I don’t normally like to write sad posts but the thing is that when something is bothering you too much you just have to let it all out so you feel better. It won’t make things changed but at least after shouting it out to the world you feel a sense of relief so then things can be reconsidered again in a better way and hopefully find a solution or a new direction to follow. At least this is what I hope. Do you agree?
I’m a SAHM which means that I have to take care of my girls full time, especially the little one that is only 15 months. Alongside that, I have my little blog which I’m working really hard to try to take to the next level! The amount of hours that I have put into my blog since I started have been crazy hours really, sometimes staying until 4 or 5 am in the morning!! Yes I know!! I was crazy!! The thing is that I only had and still have some peace and quiet during the night because this is when my 2 girls are finally sleeping. I had days that I thought I could manage it all and days that obviously were physically impossible. Now I’m trying not to do this too often as otherwise I will collapse, so I only do this occasionally so that I don’t get behind with my work. Guess WHAT? I’m still behind with my work! Surprise, surprise… I don’t think there will be a day when I will be able to say that I’m on top of everything! LOL, I really wish for that to happen though so I can feel less stress.
The funny thing is that, every night I put the girls to bed then I have some dinner and finally I sit down in front of my laptop to start doing some work and after a few minutes I’m gone. I fight very hard but I can’t keep my eyes open any more! I just let myself rest and just go to bed. This however, leads to me being absolutely behind with my commitments and it is starting to be a big issue for me. 🙁
The interesting part is that regarding my blog, I’m at the stage at the moment that I feel that I’m progressing a lot with it which I’m really grateful for. I’m having more events to attend, more brands want us to review their products, I get more people contacting us to be part of interesting campaigns, etc BUT the problem is that I don’t have enough TIME to fulfil these responsibilities. I am depended upon 24/7 by a 15 month old super hyper baby girl that doesn’t want to do her nap any more! If that wasn’t enough she is teething badly. I think she is getting all her molars at once! OMG the poor little thing is dribbling like crazy, crying a lot, being extremely clingy with me and of course she has no patience whatsoever. I know this is also a phase and hopefully things will go back to normal but at the moment it is very difficult to cope!
I just wanted to write this because I thought it could be interesting for other people that are not bloggers to see how hard it is to be one, especially a blogger who has kids and has to take care of their kids full-time with no help! Yes, it is hard work and we all try to do the best as we can to fulfil the deadlines because we all love what we do, we all love our blog and we all want our little blog to be one day our main source of income so we can spend more time with our kids.
It is getting more difficult every day and my time is very limited at the moment BUT I’m sure I’ll pass this bad patch and hopefully I will be able to catch up soon and feel less stressed. Wish me luck!
Have you ever felt this way? Do you also agree that being a blogger is not an easy job? What do you normally do to pass over these difficult times? What tips do you have that you would like to share with us about this?
Thanks for stopping by,
Love you all ❤️
Franca 💋
Ah lovely I know exactly how you feel! Whether blogging is a hobby or a job, it’s the best and the worst thing sometimes because you hardly ever switch off. And of course you don’t want to switch off because you continually want to follow up with new ideas and learn new things! It’s wonderful but challenging and I don’t know that anyone really finds the perfect balance – well I’d like to know someone who has!
Try to take some time out for yourself though – even just an hour or so a week. Between everything you are doing, it doesn’t seem like you’re getting much time just to do nothing at all 🙂 x x x
Oh Mim, it is so hard some times to get things done on time but I think write about it made me feel much better already as after that I managed to catch up with some of my backlog! It is true it will be amazing if we can find the perfect balance but as you said it is not easy! I think you are right, I will get some time off and get my head cleared so I can start fresh again!! Thank you so much lovely for taking the time to comment, specially now that you have so many things to deal with atm. You are really amazing and an inspiration for me! Such a positive person and a good friend!! 🙂 xx
Oh goodness, you need to get your rest and you-time also. It’s so difficult to strike the right balance but your health is the most important. It’s so great that your blog is growing but you can only do what you can do.
