Leaf and Steel

motherhood - growth - living

10 Tips for SAHM Bloggers to Find Time to Blog

As a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) with a passion for blogging, you’re no stranger to the challenge of finding time for your blog amidst the chaos of parenting. The struggle is real, and I get it—I’ve been there too. My almost 3-year-old keeps me very busy, and it can be difficult to find time for the things that I love to do.

In this post, I’ll share ten expert tips that have helped me carve out precious blogging time while managing the beautiful chaos of SAHM life. Whether you’re a new SAHM blogger or looking to refine your time management skills, these practical strategies can work for you.

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Blogtober Prompts and Content Ideas for 2023

Welcome to “Blogtober Prompts and Content Ideas for 2023,” where we’re diving straight into the heart of Blogtober with a no-nonsense guide to fuel your creativity. If you’re a seasoned blogger or a newbie looking to tackle the challenge of daily blogging in October, you’ve come to the right place.

In this post, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive list of prompts and content ideas to make your Blogtober journey a breeze. No fluff, no fuss—let’s get those creative juices flowing and conquer Blogtober like pros.

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101 Motherhood and Lifestyle Blog Post Ideas

Welcome, fellow parenting bloggers and burnt out writers! Are you feeling stumped on what to write about on your motherhood lifestyle blog? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with 101 creative and exciting blog post ideas that will have your readers coming back for more. From meal planning and self-care tips to parenting hacks and product reviews, our list is chock-full of inspiration to help you create engaging content that resonates with your audience. So sit back, relax, and get ready to take your motherhood lifestyle blog to the next level!

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Making the Most of the Fall Season

Today we’re detailing the best ways to embrace autumn and make the most of the fall season!

Fall is my absolute favorite season. I love the cooler temperatures, the earlier sunsets, the falling leaves.

This post contains affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission off of products that are purchased through these links, at no cost to you. You can read more about this process here.

Hygge

What is hygge? According to the New Yorker, hygge is “a Danish term defined as “a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” Pronounced “hoo-guh,” the word is said to have no direct translation in English, though “cozy” comes close. It derives from a sixteenth-century Norwegian term, hugga, meaning “to comfort” or “to console,” which is related to the English word “hug.” Associated with relaxation, indulgence, and gratitude, hygge has long been considered a part of the Danish national character.”

It’s easy to practice hygge by unplugging, lighting some candles, changing into a cozy outfit, and grabbing a book and some tea.

Saving errands for after dark

I really enjoy saving my errands for nighttime in the fall. Maybe it’s because stores are quieter, but in reality it tricks me into thinking I’m getting ahead for the next day. It can help “extend the day”, which is extremely helpful when the sun sets at 4:30pm some days.

Get Outside

I definitely need to check out There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather: A Scandinavian Mom’s Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids.

We try to get outside no matter the weather. My daughter loves playing in the rain, and I have no problem bundling up and taking the dog on a walk during a squall.

Getting in touch with nature and enjoying the beautiful weather is one of my favorite parts of the autumn season.

One of my most consistent outdoor routines is taking my dog for a walk around the block while my husband puts our daughter to sleep.

We bundle up with coats and flashlights so that drivers can see us! The other night we went in a rainstorm. There was something so freeing about just accepting that we were going to get soaked and need to dry off later. My dog loved it and I felt so connected to Mother Nature.

Use a Happy Light

I love using light therapy to help stave off the winter blues. I definitely am prone to feeling more low-energy as I take in less sunlight. This is the light box that I’ve had forever.

What does a happy light do? According to Popular Science, “The goal of light therapy is to correct the disruption to the body’s internal clock brought on by the changing seasons. Happy lamps are designed to imitate natural sunlight and correct disturbances to the circadian rhythm. In the morning hours, these lamps bring the sunlight that’s missing from the outside world indoors to let the body know it’s daytime and ensure its internal clock is set correctly.”

I love my “happy light“. I use it for 15 minutes every morning while I drink my coffee. I start to use in once I really notice the sunset time change.

Cook Something New

Turkey chili, homemade bagels, and French bread are my usual fall go-to’s, but this year I want to try something new.

I love Pinch of Yum so this fall I really want to try to make their Sheet Pan Meatballs with Tomato Salad and Green Sauce and Life Changing Instant Pot Beef Stew recipes.

Set the Mood

In the same vein as hygge, making conscious choices about your space is like #1 for me as far as embracing fall. My baby and I call it “getting cozy”. We light some candles, put on classical music, and open the windows to feel the fall air. I also love turning on the “fireplace” on Netflix, since we don’t have a real one.

Youtube mixes are another easy way to set the mood. Just look for any type of “fall mix” or “fall background music” and you’re set.

Those are our top ways to embrace autumn!

