Over the years I’ve written about how I built a flexible lifestyle, became my own boss, and shaped a life that doesn’t revolve around work. I realized, though, that I haven’t given a full, up-to-date look at what my daily life actually looks like in a long time.
If you’ve wondered how I spend my days, how much I work, what life looks like with a preschooler and an online business, or how I manage everything without burning out, this article will walk you through a typical day for me right now — where we live, our routine, how I balance business and parenting, and a few things I no longer do.
What a “Typical” Weekday Looks Like
Our routine varies depending on whether our daughter has school that day. Right now we live in the Florida Keys, where we recently bought a home, so most weekdays look like this:
We usually wake up around 7 a.m., eat an easy breakfast together — cereal, smoothies, or fruit — play for a bit, and get ready for school. After drop-off around 8 a.m., I switch into work mode, but exactly how much I work depends on the day.
When the weather is nice we’ll often take the boat out for a few hours to dive or go lobstering. Other days I use the morning and midday school block to focus on business tasks — writing, brainstorming, updating articles, sending emails, and planning affiliate partnerships.
We pick up our daughter in the afternoon and from that point on the day is family time. I don’t work when she’s awake and at home; keeping that boundary helps me be present. Typical family activities include:
- Swimming
- Visiting the playground or beach
- Stopping by the library
- Riding bikes
Evenings are relaxed: we make dinner, follow a bedtime routine with books, baths, and snuggles, and then wind down together. On weekends I generally don’t work during the day — if I do any work it’s usually after our daughter is asleep. Weekends are for family activities like beach days, horseback riding at a local stable, or checking out family-friendly events nearby.
How Much I Work (And How I Make It Work)
I try to limit work to the hours when our daughter is at school and avoid working while she’s awake at home. That boundary has made a big difference in how present I feel as a parent.
She only started preschool about a year ago. Before that, I rarely had childcare and typically worked at night while she slept or during naps. These days my weekly hours vary widely based on travel, family time, or deadlines:
- 20–40 hours when I’m focused and need to get a lot done
- 0–5 hours when we’re traveling, visiting family, or life is unusually busy
When I know I’ll have a busy or offline week, I try to work ahead. My strategies include:
- Staying about one month ahead on blog posts
- Batch-scheduling tasks and content
- Giving my virtual assistant work in advance
- Preparing email newsletters and affiliate plans so they’re ready while I’m offline
That preparation prevents falling behind when travel or family time comes up. Still, there are times I’m behind — that happens even with planning, and it’s not the norm.
What I Actually Do When I Work
When I sit down to work I focus on tasks that move the business forward and help me connect with my audience. Typical work tasks include:
- Writing new blog content
- Updating older posts for SEO and relevance
- Writing and scheduling email newsletters
- Building and managing affiliate partnerships
- Brainstorming post ideas, collaborations, and course updates
- Replying to emails, comments, and reader questions
I also spend time on the big picture: planning the next direction for the business, identifying ways to better serve readers, and deciding what I can automate or delegate to free up time.
My Blogging Workflow (And How I Batch Content)
Batching work is one of the best ways I’ve found to stay consistent without burning out, especially since my work hours are tied to preschool. My content planning starts with a running list of ideas sourced from reader questions, real-life conversations, affiliate opportunities, and topics I’m curious about. I also track what performs well on search engines and Pinterest and look for posts that could use a refresh.
Once I select topics, I outline each post and then write full drafts in blocks. Sometimes I spend a day or an entire week just writing. When I’m in a strong writing groove I can draft multiple posts in a single week — occasionally five or more — then format, add images, send drafts to my proofreader, and schedule them to publish 3–4 weeks out.
I also batch and delegate tasks to my virtual assistant, such as creating Pinterest images and scheduling social posts for the month, so I don’t waste time switching between small tasks throughout the week.
When Things Don’t Go as Planned
Life isn’t perfect, and there are plenty of days that don’t go as planned. Sometimes I sit down to write and get nothing done. Sometimes I find myself doomscrolling and wondering where the day went. And yes, there have been times when everyone in the family gets sick at once, and survival becomes the priority.
The benefit of this lifestyle is flexibility: I don’t have to call in sick to a boss or scramble for emergency childcare. I can pause when needed and return to work when I’m ready, and the business will still be there.
