THE REALITIES OF HAVING A CAREER & A SIDE HUSTLE (AKA A BLOGGING BUSINESS)

The realities of juggling a full time blog with a full time career

As I write this post, my mind is whirling in 30 directions each at 150 miles an hour. There are so many urgent things vying for its attention it’s close to explosion. On the outside, I’m rocking a new season merino wool dress, Reiss boots and my Chanel handbag, with a few extra bags under my eyes. Life isn’t always as simple as it seems from the outside.

For 5 years on the 31st October, I’ve run a full time blog which I’m fortunate enough to call my business now, alongside a full time career in which I’m proud to say I’ve achieved more than I ever thought by this age, and with my next promotion which I hope will be early next year, I’ll have achieved something I perhaps put as my career end goal. I’m driven. I care. And I want to do my best. But sometimes this passion for achievement is darn right tiring.

This week I’m running a new business pitch which has meant arriving home before 10:30pm has been a myth, I’ve been organising travel collaborations for an upcoming trip to Asia, I’ve been discussing 8 partnerships with different brands for the coming months, I’m going through a blog and branding relaunch behind the scenes … And I’m trying to get content live that I’m proud of. Oh and I’m trying to keep my boyfriend happy, see my family and friends, actually feed myself and generally keep functioning. We’re all busy. But today as I sit on the tube to work writing my editorial to go with these glorious pictures my sister and I shot a few weekends ago, I find myself quite literally unable to think. My mind is absolutely exhausted.

And it was in this moment of acceptance, I though rather than give you tips on how to deal, advice on your career or some blogging nuggets based on my experience, I thought I’d just lay it bear. The realities of blogging with a full time career. Because I’m certain I’m not alone, and whether it’s juggling a blog and a career or a family and a career or even just juggling every day as it comes. Sometimes it’s nice to know you’re note alone and that life isn’t perfect all the time.

So here you have it, the realities of juggling more than even Beyoncé can handle.

5 THINGS EVERY GIRL BOSS DEALS WITH WHEN THEY JUGGLE A CAREER & A SIDE HUSTLE

Time is a luxury

I have cancelled three hair appointments in three months, my hair is effectively an upside down ombré right now. And yes it sounds somewhat cool and trendsetting, but let me assure you it’s not. I’ve picked the shellac off my toes and have tried to cover it with some bog standard red nail vanish which is chipped and reminds me of being a hobo. I’m going to an awards ceremony this evening and I literally have not got a dress, let alone a blow dry, freshly coloured hair or some fresh paint on my nails.

Health is the lowest priority

Whilst I’m being deliberately tongue in cheek this point is truly not okay. I’ve put on over one and a half stone in the last three years. I hate my body, how it looks, how it feels. Sometimes I can’t understand how the stress doesn’t make it fall off. But the reality is, I simply cannot find time to exercise, I’ve had to pull out of my netball team and my gym membership which I pay each month in hope that I’ll use it, has probably been swiped 5 times this year. I want to look and feel my best, I want to be healthy, I don’t want to suffer from migraines constantly and look in the mirror and slay myself. But what comes with too many commitments is not enough time. It’s the worst excuse in the world.

I suffer FOMO

Less so at work, but with my blog especially. I work my butt off to produce content, I run myself ragged trying to juggle everything and squeeze things in, but sometimes I feel as if the blogging world is zooming on past me and I’m left here with my 10k Instagram followers, whilst somehow when I blinked, everyone else got 100k. I see people on projects and working with my favourite brands and wish I had those opportunities, I miss events that I desperately want to attend because I simply can’t find the time or if I do have an hour in the evening I just need to sit down and try and relax. I miss out on a lot. And FOMO does exist.

Holidays don’t exist

Whilst FOMO does exist, your typical ‘holiday’ doesn’t. I mean they may look fabulous (and they are really), but I’m on emails constantly (because life carries on around you even if you’re on a lovely beach somewhere), I’m shooting in every second I can get (because I have time off work which is invaluable for my blog) and I’m writing and working on my laptop every evening (because the evening is mine). But what’s worse is for the poor sods I’m holidaying with , i’m ultimately the worst company in the world. Sorry guys.

Life goes by

But the scariest thing is how time goes by. I remember saying in March how this was the year for me, how I had so many months before my holidays to feel my best again, how this was the year for my blog, for my wellness and for spending time with people I love. And here I am in mid October, thinking holy moly it’s nearly Christmas. Where has this year gone!!

And it’s in moments like this where you must stop. Breathe. And truly assess your priorities. I love my job, my blog and my life, sacrifice is not something I’m willing to accept, but restarting and committing to a healthier balance, to fitness and health and to time out is critical. Sometimes it takes a moment of clarity to realise it.

Now don’t get me wrong, my life is amazing, I’m happy, I’m healthy, I have an absolutely amazing family and friends, I have a boyfriend of nearly 9 years who just about tolerates my manic ways, I have a secure and wonderful job, I have a blog I adore and a business growing by the day. I’m super lucky. But like everyone, sometimes the weight of the world on your shoulders takes its toll, and rather than pretend everything’s gravy and that I’m having a fabulous day at Covent Garden hotel today sipping more coffee than my body has ever been used to (seriously), I thought I’d just be real. And I’m certain I’m not alone.

So how do I cope. I take a deep breath. I do the superman pose. I clear my mind. And tackle one task at a time. And just like that my blog post is done.