As you can see from the picture attached to this blog, things are looking a little different around my house. February 14th, everything changed. We have a new little guy that’s taking up a lot of our time, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am already loving being a mom, but I also want to maintain a balance with the work I’d already started before he was in my life. 

I am still going to write, read, and work to make sure I can get the books I’m working on out into the world. However, work-life balance is going to look a little bit different. Instead of getting to dedicate my free hours to whatever writing tasks or reading I wanted to finish for the day, I need to come in with a plan that works around a new schedule with my baby boy. 

So, whether that is coordinating writing blocks with nap times, or writing for an hour or so uninterrupted when my husband gets home, I need to plan. Is it crazy to think I might actually get more done than I did before him? Maybe so, but have you ever been so busy that you have to stay on top of everything even more to get it all done? And somehow, it makes you thrive with productivity? 

I’m one of those people. I thrive with tasks. Schedule blocking my day, and having a regimented schedule, is how I thrive. So adding a baby is something I’ve already been planning for, and I’m ready for the challenge. Like I’ve said before, I’m a homebody. So I can work from home and split my time between my new writing buddy and my writing schedule. 

Whether you have a new little family member too, or life is just busy, because we all have something, I’m here to tell you, you are doing a great job, and there’s no reason you can’t find a balance between your busy life and the work you love. The things that have helped me the most have been blocking my time out in my planner to actually sit down and work, and having people around me that support the work I love, and want to help take tasks to make sure I can get things done I need to. 

My husband is more than willing to take on some home tasks or watch our baby if it means I get an hour or two of extra work time. Surround yourself with people who want the best for you and your career. The people who love you are willing to make sacrifices too, if it means you are getting to work toward your goals. 

As for that written-out schedule, you might not need things written down to the minute planned as I do, but it’s amazing how accountability forms by just writing out a blocked-out time for the things you need to do. I can say I need to go write an outline, or finish a chapter all I want, but if I’m not actively setting aside the time for that, it’s going to be the thing I say I am going to do for weeks, and before I know it, a month has gone by, and I’ll still be on chapter one. 

Make the time, find the support, and create the balance that lets you enjoy the things you love. I never want to look back and resent, or regret how I used my time. I know I am in a season of life with a newborn full of precious memories, and I’m also in a season of my work that takes a lot of grit and determination. Both of these seasons are seasons I will look back on and love, and how amazing it is that I’ll get to say I did these seasons together.