Do you schedule your blog posts? How do you decide how frequently to write? Last September I decided to start blogging again. I wanted to commit to writing daily, even if it was only a short journal entry, a fragment in my dream diary, or a letter to a friend. I’d also like to start devoting time to other writing projects, but the idea of blogging appealed because of its immediacy. I enjoy connecting with others, which is an essential aspect of blogging.
Time is one of the biggest challenges for me. Some weeks I don’t have much at all and other weeks I’m able to write more frequently. I follow The Art of Blogging and value the advice given. One post in particular resonated with me because consistency is something I struggle with. In general I like to go with the flow. Unless a schedule is imposed on me I’m unlikely to create one myself. I’m not naturally organised so this is something I’ve had to work hard to change. If I can change my habits around my hobby (blogging), maybe I’ll also become more disciplined in other aspects of life.
If I were to give you a piece of advice on blogging, writing, life, love, money, getting in top physical shape, or anything else, it would be this: it is more important to be consistent, and by definition, persistent, than it is to be anything else.
CRISTIAN MIHAI
To find out more, read {Blogging Mindset} Consistency is Key.
This month I’m attempting to respond to the #Manifest20 daily prompts, but I won’t be able to sustain this schedule in the New Year. January is my busiest month with work. Resolutions generally result in a bigger demand for group fitness classes. I’ve had an injury since last August and haven’t been teaching as much as I usually do. That has allowed me more free time to write. Soon I’ll have to refocus my energy on training, preparing, and advertising for upcoming classes. When my workload increases, my goal is to schedule two blog posts a week and establish a consistent routine that doesn’t overwhelm me.
Pop psychology espouses that it takes 21 days to establish a new habit. Research suggests that on average it takes 66 days according to a study by psychologist and author Jeremy Dean. Read more about How Long It Takes to Form a New Habit on Brain Pickings. It’s been 93 days since I returned to Confessions of a Patchwork Momma, and showing up here has definitely become part of my routine. I’m developing a rapport with a few regular readers and hope this community will grow more in the coming year. I really do appreciate each comment and the time you spend here.
What habits are you trying to establish or break? What’s helping you achieve this goal?
This post was inspired by the #Manifest20 Prompt for Day 12: Creature of Habit: Did you form a new habit this year? Or continue with an old one? Is it a good habit? Or one you’d like to break?
Photo credit: Debby Hudson
Creations of a Patchwork Momma 
I don’t schedule my posts, but I feel it’s a valuable tool to have. I am quite new to the blogging community. I didn’t know what to expect, but have found a warm welcome and a place to keep me sane. Writing each day is helping me find my “writers voice” and to avoid hiding behind any preconceived ideas about how it’s “supposed” to be. Somedays I feel like a teenager all over again trying to figure out who I am lol! I can tell you one thing for 2020 I want to avoid the habit of being “sick”. I do not want that to define me.
I’m glad you came back to your blog. You have a gift of writing. It’s quite graceful 🙂
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Thanks, Mare. I think you’re a natural at blogging. I love your writing style and was hooked on the first post I read of yours. I like reading blogs where the authors are honest about their experiences, even the tough stuff. Being ill is hard. I know writing has helped me process the most difficult periods of my life. I really hope 2020 will restore you to good health.
One year I suffered badly from alopecia after my ex husband died suddenly in a car accident. It was such a shock as you can imagine, and all of my energy was consumed with keeping it together for our 3 children. My health wasn’t great, but financial worries meant I had to keep working as much as possible. Losing patches of my hair was a real wake up call. I made a huge effort to try every kind of complimentary medicine so I would heal. (Conventional medicine had nothing to offer for alopecia). Acupuncture, daily yoga, regular hot saunas, massage, aromatherapy, a good diet, sleep and slowing down helped me a lot. The bald patches have grown back now (4 years later), but I still don’t have the full head of hair I once had. I’ve learned to let go and accept that the whole experience of loss has changed me (and my children). Be gentle with yourself and trust it’s all happening for a reason. ❤️ Robin
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Robin, thank you for sharing your story. You are a mighty warrior and I can’t even begin to imagine the intensity of what you went though. Seeing your life now gives me hope. I can’t thank you enough for sharing your story. My heart breaks for you and at the same time I’m comforted in the reminder I’m not the only one trudging through quick sand. You are powerful and your children a beyond blessed to have you as their mama 🙂
May we both breathe deeply today and smile knowing we are held and we are ok.
