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Ever wondered what it’s like to be a blogger? Today I’m going to try to let you see a little bit of what blogging entails – the good, the bad, and the downright strange…
Blogging means…
Flexibility. I can preschedule posts and take a few days off if I need to. I don’t like to do this because I get back to 154 Facebook notifications (and sometimes a drop in blog traffic), but it can be done.
Eating all kinds of food at weird times. I had a homemade protein bar and a brownie for breakfast this morning because that’s what needed tasted to determine whether or not they “worked”.
Lots of butter in the fridge. It’s my favorite ingredient.
Eating all the leftovers and flops (even when you’re not in the mood for them) so you can make more food.
Being tied to my job. Since so much of my job involves social media, I’m constantly answering questions and sharing content. If I take a break for an extended length of time, I have a lot of catch-up work to do. Blogging is not a 9-5 job. It’s hard to “leave it at the office” at the end of the day.
An extensive cookbook collection.
Being a go-to for info. Sometimes I think “Google” should be my middle name.
Being a celebrity. This is just weird…haha. If you knew me in real life, you would know just how strange this is. I’ve never been the popular one – just the slightly eccentric one. My friends occasionally use fanmail comments as a way to tease me. One fan called me “totes adorbs” one time…I’m never going to live that one down. 😛
Weekends and vacations don’t mean time off. I’ve made a personal decision to take Sundays completely off though. I feel that I need to do that to a) respect the Lord’s Day and b) preserve my sanity. I do preschedule a few non-recipe posts to go out on my Facebook page on Sundays (such as my spiritual posts).
Fanmail. Totally not something I ever dreamed I would get. It’s awesome to hear from people all over the place and make interesting connections, but sometimes it feels downright strange just because it’s so bizarre that I would ever get correspondence from complete strangers telling me how much they like my blog!
Constant inspiration and sticky notes. I have stuff scribbled all over the place, and I get recipe/blog post inspiration at the strangest times.
Typing up recipe scribbles and notes into something that makes sense. This is tied with tech issues for the worst part of blogging. It’s such a drudgery (especially when you don’t have time to do it for about 2 weeks and then you have to go make sense of it later).
Techy probs. Blegh. Don’t get me started. I don’t speak Geek (although I understand a lot more than I used to!). Thankfully I’ve found a tech guy that I’m going to start working with in the next week or so, and I’m looking forward to having someone to whom I can pass off all my tech problems.
All the dishes. I’m looking for a big bookshelf for better organization. These stacks of bowls are going to topple over eventually. (In case you’re wondering, my photo “studio” and all my props are set up in our unfinished basement.)
Seeing things as photo backgrounds/props. Nice piece of wood? Photo background. Pretty scarf? Photo background. Glass bottle? Prop!
Notifications on social media. Grrrr… Want a surefire way to break yourself of a Facebook addiction? Start doing Facebook as a job.
Struggling to find the balance between public and private life. I’m a very private individual, but I want to be open with and get to know my readers. It’s hard to know where to draw the line sometimes. I personally don’t accept Facebook friend requests from people I don’t know in real life (or my blogging buddies…because I practically know them). My mom says it’s rude, but I disagree. That’s what I have a business page for.
Going to Hancock Fabrics for photo backgrounds instead of dress material. I’m loving these vinyl scraps!
Always explaining how I make a living blogging. That confused stare you get when you say you run a healthy food blog as your job.
Becoming an expert in people patterns. When you become a blogger, you become a psychologist. “What kind of recipes are people looking for?” “Will saying this offend someone?” “Is this reply too rude?” “Should I add a smiley face?” “It’s 7 pm – I need to share this recipe to that Facebook group for optimum traffic!”
I don’t have a smartphone but will probably get one. I currently do not have a smartphone because I know it would be hard for me to ever take time off from my work (I’m already a workaholic). I’ll probably get one before this summer, though, because I’ll be gone for a few weeks to places that I don’t know will have internet. Or maybe I’ll just take a whole week off. Oh, the bliss.
Repurposing clothing as photo backgrounds. My friend Stephanie gave me this pretty blue scarf that has come in handy more than once. I recently bought the black fabric to use as either dress material or a photo background, and photos seem to have won out.
Self-employment taxes. Ouch.
Having a mobile workspace. This can be cool. It can also mean working at the beach on vacation.
Multitasking. I cranked out 5 new recipes on Tuesday because of this acquired skill!
Working in my pajamas at the dining room table at 10 am.
