tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post7730916608264579736..comments2024-03-19T05:28:48.920-04:00Comments on Kristin Smith: IWSG--Finding BalanceKristin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-14814634742943045232014-03-25T13:12:57.580-04:002014-03-25T13:12:57.580-04:00I know what you’re going through Kristin. I felt t...I know what you’re going through Kristin. I felt the same way a few months after I entered the realm of social media. I wrote a post or two about it. Like you, I realized my writing was suffering. I had tipped the scale completely over to the social media side. Most of the time I spent on my laptop was to read and comment on the blogs of others. Then I came across this Neil Gaiman quote and it helped put things in the proper perspective. <br /><br />“I had become someone who professionally replied to emails and wrote as a hobby. I started to answer fewer emails and was relieved to find I was writing much more.” <br /><br />That quote is near my laptop as a reminder to focus on what is most important about this journey…the writing! Now the scale is in balance (most days). I make writing a priority. I don’t spend as much time reading and commenting anymore (although that may be surprising given the length of THIS comment). <br />Plus, there’s an app for that! There is a WordPress app you can use with your iphone. When you’re waiting in line at carpool, etc. take that time to read and comment on other blogs. Use the time in front of your computer to write! <br /><br />It also helps me to schedule my posts in advance (I have some scheduled as far out as May). And my crock pot is a godsend! Love that thing! I would try to keep exercise in your routine, though. Believe it or not, you need it to stay fit to write. Plus, I get some of my best ideas when I’m exercising. <br /><br />Best of luck to you and keep writing on your blog, but don’t sweat the rest of the social media thing :-)<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-29891978772121910392014-03-17T09:53:27.889-04:002014-03-17T09:53:27.889-04:00Your household does sound VERY busy! You know exac...Your household does sound VERY busy! You know exactly what I'm referring to! It can get crazy trying to keep up with it all, but I love how you pointed out that life goes on. So true!Kristin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-19230745728422471762014-03-17T09:52:03.305-04:002014-03-17T09:52:03.305-04:00So true! Thanks, Tammy!So true! Thanks, Tammy!Kristin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-1265048006944443342014-03-17T09:51:27.694-04:002014-03-17T09:51:27.694-04:00Thanks Robyn! You rock! I'm all about finding ...Thanks Robyn! You rock! I'm all about finding time savers! :)Kristin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-53123916013067128442014-03-16T15:37:39.822-04:002014-03-16T15:37:39.822-04:00This hit home for me. I'm struggling to find ...This hit home for me. I'm struggling to find balance, as well. While I don't work, I do run a busy household of 4 to 8 people (numbers depend on day of the week. There is my partner and myself, and between us we have 6 kids)<br /><br />I'm trying to schedule my blogging/connecting/social media time throughout the week. During school hours. I find using a calendar is a lifesaver. I actually use Evernote, and I can sync it through my laptop, online, and my smartphone, so that I can make/take notes anywhere and it will sync to all my devices.<br /><br />Hang in there. I don't know if it gets any easier, but remember if you miss a few days, or a week, or a month, don't beat yourself up too much about it. Life goes on. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09746205877845352251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-46701984705608282282014-03-07T13:15:52.984-05:002014-03-07T13:15:52.984-05:00Welcome, Kristin! Thanks for visiting.
I'm not...Welcome, Kristin! Thanks for visiting.<br />I'm not one to advise. I have no kids or spouse. I have found, though, that blogging doesn't necessarily take away from writing. It helps. Besides making me a better writer, I often tie in my blog writings with my novel or other pieces I'm working on. I've also stopped responding to every comment on my blog itself. Rather, I make visits and comment that way. (It saves a bit of time.) You learn shortcuts as you go.<br /><br />Take care,<br />xoRobynRawknrobyn.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15997241410192066577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-87201553417397566222014-03-07T01:47:23.294-05:002014-03-07T01:47:23.294-05:00priorities are so hard to get where you need to be...priorities are so hard to get where you need to be where you have time for "everything". the best thing is to take your time and know that you're okay to take a break for you and your family whenever you need!Tammy Theriaulthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128574900510175415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-5949914025854504892014-03-06T14:35:39.748-05:002014-03-06T14:35:39.748-05:00I like how you put that, "sometimes life just...I like how you put that, "sometimes life just gets in the way".... So true!! Thanks for stopping by! :)Kristin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-10531896580082659012014-03-06T14:34:28.454-05:002014-03-06T14:34:28.454-05:00I have to admit, I never realized how intense blog...I have to admit, I never realized how intense blogging could be. I just thought, "oh, this will be fun." I will definitely keep it up, but maybe decrease the frequency. Great advice! Thanks! :)Kristin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-32390081011616717412014-03-06T14:32:42.878-05:002014-03-06T14:32:42.878-05:00LOL Thanks, Elizabeth! Great advice. I think I...LOL Thanks, Elizabeth! Great advice. I think I'm going to make that my motto now... "One day at a time." Awesome! Kristin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-31859645624649314172014-03-06T14:31:22.106-05:002014-03-06T14:31:22.106-05:00LOL Even the 9-5 can be pretty demanding! Thanks ...LOL Even the 9-5 can be pretty demanding! Thanks for stopping by! :)Kristin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-8959999290551054902014-03-06T14:27:58.305-05:002014-03-06T14:27:58.305-05:00Great advice! I do find that the best time for me ...Great advice! I do find that the best time for me is at night. I just need to remind myself that they are only little for so long. You are wonderful!! :)Kristin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-30918270118757386022014-03-06T14:26:04.301-05:002014-03-06T14:26:04.301-05:00LOL Thanks, Stephanie!! It is crazy trying to bal...LOL Thanks, Stephanie!! It is crazy trying to balance it all right now. See you at school! :)Kristin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-71339049167552160372014-03-06T14:21:55.448-05:002014-03-06T14:21:55.448-05:00I'm still amazed you can keep up with all you ...I'm still amazed you can keep up with all you do! I keep hearing talk of clones? :)<br /><br />Scaling back is a great suggestion. Happy to be a part of the IWSG!Kristin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-31757511321704607762014-03-06T14:20:22.655-05:002014-03-06T14:20:22.655-05:00Thanks, Crystal. Great reminder that sometimes it&...Thanks, Crystal. Great reminder that sometimes it's okay to let things go.