Blogging has always been a passion of mine. I started my first one when I was 15 years old, and I’ve never really stopped. I’ve cycled through several different sites, a variety of topics and writing styles to finally get to where I am now. I absolutely love to write, and to inspire people, which is why blogging is such a wonderful thing to me, because I can combine both of those passions in one awesome hobby!
Recently, blogging has taken on a new face for me as well, as it’s become a source of income for my family. I’m currently saving everything I make from my blog and it’s going towards buying us a house (one day). It’s quickly becoming a little business and I already treat it like a job. I’m starting to consider myself a work at home mom, instead of a stay at home mom, and I like it! I enjoy the challenge of finding time to write, coming up with new topics and squeezing in a post or two during nap time or after the kids are in bed. It’s stressful sometimes, but I still love it!
Recently, I’ve started a new blog with a couple friends of mine. You may remember hearing me talk about the new site a few times here and there, I’m really excited about everything that’s going on over there. We named the site “Blogging on the Side”, and a huge focus of our writing there is to inspire bloggers to keep their perspective in the right place, while blogging for inspiration or profit.
It has been so encouraging to meet and connect with other bloggers who are as determined as I am to keep their priorities straight even when working at something they love.
I’ll be honest, it can be tough! Sometimes I’d much rather write an inspiring post about my children, than I would actually get down on the floor and play trains one more time, but I have to keep that perspective right. Even when being a mommy doesn’t seem as impressive as gaining 300 more page views or 30 additional followers to my blog, I must remember that it is. That, in the end I’d much rather be an awesome mother to my two kids than inspire 100s of women online. Ideally, I’d like to do both, but the kiddos and my husband are going to come first. Always.
Which is why I’ve made the commitment to keep blogging on the side. Even though it’s a part time job for me now, even though I love to inspire others through my writing, I want to inspire my children and support my husband through my life first of all. If that means I don’t get a post up every day, so be it. If loving on my kiddos means I don’t optimize every post to it’s fullest, that’s alright. Because I proudly bare the titles of Mommy & Wifey before blogger or author.
We’ve recently started something new on the BOTS page, inviting other bloggers to join us in the commitment to keep blogging on the side, however that may look in your life. For some of us it means limiting the time spent on the computer. For others it might mean taking certain days (or times of day) off. We’re not here to tell you how often you should be blogging, because that will look different for each one of us. We just want to commit together that we will all make a conscious effort to keep our priorities straight, regardless of how big (or how small) our blogs may become.
If you want to join the commitment head over to the Blogging on the Side commitment page and link up! It’s a great way to connect with other bloggers that have similar goals (And struggles) that you have! You can also grab a cute little button like the one in my sidebar, to help you remember your priorities every time you log on to your blog! I love seeing it there, reminding me of what is most important in my life.
I love my blog, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to encourage and inspire other women, writing here is truly one of my favorite parts of the day, but it will always remain just a part of my day. Keeping my priorities in line affords me so much freedom in writing and joy in my day to day life. Adding those extra rules and boundaries for myself allows me to offer you, my readers my very best in writing and interaction, while also giving my family my very best time and energy. I love writing here, but if I’m ever missing for a few days, now you know why.
How do you keep your priorities in line while blogging? Have you made the commitment to keep blogging on the side?
Jennice says
I love this odea and I hope it works out!
Alessandra Ferguson says
Love this. So true, no matter how successful we grow in writing/blogging our family is always the most important priority in our life. It can be hard to remember that some days, but it’s really important.
Emily @ My Love for Words says
This is extremely important to me too. I spent my first month of blogging totally immersed in posts, link parties, and everything else we juggle as bloggers, and I eventually realized my primary roles of wife and mother were suffering as a result. I’m still trying to figure out how to juggle everything, but I feel like my priorities are at least back in the correct order. Off to BOTS now to take the pledge :)
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