4 Ways to Maintain a Healthy Balance in the World of Blogging
Balance is Healthy
I took a break from blogging this week (not by my choice). This unplanned break revealed that I obsessed with blogging. Sometimes things happen to show us what’s really going on.
My daughter was a little under the weather this week and I had to tend to her. During this time, I worried about my blog traffic, articles that I was going to post, my Alexa Ranking falling, and many other things that come along with blogging.
My daughter is sick and I’m worried about my blog. You know I have it bad. Am I obsessed or what? Is there a 12 step program that I can follow to get over this obsession. My name is Evelyn and I am an obsessed blogger.
During the time that my daughter was sick, I couldn’t write the articles that I had planned to post this week. But this was a time that I reflected on why I’m blogging and what it means to me. Blogging should enhance my life, but at times, I find that it consumes my life. It took my daughter getting sick for me to realize that the blog will take care of itself, when I can’t stay on schedule.
Starting today, I will have a healthy balance between family and blogging. Don’t worry, I’m not hanging up my blogging hat.
How I will Maintain a Healthy Balance (when it comes to family, friends and blogging)
I’m sure there are more ways to create a healthy balance, besides what I have listed. I’ll need your advice and comments on this topic. I appreciate your tips in advance.
1. Rise early. You’ve heard the saying, “The early bird get’s the worm.” Well, the early riser gets the worm too. Rising early enables you to focus and work on your projects in peace and quiet. It is the best time of the day for me and I get so much done during this time.
2. Make a schedule. Make a schedule for blogging. Stick with your schedule, no matter what. Once you’ve completed your tasks for the day, step away from your computer and enjoy the rest of your day with your family and friends.
3. Unplug and enjoy life. Take time to unplug your computer and do things that you’ve put off. Have fun and enjoy life. You only get one chance to live. Don’t live life wishing you should have done this or that. Go do it and have fun doing it.
4. Hang out with family and friends. You are not your blog. You are a person who has a life outside of your blog. Spend time with family and friends regularly. While you’re enjoying your family and friends, forget about your blog. Enjoy every moment you have with those that are in your life.
Conclusion
There is no reason to worry about traffic, Alexa Ranking, Page Ranking, articles and whatever else that comes along with blogging. With time and patience, everything will improve and go exactly the way it will go. At the end of the day, you are not your blog, you are so much more.
What are some ways you maintain balance?
Related articles
- Blogging Burnout or Business Burnout? (greenandcleanmom.org)
- 5 Ways To Avoid The Ill Effects Of Blogging (onecoolsitebloggingtips.com)
Category: Blogging
Evelyn,
Great article and a reminder to us all that we need to keep that balance in mind. I really like your idea of making a schedule. I’ve thought about it but never really followed through with it. So you have inspired me to open by Outlook and plug in my blogging times. I also have what I call shut down time. Since I work during the day I usually get to the computer around 7 pm and I shut down right at ten PM. I need to do this or I’d never get to bed in time to have a good sleep.
I get up early but I use that to exercise and meditate.
Thank you.
Nick
Nick Grimshawe recently posted..Abundance Check Ritual for the New Moon Is Now
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Nick,
Sounds like a schedule is what you need. A shut down time is something I need to incorporate. I think it will help me tremendously.
It is great that you exercise and meditate first thing. I’m sure it makes your day better.
Welcome to my blog and thanks for chiming in!
Take care,
Evelyn
“Obsessed with blogging…” I have NEVER heard anyone else ever sy that. I admit I love to blog but I certainly don’t want to think of it as an obsession. But I am totally obsessed with social media so in that respect I get it.
I was off the computer for about two weeks recently due to a really bad virus. I didn’t have the energy, strength or desire to turn on my computer.
I totally agree with you about maintaining a healthy balance with all of this social media and yes, I do get up early so I can post because once the grandson gets up (he’s 4), my life is not my own until daycare.
Glad I found you via Mitch.
Beverly Mahone recently posted..10 Things To Never Say To a Reporter
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Beverly,
Welcome to my blog!
I enjoy social media myself. I understand your obsession with that.
I have that issue with my daughter. She’s 4 and once she’s up, she gets the attention. I think I’ll have to start writing at night, which I really don’t want to do. But that’s the only way I will get things done.
Thanks for stopping by via Mitch!
Take care,
Evelyn
How funny this is; well, funny might not be the right word, but I can’t think of another one to use at the moment.
I looked at all 4 points and realized that I personally won’t do 3 of them and I probably need to do the 4th one a lot more often. And it’s not really related to blogging as much as just being on my computer.
The first 3, nope, won’t be me. I stay up late so I’m not waking early. You know I just write and write and write, so no scheduling for me, except when I’m writing for others. And unplug and enjoy life… well, my business life is my computer, and if I’m not working I’m not making money, or I don’t have the opportunity to make any money. That one maybe will turn around one day, but I actually enjoy it.
