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It seems to me like blogging has gotten harder and harder these days. The addition of a second kid into our family has taken some getting used to. I used to have a good 4 hours a day to do design work and blog and now I’m lucky if I get 2. To be honest, there is just no feasible way I can get it all done.
I also feel like blogging takes a much bigger time commitment than it used to. I remember a couple of years ago I would spend an average of 1 hour on a post. I’d find a cute interior I liked, post the picture, talk about what I liked about it and boom, 20 comments. But now Pinterest has changed everything. You can’t get away with just posting pretty pictures. Pinterest is giving us pretty images in a much more convenient way. So it comes down to creating amazing original content, which takes time. For me to come up with a really great post it takes me well over 2 hours. And considering I have about 2 hours in my day to get my blog posts done and work on design work you can see that it’s just not adding up. Not only that but I have mountains of unread emails in my inbox each day.
I am drowning in stress right now.
So here is what I plan to do about it…
First of all, if I’m going to sacrifice anything it’s not going to be my kids so I need to make whatever I do work around them. So something has to give and I’ve decided I can’t be wearing the blogging hat and the designer hat anymore. For an indefinite amount of time I will not be taking new design clients. I will keep the clients I currently have and occasionally in special circumstances I might take on more but I can’t do e-design, take new local clients or do consults at the moment. I truly truly truly love blogging and I want to focus more of my efforts and time on my blog. I want to spend more time coming up with great content for my readers. Blogging has never been very stressful for me. I actually find it somewhat therapeutic. I also love that it seldom takes me away from my home.
The other thing I’m going to be doing to lighten some of my load is to introduce contributors to the blog. I have hand-picked each contributor because I feel their content and voice are a good match with mine. Of course the majority of blog posts will still be my own but this will give me a chance to make my own posts better. I’ll slowly be introducing my contributors over the course of this month. Please give them lots and lots of love. They are offering up their own ideas and talents for my readers and I am so grateful.
Lastly I’m going to try really hard this year to monetize my blog better. I make very little from my blog currently. All the money that I get to do projects in my home has come from doing design work. So to make the jump from designer to solely blogger is a little scary. I have a few plans in the works to monetize my blog better and I’ll be sharing them with you as I implement them.
I am so grateful to each and every person who takes time out of their day to read my blog. Hopefully some exciting things are to come!
Kirsten, I'm sure this was a tough decision, but I know if you follow your heart it will always lead you in the right direction. Your kids are so lucky to have a mom like you! I can't wait to see the changes to your blog! xox
I'm so happy to hear that you'll still be blogging. I love reading your posts and look forward to the changes! I gave up my blog after having my second, but it wasn't a very conscious decision – I just didn't have the time to blog anymore! A huge part of having kids is being smart with your time, and knowing what stresses you can live without. It's a sacrifice, but a worthy one! Here's to a smooth transition for you!
Good for you Kirsten! Life is about choices and in the end you need to choose those that give you the best return. I am glad that you will continue to blog! While I rarely comment, I read your blog every day and look forward to what it will become. You will always be a designer and doing it this way has the power to influence and help more people. Best of Luck!
Cathy @ Room Rx
This rings so true for me as well. This season I'm committed to working smarter and learning what I can say no to. Well said!
I completely know where you're coming from! Although, I only have one child and she takes up almost all of my time so I can only imagine with two children. You're absolutely right that Pinterest has taken over in terms of posting pretty images up (I used to do that all the time and can't remember the last time I did a post like that). Gosh, and let's not forget all the other avenues of social media that you have to use in order to get out the word (takes forever!). I mean, I love it but I wish there were more hours in a day to blog 😉 I'm so excited to meet your new contributors and I hope that things get easier for you mama 😉 xx, Christina
I'm selfishly happy to hear you're going to continue blogging!! Blogging definitely takes a huge commitment and I can't imagine trying to tackle it with a full time job and 2 kids! Good for you for making sacrifices where you need to
i agree! people don't even comment, unless it's some amazingly long post with a DIY or personal photos… i try to do all original content too, but it really is a lot of work, on top of the rest of the workload i have. it can be a little discouraging! i feel your pain.
I understand the stress and struggle of trying to balance work and little ones. I know you will find the schedule that works best for you and I'll be excited to follow along as it happens. 🙂 You are a good mamma.
