Balancing Life, Work & Words: Reclaiming My Writing Time

Let me be honest—these past few weeks have been a whirlwind.

Time is like sand. You can't stop it from slipping through your fingers.

I started a brand-new job that I’m excited about, but anyone who’s ever gone through new hire orientation knows how much energy it demands. Add to that a daughter graduating from college in Houston, another daughter promoting from 5th to 6th grade, and the chaos of trying to refinance a home (which includes cleaning, sorting, and packing), and suddenly my blog, Instagram, and even my writing desk started to gather dust.

But here’s the thing: I’m serious about being a writer. That means I can’t afford to wait until life slows down—because it never really does. If I want my blog to grow, my books to sell, and my stories to be heard, I have to make the time, even when it feels like there’s none to spare.

So I created a list of tips for myself. Real strategies. Not “wake up at 4am” type stuff—but things that actually work in the middle of a busy life.

7 Ways I’m Making Time to Write (Even When I’m Exhausted):

1. Batch Content on Sundays

   • I carve out 1-2 hours on Sundays to schedule social media posts and blog outlines for the week. That way, even if my weekday goes sideways, something is still getting published.

2. Keep a Running Notes App Open

   • I use my Notes app like a brain dump. Blog ideas, character thoughts, post captions—anything that pops into my head goes in there immediately so I’m never starting from scratch.

3. Create a Weekly Posting Plan

   • Mondays: Quick blog check-inWednesdays: Instagram post or reelFridays: A short excerpt, quote, or “behind-the-scenes” story

4. Use Voice Notes When I Can’t Type

   • Driving, folding laundry, walking around the house—if I have a thought, I record it. I can always turn it into a post later.

5. Automate Where Possible

   • I schedule Instagram content in advance and use templates for quick blog updates. I also set reminders to reply to comments and DMs in short bursts during the day.

6. Be Honest with My Audience

   • Life is full, and that’s okay. I’ve found that when I’m transparent about where I’m at, my readers relate and support me even more.

7. Celebrate Small Wins

   • One blog post? That’s a win. One reel? Another win. This journey isn’t all-or-nothing. It’s brick-by-brick.

If you’ve been struggling to balance everything like I have, I see you. And if you’re still trying, still showing up in small ways, you’re already doing the work.

Let’s hold each other accountable and keep building—one post, one page, one deep breath at a time.

Best, Meli Mel