Sometimes, there's just too much that demands our attention and there's way too little of us to give, and that's okay! It's important to recognize that we aren't superheroes, and we can't do everything, even if we want to!
So because I spent the last four years balancing (at different points): a blog, full-time school, on-campus jobs, a sorority and other campus (over)involvement, a full-time job, a side-hustle job, AND somewhat of a social life, I've decided to share my little secrets. No, it's not easy.. but is it worth it? Absolutely!
1. write it down // whatever it is, just write it down. I ALWAYS have a notebook on me because thoughts always pop into my mind at the most random moment. Whether it's a blog post idea, a marketing concept for a client, some ideas for my day job or a meeting or appointment that I scheduled, I write everything down, along with little to-dos and reminders for each "category" and it saves my life! It's the first step to getting my shit together, something that's definitely necessary to do everything!
2. take care of you // it's overwhelming as it is to do one, but trying to juggle all three on top of everything else you have going on is a whole different ball game. Try to take some time for you, and find the time to do the things you enjoy doing or you'll be on the road to burnout in no time. And make sure to take care of your body. I am the most guilty of sacrificing sleep when I have so much going on, but it's so importan to ensure you're taking proper care of your body! Whether that means eating a salad for lunch, drinking more water, getting those 8 hours in or going for a run after work, the more you take care of you, the more energy and strength you'll have to keep going and be even more productive.
3. know your priorities // maybe you're willing to write one less blog post this week if it means making it to your best friend's birthday dinner, and maybe you're happy to skip the gym to finish up that blog series you're working on. Know what you're willing to give up to achieve what you want, and honor them! So if that weekly TV show on Monday nights (Bachelor, anyone?! #TeamRaven) is important "you time", then by all means take it!
4. it's okay to say no // hey! you do A LOT! so yes, while you'd love to volunteer to run that charity bake sale, or you were asked to take on more responsibility at something you're involved in, don't say no right away.. consider it! BUT, if taking on more responsibilities is going to make one of your priorities suffer, then know it's okay to turn down the opportunity. I was always a "yes man" and I got seriously burnt out at 21 years old. First came the panic attack, then came the emotional breakdown, and then eventually I barely wanted to do anything. So, if saying "yes" adds way too much to your plate and sacrifices your emotional health and sanity, then say NO!
5. schedule schedule schedule // I cannot stress this enough... scheduleeee! The only thing that really keeps all my shit together when I'm taking on a million tasks, is the fact that I use a planner. Writing down everything from random notes, to-do's, appointments, meetings and important dates, and so so so much more keeps my life in order and my brain from being pure mush.
I've been a longtime fan of Erin Condren's life planners for quite some time as you well know by now, and I've tried the different layouts but I kept coming back to the vertical layout. Now, instead of being broken down by morning, day and night, the three sections are blank, for you to use however you want. Personally, I break it down by category: blog, work and personal. So I know at a glance what each "section" of my life requires from me for the day!
Plus, with customizable stickers, bright pens, snap-in dashboards and personalized covers, it's the perfect accessory to organize your life, and I mean every part of it! Interested? Take $10 off your first Erin Condren purchase!
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So there you have it.. the key to staying on top of everything and somehow staying sane! These are the years for the full-hustle, side-hustle and every kind of hustle! Go forth and slay, ladies!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Erin Condren. The opinions and text are all mine.

I have been wanting one of her planners for ages now. They are a little out of my price range, but one of these days I am just going to do it.
ReplyDeleteI write everything in the notes section of my phone. I'm wondering if a planner might be a good investment.
ReplyDeleteI"m trying my best to learn to say no! It has really made a difference.
ReplyDeleteBeing able to say no is such a hard thing for me! But I am getting better!
ReplyDeleteI have a really hard time balancing everything. I've gotten a lot better, work a lot smarter (instead of longer), but I still end up missing balance somewhere along the line.
ReplyDeleteI'm SO GOOD at saying "no"....now! It only took years of stress and horrible time management to get me to learn.. but i did! balancing life, work, kids, marriage, your bod, and your side hustle is incredibly difficult if you're not organized.. i love these planners and i'm totally asking for one for my bday!
ReplyDeleteOkay this post has convinced me I need to try an Erin Condren planner!! What a great planner for a busy lady!
ReplyDeletexoxo A
www.southernbelleintraining.com
These are great tips - balancing it all it tough! My favorite is #2, take care of you!
ReplyDeleteI was really good at balancing blogging and school but balancing blogging and work is a whole separate monster (for me). It's a constant struggle/balancing act but my Erin Condren planner makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE for me too!
ReplyDeleteYes! Love this fun post. Remember self-care is seriously so key and so needed.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! These are really good points. I have to schedule everything otherwise I never do it or totally forget.
ReplyDeleteYes I love all of these tips! I agree with write it down and take care of you, especially.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is totally ok to say no! And that is never said enough!!
ReplyDeletehttp://thesofieyahdiaries.com/lifestyle/7-blogs-to-follow
I definitely agree with writing everything down. My planner is what keeps me sane and able to balance so many things at once! Great post!