How do you make the most of the fall season?

Do you do anything on this list? What’s your favorite?

Let me know below!
O.

This is post 2/31 for #Blogtober22. If you’re interested in learning more about Blogtober and how to participate, check out my post How to Prepare for Blogtober 2022 and Why You Should Try Blogtober.

Looking for inspiration? Try 30 Fall-Themed Lifestyle Blog Post Ideas.

More from Leaf and Steel:

If you are interested in guest posting on Leaf and Steel, please check out our Guest Post page for guidelines!

30 Fall-Themed Lifestyle Blog Ideas

Today we’re rounding up 30 fall themed lifestyle blog ideas to bring more traffic this autumn!

Fall is a big deal here on Long Island. The weather is beautiful, the leaves change in waves, pumpkin patches and corn mazes cover the North Fork. After some unbearably humid and hot summers, fall feels like a gift.

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30 Day Motherhood Blogging Challenge

Today I’m sharing 30 writing prompts for mom blogs! If you’re feeling stuck and in need of inspiration when you sit down to write, make sure you check out the ideas below!

Willpower and Motivation

Have you ever heard the idea that “willpower is a finite resource”? If you haven’t, then listen up. 

You will run out of willpower. 

You will not feel motivated every day. 

You will procrastinate because it feels good in the moment.

If you’ve ever tried to do anything consistently (work out, get up early, WRITE), then you know what I’m talking about.

See this quote from Verywell:

Willpower is a limited resource.The idea behind this theory is that willpower is like a muscle in that it can be both strengthened and fatigued. For example, if you exhaust yourself doing sprints, you will be less able to perform other physical tasks.

Kendra Cherry, Verywell, “What is Ego Depletion?”

Habits

So, it’s not just you.

It can be frustrating to have a goal but be unable to reach it due to a lack of willpower or energy.

The good news is there’s a way to hack it.

The answer lies in habits.

Creating small, daily habits will improve your blog. There’s no doubt that writing every day will add more content to your site. Creating a number of Pins for Pinterest or connecting with a few other bloggers on Instagram will bring in more traffic.

There’s no better way to build up your blog than to practice consistency.

In 2021, I found myself in a place with lots of time to blog and not a lot of direction. In the beginning of the year I was sporadically posting and I didn’t feel like I was getting anything out of it.

How I Get Over Writer’s Block

I created some new habits.

I started getting up early so that I could write, uninterrupted.

I learned how to shut out distractions and how to do writing sprints.

I stopped waiting for inspiration to hit.

I stopped waiting for the motivation to come.

I leaned into my habits and the results that I got were invaluable. Not only did I add dozens of articles to my site, but I got into a writing rhythm. Writing every single day made me a better writer.

I got better at transferring my thoughts and formatting my articles.

Having those habits made me more efficient and creative.

Now, writing and working on my blog is as natural as making my bed or feeding the cat.

Here’s my favorite way to build new habits. The Harvard Business Review refers to it as “Piggybacking on a daily task”.

The benefit of micro habits is that you should be able to perform it with minimal effort every day. It’s important to execute on a new ritual daily so it becomes second nature, and if it’s small enough, you won’t be as tempted to defer your task from one day to the next. However, no matter the size of the task, it’s easy to get distracted, make excuses, or forget. Perform your new action at the same time as (or right before) an action you do without thinking. Need to read a paragraph each night? You can do that while brushing your teeth. Meditating for 30 seconds each day? Check that off your list while waiting for your coffee to brew.

Sabrina Nawaz, Harvard Business Review, “To Achieve Big Goals, Start with Small Habits”

Blogging Challenges

A blogging challenge is an excellent way to create a writing rhythm.

In my experience, writing every day is what works best for me. Whether it’s an hour or just ten minutes, writing everyday enforces that habit.

Blogtober was my first writing challenge. To this day, October 2021 serves as my statistical inspiration for blogging. I added 31 new posts and I saw my traffic almost double. I loved having a challenge to keep me consistent, with a finish line in sight.

5 Blogging Lessons I Learned in 2021

You can choose an online blogging challenge or create your own! I love using prompts when I’m feeling “stuck” or uninspired.

I compiled 30 writing prompts for motherhood/early childhood blogs. If writing a whole post every day is too much right now, try keeping the posts short or spread them out over two months.

Another way to do this challenge is to set a word count objective and to tailor each post to meet that goal.

You can move these around or alter them to fit your blog’s niche.

These prompts are also excellent for Instagram pages, if you aren’t a fan of long form content.