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Thank you for your kind words. You’re definitely not alone. The beauty of sharing stories is remembering we’re all in this together. Yes to breathing deeply and knowing we are held and ok. 🧘🏽♀️
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I used to have a blog over on Blogger. I shut it down after a couple years & found I actually missed putting my thoughts down on screen. When I started reorganizing my business after being away a couple of years, I thought, why not? I jumped back in.
I make it a daily habit so I hold myself to something other than self (which is weird because blogging is truly al me, me, me & my life). I like looking back to see what I accomplish, what I need to work on & what things have my attention to learn. I look at it more like a journey than a commitment. A ‘time for me’ rather a drudgery.
In the end, do what works for you. If you force yourself, you may not enjoy it. Your blog is delightful.
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Out of curiosity which do you prefer? My friend and I started off on Blogger 9 years ago but we deleted our blog after a year. I am enjoying the WordPress community and find this platform suits me better.
“A time for me” is a great way to look at it. I’m going to commit to the journey.😉 Thanks for the compliment! I’m glad you’ve enjoyed my blog.
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At first I thought I would be too attached to blogger but, in honesty, I love WP far better. I feel you can manipulate the movement of photos & post much easier over all. Also, followers/or to be followed are much easier to come by here on WP. Blogger has no viable way to attract new folks anymore.
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Some people recommend blogging every day. I know for a fact that I would not be able to sustain it for prolonged periods of time. To me, blogging is more than just sharing a sentence. Or two. I like my posts to be lengthier. To express my opinions and my thought process. To engage others in a discussion. Because of that, blogging every day is impossible for me since I have full-time work to go to and other things associated with adulting.
However, this past year, I have increased the number of my posts per month. There are different categories posted on different days. Fourteen posts per month do happen when the stars align. That’s like writing every other day. I think that is more than enough. I think I will relax my schedule a little next year, as I want to focus more on my outside-of-blogging writing more.
No, I do not preschedule my posts, because I like to share things that are currently in the news and in my mind.
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It sounds like you have a great flow and are very organized . Like you, I prefer writing lengthier posts, but I’m trying to make them shorter. I realize most folks don’t have a lot of time to invest. I tend to read a variety of posts- short, long, medium doesn’t matter as long as I find it interesting.
14 posts a month is a lot, especially when you’re working full-time! I like the idea of having categories posted on different days. It gives you and your readers a focus so everyone knows what to expect. I started writing Gratitude Tuesday posts in November (inspired by Thanksgiving), but the other days/ posts are open.
Best of luck with your non-blogging related writing projects in 2020! I’m hoping to start working on a longer project too.
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Stay golden 🙂
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I just started scheduling yesterday as a matter of fact. My problem is that I don’t want to post too often. I have years of essays stockpiled. But then, I have the time to do this as I am retired.
And I too am so sorry that you had such tragedy in your life. Oh my, how your heart had to have hurt.
Tragedy not only reveals to others what’s in us, but it also reveals to US what’s in us … like resiliency, character, perseverance, etc … all of which are not gifted to us. They are developed in us through adversity.
I say Bravo for being a survivor and thriver. And now writer!
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Thanks for leaving such a thoughtful and kind comment. I wouldn’t wish adversity on anyone, but you are right… Hardship can help us develop and that is a gift in itself.
Regarding scheduling, how often have you decided to post? I understand what you mean. Posting too often can seem like spam, but at the same time it’s good to keep engagement up by posting frequently. I’m struggling to post once a week at the moment with my current workload and looking after my kids. It’s all a balancing act isn’t it?
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