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This post has been a long time coming and to be honest, it feels like a relief to be writing it. If you know me, then you know how I operate: work-hard, play-hard. I work crazy long days for weeks on end and then I detach completely. It’s a strategy, which I found to be effective for me in the past, but slowly it is beginning to catch up with me.
Since the blog is not just my passion, but my job it is no exception that I’ve adopted this mentality in how I operate it as a business. So far it’s worked. And while I am so incredibly grateful for the following THM has achieved, in the process I have lost a lot of the core values that this blog is supposed to be about.
Balance is key. I’ve said it from the start. Move your body, eat your veggies, drink your wine and binge-watch your favourite Netflix show. Some days more veggies than wine, and others more Netflix than activity. It all evens out in the end.
But when those veggies and sweat sessions get pushed aside to make room for more work and then suddenly you find yourself eating popcorn and wine for dinner in your PJs from the night before, it’s pretty clear your balance is off kilter.
This has been me for the past couple of months. I have been working my butt-off, as is to be expected when you are self-employed, but not at the expense of your health. And especially not when you write a blog called The Healthy Maven.
As terrifying for me as this is admit, some changes are necessary. Partially because it’s time that THM and I slow-down our relationship and find a better sense of balance. But also because I have a few other projects in the works that are going to force me to divide and manage my time better.
I don’t want to keep pushing off workouts and skimping on the healthy food because there “isn’t enough time”. I don’t want to say no to an evening walk with C because “I’m too busy working”. I want to work hard to enjoy my life, but not have my life be my job.
So what does this mean? I will be cutting back to 3 or maybeeee 4 (should time allow it) posts a week. I used to post 6 days a week and over the last few months have dropped down to 5 but even this isn’t sustainable.
As to be expected, the focus of these posts will be my always favourite topic, food. Occasionally I’ll be popping in for an update on life, Maven’s Cravins, travel and some blogging-related posts. So pretty much the same as always, just less frequently.
While I am saddened that I’m going to have to be choosier when picking which recipe to make from my never-ending idea list, I also am excited to have a bit more free time to focus on some of the other things and people I love. Plus, I think once I reveal the other projects I am working on you will be happy about this change too.
My tentative posting schedule is looking like it will be Sunday, Tuesday, Friday with either Monday or Wednesday open should I have time to post. Otherwise STF it is (good thing there’s no day of the week with a “U”). I highly doubt you’re sitting at home trying to console yourself, but I felt the need to share with you why I might not be frequenting this place as often as usual.
Should you need some counselling, you can always stalk me on my various social channels. I can’t promise to be all that entertaining but I’ll do my best!
I just realized how fitting it is to be posting this on the start of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Lately, it’s been feeling like a chapter is coming to a close with a new one about to begin. I am excited/terrified/happy about what this next one has to offer and you better bet I’ll be filling you in when I have the time!
In the meantime, I’ll be embracing the change.
I’m happy for you love! I feel that when you work from home, it’s easy to get in that mindset where you’re never really ‘off’ – it’s easy to keep working all the time. So good for you for wanting a more balanced approach!
Good for you! Can’t wait to hear about your new project!
Good Girl!! !I totally hear you. I went from 5 times down to 3 times. I still struggle with winding down at night and choose Social Media before reading – no bueno. But yes, it taked time to figure things out around blogging and I am glad you are on a good way to find balance again! Have some wine on that!
I think it’s great you are trying to find more balance. It’s something definitely dear to my heart! 🙂
I went through a similar phase where my posting schedule was getting out of control and I had to cut back. I still have days where I feel completely overwhelmed by the blog but I try to remember that it isn’t everything and what is in front of me is more important.
Amazing Davida! So glad you recognized this and are making changes for the better, Health is the most important thing and you are so amazing for seeing that your health was being affected negatively. So many people run their bodies down for decades with work and then wonder where all the chronic disease came from? Good luck lady and can’t wait to see what’s in the works for you!
Good for you!!! Trust me, I know how it is to pour 100% of yourself into 80+ hour weeks and living to build your business. But I also know we’re both in this for the long haul and we owe it to ourselves to make it sustainable. Keep up the great work!
Glad to hear it, lady! I honestly have no idea how you managed to keep up the insane schedule for so long in the first place! I feel like I’ve gotten better with the work/life balance lately, but getting here was definitely a learning experience that took a big toll on my health (and sanity). Can’t wait to hear about the exciting things you’ve got in the works 🙂
YES! It’s hard when you’re doing something you love, but I found this month, I’ve had to let go of a few things (like posting so much on my blog/social media) to make space and give my all to other parts of my life. Balance is so key and is always a work in progress. So glad you are taking time for you.
Excited to hear about the new project. Good for you for finding a good balance of blogging and taking care of yourself. No amount of work is worth running yourself into the ground over!
You’re absolutely right! There’s no sense in killing yourself and making yourself miserable when you’re self-employed and have the control. While it’s great to get absorbed and obsessed with a new project, it’s easy to burn out and not realize it. You are setting a great example of recognizing your limits and what makes you happy in life, and sticking to it. I wish so many other people would follow that lead (myself included!) since we tend to gravitate to this it’s-not-enough, 12-hour+ workday culture. Enjoy your little extra time, and let it help the creativity flow!