30 Day Motherhood Blogging Challenge

  1. About Me
  2. What’s in My Diaper Bag
  3. My Thoughts on…(sleep training/cloth diapering/BLW, etc)
  4. 10 Things I Can’t Live Without
  5. Favorite Outdoor Family Activities
  6. Summer Bucket List
  7. 10 Things About Me
  8. How I Practice Self Care as a New Mom
  9. My Baby’s Birth Story
  10. The Best Baby Books
  11. My Baby’s Favorite Toys
  12. Baby Clothes We Can’t Live Without
  13. How to Stay Energized as a New Mom
  14. My Postpartum Experience
  15. How My Relationships Changed After Kids
  16. A Letter to My Baby
  17. My Thoughts on Screen Time
  18. Overrated Baby Advice
  19. How to Road Trip with a Baby
  20. What I Wish I Knew Before Having Kids
  21. What’s in My Labor & Delivery Bag
  22. How to Keep Your Marriage Strong After Kids
  23. Day in the Life of a SAHM or Working Mom
  24. 10 Baby Items You Didn’t End Up Using
  25. My Top Parenting Hacks
  26. 5 Facts About Me
  27. How to Find the Time to Blog
  28. DIY Baby Toys
  29. Apps that Help Me Parent
  30. Favorite Baby/Toddler Meals

Have you ever done a blogging challenge? Have you written about any of the topics on this list?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:

If you are interested in guest posting on Leaf and Steel, please check out our Guest Post page for guidelines!

How to Get Over Writer’s Block

Struggling to find the right words? Blogger’s block got you down? Writer’s block can be a formidable foe, halting creativity and slowing your blogging journey. It’s a challenge every writer faces.

We’ve been there too, and we’re here to share tips and strategies that will help you conquer writer’s block. Whether you’re a seasoned blogger or just starting out, our insights are designed to reignite your passion for writing and keep your blog thriving. Join us as we explore the art of overcoming writer’s block, unlocking the words within you, and getting back to what you love most—blogging!

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Reflecting and Moving On: Goodbye 2021

Last year I wrote a post called “If Not Now, When?”. It’s about how the years have passed on and I haven’t changed. It’s about how I wanted to do more with this blog and the only thing standing in my way was me.

Well, I wrote 96 posts this year. I had brand deals. I made some affiliate and ad income. I feel really proud about where I’ve taken this blog. The only difference between this year and the last was that I sat down and wrote.

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If Not Now, When?

Ah, a new year. Here we are, in the space between exhaustion of the holidays and the vast bleakness that is January in the Northeast. I don’t need to spell out why 2020 was an absolute disaster for everyone. History textbooks are going to need a whole chapter for this one.

It wasn’t all bad. I participated in the collective panic and boredom. I doom scrolled. I baked  bread, made Dalonga coffee, watched Tiger King, cleaned all the closets, Netflix-d to my heart’s content. I took time to educate myself on BLM. I stayed up all night watching Steve Kornacki punching numbers and cried a week later when the election was called.

I watched the numbers curve and dip and soar. I washed my hands and wore my mask.

It was a long year. 

2019 was boring. 2020 was supposed to be better. I look back at my list of ‘resolutions’ for 2020 and laugh. Please share in my amusement:

  • Visit a new state (cancelled)
  • Go to church more (cancelled)
  • Visit my Grandfather more (um, so cancelled)
  • Throw a party (very cancelled)
  • Have more experiences (to be fair I did get to a museum, national dog show and sporting event before lockdown)

Hilarious, right? If only I knew. I remember I intentionally did not put down “get pregnant” as not to jinx my chances. Of course, I ended up (happily!) pregnant at the beginning of March, which you can read about here. I’m wary of setting any expectation for the year ahead.

My husband and I usually go to the same party every year. There’s amazing buffalo dip and friends. This year there was no party, no dip. We made pizza in our new Breville pizza maker (10/10 recommend). I drank some nasty sparkling grape juice. We watched Shark Tank until 11:59 when we switched to Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve. The ball dropped and New York, New York played. I got my New Year’s kiss. 

It was midnight and nothing changed. I didn’t change.

I usually love New Year’s. It gives us permission to say that we have room for improvement, that we haven’t been perfect. It shows us that we crave change. Discipline.

I am in desperate need of discipline. I’ve had this blog since 2016. Every year I tell myself I’m going to put in the effort to make it into something, whatever that is.

The Bill Phillips quote “the difference between who you are and who you want to be, is what you do” rings true. It’s the only inspirational quote I’ll ever prescribe.

The only difference between this blog being a bi-monthly dumping ground and an actual vessel for my thoughts and recommendations is me. What a terribly freeing thought that is. 

I always tell myself I’m going to insert action more. I’m going to walk more. Read more. Cook more. Laugh more. Write more. Today I ask myself, if not now, when?

We all have moments of if not now, when? This blog and 2021 are mine.

Do you have something you love to do, but put on the backburner? Let me know below.

Humbly,

O.