After a one-week hiatus, Blog Talk Tuesdays is back with a bang!
In case you’re new around here, Blog Talk Tuesdays is a series I started on PBF to address the blogging-related questions I’ve received in separate posts centered around the most common inquiries.
Past Blog Talk Tuesdays posts include:
- How to Start a Blog, Blog Focus, Self Hosting and More
- Blogger Safety
- Company Outreach: Receiving Free Products, Hosting Giveaways, Posting Product Reviews and More
- Connecting with Other Bloggers
- Rising Above Negativity <— Seems more pertinent than ever in the blog world lately
Today’s topic addresses juggling blogging with your REAL life…
Blogging and Real Life
- When did you first feel comfortable sharing your blog with your family and friends?
Ryan knew about my blog from day one and my immediate family members were the next ones to be “in the know.”
It took me a good month or two of continually blogging to tell my friends. I wasn’t sure what they would think of it and, to be honest, before I started blogging, the word “blog” had a really negative connotation in my mind that I figured it would have in the minds of others as well. (I thought blogs were just random ramblings from angry, negative people.)
- Did you experience any negative feedback from friends or family members when they found out about your blog?
I feel very fortunate that every single person in my personal life that I told about my blog was 100 percent supportive. Those that weren’t sure what to make of my blog asked me a ton of questions which I think helped them to understand the point of my blog and the release blogging gave me for writing about topics I wanted to write about versus writing about pharmaceuticals, cancer and side effects like I was doing in my full-time job.
The only resistance I experienced was from family members who were concerned about my safety. You can read more about this in my post about blogger safety.
I find that negative reactions related to blogging seem to relate to not understanding exactly what you’re trying to accomplish through blogging or why you feel the need to blog. I try to address these concerns openly and outright as soon as I sense them in another person.
If people are being mean to just be mean about your blog then you may want to check out my rising above negativity post.
And remember: “Blowing out someone else’s candle doesn’t make yours burn any brighter.” 
- How did you find time to blog three times a day when you were working full-time?
It wasn’t easy, but I loved blogging enough to carve out time especially for writing blog posts. Obviously blogging regularly – whether you blog three times a day or three times a week – requires a real commitment.
I would wake up at 5:30 a.m. to workout so I’d be done with my workout and Sadie’s walk before 7:30 a.m. I then would use the next hour or so before I had to leave for work to shower, eat a quick breakfast and blog. You may see a more detailed breakdown of this routine in my post about streamlining your morning routine.
I also often think about morning blog post topics as I workout at the gym so the posts come out fairly easily when I sit down at the computer (unless they call for research).
For my afternoon post, I would jot down blog topic ideas as they came to me throughout the day as I was working in my blogging notebook. I used my lunch hour at work to post.
Dinnertime posts were the easiest to fit in. I blogged after dinner on the couch beside Ryan while chatting with him as he watched ESPN or a sports game I had no interest in on television.
- Did your coworkers know about your blog?
At first I was VERY private about my blog at work. I wanted to keep my personal life separate from work and never told anyone about my blog. (I even had all of my coworkers in a certain “group” on Facebook so they were blocked from seeing my wall, my status updates and personal website – and yes, I received heckling about this from a bunch of the guys I worked with!)I also made sure to never blog about my workplace or work-specific topics.
Even still, slowly but surely coworkers began discovering my blog on their own because of my ties to Orlando and UCF. I was friends with my coworkers on Facebook (even though they were blocked from a lot of my content) and we knew mutual people and those people mentioned my blog to them.
I think the web guys at my job also had a head’s up when I became the number one search term leading people to my company’s website.
I will never forget the day that most of my coworkers found out I had a blog. I brought in extra treats that I received from a company through the blog for the office to enjoy and one person saw them on my blog and asked (aloud!), “Are these the same chocolates you posted about on your blog yesterday?”
I basically died.
I watched as my blog began slowly popping up on every computer in the office as my coworkers visited the site.
From that point on, I knew my blog was no longer sheltered from my coworkers.
- When did you feel comfortable sharing your blog on your personal Facebook page?
I still remember the day I first shared my blog on my personal Facebook page. It was the day after Ryan and I got engaged. I shared a link to my post about our engagement because I had a bunch of friends asking for details about the proposal.
