Our latest #socialbloggers twitter chat was about being busy.
We’ve all been there, whether it’s university exams, work deadlines or a busy social life – there are times when we’re just too busy to blog or promote our posts the way we usually do over social media.
It can be easier for some than others to take a step away from our internet lives.
I do envy those that can post outside of their usual schedule without much stress – for me, I’d go into panic mode if I didn’t have a post scheduled, or the post didn’t publish.
I have been in the situation before where a blog post I’ve thought I had scheduled had not posted, because I forgot to hit publish and I’ve had to find a way to log onto work computers and quickly change it. Ahhh! Disaster.
I felt like a ninja though 🙂
I’m very OCD about my blog – it’s probably the only part of my life that I’m planned and organised with. I schedule posts a week in advance and have an editorial calendar of about 3 weeks in advance.
I schedule tweets to go out several times a day and also have my posts auto publish to Google+ and Facebook.
When I know I’m going to be busy – I will plan extra time to write posts in advance. I somehow managed to schedule 15 posts for when I went on holiday for two weeks. Don’t ask me how! It was hard work but I was determined not to break my streak of daily blogging.
I panic at the thought of too many plans on days off work because I like to get my blog posts sorted. I do wish I could be more relaxed about it all, but I guess for me, the pros of keeping on top of anything gives me a greater sense of achievement than the pros of taking a step back from blogging.
How do you cope at busy times in your life?
Q1: When your life becomes busy – how do you keep up with blogging?
@skinnedcartree i try to create a bit of space but sometimes it has to come 2nd #socialbloggers
— Fashion Worked (@fashionworked) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree Currently struggling keeping up with blogging when it gets busy.. I need to organise and schedule better! #socialbloggers — Silke Laura (@LauraLondonBlog) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree I usually don’t, if it gets too busy and too much then I take a break! No point adding more stress to myself #socialbloggers
— Letmegoxo (@letmegoxo) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree I just took a break recently due to exams. 🙁 It was really easy to get back into the flow of things. 🙂 #socialbloggers — Apoorva (@tea_and_music) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree I take a little break if I haven’t scheduled anything. My blog is not a business, so I can take time off #socialbloggers
— Cat (@moreaboutcat) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree I schedule my posts or take photos of everything in advance so I’m kept going! Doesn’t always work though#socialbloggers — Lisa Marie (@ChinaDollDiarie) November 8, 2014
Q2: Have you ever had to take a break bc life got in the way? How did it make you feel?
@skinnedcartree fine, blogging is a hobby, and not a requirement if things need attention in real life
— Fashion Worked (@fashionworked) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree A2: The amount of time I’ve taken breaks till now is crazy. And you know what? I don’t feel guilty at all. #socialbloggers — Somdyuti Datta Ray (@hellodyuti) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree Uni work definitely leads to a lot of breaks & its aggravating because I love to express myself on my blog but uni comes 1st
— Hannah Delacour (@HannahDelacour4) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree Every summer I get so busy that blogging doesn’t happen, but I always come back super inspired in the autumn #socialbloggers — Appreciate the Day (@appreciate_day) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree Yes It’s not a nice feeling first but it’s very positive and then you come back with energy and motivation #socialbloggers
— Mathilde Mgi (@MathildeMgi) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree yes, so so many times! It doesn’t bother me really, I know that if my readers care then they’ll wait! #socialbloggers — Letmegoxo (@letmegoxo) November 8, 2014
Q3: Do you have any tips for managing your time with blogging and life?
@skinnedcartree A3 I know use an agenda, try to plan in advance and get organized It helps so much #socialbloggers
— Mathilde Mgi (@MathildeMgi) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree I would say make time for it, but be a bit flexible. If something more important comes along, do it first. #socialbloggers — Apoorva (@tea_and_music) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree scheduling posts or writing bits of a post when you get a chance to eventually make a whole post #socialbloggers
— Abby (@whatabbyloves) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree A3 Blogging is a hobby so I have priorites (job, family, boyfriend) If I can’t blog I’ll do it a bit later ! #socialbloggers — Mathilde Mgi (@MathildeMgi) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree don’t stress yourself too much! Twitter is always good for updating when you’re busy #socialbloggers
— Letmegoxo (@letmegoxo) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree Post when you get inspiration. I know I’m laid back, but I try not to pressure myself to write. #socialbloggers — Appreciate the Day (@appreciate_day) November 8, 2014
Q4: Does being busy ever make your social media presence suffer?
@skinnedcartree all the time! Real life gets in the way at times, but I really notice the impact on my page views! #socialbloggers
— Laura || Lola&Behold (@LolaandBehold) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree ehhh, sometimes… If I’m SO busy, then yes but if I’m just busy, then I try to let it not #socialbloggers — Letmegoxo (@letmegoxo) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree Never really with twitter, but definitely on my blog! #socialbloggers
— Lynsey Macdonald (@lynseymac1) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree yes. Haven’t turned up for a chat in ages and I’ve rarely tweeted. It was hard to think of tweets too! #socialbloggers — Apoorva (@tea_and_music) November 8, 2014
Q5: Do you get frustrated when something prevents you from blogging?
