Most people reading this article, have some family out there. For the blogger who is really hungry for success, juggling blogging and family who are ill can be difficult.
I’m actually having this issue right now. I was inspired to cover this topic because of the issue. I don’t cover many personal things on Blondish.net because it’s more for you, and not always about me telling you all what my family does. However, some of you have been readers for a long time. Some of you followed me over a decade ago from several other domains I had jumped between.
My stepmother has been suffering cancer for about 5 years (ovarian cancer.) She also has had the unfortunate experience to have metal fused to her entire spine due to bad back injuries. During her time of remission, the metal came loose in her back and became infected. We thought we had lost her. She was put on an anti-biotic, which prevents her from doing chemotherapy. At times, I was worried and often stopped blogging for a week or a little over a week.
March of 2015, a new mass was found and she was told by her doctor that there was basically nothing they could do. To be honest, since her decline in health since mid- 2014, I’ve not been the blogging machine that people have known me to be.
These are the types of things that make it hard to concentrate. Birth of new family, death of family, sick children, death of close friends, divorce, a bad break-up, loss of a job, and other things – these can affect your emotional health, and sometimes even physical health.
When this happens, it’s quite alright to not put blogging as the priority in your life. The people you love the most, they should be first. Yes, being helpful or giving your readers new stuff to see are great, but it’s not necessary.
If you are going through juggling blogging and family who are ill, here are some tips:
- Let your readers know what is going on. If you disappear, you may find that some of your most loyal readers and followers will reach out to you or your friends to check in on you. While you may not know them face-to-face, some of them actually care because they trust you and wish for your success.
- It’s quite alright to post minimally. Don’t get anxious because you didn’t post.
- Reach out to blogging peers and ask to see if they could produce a guest post as a favor. This is good for both of you.
- If you’ve become depressed, seek professional counselling. You could reach out to your followers and readers, but a professional can help guide you through processing that emotion and can help you find some motivation.
- Don’t be afraid to write shorter articles. Do what you can handle.
- Don’t force yourself to post. Never feel guilty. Your readers will understand.
While, I’ve not done all of these suggestions, I’ve observed others, and these tips seem to work well. I know for myself, the road is rough and my stepmom will pass away soon, but you’ll be informed if I may need to take a short hiatus.
If you’re going through a similar situation, my heart goes out to you. I hope these tips help. Feel free to reach out to me if you need someone to listen.
Nile, my heart goes out to you and your stepmom during this difficult time. Although I am a new follower I am certain your long-time followers are there for you through thick and thin. Like you stated in your post, when you are going through something difficult on a personal level that requires you to redirect your focus from everyday things, it is good to reach out to your readers to explain your absence. This simple act of honesty usually results in great blessings of compassion from others who have been in that same position sometime during their life. Take good care of yourself and know there are many people sending good thoughts, prayers, meditations for you and your family.
Nile- Thank you for sharing yourself (what you are going through right now). I always look forward to coming to your site and reading. I am sorry you have to go through this. Death is hard enough out of the blue, but to know that is where this is most likely heading is very hard too. I am sorry for all she is going through; and also yourself.
My son and daughter-in-law just had their 2nd child (a new grandson). I had to take a step back and enjoy his birth and being able to spend time with them. Some things you only get to experience once and I am glad I was able to.
I will keep your Step-mom in my prayers as well as you!
This was timely for me. Not because of family illness, but because of my own. I missed writing a blog post last week for the first time in about six months. I am wheezing right now trying to get a post out for this week.
Nile, it’s really a hard time and I had the same experience 2 years ago. So I know the situation and hopefully you’ll handle it in good way.
It’s really challenge to write our personal life in blogs and you did it.. Not everyone could write like these posts and I’m one of them..
Any how, my prayers be with your step-mother.
Be strong and do your duties for her, which will at least make her a bit happy in her last days.
Sometimes when things are hard, you might not even want to share… I’m glad you did, Nile. Your stepmom is lucky to have a stepdaughter who cares… many don’t. I lost my dad and my stepdad when I was young… and my mom just a few months ago. It’s tough to keep going with the everyday things. You are doing admirably well. Hugs!
I always feel guilty when I let my blog go silent … but I know that I need to be there for my family. They need to come first, even if I feel torn with the juggle. Thank you for this post … it helps remind me that I am doing what’s best for my family.
Sorry to hear your news Nile, wishing you all the best, in what is a tremendously difficult time.
I was asked a similar question from someone on my blogging challenge, and my answer to them was similar to yours – there are some things you cannot blog through, and this is one of them. Take the time to do the very human things in your life, and do the things that make you and them, happy.