I totally understand Kirsten! It is so hard balancing everything and sometimes…somethings gotta give. Love your ideas and blog. When I come up to Utah maybe we can visit. I miss my design school friends. =)
Good for you, Kirsten! That's great that you were able to recognize the stresses and do something about it! You will do great things, no matter what it is! Looking forward to it. 🙂
honesty is so refreshing and I think that a refocus of efforts might actually help you balance and manage everything with a little more ease! And you're right, your kids should come first and I admire you that you're not only just saying that, but you're actually holding yourself to it! And can I please just harp on your Pinterest comment for a second? I couldn't agree more – the world of Pinterest has made blogging seem at times to be almost impossible. Original content is great and very exciting to create, but you make a relevant and valid point in saying that it takes TWICE AS LONG. It's 10x harder to get people's attention! But I have no doubt you will figure it out. I like hearing about your personal life and random thoughts – it's fun to see the other side of a blogger! keep up the good work!
Good for you. I remember not long after my second child was born, it made me realize just how much time I'd had when I only had one! (Now that I have five, well, it's all a trick…) If you want my two cents, I follow a number of blogs and some of the ones I love best post sporadically. Speaking for myself, I would rather have occasional posts with solid content than someone who came up with something because they felt like they needed to post that day. (I don't feel like you are throwing fluff out there, I was just sharing that you wouldn't lose me as a reader/follower if you chose to not post each day.) And while I'm sharing my little opinion, this is a related thought: I sure miss the days when blogs weren't about making money. I mean, still most people aren't really making money from their blogs, but so many are trying to and it changes the tone. Good luck with finding the balance!
I'm excited to see these new changes! I hope the transition is smooth for you. I seriously love your blog, I read it every day you post!
How exciting! Love reading your blog and looking forward to what you have in store. Also thanks for being honest. I love reading blogs and really "knowing" them (as well as you can know someone through their blog)Excited for you!
Do what you gotta do, girl! What a difference a second child makes, right?
After having my second child, I barely have enough time to read blogs, much less comment. Pinterest is my immediate go-to for inspiration not blogs. However, I do notice the blogs I do go to (even when time is limited) are the blogs that are designers who post their work. Often times, they can't post everyday b/c they are busy with their clients (but that is ok in my opinion). I actually prefer that they aren't posting everyday (sometimes its just too much) and I don't mind waiting b/c I know when they do post, it'll be really good (examples of their client work). Urban Orchard did a post about bloggers that touches on what you're facing right now. Good luck with your decision!
When I started reading this post I was getting scared that you would quit blogging. Thank God your not! I'm so glad.
Blogging or getting any work done is so hard with two small children. That's why I started my blog when they finally reached school age.
I can't wait to read about how you'll monetize your blog better. I feel like I'm stupid when it comes to this subject.
Good for your Kirsten. I think it's really important to take a step back from time to time and re-prioritize. I hope this works for you and that you are able to rid yourself from some of the stress you're feeling. You can count on me to pop by here on the daily to catch up with you and your new contributors! 🙂
So glad you are not giving up the blog! I really enjoy your posts and wish you success in finding the important balance.
God bless you in your plans Kirsten. Your family comes first and you can always do design later, like IM doing now after 22 years hiatus. Blogging is very rewarding and I hope that feeds your creative soul and reduce the stress.
Much luck to you, and we will be here for you!
xo Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com
Good for you, Kirsten! I don't always comment but I do check in 2-3 times a week to see what you're up to and I'd be sad if you said goodbye to blogging altogether. I'm looking forward to your contributors posts and wish you well in your work/life balance 🙂
I go through this same thought process about once a month since having my third. There is just not enough time in the day to do everything for everybody. When I am feeling super overwhelmed I just sit back and re-prioritize mentally…kids first then the other stuff and it usually gets me back on track. I figure i have the rest of my life for blogging/decorating but only one go at raising my kids. Hope you have a great weekend with some new found stress-relief!
Oh my goodness, I thought I'd read you were going to stop blogging and I thought- WRONG MOVE! I'm so glad you're not, and I think this is awesome. Your blog is beautiful and I think you're well on your way to making the switch. I'm excited to follow along, still:)
Girl, I hear you! It is so hard to get things done with 2 little ones at home! I'm lucky if I get in one post a week with my little 'ole blog. Let alone trying to do design work also! It is hard to find the balance. You are smart & very talented, everything will all work out. Miss you guys!
That had to be a tough decision. I'm so happy that you will still be blogging. There is a time for everything. My son was diagnosed with autism in december and I made the decision to stop blogging and client work. Someday there will be more time for it 🙂 You are amazing!!!
