Blogging is a full-time job – take time to relax.

Thanks to Crystal Light for sponsoring this post. To learn more about how Crystal Light can flavor your day with 30 refreshing flavors, visit www.facebook.com/CrystalLight.

I’ve been thinking a lot about blogging lately – you will probably laugh, but I mean not just the Mod Podge/crafty part of blogging.  I’m talking about blogging itself.  Sometimes I’m in awe about the sheer TIME that it takes to be a blogger.  The bigger your blog gets, the harder it gets to manage time.  I hardly ever do it, since I’m mostly providing craft ideas and inspiration, but I wanted to take this opportunity to address a few things that I do to put myself first – before my blog.  Here are five things that I like to do on a regular basis to recharge.

1. Get my nails done.  I’m not suggesting that you go get a mani-pedi today, but I’m going to tell you, it’s 45 minutes to an hour of awesome.  What I really mean is that you need a weekly activity for at least ONE HOUR that is by yourself.  Put your phone in your purse, shut your computer, get away from your children – and zone out.  There are 168 hours in one week.  Please take at least one for just you . . . and I highly recommend getting out of the house to do it so that there are no temptations.  Plus if you do the nail thing, you’ll have such cute toenails that it will all be worth it.
2. Schedule a block of posts.  All the blogging platforms I have ever come into contact with have a scheduling feature.  Sometimes I’ll write three to five days of posts beforehand and then let them go live on their own.  Guess what?  I can avoid checking the computer for a few days if I do that.  The e-mails and comments will be there when I get back.
3. Plan your time to blog.  I think it’s a good idea to have the laptop closed when your husband comes home or your boyfriend comes over – or when your kids first get home from school.  Believe me, it goes a long way to give someone an hour of quality time with no electronics.  They are typically much nicer about it when you finally do go back onto the computer.  Ex – tell yourself that you will blog from 1 – 3:30 and the computer goes OFF at 3:30 no matter what.  I promise you that the commenters will not revolt.  And if they do?  Tough.  You need to take care of what’s most important first.  You and your family.
4. Take a vacation day.  I work full-time in addition to running this blog.  A lot of people feel like they have to use a vacation day to DO something.  You don’t.  Sitting around in your jammies relaxing for one day is not a waste of time, not when you are plugged in 24/7 like I am.  If you do take a day, refer to #2 – don’t use the day as a catch-up for your blog.  I also realize that not everyone has the vacation time to take a day here and there, but if you do, consider yourself lucky and take advantage of workday off.
5. Phone a friend.  This is different than your lifeline on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.  Sometimes you need to re-connect with old friends, or touch base with a girlfriend in your town, or call your cousin and check in.  When I’m frustrated with blogging or just need a break, I’ll make a few phone calls.  Not only do I get to check in with someone and find out about their life, but I get the added bonus of talking about what I’m going through.  It relieves stress just to talk about it.  Friends are awesome.  They really are.

I’m curious about what you do to recharge in your own life, so feel free to leave me a comment.  I need additionAnd before I go, I want to mention Crafterminds, my bloggie side project:

Does Your Blog Make People Cringe?
Learn How: Truncating Posts
Putting Your Big Girl Panties On: Dealing with Negative Comments
My Blog Must Haves
Learn How: Setting a Google Alert

Remember, visit www.facebook.com/CrystalLight to learn more about how Crystal Light can flavor your day with 30 refreshing flavors. I was selected and paid for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.