How to Balance Blogging With a Full-time Job

I often get asked how I balance blogging with a full-time job and make it look so easy.

I usually laugh because here’s the thing: it’s not easy. And if for some reason I make it look easy, I take that as a great compliment.

It truly is difficult to “do it all” in this day and age.

For a little Monday Motivation, I thought I’d kick off the week with a post to give you some tips on how I balance blogging with a full-time job.

Most of you know I work a day job in corporate America. Quite frankly, to me, it’s not fun because I don’t get to be creative at all. That’s why I have this blog where I can create to my heart’s content at any time I want. It’s a way for me to escape and in a large sense, it’s very therapeutic.

The first thing you need to know about blogging with a day job (and dealing with life in general):

There is no such thing as balance.

And to me, I look at blogging with the same lens. When it comes to blogging with a full-time job, the main thing is time management and planning ahead:

SCHEDULE EVERYTHING AHEAD OF TIME. 

I like to look at my content calendar about two weeks to a month in advance. Personally, I don’t feel like I’m going to “run out of ideas” for my articles. I’m constantly trying to live in the moment so if there’s an idea that comes up, I write it down in my phone. Here’s how I personally plan my content (with some flexibility of course):

Planning outfits/gathering outfit ideas — I pin outfit inspiration throughout the week on Pinterest and save any images I see from Instagram to my personal collections. That way, when I’m out shopping, I can get some ideas for my next look.

Taking outfit photos — I tend to take outfit photos on Sundays before or after church. Depending on the weather, I move my “photoshoots” to Saturdays if I know it’s going to rain.

Taking flat lay photos — For flat lay images for Instagram, I go off of a list of what I think the image should look like. For example, with the image in today’s post, I have in my notes “laptop, coffee mug with coffee, pink donut on a plate, white bedsheets background”. I do this so I don’t waste time figuring out the composition of the image.

It’s important to me to have variety of photos to choose from to post and get them in on time. Since I work a day job, it’s hard to get the right lighting during the week so I have to shoot fast. I can only do that if I’m really prepared.

Planning content for the blog — On Fridays, I look at the following week’s content that I want to have scheduled to go live. If there’s anything I need to move around for the upcoming week(s), I do so and plan accordingly on the weekends.

FIND TIME IN ALL CRACKS OF THE DAY.

I can say that I was extremely successful for my first year of blogging because of my consistency. This year, I can’t say that it’s been the same with things that life has thrown my way. That’s not to say that it’s an excuse because I know I’m trying my best right now even with not getting enough sleep.

Because blogging is important to me, I intentionally find time throughout my day, even at my 9 to 5 job. Last year, I took my laptop with me to work and blogged during my hour lunch break. This year, I started to do the same. However, I devote half an hour to quiet time with my Bible and the other half hour to blogging. On days where I have something after work, I go to a coffee shop near my event and blog or plan content until it’s time to leave.

HERE ARE A FEW MORE TIPS:

STAY INSPIRED.

I find my inspiration through others I follow so my cup is always full of ideas. Sabrina of The Beauty Look Book, Lydia of Lydia Elise Millen, Megan Runion of Megan Runion and Hoang-Kim of Color & Chic are my top inspirations thus far! Look for inspiration everywhere. Be aware of the conversations you’re having with people too. You never know if something they said could spark an idea for a blog post or series for your brand!

KNOW THE TRUTH.

You want to know the real truth when it comes to balancing blogging with a full-time job? It all won’t get done. This goes for life too. You know that to-do list you have that’s miles and miles long? The things you have on that list won’t all get done. Choose 3-5 things you need to do for the day that are important for you to get done and do them. Once you come to terms that your to-do list will always be there, life will be a lot less stressful for you.

MAKE SELF-CARE A PRIORITY.

It wasn’t until recently that I learned just how important it is to take care of oneself. To keep myself from burning out in life and with the blog, I’m learning to take time to pause. It’s okay for you to carve out some time and do something that makes you happy and helps you to relax at the same time. “Me time” is SO important if you want to balance blogging with a full-time job.

I hope my personal tips have helped you to understand that balance blogging with a full-time job is all about priorities rather than balance. I have more posts coming soon in regards to blogging!

If you’re a blogger, how do you “balance” blogging with a full time job and prioritize all?

To help you with some shortcuts on blogging and the entrepreneur life, check out my Boss Ladies segment where I share with you resources that will help you personally and professionally!

Exact pink marble laptop skin is from Uniqfind!