I’ve been blogging for 3 years and my first social media platform (among the popular ones these days) was go figure, YouTube! The first video I ever uploaded was actually of my first kitten, falling off my desk. It was an accident and I happened to get it on camera. I want to also add that I was young and did not think she would fall off the table.
*no judge zone*
I started blogging a lot more regularly on my first maternity leave. Now that I’m on my second maternity leave, blogging has been what has kept me sane. Getting back into work mode, to come back out of it in less than 2 years can really do a toll on you. Especially mentally. So this time around I’ve been partnering, collaborating and really getting to know the business side of the blogging world. However, this doesn’t mean I say yes to everything that comes my way. There are have been many collaboration requests that I’ve turned down, due to them not matching my lifestyle, ethics or simply I can’t relate to the product or service and know for sure I would not like it. Also, if by chance I’m wrong with a collaboration and the product or service is not what I expected, I explain to the brand why and I don’t write about it. After all, not worth my time. But there was that time when I had that experience at a cafe where I wasn’t allowed to bring my stroller in and wrote about it. Hmm. So i guess it depends. It’s all in the writing. You choose whether you want to be civil and positive or get nasty. But remember, your writing, is your voice online.
READ MORE: WHY THERE WERE NO STROLLERS ALLOWED
Everyday I’m learning something new, meeting new people and of course doing the mom thing at the same time.
It’s not as glamorous as it seems. It’s a lot of work. Blogging is more than a nice Instagram picture and a 200+
word blog post. You’ve gotta be passionate about what you do. Without passion, one day you’ll wake up and not want to do it anymore. I’ve seen many blogs just die off after a few years. I use to wonder, what happened? Why did you stop? But really, it could be anything. No more drive, never really loved writing or simply was in it for the money and realized that doesn’t just show up without putting in the work.
Think of it this way, when a book is written. How do you think the author starts? They brainstorm. They imagine the characters. A rough story line. They write their thoughts out. Then comes the first draft. Second, third and maybe fourth draft. Someone reads it. Critiques it. Spell check. A million more spell checks. A rough copy is printed. Do you want it to be an e-book, hard copy, soft copy etc. Okay, my point is… there is SO much work that goes into blogging before you can really feel like it’s “working”. The day I started not caring about that stuff and went back to why I really started blogging, it was all smooth sailing from there. Do it for the love of writing, helping people, teaching, photography and kick ass content creation. This is your project it. OWN IT.
So what does a day in maternity life and blogging look like?
Bloggers: Writers, Photographers and Ultimate Content Creators
6 – 7 AM : I’ve never in my life woken up so early until now. I guess two children will do that to you? I nurse my baby and most of the time she falls back asleep. I take some time to catch up to emails, message, social media and then wake up my toddler for breakfast.
8 – 10 AM: I drop off the little guy to daycare and then from there is when our day really starts for me and baby z. Sometimes we go grocery shopping, downtown for blogging events or to see my mom, or straight back home to get started on house chores or writing up my next blog post.
12 PM: LUNCH – Usually homemade if I don’t have plans or haven’t been busy running errands. #momlife
1 – 5 PM: Between these hours is when I really get busy with blogging. Unless I’m nursing, at an event or seeing friends. I also get some exercise during these hours. If I miss the window to exercise then I wait till later in the evening. Either go for a family walk in the neighborhood or laps inside the house.
First steps in blogging:
Always start with notes for your blog post. Then a draft. Proof read as many times as you can. Take a day or two away from it and then look at it again. (Fact: This post was written in a totally different angle and was changed a few hours before being posted.) Then post! I find one of the biggest advantages to nursing my baby is sometimes I have a hand free to write my notes or first drafts.
I try to keep a schedule but because babies and life is so unpredictable, it doesn’t always turn out that way. Sometimes I’m writing like a maniac at 1 AM. I’ve always enjoyed writing and so there is never a good time or a bad time to write. I just do it. So for those who are just starting off, my advice to you is to just do it. That is if you enjoy writing. If you don’t that could be a whole other struggle and I’ll save those tips for another blog post.
For the bloggers: Next time you tell someone you’re a blogger, remember everything you do to be a kick ass blogger. Whether you organize photo shoots with photographers, take your own pictures, partnerships, collaborations, editing, writing… you’re the whole works!
For the readers: Blog posts take time and in our writing there is a story, a voice or a message. When you take the time to read my blog posts I am extremely grateful towards you. You took the time to read it, allow me to thank you and to recognize who you are. Leave me a comment on social media, on the blog or even a private message.
13 Comments
So great xxx
and you know what
This is great for ALL CONTENT creators and BRANDS to read love
xoxoxoxxo
well done xo
You’re right! Thank you so much xo
XOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXXOXOX
good read!
You look super cute in all the pics! and so much truth behind what you wrote!! It’s been a year since I have been doing this and it has been crazy! taking photos and creating constant content is not easy. Specially while traveling and with kids too. I am so glad I met you! and so many more amazing people.
Lots of Love, XOXO
Can’t wait to see you again! XO
I totally agree. It’s not all glamorous like people think and when someone says that we get things for free……….let’s face it, nothing is for free. A lot of work goes into creating content. xo
Yes, absolutely Diana! XO
Thank you so much Nida! You’re right! It’s a lot of work and we all put our hearts into it. So glad to have met you as well! See you soon at the next event 😉 XO
Thank you so much Diana! You’re absolutely right! It’s a lot of work and even the items that are free sometimes cannot be compared to the hours of work put in to test, review, take pictures etc Hope to see you more often on my blog XO!
NIda, thank you so much! We all put so much heart into our posts. I love your blog by the way! And yes it’s very hard with kids. Sometimes I have t remind myself to sleep! haha Lots of love back at you
Thank you Anum! XO
Well written post, I agree I think with the advent of social media a lot of people down play the amount of work it takes to create content that is exceptional. BTW! how cute is your kitty!