I remember wanting to share my blog with everyone before this event, but our engagement helped push me over the edge and gave me some extra courage to just do it.
I was definitely ready. I was proud of my blog and felt like I was ready to share what felt like a “top secret project” with others at this point.
- Do you ever feel like blogging interferes with the quality time you spend with Ryan, your family or friends?
I asked Ryan this very question at breakfast this morning.
We talk about my blog and blogging habits a lot and keep communication very open so I wasn’t surprised when he said he doesn’t really feel like my blog takes away from our time together. (Communication about my blogging habits with my loved ones is seriously pivotal for me. Communication is key!) I share details about how we overcame one blogging-related argument in this post.
Ryan said he appreciates that I don’t tweet about every activity we do as it’s happening and that I try to “live in the moment” and recount the memories later rather than let my blog interfere with the moments as they’re happening.
If you’re a regular reader, you may have noticed that I’ll often drop off the face of the earth on Friday nights and post less frequently on weekends. When I started my blog I promised myself I would look at it only as my hobby and never let it take away from my day-to-day life.
As much as I love blogging, I won’t leave somewhere to blog. I won’t remove myself from a fun time with family and friends to blog. Blogging has since blossomed into more than simply a hobby for me, but I try to stick to my principles of treating it as a hobby when it comes to posting three times a day.
- Do you think taking pictures all the time annoys those around you?
While I snap pictures of my food in social settings, I’m not photographing the heck out of people and making them feel uncomfortable. I know people hate being in pictures by themselves (I do too, actually!) and getting pictures of an entire group is a pain in the butt, so I rarely request these types of photos. Candids are my favorite, anyway.
I think it’s pretty clear when someone doesn’t want to be photographed and I really try to be cognizant of this.
I also have this little ham on hand to photograph when I need “filler” pics.
- Do you ask your family and friends permission before posting pictures of them?
If they’re my close family or close friends, no I don’t. They already know about my blog and blogging style and assume the pictures may make it up on the blog (unless we’re out drinking and we all look like a hot mess and the pictures could show them in a less-than-ideal light in the eyes of an employer).
For example, all of the pictures from this 3 a.m. cooking session of making “gourmet butter noodles” after my friend Leah’s bachelorette party did not make the blog.
I also tell all of my friends and family to let me know if I post a picture they don’t like and I always respect their wishes and take it down immediately.
As for people I don’t know as well, I typically keep them off the blog or I will always ask them if they’re okay with me posting a picture of them on my blog. I’ve never had someone say no to me. In fact, most people are really excited about it!
- How do you explain blogging to people who don’t get it? I always find myself putting down my blog when people look at me funny rather than proudly telling them to check it out.
When people I’ve never met before ask me what I do for a living, I say I’m a freelance writer and a blogger. No one seems to care about my freelance writing (boo to that because I’m really proud of my freelance writing!), but people are always curious about blogging.
I am the exact same way as the person who posed this question (Hi, Brittany!) and tend to be self-deprecating about my blog. I should really change this because PBF is so important to me!
Usually when I meet people I’ve never met before and conversation turns to careers, Ryan is with me and he sings my praises about my blog. (My dad does this, too. He seriously should be my publicist or something!)
When I tell people who “don’t get it” about my blog, I try to say it’s an online journal of sorts where I am able to communicate with readers and talk about food, fitness and whatever random stuff I have on my mind. I emphasize the fact that my blog is a place where communication happens and a space where I take time to carefully craft posts, not just a place where I blab on and on and vent about what’s bugging me like many people assume.
- Blogging on vacation – yay or nay?
It totally depends! If blogging takes away from your enjoyment on vacation or takes away from quality time with loved ones, I say a BIG “nay.”
I take a very relaxed approach to blogging on vacation. I’ll set up guest posts ahead of time and will only blog when others are sleeping (this is easy since I wake up earlier than almost everyone) or when people are getting ready and showering. I honestly like having vacation posts to look back on (my dad actually printed out all of my posts about our family’s trip to Europe to keep to remember the fun we had) but I don’t beat myself up for missing a blog post (or 10) while on vacation.