ReplyDeleteLove this post! My blog is still my side hustle while my biz is my main hustle so I can relate.
ReplyDeleteI love these! I work and do blogging so I get it. It is hard to get everything done if I don't write it down. I would lose my mind without my planner!
ReplyDeleteWriting things down is so important to me! I also live off my calendar! I schedule everything from cleaning the house to normal things like appointments!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to figure out the balance. I work for two grants (essentially two full time jobs) I teach college courses and I blog. Which one is my side hustle??
ReplyDeleteyes yes yes! especially to #1 & #4. Blog, full time job, phd program, and being a mom & wife means lots of balance :)
ReplyDeleteSaying NO is so key for me! I can't get anything done if I say yes to everyone!
ReplyDeleteManaging your priorities and self care are so important!
ReplyDeletePrioritizing right is HUGE! I just got a Life Planner at a conference the other day, and I'm loving it so far.
ReplyDeleteComing Up Roses
This is SUCH a great post! I can totally relate as I work full time and blog too (which is like its own full time job at times!) so tips like this are incredibly useful for me. Bookmarking this!!!
ReplyDeleteI definitely can relate to this...I am having a hard time finding this balance lately and def needed this post!
ReplyDeleteI would be lost if I didn't have a planner. With all the things going on in my life, I have to write it all down or I will forget it. I look at my planner several times a day, too, to remind myself of events that I have coming up.
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing! I write everything down and sometimes even text myself if I don't have one handy.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny even though I have the notes app on my phone I still prefer writing things down. I always carry a notebook in case inspiration strikes.
ReplyDeleteLove these suggestions! I totally agree it's all about planning and scheduling. Even with these tools it can feel overwhelming, which is when the take care of you part comes in ��
ReplyDeleteI've heard great things about Erin Condren planners! They seem pretty awesome and perfect for people like us who have a whole lot to balance between.
ReplyDeleteIf I don't follow a schedule or a time frame, I'm going to collapse. It really helps me finish everything that I need to do for the week or the day.
ReplyDeleteThe scheduling thing is the only way I keep from going crazy! When I feel like I'm approaching burn out I look at my schedule and move things around to make sure I take time for myself!
ReplyDeleteplanning is my savior! I literally have three different notebooks for to do lists haha x
ReplyDeleteI'm entering my first year of being an official blogger and it is alot of hard work. I will say writing my goals etc down definitely helps me succeed more.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I love my job and my side hustles, but I am definitely ok with just letting it go sometimes. And I definitely couldn't do it without a good planner!
ReplyDeletePlanners are a great tool to stay organized when busy with work, life and family. Helps to keep priorities in line too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I think my life is that one little bit more easier as I blog full time so work and side hustle merge into one. Yet I still find it incredibly hard to find the right balance between life and working from home! x
ReplyDeleteI am still learning how to balance everything. Right now its been meaning less sleep and using lunch breaks to do blog work. Its hard to do it all, but so worth it!!
ReplyDeleteThese are great tips! I work full-time and sometimes maintaining a blog and keeping it updated with new posts/content seems impossible. Being organized and writing things down helps so much!
ReplyDeleteLife is such a busy balancing act! I need a good planner to help me out for sure! Amber N
ReplyDeleteI can definitely relate! I took a blogging hiatus because I couldn't juggle everything. It all became so overwhelming. However, I learned how to schedule and it feels great to be doing something I love again.
ReplyDeleteI love this! I waited to graduate to pursue ANY side hustle, but even now with more life going on, I still struggle sometimes.
ReplyDelete-Yasmin Ali
DeleteScheduling is so important! I always need game plan of what I'm going to get done during the week.
ReplyDeleteI think #2 has been my lesson of the year thus far. I've been skimping on providing me time and doing stuff for me that I burned out really bad for my blog and biz. These are GREAT tips!
ReplyDeleteThese are such great tips! It's so important for me to write down things as they come into my mind or I totally forget them!
ReplyDeleteKristin
The Blush Blonde
I'd be so lost without my planner and having things written down in it! These are all so helpful!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Amy | Pastel N Pink
تتميز بمظهرها الجذاب وذو الرونق الجمالى الرفيع
ReplyDeleteسهولة تنظيفها من الداخل ، ولكن من الخارج يتظلب الشأن الإستعانة ب مؤسسة تطهير واجهات كلادينج في جنوب العاصمة السعودية الرياض
مؤسسة تطهير واجهات كلادينج في شرق العاصمة السعودية الرياض
مؤسسة تطهير واجهات كلادينج في شرق العاصمة السعودية الرياض
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Superbly written article, if only all bloggers offered the same content as you, the internet would be a far better place.. side hustle for moms
ReplyDeleteCleanliness is from faith andit is one of the necessary things that must be taken care of. Life without hygiene becomes full of epidemics and diseases, and from here all housewives care about cleanliness and use a cleaning company to help them in all house cleaning operations
ReplyDeleteشركة تنظيف ببريدة
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