Creating work-life balance or work-life integration as a blogger and shift worker can certainly be a challenge and the truth be told, I certainly can’t claim to live a life of work-life balance. In fact, it is difficult to be in balance every day of the week. I believe there will always be days of giving and taking from one area of life to another.
I heard on a podcast earlier this week, how people work sometimes 16-18 hours days to make money in their sleep. This sounds crazy to me. The make money while you sleep is good, a passive income but working so long hours jeopardizing other areas of your life every day surely will not be healthy.
Over the past few years, I’ve followed quite a few different bloggers and they all worked long hours on their businesses, however, most were mom bloggers and had time off with their children during the day. Other worked 9 to 5 and blogged in their spare time creating their businesses between earning an income from a job. I see myself as fortunate as I work irregular hours as a shift worker and can balance work, family and blogging.
The benefits of shift work as a blogger.
As much as there are times when shift work is tiring and I feel like I’m missing out on weekend activities or celebrations, there are so many benefits to working shift hours, especially as a blogger.
The benefits of flexible time.
Admittedly I spend quite a bit of time in the car but having flexible time means you get to avoid peak hour traffic.
To make the most of my time in the car I listen to podcasts. Podcasts that inspire and podcasts that teach. Also, at times I listen to Facebook lives from mentors and other inspiring bloggers or even audible books.
Investing in yourself is one of the 5 things one of my mentors once told me to do. Listening to books or podcasts is just one way of investing in yourself and when driving is a perfect use of time to do this.
Balancing life around family.
Just like blogging stay at home moms require to balance their blogging requirements around family, working shift hours can fit around family and blogging too.
With a family, you can often work around school hours or around when family members are available to help you. Not that I need to do that anymore, as my children are young adults. However, there was a time I would start early morning shift and my husband would ensure the children got to school. At the time I loved finishing early as to spend time with the children after school.
I still love the morning shift. What I love about an early start is an early finish, which enables me to schedule some time for a walk or swim before blogging. Being finished early in the day enables a little work-life balance in my life.
The most important factor with working and blogging is to create a schedule that works for you and your family even if the schedule is a flexible schedule like a shift work schedule generally is. The way I schedule time is via time blocking and each day is different.
Tip. I’ve found to switch between working and family or blogging, spending some me time by going for a mindful walk or a swim helps with letting go of the thoughts you may have on your mind from work.
Schedule your blogging time.
Working with a blogging schedule is the best way even if you are a stay at home blogger. Having a schedule helps you prepare and plan content for the week or even month.
Each morning I journal, and I write in my journal 2 actions that I will take that day towards my goals. I ask myself the same question every day which you can read here. Even though I ask myself the question I also have a schedule as to when I write blogs, when blog posts go live, the day I create pins for Pinterest. Incidentally, if you need help creating pins, I can assist with this see ‘work with me’.
There are many different blogging tasks that need actioning and a schedule can help with keeping on top of the tasks.
When it comes to scheduling tasks like Pinterest I like to use a pre-schedule as this saves time. My preferred Pinterest scheduler is Tailwind.
Tip: Another way to stay focused on the task at hand is to switch off notification on your phone and computer so you can stay focused.
Create Time not hustle.
I believe in living to your core values. For me, that is spending time with family and enjoying many different spheres of life which means I don’t buy into the hustle. Many people think it is important to hustle constantly, it isn’t. I know that when you have something in your life you really want to do like blogging, you are most likely thinking about it a lot and wanting to grab every spare moment you have to do it. Don’t. You don’t want to get burnout. Burnout sucks.
Rather than hustle, focus on moments of time. To balance work life and blogging create a schedule that works for you regardless of if you work shift, work 9 to 5 or work from home. Taking time away from the busyness of life is important for your wellbeing. Have quiet time, spend time with family and friends and enjoy life today. Living a more balanced life is about taking time to be grateful for what you currently have and enjoy the pleasures you have around you. For life is happening now, not in the future, not in the past, but now.
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Angie blogs about setting goals and mastering habits as well as productivity and living abroad. She started blogging while learning the skills to start an online business. Her goal to work online came about due to wanting to see overseas family and travel around Australia. Her mission is to help others succeed with their goals. Angie often shares tips and tricks while walking the beaches or near the lake on the Central Coast NSW Australia.
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