I haven’t been doing this all that long, but it hasn’t taken me much time to realise that running a blog is hard work. Don’t get me wrong, being a blogger is such a rewarding experience and the positives far outweigh the negatives. But it seems in order to keep up with the digital world you need a heck of a lot of motivation, patience, ideas and most importantly, time.
However, I have found that just a little forward planning and organisation can make things so much easier, leaving you free to focus on the fun side of blogging – creating, connecting and er, Twitter chats.
Here are my 6 easy ways to organise your blogging life:
Plan Weekly
Planning to me is essential. I think it is the most important thing to do when trying to juggle work, studies, blogging and everything else. A good planner is quite easy to get hold of and can help you stay on top of all your commitments. Each week, I sit down, divide my time and note all the tasks I would like to achieve. I like to make my plans detailed and specific so I know everything has been covered. This is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety as it’s all on paper and not swimming around in your head. And ticking something off your to-do list is quite therapeutic.
I brought my planner from Hobby Craft – you can check out their latest range here.
Take Note
Keeping notes and ideas in a special blogging book works well for me. I jot down everything and anything – future blog posts, twitter chat reminders, things to remember, stats, brands to e-mail, blogs I love reading, anything! Like the planner, having everything on paper means that I can return to any idea at a later date. I don’t need to feel stressed thinking that if I don’t blog this soon I’ll forget it forever. I keep my notebook within easy reach and when inspiration arises I quickly note it down before it disappears.
Create Your Space
When blogging and brainstorming, having a nice clean clutter free space is a good idea. I feel like a tidy space can change everything and allow your thoughts to flow clearly and coherently. It doesn’t take too long to organise either, a few changes here and there can make all the difference. Add a bit of your own unique style too – I brought myself a sushi mouse mat the other day to brighten up my desk. Look around you, can you hide away anything distracting and replace it with inspiration.
The awesome sushi mouse mat from Etsy.
Screenshots
Sometimes you can be out and about without a planner, notepad or even a pen. Then what? Well, when ever I stumble across something interesting on my phone, I grab a screenshot. It could be a stunning photograph, stylish flat-lay, a tweet or tip you have read in a blog – anything can be inspirational. That means when you get home you can find that screenshot and add the information to your planner or blog notebook. Simple. You never have to forget an idea ever again.
Be Camera Ready
Following on from the last suggestion: always have your camera ready. Whether that is your phone camera or your fancy blogging camera, wherever you go, take snaps. Even if you don’t know exactly what you will photograph, just having it in your bag means you will never miss that perfect photo opportunity. You never know, a few months later you could be writing a blog post and suddenly have a use for that Starbucks coffee cup you took with the blurry background from one of your days out. It’s amazing, one photograph can spark an idea for an entire blog post.
Don’t Overthink it
Finally, you could be the most organised of bloggers but if your stressing about content then that’s no fun at all. The best blogging ideas are the ones that arise naturally without too much thought. Sometimes you just need to take a step back from your virtual life and go read a book or have a walk and just let the real world inspire you.
Love the tips in this post! Also your journal pages are pretty 🙂
Author
Aw thank you so much for the lovely comment ☺️💕 xx
I love your stationary!!<3
Author
Thank you Chloe ☺️💕 xx
Your photos are beautiful 🙂 Great tips. I’ve been looking for a good planner, there are so many to choose from now. My favorite is your “Don’t Overthink It”. Such good advice!
Author
Aw thank you so much for your lovely comment Susie 💕. I’m glad you liked the post. Choosing the right planner can be tough when there is so much pretty stationary out there 😄 xx
Great post and all so true! Love being organised x.
Author
Thank you for commenting Rebecca 💕 Glad you enjoyed reading it ☺️ xx
Do you take your own photos? They are beautiful! I especially like the one of your planner!!
xo
Author
Aw thank you so much, that’s a lovely thing to say 💕 I do take my own photos ☺️ I’m glad you like them 😘 xx
Love this post! I really want to start journaling, but I don’t know where to start. It would help so much with organizing though! I also need to start taking prettier photos 🙂
Author
Thank you for the lovely comment 💕. Journaling is such a great way to stay organised ☺️. It does get easier the more you do it. Find a pretty planner and have fun 😘 xx
Love the ideas and your photos are stunning! Thanks for sharing ❤️.
Author
Aw thank you so much! 💜💛 xx
Nice one.
Love your theme and layout also.
