Monday Notes: 3 Rules I’ve Followed for Sustainable Blogging

I write when I can.

Because we live in a capitalistic society that requires money and because I desire a certain level of lifestyle, I work fulltime. Therefore, I typically prioritize my day job before all else. Once work is done, I give attention to my business, and I write. That means, I write when I can.

I always have ideas, but I don’t always have time to flesh them out; subsequently, Monday Notes was born. When I have time, I scroll through my cellphone’s notes and choose something to write about.

The idea of writing when I have time is important for me because I need un-rushed hours, space, and quiet to delve into an idea. I cannot have a work task lingering in the back of my brain or a client’s document waiting to be edited, while trying to create. My brain must be free and clear to put forth the best message.

I schedule posts.

Seldom have I eked out an essay and then immediately hit publish. There have been rare occasions where I was so full with emotions that I feverishly wrote on a plane ride. But even when that happens, I still take a minute to think about if what I’ve written is what I want to share. When I do, then I wait until there’s a free Monday and schedule it under Monday Notes.

When I have a book project, like the one that is releasing September 26th, then I schedule what I want to say around Monday Notes. For example, I began posting some book news under Writer’s Workshop because I wanted to preserve the sanctity of Monday Notes’ subscribers. Those of you who subscribe to that series deserve to read regular degular stuff, not be bombarded with reasons you should buy my book. The same goes for photography. Wordless Wednesdays are scheduled and named as such so that people who want to engage with photography can do so, and those who don’t can delete.

I don’t use the blog as a diary.

There’s journaling and then there’s blogging. They are different. I have a journal for tarot, a journal for relationships, a journal for book publishing and thoughts, a journal for gratitude, etc. No matter what, journaling is just for me. Long ago, when I began this blog, I vowed that I wouldn’t use it as a diary or journal. I promised myself that I’d only share experiences I thought would help someone, and I would write them in such a way, so they would, indeed, be helpful.

Blogging in this way has helped me to be accountable to myself. It has assured that I don’t blog to be petty. For example, there have been times when friends and family have deeply hurt me, and I began typing like that Kermit gif. But when I have that urge, I do as my husband suggests, and “take a beat.” I never want to weaponize my words simply because I have a platform, or simply because I can. Plus, can you imagine what a noncurated version of my blog would look like

Anywho, the bible says, “To whom much is given.” You know the rest. Separating blogging from journaling has helped me to be responsible.

That’s how I’ve sustained blogging for eight years. There is no “right” way, so I’m interested to hear how you’ve done it. How do you keep blogging in a way that works for you?

Monday Notes: 3 Rules I’ve Followed for Sustainable BloggingMonday Notes: It Wasn’t All BadInspiring Image #146: Transient Possessions (in Chicago)Monday Notes: Guest Interview on SA SpeakeasyBook Blogger ARC Review (BookZone)