Good for you, Kirsten! Thanks for being so open and honest about it – and I'm glad you're going to continue the blog! It's one I read every day. I agree with you on how hard it is to keep posting original content, and how eye candy just isn't enough (usually) these days to make a blog successful. I'd love to hear more about how you're planning to monetize your blog if you're open to that!
Kirsten..as a mom of 5 and former blogger I totally understand the juggle of time. I love your blog and look forward to reading it each day. Good luck to you!
I know it's selfish but I'm glad you are still blogging,even though one day I had hoped you would save the money to pay you to help me with a room or too in my home. But I can totally relate to the juggle of two kids (I have a 3 & 6mo old) and it has totally made me step back and prioritize my life and eliminate what isn't important!
Your blog is the one I make sure I read every day so I would be heartbroken to see you stop blogging. Thanks for all of your hard work!
Thank you so much for being totally honest about where you are! It is so refreshing (and almost a relief) to hear someone say, "I can't do it all" because a lot of times I feel like there is pressure to try to do everything. I applaud you for putting your family first, too. I look forward to "meeting" your new contributors and seeing their ideas. Thanks again for sharing with us!
~Abby =)
Sweet girl. You know I support you 100%. Being a mommy is the best and most important job in your life right now and good for you for finding the outlet that will best serve you and those sweet faces. Let's chat soon!
Good for you!! I can totally relate to the trying to juggle the blog & the design & the kids and then with whats left -try and take care of yourself. So congrats and finding your center and moving with that. I wish you great success and and secretly glad you didnt give up the blog 🙂 b/c I enjoy reading it so much!!
Oh, I was afraid you were going to take a break from blogging. Whew!
Kirsten, I think I might be in your piles of email … please delete anything with the name "Bethany" on it if you see it; it was written by a crazy woman!! My daughter will be a year old next Monday … she is my second and last child. Here I am almost a year later still trying to find balance in my life again (I have the privilege of being a stay-at-home-mom like you.) Several weeks ago I hired a mother's helper for 6 hours a week so I could keep up with the housework and have a few minutes every night after bedtime to craft, read blogs, dream about future home projects, etc. I am so much happier because of it, although I do still feel a certain amount of shame for not being able to "keep up". I wish you only the best of luck as you find your own balance. Congratulations on your two beautiful children and thanks for your wonderful blog. 🙂
I just wanted to say thanks for this post because as a fellow LDS mommy to two kids (4 & 7 months) I often wonder how moms like you do it all. No offense, it's nice to know you working/blogging mommies can't do it all! I don't feel so inadequate anymore. :0) It's good to hear we're ALL trying to find balance, and that we ALL can't do everything! Thanks!
I hear you! I was just having this conversation with a fellow blogger today. Your honest title captured my attention right away, I guess I can relate, big time:). I give you credit for realizing what really matters, you have a beautiful family Kirsten! Have a great night, Jen
Its nice to hear the reality behind your blog, and glad you are sticking with blogging. As a new blogger, it is challenging to balance work, life, blogging, and home projects, so i understand.
Leslie
puddyshouse.com
I look forward to hearing your monetizing ideas. It just seems so hard to make money blogging but it is such a good career choice for stay at home moms. I applaud your decision to devote more time to your kids.
I have two kids and don't work and life is still busy. I am impressed with all you have been able to manage so far. I am glad you are taking care of yourself and your family. I read your blog each day and look forward to hearing more great ideas. Thanks for sharing!
I completely understand.. this is exactly why it has taken me so long to START my business! I literally launched it this week!! If you are still looking for contributors I would love, love, love to work with you. I appreciate your honesty and I love that you have chosen to spend more time with your family.. Families are Forever! Good luck with all your new endeavors- I love your blog and will continue to follow it!
I love reading your blog! I'm so glad you decided to keep it going! I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision 🙂
I'm so happy that you are continuing to blog…I love hearing from you and I also always love your hair!!
Do you have it professionally colored or do you do it yourself? I need HELP with mine!!
Hey Kelly! My friend and neighbor does it. I could never do it myself. lol! I've tried that before and it was a disaster.
