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What is Lifestyle Blogging?

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When I think and talk about the term, “Lifestyle Blogging,” I am specifically talking about blogging as a part of your daily lifestyle, your daily routine. Now I am aware that other people may call it something different, but for me, I’m referring to blogging about what people do as a natural part of their daily lives. This can include things like:

Research (Googling)

Cooking (developing meal plans, tweaking recipes)

Remodeling (DIY home projects)

Fitness (working out, eating healthy)

Cars (restoration, purchasing, etc.)

 

Just about anything you can think of that you do on a daily basis can be done as a lifestyle blogger. For instance, for me, every day I look forward to two things:

1. Working out, either outside or at the gym, and

2. Working on my passive income business ideas

Now although I’ve freelanced for years as a business writer, I’ve come to completely enjoy writing about my lifestyle and the things that interest me. I’ve been steadily on this journey since 2009, and no matter how many freelance clients I’m managing, I always, ALWAYS come back to my lifestyle interests when I’m in between clients. It was after a few years and a few clients later that I started noticing this trend that was developing. I absolutely love writing, researching, digging, experimenting and figuring out things related to the two things that I love.

I’ve tried to separate my passion from practical application, as in doing something that will bring me a solid income as opposed to writing from my passions. But no matter what, I would always find myself daydreaming about my passions and spending hours and hours Googling and YouTubing stuff related to either health and fitness or passive income. The “do what you love and the money will follow” is a true statement.

As I started noticing that I was spending SO much time on these interests, it only made sense that I should direct my passions towards these things. After all, how could I NOT do that when I could easily spend 4 hours solid on YouTube researching about my 4c natural hair and the science behind it? Yes, that really happened.

So as a lifestyle blogger, talking about the things that interest me are so very easy to do. And, making money by doing it is even easier because I’m doing what I love. It’s like the frustration you feel when you have to do something as opposed to when you want to do something.

Blogging as my lifestyle is not hard at all, and nor should it be for you. You should enjoy what you do and do it with all that you have. Determine that you want to monetize it as a business, and you’re set. If you decide to follow me on this journey, I’ll share with you my tips and knowledge so that we’re all successful. If you’re ready to do this, come on and join me!

5 Sleep Tips to Be a Better Blogger

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I celebrated a wonderful birthday last week. Yep, I’m the big 4-7!! That’s 47 years that the good Lord has allowed me to be on His earth and reap His wonderful blessings. Thank you Jesus!

The reason why I mention my age and going off on that tangent this morning is because of something that I saw on the news this morning. It was during the early morning news show and there was a segment about health and aging. They were talking about how people (in general) all want to turn back the hands of time to look and feel younger. That’s everybody , right?

Well, I’m no exception. I tuned in to that segment and tuned everything else around me out. I was waiting for them to tell us the latest pill or potion that we needed to buy. I had (almost) gotten out my credit card and was ready to make a transaction!

But, the “aha” moment was less than  a pill or potion. It was something very basic. Very, very basic.

Sleep.

That’s it. That’s what they recommended. I was almost about to get offended that the news had wasted :45 seconds of my time just to tell me something that I already knew, but I didn’t. I listened anyway. Besides, they had already taken :60 whole seconds of my life, what’s another :30 seconds going to do?

So, they said sleep is one of the most beneficial things you can do to reverse aging, help your skin look smoother and firmer and even feel better. Sleep. Just sleep. As a full-time writer and blogger and a full-time mom and wife, sleep is one of those commodities that I rarely get to enjoy.

I couldn’t and can’t argue with the idea of sleep because I honestly don’t get enough. I’m always working, carting kids off to a practice, cooking something or cleaning up after I’ve cooked something. And if you’re reading this, you’re probably one who doesn’t get enough sleep either. I don’t even have to quote statistics, because I know this to be a (personal) fact. These days, the average person gets less than 5-6 hours of sleep on a regular basis. And that’s just not good for you, me or anyone else.

I can’t tell when was the last time that I got 8 hours of solid sleep for more than a month. It’s probably been pre-kids, no doubt. But, I’m on a mission to change that. I want to do it for more reasons than superficial (helping me to look younger), but I want to feel better. I want to think clearer. I want to be more productive. I want to grow my writing/blogging career, and I think more sleep would help me to do it. Yes, I need more sleep in my life.

I’m always brimming with writing and marketing ideas. Always. I even sometimes wake up in the middle of the night with ideas. I guess you could say it’s a mixed bag of blessings. While I’m never at a loss for creative ideas, I just don’t have enough hours in the day (or a work-week) to get these ideas into action. That sometimes leaves me frustrated, of course, but I’m also the type that will stay relentlessly with an idea until I’ve seen it form. You know what that means, right? Yep. Little to no sleep.

As creative types, bloggers and writers have to take care of their main staple: their minds. Our brain is a muscle, and with the type of work we all do, that muscle gets a good workout several times a day. It’s a good thing to be creative and a great thing to be busy. But, I am determined to stop this lack of sleep lifestyle because it really does hinder the creative process. If you’re with me on this and you want to 1.) get more sleep, 2.) stay productive and 3.) be even more creative then let’s all resolve to do the following:

  1. Keep a Journal: This will help us to keep our ideas written down and in front of us so that we’ll always have something fresh to spark ideas. But more importantly, it will keep our minds from becoming too cluttered and hindering sleep, especially when we need to wind down at night.
  2. Say No: Yes, you’ve got to say no to requests that take you off task, but also that hinder your own progress. Say no to those activities that do not readily line up with your writing and blogging goals.
  3. Breaks: Take frequent writing breaks during your work hour. I know that may be a challenge for us to do, but I promise you that it will be worth it. And when you take those breaks, don’t do a load of laundry or vacuum. Take a true break and stretch your legs, go outside and take in some fresh air, play with the dog, etc.
  4. Nap: A 10-minute power nap can do wonders for your mind! Even if you don’t fall asleep during that time, just rest your brain for those 10 minutes. You’ll definitely see a difference when you return back to work.
  5. Let it Go: That means at night, when the sink is full of dishes, the den is a wreck and lunches aren’t made; let it be until the next morning. Go to be and work on those 8 hours of sleep. Don’t worry about the housework. Guess what? I promise it’ll be there in the morning, ready for you to conquer when you’re fresher.

I’m doing a few of these things now, but I’m planning on putting all 5 of them into action before the end of the month. I hope you’ll join in with me on this. Let’s vow to get more sleep and grow our writing businesses, ok? Ready, set, go!