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I LOVE Blog Talk Tuesdays and genuinely missed it last week! These installments are so helpful for us newbs– thanks Julie!
i’m so glad! i felt like this one was CRAZY long. phew!
All the more info (and Sadie pics) for me to soak in 😉
hahaa I loooove these Sadie pics soooooo much too! 😀 So cute. And the expressions perfectly match the quotes <3
Julie, this was a really good and interesting post!! I find your writing style really easy to read, and it's entertaining…as welll as informative. I like your down to earth approach to so many things, including blogging 😀
This wasn’t too long at all!
Love this! I think the toughest part for me was sharing my blog and explaining it to my fam/friends, but once I did I was so relieved that they thought it was cool 🙂
Awesome post, Julie.
This post is totally hitting home for me right now! I am finally getting comfortable telling friends about my blog. Haven’t shared it on Facebook yet though!
I absolutely love this post 🙂 Great tips Julie!
I know Tina from FFF feels the same way, but as a Mom it’s both an outlet and a distraction at times and finding balance is key. WTG on this post. Great.
YES. blogging really is my “me” time and a place where i can escape within myself. i feel ya.
Again another Blog Talk Tuesday post- love them! I used to a bit weary about telling people about my blog but now I talk about it loud and proud- I’m SO proud of it and if people find it weird, that’s their problem! If having people across the globe tune into your blog makes you ‘weird’, I’m all for being a weirdo! I love this line: “it’s an online journal of sorts where I am able to communicate with readers and talk about food, fitness and whatever random stuff I have on my mind”!
that should have said “Again another GREAT Blog…”
These are always so helpful! I really appreciate the info. I am in that spot where I don’t know when and who I should include in my blogging adventures.
I always get so embarrassed when my dad tells people about my blog and wants me to send them the URL. It’s so hard not to feel silly! You are a celebrity though and should definitely brag about that!!
Your captions on Sadie’s pictures always have me laughing at my computer by myself like a dork!
oh my gosh, i KNOW. i’m like “dad! c’mon!” but he’s so proud and that makes me feel so loved and like he really believes in me and my blog. he even has some of his coworkers reading. 🙂
Great post! Your second to last question is something I think a lot of people struggle with- including me. But it kinda goes hand in hand with a few of the other topics you’ve posted about positive comments and compliments. I think our generation has a hard time speaking of positives versus listing the negatives, you know? Good advice as always Julie!
Reading about the Ryan part makes me wish that I had as great and communicative of a partner as you have with Ryan. Where do I find these men?!?! 🙂
honestly i was the problem in the beginning of our relationship. seriously. i hate confrontation and avoid it (why hurt someone else?), but ryan made me realize that if i kept everything inside that bothered me about him, it would only escalate and blow up into something much bigger than if we addressed it early on. it’s something i have to work on constantly b/c i prefer to dwell on the positive and not harp on the negative, but keeping open communication is unbelievably important and i feel very grateful that he tought that to me.
I totally agree. Communication is key 🙂 Great pics of Sadie as well (she’s the cutest).
I’m completely weird because most of my friends know about my blog and think its fun but most of my family doesnt know about it. I also havent shared on facebook because I dont use it that much…
The most awkward thing I deal with is people asking “why are you taking pictures of your food”. For the people that dont know, I’m never sure of what to say!
i used to say “because it looks DELICIOUS” but then i looked like some kind of a freak who thought EVERYTHING looked delicious. 🙂
Great insights! I am still reluctant and NO ONE at work knows about my blog. Mostly because I want to keep work and social life private, but also because work is a place for “work” and I wouldn’t want to get those two confused. If they find it, then so be it 😉
I also agree with you about vacas and blogging. I am up early and enjoy blogging while others watch TV, so it doesn’t really interfere that much. I think you have an awesome “routine” established for blogging and it’s cool that you find time 3 times a day to do so! I am just getting used to “scheduling” posts…in fact I have one scheduled today for noon! 🙂
if i had it my way NO ONE from my office would’ve ever known about my blog, but in the end it was okay that they found it. still, i’m like you in that i wanted my work and personal life very, very separate.
