Blogging and Working Moms

I have been blogging since 2011.  Last March 2012, I partnered with Martine and Patricia to relaunch my blog from a personal diary to an archive of learning, reflections and practical tips for working moms like me.

Because of my new commitment to blogging, here's how my day looked like: 

• 5am (or earlier) - I wake up to spend time with Julia (this depends on what time Julia will wake up.  It can be as early as 3am.  Sometimes, she immediately goes back to sleep.)
• 6am - I am starting to get ready for work. 
• 6:30am - Don and I should already be on our way to Bonifacio Global City. 
• 7:30am - I am usually at work at around this time. I eat breakfast while reading the articles and blogs I follow online. 
• 8:30am to 5:30pm - At work
• Depending on our work load and the traffic situation, I am home as early as 7:30pm or as late as 10pm. 
•  Julia is already asleep by this time so I get to spend 2-3 hours for blogging and reading more articles and blogs each night. I sleep at around 12 midnight to 2am.

With only 4-5 hours of sleep every day for the past 2 months since the relaunch of my blog, I have been experiencing fatigue and stress. I don't want to look like a zombie and be cranky all the time so Don and I are working on a schedule that will give me enough time for everything without sacrificing sleep. Thank you, God for my supportive, understanding and loving husband.  

I still read online every night but now, I write for my blog only during weekends.  I have learned to schedule posts for the coming week.  Aside from time management, here are some of my self-imposed blogging guidelines to avoid stress:

1. Don't sacrifice family time for blogging. Due to my work schedule, Sundays should be for Don and Julia.


2. Don't obsess over comments, pageviews and likes. I learned from Martine (Dainty Mom) that if you have great content, comments, pageviews and like will follow. She said that a content has value if the reader is inspired or has learned something.

Blogging is not about the number of likes, comments or followers. It's about how many you inspire, motivate and help.
— Belle Delos Reyes (@CruisinMomhood) April 4, 2012

3. Don't pretend to be someone you are not. - I must write from the heart. Period.


4. Don't blog about EVERYTHING. Don't wash dirty linens in public. - Write about lessons learned from situation/experience. Details are not necessary.


5. Don't demand for inspiration from yourself. - It will come. I used to stress myself out looking for inspiration. As a result, no inspiration, just frustration.  So, if there is nothing to write about, don't blog.  Simple.


6. Don't blog for the wrong reason. As Rowena Wendy Lei stated so clearly in her in her blog, "We must not let being a blogger give us a false sense of power and entitlement."

I enjoy sharing my reflections and learning from my personal experiences.  I am excited to share our road trips to provide ideas for family bonding.  My heart skip when readers comment on my blog post.  I am happy that my page views and visitor stats are increasing.  I love blogging and I will continue to blog.  However, I had to set (and follow!) these guidelines so I won't feel like it's my second job.


What are your your blogging rules?  How to you manage your time?