Time Management

In honor of Thursday's prompt on "having it all," I've decided to talk about something a few bloggers have actually asked for my advice on : time management, particularly as a nursing student/blogger/newlywed/etc.  So here we go!

Blog Posts

I definitely have posts on the ready in case things get a little crazy and I can't sit down to write a new post for the week or in case I have a complete blanking moment when it comes to blog content.  Some blog topics require a lot of work, like wellness posts, and others are fun and easy, like the inspiration board posts which right now you will be seeing every Wednesday through July for our new home  decorating inspiration.  Regardless, I make sure that I can have at least two posts scheduled a week, with the hopes of doing at least one or two more either from posts I've previously written as back up or new posts that I might right the day or even weekend right before.  

I know a lot of bloggers do this as it really is important to do.  

(via my Instagram feed)

As far as getting inspiration for your posts, well it just depends on what your blog features.  I like to do a little bit of everything, hence why I have a "lifestyle" blog and not just a fashion or home blog.  I love wellness discussions, inspiration, fashion, giveaways, introducing fellow bloggers, crafts, recipes, relationships, and so much more.  But I try to tailor posts to (a) what is current or what could be current and (b) what is realistic in my life right now.  I'm right in the middle of a crazy summer working day jobs, night shifts at the hospital, working on a house, travels, and a bunch of events.  So if you'll notice a lot of my posts are either short and to the point Monday Inspiration posts, fashion, Friday finds, or inspiration boards with the occasional posts about my life or my thoughts whenever I get a chance to sit down.  But I have a running Evernote note dedicated to all my ideas for future posts and blog series when I'm on the go.

Meals

Since my husband works the regular 9-5 job out of the house and I have a crazy schedule with a few day jobs and night shifts at the hospital, sometimes we go days with out seeing each other (because I leave to go to the hospital before he even gets home).

For meals, my husband loves the crockpot.  And I love it, too!  I can have a meal ready for him when he's home and then I can take some for myself to eat around midnight (my lunch time at the hospital).

For food prep, I often find time on Sundays to go ahead and prepare vegetables, fruit, and just plan ahead.  I will chop up practically all the vegetables and either put them in the fridge or the freezer.  The freezer is my very best friend in the kitchen.  All I have to do is go into the freezer and throw some of the pre-cut peppers, broccoli or whatever else and through them in to the crockpot or pan and they will defrost and cook perfectly.  It really cuts down time when actually preparing a meal.  

(via my Instagram feed)

I haven't yet done the whole make-five-meals-on-Sunday-and-eat-the-rest-of-the-week thing, yet.  I'll let you know when I do.

Last tip, I go to Costco.  I buy meats in large quantities and then I stick them in the freezer.  The Costco large quantity meats will last us the entire month.  I currently have Italian sausages, ground turkey, some steaks, and chicken thighs in there.  Like the precut vegetables, I can defrost them easily in the crockpot, but obviously I move them in to the refrigerator the night before I know I'm going to use them for the grill, stove, or oven.  My husband and I try to minimize trips to the grocery store as much as possible to both save time during the weeks and to save some money overall during the month.  It works out super well!

Calendars

These are my other best friends, like outside the kitchen.  I got a big fancy Erin Condren calendar for myself for New Years, and though I love it.  Nothing beats the calendar on my phone.  I have everything in that calendar (and right now, it's very colorful).  With iPhone and Android (and I assume Windows) you can use different calendar groups and get even more organized.  Some people will have their own calendar group for "Meals."  I have one, but I don't use it.  But this really helps me plan ahead.  Do I have a lot to do next week?  If so, I know I'm probably going to relax as much as possible and get in some blog planning, quality time with husband spending, and anything else that I need to do.  It may sound silly, but sometimes you have to plan for the little things in life.  This is an especially good de-stressing tip.  If you plan out when you're going to study, do housework, or even sleep, it makes you feel a lot more in control and you'll be a lot more productive during the day.

(via my Instagram feed)

Click on over to learn more about the new season of Tia & Tamera as the try to have it all.

Thanks to The Style Network for sponsoring today's discussion.

Watch tomorrow night as Tia & Tamera kick of season 3 on 

The Style Network where they, too, try to have it all.