It seems like sharing day-to-day happenings has transitioned away from blogs and onto Instagram Stories but blogging is what brings me the most joy so I’ll keep plugging away over here as long as that continues to be the case.
I haven’t talked too much about this on the blog but a few years ago, after Ryder was born, I had a moment that felt poignant for me from a work/blogging/goals perspective. I found myself feeling pressure to share a ton on social media because that’s where everyone seemed to be shifting their attention and that is where the biggest opportunities for growth seemed to be concentrated. It was sucking the joy out of the blog and my work and it was then that I asked myself what my goals actually were related to this space.
Were they to have a gigantic social media following? No. I truly do not have the desire to have a huge social media following because the scrutiny that comes along with that many eyeballs sounds incredibly stressful and exhausting to me. Did I want to hire a team and have a group of people managing my social channels and contributing to the blog so I could produce more content and rank higher through Google/SEO? No. One of the things I love most about blogging is the genuine connections I’ve made with so many of you. I like that when you read words on this blog they’re from me and when you see my social media posts you know exactly who shared them.
Sometimes I feel like ambition and an intense desire for growth is celebrated but, at least for me, when I think about my goals for this blog they aren’t sky-high. They’re actually right where I am right now. I’ve told Ryan for years that if my blog continues on this path with no growth and no dips I’ll be happy. I’m proud of this space and what we’ve created together and know full-well I’m fortunate to be able to contribute to my family financially through this blog. My social media following may never be in the millions and I may never make millions but I’ve found happiness where I’m at in my corner of the internet. I’m so grateful to you guys for continuing to come along for the ride.
Annnd the above ramblings are exactly why I LOVE and miss blogging in real-time. I am sipping my coffee at a local coffee shop right now and didn’t really have a plan for today’s blog post other than to share a little bit about my morning. I think that’s what I miss most about blogging off-the-cuff — ya never know what is going to come out! I’ve always said this blog often feels like an online journal of sorts for me and maybe one day when all the boys are in school I’ll be able to come full-circle and blog in real-time more regularly. Who knows where things will lead in the future but I can say I’m looking forward to the wild ride!
Today
Okay, so let’s back up and a bit and catch up! How are you guys? How is your week going so far? Rhett ended up a little under the weather on Monday. He had a runny nose and seemed to be fighting something so our entire family stayed home and didn’t get out of our pajamas. I had hoped to fill our President’s Day with lots of fun things but, honestly, I think our kids loved the low-key “jammie day.”
Yesterday things normalized and we’re back to life as usual today!
Despite the fact that I was out late last night (I went to dinner with some girlfriends to celebrate my friend Jess’ baby #3), I was up without too much trouble when my alarm went off at 5:05 a.m. (You know those extra five minutes count when the alarm is set that early.) I had plans to head to boot camp with a friend for the 5:30 a.m. camp and was done with a leg day workout by 6:15 a.m.
I don’t make it to in-person camps nearly as much as I used to these days but they really are the best!
I arrived home just in time to say goodbye to Ryan as he headed into the office and then grabbed a quick shower before I heard the big kids making noise in their room. I made sure they were on the right path to getting themselves dressed before Rhett let it be known he was ready for milk! I nursed Rhett and got him dressed before heading back downstairs to make Chase and Ryder’s lunches.
The big kids joined us for breakfast (overnight oats for me that Rhett repeatedly tried to hijack) and then we were off to Chase’s school drop off.
We headed back home after saying goodbye to Chase because today is an “Annemarie Day” — aka one of the mornings we have Annemarie watch Rhett for a couple of hours while Chase and Ryder are at school.
Annemarie breathes life into my week and the time I have to blog and work uninterrupted is something I genuinely look forward to all week long. If you are struggling to find windows of productivity while juggling children and can get some help, please take this is as my gentle encouragement to do so. I only wish I would’ve done it sooner before I was living in a place of serious overwhelm.
Once Annemarie arrived, Ryder and I headed out and I dropped him off at preschool before making my way to a nearby coffee shop where I am now as I type up this blog post! I have a couple more hours until I pick up Ryder from preschool after lunch so it’s time for me to turn my attention to my to-do list. Thanks for stopping by PBF this morning and I hope you have a great Wednesday, my friends!
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I always enjoy these type posts! I have read your blog for years and I appreciate your content so very much. Thank you for being real.
Thanks so much Yolanda!! 💕
Love that you are comfortable with where this blog is and aren’t trying to expand! I feel like a lot of blog/IGers are constantly pushing to get bigger followings or sponsorships, and their content ends up feeling disingenuous. I’m glad you’re able to make a living with this (since it is obviously work!) while striking that balance of not coming across as trying to monetize everything. Your blog has been so helpful with tips and ideas for my toddler and infant, thank you for what you do!
100%agree!
You took the words right out of my mouth! I love thisnspace bc its exa tly whatbits always been! Its like meeting up w a friend for coffee! Thanks for this, Julie!
I totally agree. Julie, you are my favorite blogger! My second favorite blogger has completely changed, and I know she’s making lots and lots of money but I sure do miss her old blog. I find myself not even watching her stories on Instagram anymore. Instead of blogging she only does YouTube videos now. I love your blog!
Love your live posts! Also I have to say as someone who chooses not to be on social media, I’m so appreciative of the bloggers who still BLOG. When I deleted IG/FB/etc, I was sad to miss out on some bloggers’ content but love not endlessly scrolling. Blogs are more fun 🙂
Thank you! And I feel the same — endlessly scrolling on social media does not leave me feeling fulfilled but I still absolutely love reading blogs. For some reason they just seem to affect me in a different, more positive way.
