hard work but for me it’s just finding that balance of working and home life that is illusive …. But not for long!
I’m so pleased you will be getting some help going forward lovely. My blog is only a hobby and still is a labour of love when done properly so I have no idea how you manage it with the children and house too. Sometimes it takes a bit of time out to give us perspective on things doesn’t it xx
Even at my level i know how hard you have to work . Your blog is great and so shows all the hard work you have put in. You are a blogger that i most aspire to be like xx
Ive followed you for a good while Jaime and have always admired your staying power! As someome who’s been at it in earnest for a good couple of years, i can vouch that it aint an easy route!
ahh Jaime, I remember when you were a new blogger on the scene and I was amazed at how quickly you became established. I can only imagine all the hard work you have put into your blog. So many times I have thought about turning my blog into a full time job but I know I don’t have the hours or dedication to do so. I think some really don’t appreciate how difficult it is. I hope you do find some balance for the future, it sounds like you have a plan, I hope it works for you xx
Finding that balance is so difficult isn’t it? Blogging is really hard work, there’s so much that goes on behind the scenes that other people don’t see. I hope you find the balance lovely Jaime xx
Oh it’s so hard to find a balance isn’t it? You are doing amazing and that hard work is paying off. xx
It’s great to read someone be honest about the difficulties of blogging, whether for work or pleasure, and keeping up with everything else. Like you, I love my blog and am always having ideas that pop into my head, but the time and effort and energy needed to keep it ticking over is hard work. Learning about photography, backlinks, social media connections….it’s great but difficult to keep the balance. I’m so glad that you’ve reached out and got the balance you need – you’re right, blogging isn’t easy. It’s a labour of love!
it certainly is a labour of love lol .. I think more people need to be honest about how difficult it is instead of pretending its easy and all rosie then maybe people would walk into it with their eyes open 🙂
It sure is a labour of love I am now finding that too. I’ve been blogging for just over a year now but still love it although hell it’s tiring at times! How you find the hours to do it all I have no idea! I keep a list of things to do and this month things seem to have boomed for me but I’m unsure as to how or why. I only hope I can keep it up!
Good luck with your future my love x Any tips? Send them my way lol