This was a great article to read at the moment for me. I am currently experiencing this but rather then a family member being ill I have a child on the way! My mind currently isnt really focused on blogging, for obvious reasons. Glad you chose to write on this and thanks for the tips 🙂
Nile you are facing really hard time but i like your spirit. Not same but likewise situation i am facing right now and i know how hard it is.
I always find myself coming back to your blog Nile, because I love it! You are a great and wonderful person.
Hi,
It is Hard But we can do it Great Post About blogging and Family
Have a Nice Week Ahead
Hi Nile,
Sorry to hear about your step-mom. I sure do know how hard it is to keep up with blogging when we have family issues. When my Father-in-law was in hospice at home with us, there came the end times with him that lasted a few weeks and we were consumed.
I was starting to feel guilty about my blog and then had to write a short one back them, something like this. Just to let my followers know what was up. I also posted on Facebook. The support was amazing and I had one of my blogging buddies take over my blog as a guest for a week.
When I got back, everyone understood. We all go through this kind of balance, and all of us understand. Reaching out to our friends online is such a blessing when we go through things.
My thoughts and prayers are with you,
-Donna
Hi Nile, so sorry to hear about your Step Mom, it’s a tough time for you and your family right now. Thanks for thinking to share with others and give someone else help if they are in the same situation. Make sure you take your own advice too Nile, and don’t feel guilty if you don’t feel like posting.
Regards from Julieanne
Thanks so much for sharing what you’re currently going through Nile!
And certainly we can all appreciate how your heart and mind can be more pre-occupied with
a much more pressing matter,while you continue to provide extremely valuable content to
your extremely loyal audience!
However,you shouldn’t be at all surprised to know just “how” much we appreciate you sharing
such an extremely private matter with us!
And rest assured that our hearts and prayers go out to both you and your family in a time
and situation such as this!
Because one way or the other, we’ve all been there as well! Or we’re going to! Take care and continue to be as strong as you can!
During such an extremely difficult time!
I am sorry to hear about your stepmom Nile and thank you for sharing. This is one hard time to go through, I went through this too some time ago when my dad got ill. I will keep you and your family in prayers.
Feel sorry to hear about your stepmom Nile, I can understand the situation.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Hello Nile, I am so sorry to hear about your step-mom, my heart goes out to you my friend! Oh My Goodness take some time off, do what you need to do. Please let us know us there is anything we as your Bizz Blogging Friends can do to help.
God Bless. Chery :))
Hello Nile.
So sorry to hear about your stepmom. That’s got to be really hard to deal with. My thoughts go out to her and you during this difficult time.
I like your suggestion of reaching out to others and asking them if they can do guest posts when dealing with difficult situations. That’s a really great idea! And I definitely agree that it’s OK to ease up on blogging, whether that be writing shorter posts or posting less often. In terms of informing readers what you are going through personally, that’s a little tough for some of us I think. But I do think it’s worth considering.
Karen
Nile, it’s really sad.I am a reader.We like to read experienced person’s article.Sometimes when we do not get article from our favourite writers I feel tensed.We forget they have also family or their own life.I have learned again by this article that we should consider about their life.
Thank you so much for sharing your story Nile, I admire your courage. Am from Africa and my dad is also battling stage 4 thyroid cancer I can understand how it feels.
I love your post. You inspire and educate us on your blog. You can really help a lot. Great blogs!
yes , all of that is true . there are times when the family became major issues that make life with a tragic spin . sometimes the problem that successive affects our mood , so we felt there was no point to post something on the blog .
Hey Nile, the children must always give full support to their parents in such situation and remember always we should face any situation in our life. This makes us strong, still sorry to hear about your step mom.
I am sorry to hear about your step-mother. I am dealing with similar emotional pain now around a couple of much loved relatives. Blogging lost all priority with me.
Excellent blog…thanks for sharing such things…its very interesting…i’m searching for this information from long time…please do share more posts
Hi Niel…
Really very nice blog . thanks for sharing such things…its very interesting the first thing you should know about me is that I’m a homeschooling mother of seven children ages 14 right down to 3 months. The next thing you should know about me is that I run a full-time blog, we should face any situation in our life. This makes us strong, still sorry to hear about your step mom.
I totally get it and my heart goes out to you. The good thing about blogging is it’s going to be there when you get back on board. Family first, and sure you probably need to make a living but as you say short posts are enough to keep the community informed.
Your real readers will always hang around, especially if they are on your subscriber list. If they are not then they should be.
One more tip for a blogger is, always keep a few posts in draft mode, ready to be published at a moments notice, or if you can, schedule your posts and always have a few weeks work in the pipeline and your site will auto-publish while you are away.
Stay Strong!
Hammo
PS: If you need a guest blogger, feel free to hit me up and I’ll push a few out for you.
PPS: My Dad was told he had a little over a year to live after a massive heart attack and he’s still with me today, even after 15 years. There is always hope until it fades for good.