<br /><br />Thankfully, my little ones also help out a lot, so that has been a nice change as they've gotten older. Teach 'em young, that's the key! :)Kristin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-70927181916028519772014-03-06T14:17:42.092-05:002014-03-06T14:17:42.092-05:00So nice to meet a mom of 4 boys! You know how loud...So nice to meet a mom of 4 boys! You know how loud and crazy it can be! :)<br /><br />Thank you for insight on how you're making it work. I like the timer idea for reading other blogs, that might be really helpful for me! Kristin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-44626484357724417672014-03-06T14:14:01.353-05:002014-03-06T14:14:01.353-05:00You should sign up! It wasn't as scary as I th...You should sign up! It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be! :)Kristin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-87227642450307573512014-03-06T13:35:54.523-05:002014-03-06T13:35:54.523-05:00Balance for a writer is often like juggling 6 or 7...Balance for a writer is often like juggling 6 or 7 balls in the air at a time. I'm trying to blog once a week, but sometimes life just gets in the way.Chemist Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09738272332470397248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-87865079014770904912014-03-06T13:31:36.729-05:002014-03-06T13:31:36.729-05:00Join the club! I've had to cut back on bloggi...Join the club! I've had to cut back on blogging considerably because of all the other things I do (I used to blog everyday on 2 blogs. I still have 2, but I blog once a week on one, and whenever I can on the other, which ends up being about 4 or 5 days a week.) I would continue to blog, if you can. Just cut back on the frequency. Sherry Ellishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07844837212122243321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-10246426717596635312014-03-05T22:33:13.911-05:002014-03-05T22:33:13.911-05:00I'm exhausted just hearing about your days, Kr...I'm exhausted just hearing about your days, Kristin. But don't beat yourself up too much. The fact that you are writing, even if it is blogging, is a step in the right direction. Good for you! Keep up the habit, and yes do make it a habit. Balance is often reached through developing habits. I have a lot of writing friends who got up 1/2 hour before the kids and wrote, no matter what they wrote. Or stayed up late. And babysitters don't have to be just for going out, they can also be for staying at the keyboard. One day at a time. Good luck!Elizabeth Alsobrookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18239143833626955490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-62081947947004697312014-03-05T22:08:58.043-05:002014-03-05T22:08:58.043-05:00Thankfully it is just me and a couple of cats, so ...Thankfully it is just me and a couple of cats, so I can find plenty of time, I just ignore the 9-5 and I'm good to go lolPat Hatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07745293224202430152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-43772665396686038982014-03-05T20:14:31.059-05:002014-03-05T20:14:31.059-05:00I have 5 grown children. I don't think I could...I have 5 grown children. I don't think I could've survived blogging and writing when they were little. I understand your dilemma. Does your 2 year old take a nap? Leave the mess and take this quiet time to write. Or after the kids are in bed, give yourself an hour to write. Write first and blog once in a while. But these years will be your best years ever!! I wish mine were little again. Relax and enjoy them and you'll squeeze in the time.Cathrina Constantinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16960849263181625782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-71376041016454835602014-03-05T18:00:49.676-05:002014-03-05T18:00:49.676-05:00I have definitely gone in "seasons" with...I have definitely gone in "seasons" with my blog as well. For the first couple of years I blogged every.single.day. But then once baby #2 got older, going through another move, and then having baby #3 I was barely blogging once a month. I wanted to, but everything else in life was so busy...and if I tried to take a few minutes out of my day to actually blog, I didn't enjoy it because things were going haywire everywhere else! <br />But aside from the blogging part adding to your feeling out of balance, I feel the same way! Once the normal part of the daily grind is out of the way there's no time for anything else. Which just plain out stinks. I'm with you...when you find the secret for balance let me know! :-) ...until then I'll be behind you running the kids into school late! :-) lol Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17814260404739207524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-83846655782988778492014-03-05T14:41:16.577-05:002014-03-05T14:41:16.577-05:00Balance is tough. If I couldn't blog from work...Balance is tough. If I couldn't blog from work, I'd never keep up.<br />Maybe scale back the blog to one day a week and then write the other days.<br />And welcome to the IWSG!Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-75501005892907170492014-03-05T12:52:22.359-05:002014-03-05T12:52:22.359-05:00It's always difficult to find a balance. Blogg...It's always difficult to find a balance. Blogging fits where you make it fit. Once a week, once every two weeks, once a month? Really, it has to fit you, not the other way around. Also keep in mind there are seasons. You're in full-blown family mode right now. Of course it's utter insanity. My oldest is now 13, youngest 7, and I'm looking at the reality. My oldest will be out of the house in 5 years. The time flies. The years I have them under my roof is so limited and I better make the most of it. The other thought that comes again and again is that dirty dishes or unclean laundry is not the end of the world. And finally, organization leads to peace. I've taught my littles to do chores and help around the house. We may not always make it, and it may take more effort than seems reasonable sometimes, but their help--as they get older and more responsible--is invaluable. Mine know what I'm trying to do right now, and they support me like I support them. We have conversations all the time about what each of us is trying to accomplish, and usually they are willing to do their part to help. Crystal Collierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03912469552483168148noreply@blogger.com