@skinnedcartree A5: Yes, a lot. It’s so disturbing and I don’t know… it makes me angry at myself about how casual I am. #socialbloggers
— Somdyuti Datta Ray (@hellodyuti) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree YES! I’ve an assignment due at the moment and it’s really messing with my blogging! #socialbloggers
— Paper Doll (@LilacPaperDoll) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree Mostly it’s work which I absolutely love so no. #socialbloggers
— Appreciate the Day (@appreciate_day) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree A5: Depends on what is preventing me from blogging regularly #socialbloggers
— Sarmistha Goswami (@sarmistha_LBF) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree Yes especially when my illness gets in the way thats kind of annoying ! But i try not to get to frustrated #socialbloggers
— Laura Jade (@ItsMeLauraJade) November 8, 2014
@skinnedcartree Anxiety gets in the way! But I try not to feel pressured & remind myself that it’s quality over quantity 🙂 #socialbloggers
— Cliona Hill (@ClionaHill) November 8, 2014
I always enjoy the #socialbloggers chat! You sound really organised 🙂 I went travelling for 5 weeks to China just as my blog was starting out, so I scheduled a post to be published every other day – hectic wasn’t the word lol.
http://www.stylesunrise.co.uk
x
Wow! 5 weeks worth – that does sound hectic!
If I am able to keep to my schedule with blogging then all is good. But, sometimes I like a break or life gets in the way and I need to break my schedule up in order to blog and get other things done. But, sometimes that makes it more fun. But, if I don’t keep a schedule for most things, I get stressed and things pile up on me. I try and have all my posts done before Monday each week, much easier :))
I love having mine done on Monday too, then I can start on the next weeks lot during the week 🙂
I loved reading everyone’s answer. I think that it’s important for me to remember that blogging is a hobby, and hobbies are meant to be stress-free and enjoyed 🙂
Great post dear
For me its abit easy even when am busy since i blog with my twin
Oh do I know stress with work and business travels doing the blog on the run is very stressful I go with the flow and try not to think about it to much it sometimes help and sometimes it doesn’t all depend on the day. You do an amazing job.
i am horribly busy and no matter of planning helps. i usually just need more time since i cannot have my phone on at work. i know a lot of ppl get to visit blogs and check emails while they are at work.
I would love to be able to blog at work! I take my laptop every day and tell myself I’ll spend some time online during my break, but I never get a chance and just use it for work!
I’m so impressed with your organization skills and having a calender set up 3 weeks in advance! I try to at least have posts outlined one week ahead of time 🙂
lovejoanna.com
I can relate to this chat a lot. My time is currently revolve around a 6 months old schedule so it’s never fixed. I try my best to draft, reply comments and visit oner blogs whenever he naps but then again, I also have household chores waiting for me. It’s a struggle but I am trying the best I can.
Reflection of Sanity
It must be hard work blogging with a child!
Life just has a way of getting in the way of blogging sometimes but I find that using an editorial calendar and pre-writing posts whenever I have some spare time really helps.
I’m sad we missed another social bloggers chat once again! And this one sounded like a really interesting one!
xx
http://robberscorner.blogspot.com.es
Hopefully you can come to next weeks 🙂
Its so hard for me to organize blogging and school
check me out
xx
Tyana
theluxedition.blogspot.com
bloglovin.com/theluxedition
What a cool way to stay engaged with readers & other bloggers! I don’t usually stress if something goes wrong because it’s all for fun & passion. :] // itsCarmen.com ☼ ☯
I don’t know if I’ve told you already but I adore your blog layout. I really love the circular images!
Share The Love ♥
Thank you, Neesha!
I am currently trying to find a good schedule and to get myself more organised as I was falling behind in the last while. I think that with time it will fall into place. Thats also happened to me where I’ve hit saved instead of published (disaster) x
I’m sure you’ll find a schedule that works for you – it’s just trail and error really!
I love the planner – I know I need to schedule posts better to maximise page views.
Lizzie’s Daily Blog
most of the time, I plan and write posts in advance…I always have lots of idea about what to post about…and I keep a notebook at hand where I write down ideas and inspirations.
I really do get frustrated when something prevents me from blogging, like this summer when I went for a 2 week vacation, I spent the whole time thinking how will I get back to it, I wish I was more re;axed about it! xoxo
I read this nodding at the screen going yes, yes, oh hell yes. Finding time for blogging and a life is a challenge. I really do take my hat off to you Corinne how on earth you blog everyday and plan in advance I really am in admiration.. I so wish I could catch up with myself and be in advance. I have to be ruthless with my blogging so slippages otherwise it would be weeks and I would not post. Planning lists helps. Nice to know that others experience the same challenges Lucy x
I’m just like you – blogging is pretty much the only aspect of my life that is organized 🙂 I’m very strict about it, and I have only taken 1 week off blogging ever since I started it in July 2013.
Bella Pummarola
Ha! I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or an addition 😉
I was unemployed for the past year so I had loads of time but now I just started a new job yesterday and its 6am here and here I am trying to balance my blog with work 🙂
Keep in touch
xx
http://www.JuneWantsItAll.com
these are some great tips. we definitely find juggling blogging and university a challenge at times, especially when we’re preparing for exams or doing assignments!
M + K
You’re so organised Corinne 🙂 We’ll try and join in to #socialbloggers didn’t know about it. Think we’ll need to schedule it in … sometimes there’s just not enough hours in the day. Great informative post 🙂
x Roch & Tash x
http://www.next-route-style.blogspot.co.uk
I’ve been putting my blog second lately and I don’t like it at all! It just makes me feel a bit restless in everything else I am doing. I think it’s all about time management 🙂
another great informative read. i used to freak out about it too.. i still do sometimes.. but with kids and life just getting the better of me I am learning to deal.. i still post only on mondays.. friday’s a do a photo post. but if I skip a monday now and then i guess I will survive.
I find it really difficult to keep to a schedule. Between working, studying and living I only manage to get one post out a week so that’s what I stick to. I would love to post 2-3 times but there just isn’t the time. Hopefully once I’ve finished my evening course I’ll be able to keep up to date with what I want to write!
I am slowly learning to keep a schedule. I don’t have my content planned that far ahead – yet – but I hope to do so in 2016. My biggest thing is to learn to say no to people. Blogging is a serious thing if you want to do a good job.