I know! I have an office “lurker” reminds me of Ryan from the Bachelorette and it’s hard enough to limit his questions/standing in my doorway as it is!! I can’t IMAGINE if my blog was to get mentioned!
I love that you answered my questions- thank you! It’s so helpful to hear how others tackle challenging blog situations and gives me more confidence in what I do.
And how nice that Ryan has always been so supportive! It’s been fun for me to watch Hubbs come around from thinking the blog was ‘cute’ to being proud to tell people about it 🙂
i agree! i love it when ryan gives me topic ideas and sends me links to articles he thinks i would enjoy blogging about, too. 🙂
Great post as always! I can relate to your approaches to blogging, though I severely lack the consistent dedication you have!
My hubby just commented that I never talk to him on car rides because I’m always catching up on blogs on my iPhone..whoops 😉
This was a great post! I’m pretty new to blogging so often feel like I’m stumbling around with these types of decisions “ie share with coworkers or not” but, like yourself, I tend to find those things happen organically and as you get positive feedback it builds confidence to be more comfortable being a blogger.
Thanks for setting a great example!
exactly! what works for one blogger might not work for another. it’s all about being comfortable in the decisions you make relating to your blog.
What a great post, I love Blog Talk Tuesdays! 🙂
I started blogging in June and haven’t told very many people yet!
woohoo for beginning bloggers!!!
Another great blog talk post! I love that your dad printed out the posts. I actually love my blog for this exact reason. It helps me remember special trips/times. 🙂
me too! i cannot tell you how many times ryan and i will be talking about something that we can’t remember and we’ll be like “wait! let’s just check the blog.”
Loved this blog post! I think it is so awesome that your family is so supportive of your blog. I wish that my parents would care so much about my writing. My mom actually makes it a point NOT to read my blog and while I laughed it off at first, it still really hurts.
At this point, my blog is just part of me. My mom’s refusal to read feels like she refusing to acknowledge or accept an entire piece of me.
Ah, well. I think she just doesn’t “get it” yet. I’m sure she’ll come around some day. Until then, I just have to keep doing my thang and loving her in spite of it all.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, Julie. I’m finding it very interesting!
i’m so sorry to hear this michelle. that would really, really hurt me as well. have you talked to her about how important blogging is to you and her refusal to acknowledge its importance to you makes you feel like she could care less about something you pour your heart into? i think sometimes people think blogging is a silly little pasttime and don’t get that it’s an outlet for many people and one that allows bloggers to escape and write their hearts out.
Thanks Julie. She knows how important my blog is to me, but I blog about my life and I don’t think she really approves of how I’ve chosen to live mine. It’s okay, though. I love writing and I’ve learned so much about myself through blogging. It’s helped me grow into a better person and I think that is all any parent could ever ask for 🙂
This is my favorite post out of the series yet! When I started my blog, I had a lot of “me” time, and devoting time to the blog wasn’t a problem. But ever since relocating to be with my boyfriend and family, I’ve had a harder time finding a blogging balance. I love hearing how others manage it.
I also love hearing how others “announced” their blog. Just a few close people to me know about my blog – as much as I want to share it with everyone since I’m proud of it, the fear of judgment or ridicule has held me back. Your post gives me encouragement that I probably have nothing to be afraid of!
i feel ya! in the end i just told myself “my blog is me. if someone hates my blog, they probably don’t care for me either!”
Yet another great Blog Talk Tuesday post! I especially appreciated this one as I am new to the blogging community, and I’ve found it to be somewhat of a challenge to consistently fit blogging into my schedule. I want to remain committed to it, but I don’t want to overdo it either. This was great advice to make sure to have a healthy balance between the two. I’ve also been curious how other bloggers handle explaining their blog to those that don’t know about it or understand it. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Yay I’m glad BTT is back (ya like what I did there?? ;)). I love this post because although I’ve been blogging for over a year, I’m still scared to be as open as most bloggers are with my blog. My family doesn’t know, but my ex does. I know they’re going to stumble upon one day (maybe actually ON StumbleUpon ;)) but until then I keep it on the DL.
