Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Tuesday Thursday Saturday


My current work schedule looks something like this:
  • Work Sunday night from about 8 pm onward.
  • Work Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm while the Boy is in school.
  • Work Monday to Friday again once the Boy is off to bed.

All in all, I'm okay with this schedule. But I think I'd like to make one small change. If I could take Sunday night off, I think I'd be darn satisfied. What I'm trying to achieve is a crafting/blogging-free weekend. I think my home and family deserve my full attention on the weekend when we're all together. But I also like the idea of time off just for me, you know? However, with a post scheduled for Monday morning, I'm invariably in front of the computer every Sunday night.

I love my crafts and my computer. I do. But I'm looking for a little more balance: on the one hand, making time for my family and me, and on the other hand, putting time into the work I love. I think the solution lies in my blog's posting schedule. If I shift my posting schedule by a day from Mon-Wed-Fri to Tues-Thurs-Sat then I just might be able to reclaim my Sunday night. For sure, it means tightening up my work habits a little - because I'll be losing those few hours on Sunday night - but I think it's totally do-able!



I'm going to give it a shot. Starting today, I'll be experimenting with a new posting schedule: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays.



Why even have a bloggy posting schedule, you ask? I don't know... Because it works, I guess... My posting schedule isn't set in stone or the law or anything. It's not written down though I'm sure I've mentioned it to you before. No one coerces me to publish a post at a certain time (except for those little voices in my head maybe).  I do it for me. Having a posting schedule keeps me motivated and organized, something I've always wrestled with. It also gives me a framework to work within, and forces me to think ahead. After blogging willy-nilly for 8-1/2 months without a schedule, I realized that 3 posts/week, published consistently, was ideal for me. Once I implemented it, it made all the difference.



But you know what? There are no rules. I am in charge. I am the boss here. I've considered posting one day a week; I've considered two days a week. And you never know. The time may come when I make those kinds of changes. For now I'm pretty satisfied with my 3 posts per week.

Well you have a great day now. I'll be back here on Thursday!

Note: I made the mitts featured above using several thrifted fingering weight yarns, knitted two strands at a time. Again, I followed the Patons Canadiana Vintage Mitten Pattern #303 (same as mentioned here). These rainbowy concoctions are a gift for one of my girls. Sure hope she likes rainbow!

14 comments:

  1. You do what works - love the blue autumn skies and yellow leaves behind you in some of the photos...

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  2. I am with you on this. I also think family time is precious, although I have had posts on various days of the week even Sunday. But when that happens, I already have pictures in store and an almost composed post. However, you do whatever works best for you. I have never challenged myself to post every single day - I don't want saturated audience :) ha, ha...
    If it happens, it's OK. If not - I don't stress out a lot. Blogging should be fun, shouldn't it?
    Love the mitts!

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  3. Love the mittens, Michele. Beautiful.

    I think every blogger struggles with balance, but I think you have your priorities straight. It's good to keep a schedule, and I think that would make a big difference for me, but I haven't been able to make it work yet. Maya is right, blogging should be fun. Sometimes it isn't, and that's something I'm working on. I'll still be here Tues, Thurs, Sat :)

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  4. I understand your point of you completly! The blog is great for many things. I make it for me too and since I started it I feel better and better. But I know it could create a sort of addiction and I'm afraid of that!
    So TAKE OUR TIME!!!
    And no matter if you change your schedule or reduce the number of the posts, I follow your blog anyway!!!
    Love from Italy
    Clara
    http://creamamma.blogspot.com/

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  5. No matter when you post I will be here!

    Having a posting schedule really can be helpful, but often I don‘t get a chance to take pictures or unexpected things happen. I now post just when I like to and have something to show or tell. Totally random.

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  6. I love the mittens!! They look great!!!

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  7. The mitts are adorable. Blogging is so personal, just do what works for you. I love reading what you're up to whenever you choose to post.

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  8. Good looking mittens!
    We love you, and your blog - in that order. We'll see you when we see you. Take care!
    Hugs!

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  9. Gorgeous mittens - love the photo shoot!!
    I'm still playing around with my blogging schedule - and at this stage loving spending my time doing it - but my girls are starting to tell me I'm ALWAYS blogging - so time for a bit more organisation of my time I think! You're right - with a blog you're the boss - it's yours, nobody is making you do it - make your own timetable and enjoy it and time with your family too!!

    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  10. Hear! Hear! Do whatever works for YOU!
    I've been struggling with the same—blogging schedule. I've tried implementing one without making an announcement—and it hasn't worked. Maybe if I do announce it, accountability will kick in. Haha! We'll see... After 6yrs of blogging it also may be that I'm experiencing the 7 year itch.

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  11. From the look of these comments, it seems you are not the only one trying to come up with a blogging schedule that works for you!

    When i first started blogging it seemed the prevailing wisdom dictated at the very least a daily post. But like you I find about three a week works best for me (except at the winter Holidays of course!)

    And I really do appreciate other bloggers who post once or twice or three times a week because it is much, much, much easier to keep up with their blogs. When i find i am 15 posts down after being gone a week - I usually just delete. I hate that, but I just can not keep up with so many posts.

    So thank you for creating a reasonable number of posts per week! And thank you for bringing this topic up in the first place. Quality, not quantity, is the word today!

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  12. O I forgot! the mittens! Beautiful - totally beautiful! YOU have inspired me to learn to make mittens. I have lots of scrap yarns to use up. And I love the rainbow effect you have created here.

    Of course, I must be good and finish the projects i have started first, but right after the holidays - it is mittens for me!

    thank you!

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  13. Yeah I know where you're coming from Michele. It's really hard to hit on the right balance in life sometimes. I like having a schedule too as it keeps me from frittering my day away. Having a blog keeps me motivated to get stuff done that's for sure. Recently I decided to get more of a blogging schedule too which makes my posts a little more regular and motivates me again to think of something to post about. But when my schedule doesn't happen I try not to worry about it.
    Because of the time zones I am always one day ahead of you anyway so your new schedule should actually be better for me but as long as it works for you Michelle:-)

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