100% agree!
You are a rare gem Julie! I’ve been a long time reader, (atleast 10 years… sounds crazy to say that.) I always look forward to your posts on your blog and social media. Thanks for always being real! 🙂
Julie, I’ve followed you for AGES and love so much that you take the time to blog. I agree–the social media aspect is based on views and memes and selling things–I don’t take the time to “get to know” people like reading a blog for years will let you. When bloggers I followed moved to social a few years back, I followed them briefly and almost immediately lost interest. That day when Instagram was down, I thought to myself “How many bloggers do I know who have handed over their entire platform to Meta?” Thanks for your honest voice, being you, and for writing this blog!
Are those cherries in one of the lunches?
You need to get one of these multiple at a time cherry pitters:
https://www.amazon.com/Cherry-Pitter-Professional-Container-Cherries/dp/B08F37Z6SN/ref=asc_df_B08F37Z6SN/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=464489699015&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16418888352990579302&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010077&hvtargid=pla-956863414979&psc=1
It’s a life saver! : )
Hi, I have been a long time reader since the early days. I appreciate this post as it reminds me of the type of blogging that I most enjoy reading. I do not have Instagram etc; for the very reasons you listed above–it takes away from what is right before me. I’ve always been interested in how much your kiddos understand about your blogging and how they are a part of it, especially when it comes to the sponsored posts? I truly do enjoy your blog and am only asking out of genuine curiosity as it appears you balance this well.
Your blog is my favorite for those very reasons ☺️ Thanks for continuing to be a part of my day!
I’d be so sad if you stopped this type of blogging! I’ve loved your blog for so many years, and like many others have already mentioned, I also don’t have any social media. So I appreciate you blogging this way – you are real and inspiring and just make me feel happy after reading your posts!
“Sometimes I feel like ambition and an intense desire for growth is celebrated but, at least for me, when I think about my goals for this blog they aren’t sky-high. They’re actually right where I am right now. ”
1000% agree with this!! I always miss old school blogging. I actually just got off a Zoom call that I did for a nutrition class and was telling them how much the internet has changed and snowballed. I think we will always be nostalgic for the “good ole days”
Just wanted to say I love your blog! One of my favorites if not my favorite! Really appreciate that you stay true to you. And that’s lucky for us readers! Way to get up early for Burn Bootcamp!
I was just saying yesterday how I miss the old days of blogging. Posts just like this. I love it!
I look forward to your updates and really appreciate your courage to be so open with your life, thoughts and feelings. Thanks for being you!
Your blog was one of the first I started reading and it’s one of the few I still read for many of the read. A lot of blogs feel like constant ads. I think it’s awesome that bloggers can make money that way and more power to them, but I’m also glad you’re able to bring in money the way you do things. You’ve struck an amazing balance – your blog still feels like a blog, and I love that.
Julie, I’ve been reading your blog for years and just love this space you’ve created. I always look forward to reading your posts regardless of the topic! Like I’m not even a mom yet, but I love reading your posts about all things with your boys. I know someday I’ll come back to your posts on babies and pregnancy must haves! It’s also nice not feeling like I have to keep up with you on Instagram too- I usually look at your stories and posts if I can, but I don’t feel like I’m missing out on things by not seeing your social every day. I’m not sure if that makes sense, but I always know your blog is where the good stuff is! Thank you for continuing to share your life with us on this corner of the internet!
Julie, I have been following you for a long time and love your blog and style of blogging. Please keep it the same way as it is. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I’ve noticed that a bunch of my previously favorite blogs in this space seem to be doing something weird that is maybe related to SEO or creating “evergreen content”? I’ll see the same posts that I know I read several months ago posted up again at the top of their feeds – it has actually made me remove them from “favorites” because that genuineness is gone/doesn’t feel relatable or conversational. I don’t have kids/don’t intend to have kids, but I’ve been reading your blog since early Chase days and definitely appreciate your voice and the style you adhere to — for those of us who also don’t have or aspire to millions of followers in any capacity, we’re with you! 🙂 🙂
Agreed, I feel like so many influencers are trying to churn content for SEO and it seems sales-y.
I just want to say how much I love how you have maintained the integrity of this blog. I’ve been a longtime reader for almost 10 years?! Crazy to think it’s been that long and you still have the same awesome voice as when I first started reading, which I think is so cool because so many influencers become something else or turn into someone else and their content/voice changes. I think it shows a lot that you are happy where you are and honestly it’s a breath of fresh air to hear it because I feel the same way about social media. It’s like we’re taught to think that bigger is always better and that we have to turn our posts into more than what they are… just sharing our lives. So thank you Julie! Love your posts just the way they are!!!
I have been reading you blog pretty religiously since 2011 (crazy!!!). What I love about your blog and you for that matter is that everything always feels genuine and down to earth. Your blog and “content” never feel curated or forced like everything on social media these days. When I read your blog every morning over a cup of coffee, it feels like I am chatting with an old friend vs losing brain cells from watching everyone try to make it big on social media. This blog feels timeless and classic and is always a breath of fresh air! Please never change!
I would love to know more about how you found Annemarie (if you’re okay sharing). 😀
I much prefer blogs to social media! I actually deleted all my social media accounts and do not miss them one bit!