I should be proud and share my blog! It’s something I’ve built and developed and am proud of! When I went to Europe for three weeks I started a travel blog for my friends and family filled with quick posts and pictures so they could know what we were up to and they loved it! I don’t know why I didn’t put it on my actual blog, I guess I was scared what they would think if they knew I had been blogging for over a year. I eventually stopped writing on my other blog because some people from my trip found it and would mock it, and although I know they were joking it kind of hurt. I think that’s another reason I’m scared to come out with my blog because I love it so much that I don’t want someone to make me want to stop blogging by a comment they make!
i hope this question isn’t too personal or offensive, but I was curious how it’s been like for you surviving solely as a freelance writer/full time blogger? (seems amazing!) I’ve always wondered how that works out as in terms of wow, super jealous!! I’d love to be able to do something I love as my primary occupation. Are you ever stressed out from finances/does it make a comfortable living? And how do you put yourself out there as a freelance writer? Do you set your own prices and such and how do you determine what to charge?
hi shana! this very question will be addressed in great detail in two upcoming blog talk tuesdays posts! i plan to do one about freelance writing and another about making money through blogging. i want to be sure i thoroughly answer these questions more detail than i would take in the comments section of a post. stay tuned! 😀
Oh yea, I really appreciate your Blog Talk Tuesday posts. They are very informative!
LOVED this BTT!! It was a great one. I don’t think that my blogging eats into my personal time with my family. When I blog, it’s either b efore the husband wakes up, before he gets home from work, or while he’s watching TV at night. I would never jeopordize our relationship just to get a post in!
i agree! it’s just not worth it! real life always takes precedence.
I find myself putting my blog down too with people who don’t get it. I’m constantly dismissing it if they stare at me with blank faces or say something negative. I need to figure out a way to stop that! Glad to know I’m not the only one out there.
This is a great post Julie! I loved it. I’ve only told a handful of friends & my husband about my blog so far. I’m still not ready for everyone to know! I think it’s something about people I’m not big fans of knowing details of my life. I’m not sure why this is different from strangers reading it – but I will keep blogging! And hopefully be comfortable soon 🙂
Awesome post! It was SO informative and I love the Sadie pictures–she is hilarious!
Your timing is impeccable with this. I’m at a crossroads in my blogging. I’ve been at it for more than a year, and only a handful of my family and in-real-life friends know about it. I’ve never shared my posts on my personal Facebook page and I’ve sort of purposely kept it a secret. I have a lot of reasons, but no one big pressing one. I guess I just felt more comfortable sharing my fears, failures and angst over motherhood with strangers rather than my family — and all the judging that brings with it.
I just told my cousin last week about it because she wanted to start her own blog and came to me because she figured I’d know how thanks to my job. I did, and I outed myself to her. Now I feel bad, though, making her carry my secret too. I think I’m inching closer and closer to the big reveal — but I’m scared!
Speaking of reading blogs at work, I actually laughed out loud when I read Sadie’s gangrene speech bubble and then immediately cut myself off and looked around the office. My office is very quiet so I probably sounded like a lunatic, but that’s okay. ; ) Love Sadie’s perspective!
Another great Blog Talk Tuesday!
Very informative as always 🙂 Oh how I’ve missed blog talk Tuesdays, I’m so glad you’re back!
Great post with a lot of hot topics!!! Those are ALL issues I’ve thought about a lot and some I’ve stressed over, so I appreciate hearing about them from you!!! P.S. Love your blog Julie!! :o)
I loved reading this. VERY informative. And Sadie kills me.
Something I did differently from most new bloggers I think was tell my friends about my blog right away. I didn’t really know anything about the blogging community, so I relied on my friends to be my readers. I am branching out now though 🙂
well-done post!! so cool to get to know your behind-the-scenes decisions about the blog 🙂
I never get sick of seeing Sadie pictures! He should be your blog mascot. I actually haven’t shared my blog with many people because not many of them know about blogs. I kinda like that it’s my own thing, and I don’t have to worry about what personal friends think about.
I totally agree on all the points you made – particularly about keeping it a hobby/not letting it get in the way of your personal/real life. When I first started blogging I felt this ridiculous obligation to MAKE SURE I posted everything, even if it meant sacrificing time with family/friends/significant others, etc. I found myself so unhappy at that point that I knew I needed to relax a little, and as soon as I did, I was much happier and I think my posts were better too!