Author
Aw thank you for the lovely comment 😘 xx
Loved this post, such great tips which I will definitely take on board! X
Author
Thank you so much for reading & commenting 💕 I’m really glad you found the tips useful ☺️ xx
A really good post with very useful tips and top quality photos 😘. Very well written too, I particularly like the screenshots tip, very handy that 😊. Well done ❤️😘.
Author
Thank you for commenting Shaun ❤️ I’m glad you enjoyed reading it 😘 xx
Your planner is gorgeous! This is all such great advice, too. I especially like the advice about keeping your camera ready and taking pictures often. There have been so many times that I am in the middle of a blog post and I wish I had a picture of something that I could have gotten if I’d only followed that advice. Thank you for sharing!
Aimie | blissfullemon.com
Author
Hi Aimie,
Thank you for reading and commenting 💕. Yes, you can never have enough photographs 😄. I’m glad you found my post useful ☺️ xx
Great tips and love the photos! 🙂 As a fairly new blogger, I have definitely noticed that it takes so much more time and effort than I thought. But it’s also been such an awesome experience so far and I’ve learned a ton already, can’t wait to see what the future holds.
Author
Thank you so much for the lovely comment 💕. Blogging does take a lot of effort but it’s so worth it ☺️. Good luck on your blogging journey. I really like you blog and your photography 🌺. I agree, it’s such an exciting adventure and who knows what will happen in the future 😍 xx
Awww, that’s so sweet of you to say, thank you! 🙂 I think the best thing about blogging is the lovely blogging community, I had no idea everyone would be so welcoming and nice! 🙂 Keep up the good work, you are doing so great!
Agree don’t overthink we put too much pressure on ourselves doing that great post and pics
Author
Thank you for reading 💕 It’s so easy to put pressure on ourselves and compare ourselves to others. I’m glad you enjoyed the post 😘 xx
Omg your beautiful organization is giving me inspiration to get it together haha… currently scrolling through all the planners on hobby craft <3
Author
Yay! I’m so happy my blog has inspired you! 😍 Buying pretty new stationary is one of my favourite things ☺️ Have fun and thank you for commenting 🌷 xx
Nice tips! I’m hoping to make my own space eventually because I need on desperately
Author
Thank you for your comment 💕. Having your own space makes such a positive difference ☺️ xx
Will definitely have to use some of these tips! Also, love your pictures!
Amy,
https://creativenails.uk
Author
Thank you so much! ☺️ glad you found the tips useful 💕 xx
Great tips. I am glad I found you through twitter. 🙂
Author
Aw thank you so much 💕 I love your blog ☺️🌷 xx
Your weekly planner is so cute!
Author
Aw thank you so much! 💕🌷 xx
Love these tips! Just started blogging and it can be overwhelming without a direction or plan. Will use these tips in the future 👏 thank you!!
Author
Thank you for the lovely comment 💕 I’m glad you found the tips useful 😘 By the way, I love your blog – you are doing great! ☺️🌷 xx
I agree with all of these posts but man, does a little bit of planning go a very long way! I find that my blogging suffers tremendously when I don’t plan things, so I’ve learnt my lesson and have made sure that I have ideas for at least the next couple of weeks.
Author
Thank you for reading and commenting 💕 Having a plan can make all the difference ☺️ Thinking aheading and having ideas for a few weeks is super organised and must make life so much easier 😄 xx
Bexa | https://www.hellobexa.com
Agree with so much of this. I’m struggling at finding ‘my spaces’ right now. It seems like when I’m prepping for a post my stuff is absolutely everywhere! Your notebooks look so cute!
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
Author
Thank you for your lovely comment Sophie 💕. I know what you mean – my stuff is everywhere when I’m taking blog photos 😄. I try to tidy up a little before I write anything to help me think better ☺️. I’m glad you like the notebooks! 😘 xx
Oh my gosh, that sushi mouse pad is adorable! I love all these tips! I find writing stuff down the most effective way for me to remember things but I think taking screenshots is such a good idea as well! I’m definitely taking a lot away from your post! Thanks for sharing these tips! 🙂
Author
Thank you for the lovely comment Annie 💕. The sushi mouse mat is great isn’t it 😄. I’m exactly the same, I gotta write things down otherwise I forget! I’m glad you enjoyed the post 😘 xx
When it comes to blogging, I am the least organized person. I always end up writing something at the last minute and not having posts in advance. I need to change that! xx corinne
Author
Thank you for reading and commenting Corinne 💕. It’s hard to get organised initially but little changes can really help 😘 Good luck! xx
These are all such fab tips! I definitely need to take a leaf out of your book and organise my blogging life each week
Ellie
http://www.headintheclouds.me.uk
Author
Thank you for reading and commenting Ellie! 💕 I’m glad you enjoyed the post 😘 xx
Thank you for all the tips – some of these are really helpful and motivating! X
Author
Aw thank you so much for the lovely encouraging comment Paige 💕. I’m so glad you found the post helpful & motivating 😘 xx
Hi, some good tips here. Time is always an issue for me so i’ve learnt forward planning is key.