Take care and best wishes
Vix x
#bestandworst
Thank you so much for your comment Vix!! I know what you mean, I just need to do what I can do, Maybe I’m pushing myself too much! I really need a rest! Thanks again, 🙂 x
You are doing so well with your blog and I can see all the time and effort you are putting into it! Hope you can find some time for yourself to refresh. Definitely hard when you only have the evenings to blog xx #bestandworst
Thank you for your kind words Julie!! I think I will have to have some time off to switch off and rest. Hopefully then I can come back with more energy! 🙂 xx
I feel exactly like this currently! I really want to grow my blog & make it into some kind of job, but I am really struggling with even the current workload and two young toddlers. #bestandworst
Exactly!! I know the purpose of our blogs is to talk about our children but at the same time I find it very hard to produce enough work because I have to take care of them all day! It is a tricky one! Let’s hope for things to get better for us! Thank you for leaving a comment Lucy! 🙂 x
Perhaps we need to train the children to help with the blogs! Reduced workload, plus we could get a lot of posts written about our genius blogging toddlers! Back from #KCACOLS
I feel the same! It’s so much work and I’m barely keeping away! So why you can it take a day off if you can the blog will still be here tomorrow and the break may give you the energy you need! Ps I need to listen to my own advice!
Angela
Yes I’m seriously thinking to switch off but not just for one day but for a whole weekend. Just to relax with my family! You are right that might bring my energy back and perhaps more ideas to keep working. Haha I know what you mean, it is easier to say it than to do it!! We should both have some rest then! 😉 Thanks for stopping by Angela! 🙂 xx
Its so hard isn’t it trying to juggle growing you blog and being a mum. Perhaps once your deadlines have been met you can take a few days off and re charge. You have to be careful not to over do it and burn yourself out! It’s great to know your blog is growing but try and think of you every now and then xx
Yes you are right Rachel!! I need to focus on me a little bit more otherwise I could get ill. Thank you lovely!! 🙂 xx
I think if you want to take your blog to the next level this must be very tough and I can see how you are overwhelmed. I feel the pressure sometimes to post but as mine is very much a hobby, the pressure is less if that makes sense. I would echo others; fab your blog is growing but have you some time, sleep and look after yourself too. Thanks for linking with#bestandworst and see you soon x
Thank you Sarah!! I know what you mean!! I definitely need some time off to rest and recharge batteries. This is something that I will probably do in December around Christmas. Thanks for your comment and for hosting #bestandworst! 🙂 xx
Hi 🙂 This post really resonates with me as I feel i’m going through a similar stage. My little ones is 19 months old, i’m a SAHM Monday-Friday but work two nightshifts over the weekend. I love my blog and have started to invest time into it but when I have time at night – i’m falling asleep.
Your blogs brilliant and if you feel like a rest take one! You deserve it! x
Thank you Claire for your lovely comment! The falling sleep is happening to me a lot lately!! Tried very hard not to but my body needs to rest so I just let myself to go to sleep but then there is not more blogging for that nigh! It is hard sometimes!! 🙂
Oh Franca! I completely understand this feeling and situation and completly empathise with you. Its really tricky trying to keep everything going all the time. I understand your motivation for wanting to grow and progress your blog, I am in a very similar place. But I realised a little while ago (in a work context) that the reward for success, is more work! I think the same applies to blogging. I think you are doing fantastically well and I really admire the progress you are making, its amazing. But at the same time you do have to find some kind of balance so that you can maintain and sustain these fantastic levels of achievement. Its a difficult one, but im sure you will figure how to make it all work. Most importantly, make sure you take and make time for yourself too 🙂 Emily x
I feel you and I only have the one little boy right now. It’s so difficult getting the right balance, my OH gets annoyed with me because I blog in the evenings alot but that’s really the only time I get. I’ve no idea how you manage to stay up until 5am, I couldn’t survive without my sleep now the little one sleeps through. Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays! Kaye xo
It is really important to be kind to yourself and give yourself time to rest/relax. I know how difficult juggling family and work can be and sometimes in the past I have felt I have been so busy with both that I haven’t done either well! I try hard not to punish myself like that now. You have worked so hard and are doing amazingly well!! I really admire people who run linkys as they are very time consuming. Getting the balance between doing everything as well as you want without running yourself into the ground can be really tricky – especially when the children are still young. Try and make sure you regularly have a little you time 🙂 xx #KCACOLS
Poor you. I know exactly how you feel. If it’s any consolation it sounds like you are doing a great job & I love your blog #KCACOLS
That sounds stressful! I have recently taken a couple of months out from blogging because it really can eat up your time. It isn’t just the writing but all the other stuff that goes along with it – commenting, sharing… but those are also the lovely things about blogging – the sense of community. I hope you can achieve a good balance.
xAlice
#kcacols
Aw bless you! When I set up my blog I totally underestimated how much work has to go into it! I’m not at a stage where I can spend hours and hours so I just grab time as and when I can and hope that my followers/readers begin to grow.
Give yourself some me time so you don’t feel overwhelmed by it all. Maybe some phone/laptop free time? Xxx
Aw bless you! When I set up my blog I totally underestimated how much work has to go into it! I’m not at a stage where I can spend hours and hours so I just grab time as and when I can and hope that my followers/readers begin to grow.