It’s that last one that’s troubling me. I don’t see friends all that often, nor talk to them on the phone; that’s probably a shame. My wife I see, but I don’t get out of town to see my mother or grandmother as often as I probably should. I do call but Mom’s a lot like me; I get her at the wrong time and I’ll have to call back. At least I got it honest.
Mitch recently posted..5 Lessons Bloggers Can Learn From The Health Club
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Mitch,
So you’re a night owl. I am too, but I do my best writing during the day.
I totally understand that your business life is your computer. Gotta do what you gotta do.
Yeah, like Mom, like son.
Take care,
Evelyn
Twitter: lavenderuses
says:
Hi Evelyn
Glad your daughter is improving. You got your priorities right that’s for sure.
It is so easy to get so caught up on the net that we get so absorbed and miss out on other areas of our life that need to have attention.
Thanks for sharing Evelyn. Good to be reminded.
Patricia Perth Australia
Patricia recently posted..A Gardener’s Guide to Growing a Business
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Patricia,
Yeah, that’s for sure!
Thanks for chiming in.
Evelyn
Hi Evelyn,
I hope you daughter is doing better my friend.
We all experience some events that keep us away from blogging. Making a schedule is really crucial as it helps to keep us on the right track. Thanks for sharing
Dia recently posted..Do you believe in your goals
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Dia,
She’s much better, thank you!
A schedule is very good. It keeps us on track.
Thanks for stopping by,
Evelyn
Evelyn:
Such good points. Balance is really everything, isn’t it? It’s especially difficult when you have children. Mine are 4 and 9 and I am inspired to blog about kids all the time and what I learn from them, but things really do fall into place better with a little balance … and some jelly beans.
Marisa Finetti recently posted..Secrets to Getting Kids to Eat Home-Prepared Lunches
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Marisa,
It is very hard to balance things, when children are in the picture. Jelly beans…hmmm, I havent’ thought about that.
Thanks for stopping by!
Evelyn
I always set a schedule on when I do blogging, usually for 1 or 2 hours a day, and that’s it. For the rest of the day, I have a Firefox plugin that prevents me from logging in to WordPress (or any other blogging platform).
Henway recently posted..Murad Wiki
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Henway,
Wow, I wasn’t aware of the Firefox plugin. Thanks for sharing.
Take care,
Evelyn
Hi Evelyn,
Yep, I know what your talking about. When I was away for Christmas I experienced the contants thoughts over my blog and how frustrating that I couldn’t get internet in the middle of nowhere MN. But I just had to let it go. I wanted to enjoy my time with friends and family. When life gets busy we have to just let it go and deal with the more important things. I hope your daughter is feeling better:) Take care Evelyn!
Dandy recently posted..Cognitive Distortions- Win against it
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Dandy,
Yes, sometimes we just have to let it go and enjoy the more important things in life.
She’s much better, thank you!
Thanks for chiming in,
Evelyn
Evelyn,
Sorry to learn about your daughter; hope she’s well and wonderful soon.
I think this is an issue that many bloggers face. But, balance is important. Blogging popularity and success can come and go, but family is forever. 
As for me? I’m up very early and multi-task like a super hero. 
Jennifer Brown Banks recently posted..Are You in Touch With Your Inner-Oprah 7 Tips to Become a Better Communicator
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Jennifer,
She’s doing much better. Thank you!
“Up very early and multi-task like a super hero.” You go Wonder Woman!
You so right about blogging popularity and success coming and going, but family is forever.
Thanks for chiming in!
Evelyn
Twitter: thompsonland
says:
Evelyn, I hope all is better with your daughter.
You bring up some good points, though sometimes I have to improvise a bit. I have 3 small kids aged 5, 3, and 10 months. They get up every morning at 5. I rise early fine, but there’s no blogging – no anything – while they’re awake. They require lots of focus. Often my best time for blogging is late at night. I have been working to schedule things out – not just for my sake but for my readers’ as well. Thanks for posting.
Bryan Thompson recently posted..What The Social Network Can Teach You about Snowball Effects and Why You Need Them
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Bryan!
She’s much better.
I find we just have to fit it in when we can. If working at night works for you, then stick with it. You have a lot on your plate. I only have one child and it’s hard, I can only imagine how it must be with 3 little ones. Tough, I know!
I would love to be able to work at night, but my creative juices and writing is no where to be found.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
Evelyn
Hi Evelyn, these are good points. It’s very easy to get caught up in what we’re doing and forget about how we’re doing. In addition to your advice above I think it’s also important to take time for Active Relaxation. I have more of an explanation of it here: http://chiropractorguelph.com/2010/12/20/just-a-thought-part-2/.
I hope your daughter is feeling better. But I’m sure she is with such a health-minded Mom.
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Dr. Mark,
Active relaxation..sounds interesting! Thanks for sharing the link, I’ll be sure to check it out.
Take care,
Evelyn
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