Life, Family, and Everything In Between
Starting a Lifestyle Blog While Juggling Business, Marriage, and Raising 3 Kids: A Balancing Act
Starting a lifestyle blog has been a dream of mine for years—one of those projects I always thought about but never had the time to truly dive into. But, like many ambitious goals, it takes a lot of soul-searching, a bit of courage, and a whole lot of juggling to finally make it happen. If you're like me, you know how challenging it is to carve out time and energy for something that’s purely *for you*, especially when you have a business to run, a marriage to nurture, and kids who seem to multiply their demands the moment you sit down for a quiet moment.
So, how does someone manage all of that and still find the time to start a blog? Well, let me tell you—it’s not easy. But it’s possible. And here's how I’m making it work.
1. Embrace Imperfection
Let’s start with a truth bomb: It’s never going to be perfect. And that’s okay. Trying to juggle everything all the time and striving for perfection only leads to burnout. I had to come to terms with the fact that my blog wouldn’t be an instant success, that the posts wouldn’t always be as polished as I envisioned, and that my photos might not always be Instagram-ready. And you know what? That’s fine. What matters is consistency and passion.
I don’t have the luxury of hours to spend editing posts or perfecting every word. But I do have an hour here and an hour there to pour into what I love. So I’ve learned to be okay with "good enough"—and that’s the beauty of starting a blog in a busy life. It’s a way to share what matters to me, even if it’s imperfect, because that’s real life.
2. Time Management is Key (and I’m Still Figuring It Out)
When you’re juggling a business, a marriage with an entrepreneur, and three kids who all have different schedules and needs, managing time becomes a full-time job in itself. I’m not going to lie and tell you that I’ve mastered this—because I haven’t. But I’ve learned some strategies that have helped me at least *feel* like I’m getting a handle on things.
Batch Work: I set aside specific days to batch tasks. This means writing blog posts in one go, scheduling social media for the week, and planning out future content. It’s a huge time-saver to tackle everything at once rather than trying to squeeze in 20-minute increments of work throughout the day.
Use Every Spare Minute: I’ve learned to make the most of "waiting time"—like when I’m waiting in the orthodontist’s office, when the kids are at rowing practice, or when I am doing laundry. I take those moments to jot down ideas, reply to emails, or brainstorm for new blog topics.
Time Blocking: I block off chunks of time in my calendar to focus on different areas—work, family, and blogging. The trick is sticking to these boundaries. My family knows that when I’m in my blogging zone (usually when I am sitting at my desk), that’s my time to focus. It’s not always easy, but setting boundaries has been crucial to balancing everything.
3. Leverage Your Existing Network
When you're an entrepreneur and you’re married to an entrepreneur, you quickly realize that your personal and professional networks often overlap. My husband is incredibly supportive of my blogging journey, but we both know that time spent in one area is time taken away from another. That’s why I lean on the network I’ve built through my business and in my personal life.
Having a business has actually helped me grow my blog in ways I didn’t expect. I’ve been able to use the same marketing strategies I apply to my business—social media, email newsletters, collaborations, and networking—toward growing my blog.
4. Involve Your Family (When It Makes Sense)
Here’s a little secret: You don’t have to do everything alone. My kids—ages 13, 18, and 20—have slowly started taking an interest in the blog, and it’s been a great way to involve them in something creative while also teaching them about entrepreneurship. Whether it’s helping me come up with blog post ideas, modeling for photos, or even brainstorming content with them, it’s become a family project.
I also have a network of friends who pitch in to support me when I need a bit of help, whether it’s with ideas or just offering a word of encouragement. The saying "It takes a village" is 100% true when you’re balancing a business, a family, and a blog. Building a support system is essential for staying sane in the midst of all the chaos.
5. Keep the Big Picture in Mind
The blog is something that fuels me creatively, but it’s also an outlet for the chaos and creativity that swirls around my life. Whether I’m sharing tips on running a small business, insights into my life as a mom of three, or personal stories from my entrepreneurial marriage, it’s all a part of my bigger picture: creating a space where I can share my experiences and help others who might be in the same boat.
Blogging gives me a sense of purpose beyond my business and family. It’s an outlet that I can control, which is crucial when I feel like everything else is running at full speed. And while it’s a lot of work, it’s also incredibly fulfilling.
6. Learn to Say No (and Delegate)
This is perhaps the hardest lesson to learn. As someone who’s always juggling multiple roles, I’ve had to become comfortable with saying no to certain things. There’s only so much time in the day, and sometimes you just have to let go of things that aren't serving your goals or well-being.
This also extends to delegating. Whether it’s hiring help for my business, outsourcing tasks I don’t have time for, or letting my kids take on more responsibilities around the house, I’ve realized that I can’t do it all. And that’s okay. Letting go of perfectionism and the need to control every detail has been a game-changer in how I balance everything.
In Conclusion:
Starting a lifestyle blog while managing a business, marriage, and family is no easy feat. But, for me, so far it’s been an incredibly rewarding challenge that’s allowed me to tap into my creativity and connect with others who are navigating similar paths. Is it always smooth sailing? Absolutely not. There are days when I feel like I’m drowning in responsibilities, but that’s when I remind myself why I started this journey in the first place.
So, to all the busy entrepreneurs, parents, and creatives out there: You *can* make it work. It’s all about embracing the chaos, setting realistic expectations, and remembering to take things one day at a time. And if nothing else, know that you’re not alone in the struggle—and that’s something worth celebrating!