Give yourself some me time so you don’t feel overwhelmed by it all. Maybe some phone/laptop free time? #kcacols
I’m surprised you manage to get so much done while also being a full time mum. You must be super efficient! I am also extremely time poor with little ones that sleep at 10pm! Life is about the journey so do take time out for you and enjoy the ride
I definitely feel like this – like I’m spinning lots and lots of plates that are about to crash around at me at any moment! I’m at the stage where my blog is my downtime but I hope to take it further in the future, so there’s all the extras that goes along with that like making sure my graphics are pinnable, and promoting, etc, etc. Just less of the fun stuff! Then I worry that it’s eating into other stuff I should be doing: work / prep, housekeeping, parenting (perhaps that should have come first!). It’s hard to find the right balance xx
I’m behind more than I’m in front that’s for sure! I like to make sure posts go out on time but sometimes it is really hard, and like you, it is rare I’m still here at 4am (the joys of working full time!) I don’t know how you do it and look after two little ones full time as well!
Thanks for linking up to #AnythingGoes
Debbie
It is very hard isn’t it? Being a blogger is not easy at all!!! There is so much work involved and people don’t even realise about it!! Only us bloggers know very well how hard it is! I know I need to calm down a little bit! Maybe I’m taking too much on. I understand pretty well about putting your laptop on the kitchen table. I have to do the same sometimes!! Thanks for commenting lovely! 🙂 xx
Oh honey, it sounds like you’re having a really overwhelming time. Obviously my baby isn’t here just yet but I can imagine it gets increasingly hard to juggle everything with blogging and children. But look at all that you’re achieving – you’re doing a GREAT job – you’ve got a successful job and two beautiful and I’ve no doubt, very happy children. Try not to be too hard on yourself. And I absolutely agree – writing is a great outlet when you’re feeling stress. Share your thoughts and struggles with your readers and I’m sure you’ll be overwhelmed with support. Sending much love and positivity your way xxx #KCACOLS
Oh dear Franca it sounds a bit like you’re not enjoying it as much as usual? I know how you feel, my blog ‘to do’ list is spiralling out of control, and it is really stressful as you don’t want to let people down. I have decided to link up to fewer linkies, at least for a week or two, to give myself a chance to catch up. It’s difficult as Christmas is coming which is always a busy time too! You’d get there, don’t panic! Becky x #KCACOLSx
I have totally felt like this this week too. I have reduced my blog posts this week and for the new year I think I am going to come up with a bit of a plan/strategy as I don’t want it to take over from enjoying my time with my children. Maybe reduce so I am not trying to post everyday. You cannot keep up on that little sleep lovely x
I can relate to this so much Franca. Blogging has been so important to me while I’ve been on maternity leave. It’s the thing that I do just for myself. But some days I do feel so exhausted by the 24/7 nature of it. I have so many ideas but never seem to have enough time to write them all down. Mr TB is away in the week at the moment so I don’t feel guilty about blogging every evening. I then try to do less at the weekend so we have some family time. I feel refreshed by the time Sunday evening comes around. I’m really not sure how I’m going to balance everything in the new year as we’re moving house, Mr TB is changing jobs and I’m going back to work. The way I approach blogging will inevitably change but I really hope I can keep it up #KCACOLS
I completely agree – I feel like I am constantly trying to catch up – I can relate, i’m a SAHM, I volunteer, blog and am trying to get my degree (because I like to take everything on and panic about it later!) I have to admit though that since my son started nursery (15 hrs a week) it has meant I have had extra time – what is amazing though is i don’t feel anymore on top of it ! hahaha thanks for hosting a fab linky #KCACOLS
Can I just say Franca that it is obvious how hard you work on your blog. It is brilliant, you are very engaging and you take the time to connect with everyone. Your linky is fabulous and you make everyone feel like they are the only Blogger you know. You take the time to comment on everyone’s posts and are very supportive to your linky community. That all takes time. That is all appreciated.
At times like this, when you are feeling swamped, it can be useful to take a reflective look on what you are doing well rather than what you haven’t yet achieved. I think it can be very easy when we are under pressure to feel like we are at the bottom of the mountain – yet everything we are doing suggests otherwise.
Effectively, the blog makes you a working mum with no childcare. I am in awe at the rate at which you are able to produce material. I have one child and I know how difficult it was to do anything when I was at home during the baby years.
Is there anything you can put on your ‘not really necessary’ list to make way for ‘accountable’ work?
Nicky #KCACOLS