Author
Thank you reading and commenting Penny 💕. I’m glad you enjoyed the post 😘 xx
Great post Bexa and great pics to. Your blogs are always lovely and colourful xx
Author
Aw thank you so much Kerry for the lovely comment 💕. I hope you are doing well 😘 xx
Such a great post! I totally agree with everything you have mentioned on here! I always jot down stuff in my notes on my phone and it helps so much to stay organized! xx
Author
Thank you so much for the lovely encouraging comment 💕. That’s a brilliant idea using notes on your phone – I am going to give that a try! Thanks for sharing 😘 xx
Your journal is beautiful, puts mine to shame! This is a really good post, completely agree with all the tips! Especially the one about having a space set up – I became so much more efficient once I sorted my desk out and made it cosy. I’m not just as productive in my bed or in front of the telly.
Author
Thank you for reading and commenting Katie 💕. It makes such a big difference having your own desk space! I used to sit on my bed or on the sofa as well, but sitting at a desk makes me more productive and focused. I’m glad you enjoyed the post and thanks for the lovely comments about my journal 😘 xx
These are really good tips. Scheduling everything is so helpful and keeps me on task.
http://sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/
Author
Thank you for reading and commenting Courtney 💕. Scheduling sounds like a fantastic way to stay organised, I’m going to have to try that one ☺️. I’m glad you enjoyed the post 😘 xx
This is such a helpful post!!
Author
Aw thanks so much! ☺️💕 xx
These are great tips! I just started journaling and I’m loving it. I also have a ridiculous number of screenshots saved.
Author
Thank you for the lovely comment 💕 Journaling is so much fun! 😘 He he, my phone has so many screen shots too! 😋 xx
Great tips! Also, your journal pages are practically works of art on their own. Everything looks really, really polished.
Author
Aw that’s such a lovely thing to say, thank you so much! 💕 I’m glad you enjoyed my tips 😘 xx
I have my blog notebook & pen ready. My camera on my Android went out months ago, but I can screen shot & I have written a camera down in my vision board. No Stressing!
Author
Sounds like you are prepared and organised, especially by having a vision board 💕. Thank you for reading and sharing a comment 😘 xx
Such a good post, Bexa, great tips and your planner is the stuff dreams are made of. Love it! You may have thought of it already but you could do a post on how you set out your planner structure, the doodles you draw etc. I would certainly find that interesting. You’ve made such amazing progress in the short time you have been blogging, congrats! xx
Author
Thank you so much for your lovely encouraging comment Amy! 💕 I’m so glad you like my planner. That’s a brilliant idea, I will add that to my list of future blog posts ☺️. Love your blog too – it’s great! 😘 xx
Hi Bexa, what a fantastic blog. I loved the advice and the pictures etc. Do you take all these LOVELY pics yourself?
You’ve wrote about being able to help with self hosting in a comment on wordpress. I was wondering if you could tell me more about that. It’s something I would like to do in 2018 but I havent got much knowledge re: that yet. Do you mean like paying a plan on wordpress and dropping the wordpress.com part in the address or actually asking a company to design a new website for the blog?
I thought you may like to have a look at my blog. You seem very experience in this field so any advice (also constructive critic) would be VERY welcome! 🙂
https://mindset4progress.wordpress.com/2017/12/29/why-92-people-dont-achieve-their-personal-goals/
Happy New Year
Aggie
Author
Hey Aggie! 💕 Thank you so much for your lovely positive comments about my blog & photos! 💖 I do take them myself, I’m so glad you like them, thats so sweet of you to say! 😍
To answer your self-hosting questions: You can move your existing WordPress blog to a different host (eg. SiteGround) which gives you a lot more freedom (design, ads, plugins, etc). You don’t need to redesign anything if you don’t want to either. You can also buy your own domain name whether you decide to go self hosted or not. I brought mine through WordPress before I went self-hosted which means you can drop the WordPress.com part ☺️. I’ve written a step-by-step guide on going self-hosted here: https://hellobexa.com/blogging/six-reasons-why-you-should-go-self-hosted/
Hope that helps! If you have any questions, I’ll be happy to answer them. Great blog by the way! 💖 Hope you have a fabulous New Year 🎉😘 xx