Balancing blogging and life can be a juggling act—especially when you’re a dad of 16-year-old triplets, married for 23 years, and juggling work, home life, and the occasional much-needed family vacation abroad. I recently missed 10 days of posting while traveling, but that time away reminded me why I write in the first place: for joy, creativity, and expression, not for checking off boxes on a to-do list.

My wife has known since day one that marrying a writer meant she’d be subject to spontaneous brainstorming sessions, listening to me ramble about plot twists, characters, and random ideas. She’s been a patient partner in all this, even when my enthusiasm strikes during a dinner she just wanted to enjoy in peace! Some of our funniest moments have come from her raised eyebrows and eye rolls when I dive into full writer mode—talking through plot ideas she probably wasn’t in the mood for.

Finding Balance: Flexibility and Fun

Despite the chaos, I try to maintain a writing rhythm that works with, not against, life. Writing, for me, is a creative outlet that relieves stress, but it’s essential to keep it flexible. During the vacation, I kept a journal of our adventures—a way to stay connected to writing even when blog posts weren’t happening. The journal serves as a personal keepsake and potential material for future posts, turning family memories into inspiration.

Bringing the Family Into My Writing World

Writing isn’t a solo act for me; I involve my family whenever I can. My kids often join me for creative writing sessions where we craft stories from word prompts. Even when writer’s block strikes, we make the most of it by sharing ideas or just enjoying time together. Those moments, whether productive or not, are a reminder that writing should always remain a passion, not a source of stress.

Make Writing a Joy, Not a Chore

The truth is, there will be times when deadlines slip or creativity takes a backseat to life’s responsibilities, and that’s okay. Writing shouldn’t feel like a burden—it should be a joy. So, when blogging starts to feel like just another item on my to-do list, I take a step back and remember why I started in the first place. Bringing in my family and keeping the process fun helps keep that joy alive.

Final Thoughts

Balancing blogging with life is never easy, but it’s about embracing the unpredictability and making it work for you. Involving family in the process, giving yourself grace for missed posts, and remembering why you write in the first place can help you keep that balance. Life may be chaotic, but it’s in that chaos that some of the best inspiration emerges—whether it’s late-night journaling, a shared writing session with the kids, or a laugh with my wife about yet another one of my writing rants.

Ultimately, blogging and life can coexist when you let them feed into each other, rather than compete for your time.