Photographing food while my family eats the dinner I made, then coming back to ask, “Is it good?”
Eating cold food.
Blogging brings its challenges, but it’s worth the work. I’m so thankful for each of you who is reading this right now!
Courtney says
Check into Republic Wireless when you get a “smart” phone. We got our first ones a few months ago and we can’t beat the >$30 per month price tag for our two phones 🙂
Jamie Garcia says
Taxes: #2 reason why we closed our businesses and my husband got a job under someone else ?.
I’m very grateful to benefit from your hard work and hope it’s worth it for you!
Briana Thomas says
In the end, I believe it’s worth it for all the benefits that come with it (namely, flexibility and being able to be my own person). All the support from my loyal readers really helps keep it possible!
sue says
concerning the smart phone: TAKE A WEEK OFF!!!!! think of it as a “jubilee week”. using that teeny-weeny screen & keyboard is a NIGHTMARE!! so you may not get as much accomplished as you think while your distracted from whatever the week is REALLY for!
Briana Thomas says
I’ll keep that in mind. 🙂
Johnna says
Briana, I’m praying for you right now. What an awesome young woman you are to share your gift with the world. Sometimes it just stinks being so talented doesn’t it? However, you have to find time for yourself and a ‘life’, it is important!! How is that special man going to find you? I mean I believe that God brings us together, but if you never get out of the kitchen, unless he is the UPS guy delivering your supplies from Amazon…..how will he find you 🙂 LOL. I use to do something similar to what you do with farming/gardening and it really absorbed me and I have a husband and nine year old son so I had to let it go. You must find that balance and just learn to say that your taking the weekends off or something….you can even post that on your blog site. Though this piles us your replies, you can just do your best Mon-Friday, I think people will understand that you must have time off. I LOVE YOUR BLOG and I would not leave it or stop following you because you need to be refreshed! Thank you for everything you do to make our lives more flavorful!
Briana Thomas says
Thanks for the encouragement, Johnna, and don’t worry – I do lots of non-blog-related things as well! The combination of life and blog/cookbook does make for a very full schedule, though. Once this cookbook is done I’m expecting to have a little more flexibility and time off. I’m actually going to three separate singing events this summer, so I’ll be getting plenty of social interaction. 😉 My UPS guy is great, but he’s really not what I’m looking for in terms of a life partner.
Johnna says
YAY on the Spring Socializing for you!! I love Spring!! Time for renewal in many ways……
Marylou Hershberger says
Thanks for the interesting behind-the-scenes look, Briana! Oddly enough, the very thing that makes this job attractive to me (no 9-5 clock in) is the thing that could be the most frustrating….being “on the clock” all the time!
Briana Thomas says
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Marylou! I enjoy your blog, by the way. Haven’t visited in awhile, but I loved the posts you did of your British Isles trip a few years ago!
Marylou Hershberger says
My posting has been rather few and far between the last while. I write quite a bit in my head. 🙂
joyce says
this was a delightful post to read! (well, actually, all your posts are delightful…). i found myself smiling at some of your responses, and relating to some of what you shared, even though i am not a blogger or photographer. kudos to your family for supporting your lifestyle/job/interests. i love your recipes!
Briana Thomas says
My family is the BEST. I’m so thankful for them! I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
Cindy says
Thank you for sharing all of this, I so enjoy your blog. Seeing the photos of your props and your unfinished basement highlights just how multi-talented you are. So Creative-your recipes, presentations, writing, singing etc. etc. It’s good to keep a Sabbath and also to crave out other time for YOU. I’d hate for you to burn out from over doing.
Your phone made me laugh, I used that same one until my sister upgraded her perfectly useable ‘old’ smartphone and gave it to me out of pity :-). Thank you for all you do!
Briana Thomas says
Thank you for your sweet comment, Cindy!
Myshelle Rhodes says
This is great info. Thanks for being so open, I really enjoy your posts. I have always wondered, How do bloggers make money or get paid from blogging? Please know this is a sincere question.
Briana Thomas says
I actually wrote a post about it, which you can see here: https://www.briana-thomas.com/wait-you-blog-for-a-living-how-to-make-money-blogging/
Since I wrote that post last summer, blogging has actually become my full time job instead of just part time. I’m spending a good deal of time on my cookbook, too, which is related to my blog as well. I hope that post can answer your question!
helen says
I would like the receipe for the baking mix. I can’t seem to find it
Briana Thomas says
Here’s the link: https://www.briana-thomas.com/brianas-baking-mix/