Hi. I'm Denise farnsworths sister and live in Provo. I have an idea for you. Will you pm me when
You get a chance? [email protected]
Kirsten, you are not alone in this. It can be tough doing all the things that a working mother does and it shows strength when you take the time to reevaluate your priorities and decide what is best for you and your family. I actually put my blog on the back burner in my own life because my family and school/work are my top priorities right now, like you mentioned…something has to give. And I think it really just depends on what you feel is right for you. I'm glad that you are happy with it and really happy you've decided to stick around. Good luck to you, you're doing awesome! 🙂
This is great, Kristen! Those babies grow so quickly, you blink and they are in upper elementary! I've been feeling the same way about creating…not enough time, ever, and I don't want to sacrifice time with kids. I look forward to your blog contributors and your posts too! Ps it was so nice meeting you at the minted dinner at alt! Oh btw I may have sent sixteen other comments, sorry! This darn iPad keeps deleting or sending comments when I type them!
Hugs to you, Kirsten, on following your heart! You are amazing at everything you do, and it's hard to turn things down when it is exciting (and tempting) to "do it all." But it's not possible to "do it all," and nothing makes we moms realize that faster than our kids! There isn't enough time in the day to say yes to everything, and putting yourself under so much stress just isn't worth it. I'm excited for you! xoxo, Traci
Phew, I thought you were going to say you were cutting down on blogging! I'm glad you're not. It's so fun to see what you are up to. You inspire me (in all areas of life).
Kirsten, I was so interested to read this and it is very timely for me. I'm just moving my blog over to WordPress and am building a new website to promote my new decorating services including e-design, product sourcing etc. I was thinking about an online shop too, but that's further down the track. But I am nervous about committing to all this because I don't know where I'm going to find the time. I'm run off my feet as it is, feel I neglect my children already to blog and wonder how I'm going to make it work. I feel like the time has come to start to make some income from blogging given the amount of hours it takes, and the number of request and emails I get for help decorating. My husband says it's the most elaborate hobby on the planet and he's probably right, but I want to earn something from the time and effort. But reading your post, I'm wondering if those things are just going to too time consuming and not make that much money, and I will in turn neglect my blog and my children, which is what I love and gives me freedom and a voice. The most important thing are my readers at the end of the day. As you say,it's tempting to want to do it all when you get so many opportunities and you feel compelled to take them, but at what price? I'm undecided but I'm glad you have found your path.
So important to re-set sometimes but equally important to do what you love and make sure you love what you are spending time on. It's a challenge to be a work-from-home-mom, blogger, designer. We do what we do because we love every bit of it. You go girl!!
x
Hi Kirsten,
I have been following your blog for a little while now and I just want to say it's very inspiring! I've been there when it feels like you just have no time all day (I have two kids, a year apart in age). I have spent the last 2 months developing my design blog and it took me that long just to design the site and get it up and running. Definitely, follow your heart and prioritize what you know is most important!
Best of luck to you…blogging really is a lot of work when you take it seriously. I have a full-time job and still try to post Monday thru Friday on my blog. It takes A LOT of planning. I also feel like I'm on the computer 24/7. I have two little boys too, so it gets stressful to balance it all. I'm sure you're blog will continue to thrive and hopefully monetarily too so you can focus your efforts on what your truly love to do. http://www.styleoyster.blogspot.com
Kirsten! You are right.. something HAS got to give. No doubt- you are making the right choice. I realized after having my second child that your time becomes a pie— and everyone wants a piece! You need to be selective as to where you spend your time. If anyone can monetize their blog, it's YOU. Follow your heart. You have been so kind and generous with your time to me– anything you need, just say the word! Oh, PS: That little Jane is just simply precious. I want to give her big squeeze. xo.
Kirsten, I adore your blog. The time you spend on it shows and has made your blog one of my favorites. I do head over to pinterest a lot, but always find my favorite content on blogs. (I've seen the bulk of what is on Pinterest and I get tired of shifting through pictures I've already seen. Anyway, I found you through apartment therapy but actually live close to you in Daybreak and sometimes hope that I bump into you at Target so that I can tell you how inspiring your design is. I've learned so much from you and my house is so cute from the tweaks I've made. We are too busy in modern society and I'm no exception. I've got four kids, a full time job, and spend a lot of time working for my church–I too understand fully the need to de-clutter and refocus on what is important. I miss my mom! I don't have any advice because we all need to sort through these things in our own way, but you are not alone and it will get easier.
I know exactly how you feel. Juggling two kids, full time job, and the blog feels like i'm always letting one part down – never able to completely devote my time to one thing completely. It's a precarious situation, for sure. I admire you for honestly discussing it here and I'll be curious to see what you're doing to make it a full-time position. Great post.