Thanks for another awesome BTT post! I hope the recent negativity you referred to wasn’t directed at you… I hate seeing negative comments on blogs.
Julie! I just saw this blogpost and immediately thought of you, I’m not even going to tell you what it is about, trust me, its goooood. (no this is not some promotion trick, It’s not my blog and I was just browsing some new blogs :p)
http://www.thesweetslife.com/2011/09/nutella-ice-cream.html
Oh damn, the link gives away what it is about.
nutella ice cream!?!? sign me UP!
Great job on this one Julie! As usual, the Sadie photos are totally cracking me up. It took me a while to let my friends know about my blog and even now, my facebook and twitter aren’t synched so there is still a bit of a divide. My roommates were the first to know, and eventually I felt comfortable telling my family (I know, sounds kind of odd). I love that you highlighted balance and not letting blogging get in the way of time with loved ones. Very important thing to keep in mind!!
I’ve been blogging for almost 6 month and most of my friends and family still don’t know about it. I feel like they won’t get it or make fun of me bc of it. One day I will post it on my FB for all to see, but it might need to be after a big event, like you did.
I’m a little confused by the negativity reference. I hope you don’t have any haters! If so, you’ll have to set Sadie to “attack mode”
🙂
hey shell! thanks for your kind words! 🙂 i meant that i feel like there’s been more negativity in the blog world as a whole lately. it seems like more and more bloggers are being attacked and that makes me sad. 🙁
Omg I would die if I saw my blog up on a coworker’s screen and I didn’t know they were a reader! I have some snarky coworkers though.
Great job with this post, Julie!
Who’s been hating on your blog? 🙁 ?? Have Sadie send them poo 😉
I am still scared to make my blog public on facebook. I might share it with the other nurses at work after I give them all the baby gifts I’ve been crafting and blogging about. My husband has been encouraging me to blog more even though he does get a little annoyed with my taking like 200 pictures day. hehe. Thanks for this post.
I said it before and I will say it again. Your Blog Talk posts are so motivational and inspirational! Thanks again for the great series!
Great post! I love your honesty here.
The story about your coworkers finding your blog is hilarious too. I have felt very much like you have along my blogging journey, wondering when to share on FB, etc.
I have had my husband say “Is this photo for the blog?” when we are out doing something together.
I have to reassure him that every photo is NOT for the blog. I still like to document our life in photos, like I always have. Now that I have a blog, sometimes a photo will make it onto the blog 🙂
I love all the support from my friends and family. As far as the pics go I have a girlfriend who told me at the beginning of dinner one night that she got dressed specifically to be on the blog. hahaha Of course I didn’t have my camera and I felt bad. I told her I would make it up to her later and give her an enitre post;)
I revealed my blog in the opposite way – to friends and family first! I figured they were the best way to spread the word so that I could reach out to more people. Plus my grandparents are in love with it – they say they feel like they know me better! And i’ve definitely gotten negativity – even my best friend told me she can’t support my blog because she just doesn’t understand it, and she refuses to read it anymore. other people just think i’m weird!
I don’t really have any interest in going ‘big time’ with my blog, but I always love your Blog Talk Tuesdays. Good one!
I was sad to see that it looks like you’ve been getting a lot of negative feedback on the blog? Just from that sidenote you said at the beginning. I hate that! What’s there to be negative about, in relation to this blog? I just don’t get it. I really can’t imagine what people would have a problem with on your blog, Julie. People are so crazy, I hope you don’t let the negativity get to you (it doesn’t seem like it has). Just keep doin’ what you’re doin’. I think you’re great!
~Laura
thanks, laura! i meant that i feel like negativity is ALL over the blog world lately and it makes me sad. i think more and more bloggers are being attacked and i hate seeing that happen. 🙁
Julie, I just want to say thank you for this Blog Talk Tuesday series as I have been going back and forth about starting a blog since January, and your posts have given me the information I felt I needed to start one up!
Laughed out loud at the “or I’ll pee on your phone.” I was playing Angry Birds one evening and my pup was so needy and annoyed that I wasn’t petting her she started licking the screen and it froze the touch screen!
Smart pups.