What I’ve Let Go Of
Over the last couple of years I’ve intentionally created more space in my life by letting go of habits that stole time and attention. That includes:
- Checking email every hour
- Posting regularly on Instagram — I now post only a few times a year
- Allowing social media to distract me from real life
I’ve even deleted Pinterest, TikTok, and Twitter from my phone. I’m also working on not staying up late for work. Running my business has sometimes felt addictive, so I’m trying to establish clearer work hours and avoid late nights and weekend work when possible. My ideal is to work primarily while our daughter is at school, rather than scattering work across evenings and weekends.
What I’ve Learned From Slowing Down
Slowing down has taught me several important lessons:
- More work doesn’t always produce more results.
- The best ideas often come when I have space to think.
- I don’t need to be everywhere or do everything.
- My business performs better when I’m not burned out.
Ambition is fine, but intentionally carving out free time — slow mornings, family dinners, and quiet evenings — has been one of the best changes I’ve made. It didn’t happen by accident: I built income streams that allow flexibility, let go of the constant hustle, and created a business that supports the life I want rather than controlling it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions readers often ask.
Do you ever feel behind with blogging or business tasks?
Yes. I’m writing this while a bit behind due to life changes. Even with strong planning, I sometimes fall behind — bad weather, illness, or fatigue can throw off a schedule. I’ve learned not to get discouraged; a skipped week won’t ruin a business.
How do you plan content in advance?
I try to stay at least a month ahead on blog posts, email newsletters, and affiliate campaigns. I keep planning simple: a calendar and a Google Doc, plus advance tasks for my virtual assistant so things keep moving while I’m offline.
Do you still work with a team or are you doing everything solo?
My setup is small and simple. I have a virtual assistant who handles graphics, scheduling, and day-to-day content sharing, which saves me from logging in every day. I write my own content and emails, use a proofreader to save time, and outsource technical website tasks as needed.
How do you come up with ideas for new blog posts?
Ideas come from reader questions, real-life conversations, topics I search for myself, revisiting older posts, and tracking seasonal trends and SEO. I keep a running idea list to pull from when it’s time to write.
Is your blog still your full-time income?
Yes. My income streams include affiliate marketing, digital products, ad revenue, and sponsored partnerships. The blog is set up to earn passively so it can support periods when I work less.
Do you ever get tired of blogging after all these years?
Not really. I have off days, but blogging remains exciting because the topics evolve with me. I don’t force publishing for the sake of it; taking breaks and focusing on quality keeps it enjoyable long term.
Do you have set work hours or a routine you follow?
Not in a traditional sense. I work when our daughter is at school — sometimes that’s 25 hours a week, sometimes 2. Flexibility works best for our family right now. I try to group work into focused blocks so I’m writing, planning, or handling admin rather than constantly switching tasks.
What do you do when you feel unmotivated or creatively stuck?
I don’t force it. I go outside, play with our daughter, take the boat out, or do something different. The best ideas tend to come when I step away. I also keep a long list of ideas to pull from during slow weeks, and I’ll take a break when needed so I can come back recharged.
How do you connect to the internet when you travel so much?
I keep it simple: I use Wi‑Fi at home, hotels, or Airbnbs, or connect via my phone hotspot. If I know Wi‑Fi won’t be available, I plan ahead and work in advance. I’ve considered Starlink but usually prefer to take a forced break when travel means limited connectivity.
Day in the Life of a Blogger – Summary
So that’s a look at my life right now: simple, slow, and intentional. It’s full of boat rides, blog posts, preschool drop-offs, family dinners, and the occasional day where I get nothing done. It’s real and fulfilling — the life I once dreamed about when I worked full-time in a different setup.
I’m not perfect and I still have things to work on, but I’m getting there. If this glimpse into my routine shows anything, it’s that your version of success doesn’t have to match anyone else’s. You can build something flexible, work less, spend more time with family, and live a little slower. You really can create a life that feels good to wake up to.
I’d love to hear from you — what does your ideal day look like? Do you have questions about working from home, parenting, or building a flexible lifestyle? Leave a comment and let me know!
Recommended reading:
- I’ve Done Over 20 Side Hustles in My Life: Here’s What I Think of Each
- How To Get Paid To Travel The World (18 Realistic Ideas!)
- 31 Best Stay At Home Jobs (#1 Is My Full Time Job!)
- 21 Best Side Hustles for Moms
- 9 Passive Income Ideas for Stay-at-Home Parents
- How Blogging Changed My Life (And My Family’s Future) Forever