Life change = Blogging change: an update.

So here’s the deal. I’ll be giving birth in about a month (and it feels weirdly like I’m prepping for a book release, which makes no sense at all) and I’ve been thinking.

About this blog.

And about my limitations.

It is VERY hard for me to listen to my limitations. I’m usually the girl who’s like, “Yes! Sure! I can squeeze that in. I CAN DO IT!” But I can’t. In fact, you’ve probably noticed the fact that I’ve gone WEEKS (okay, okay, months…) without posting on here consistently. For years, I blogged every week. And then 2018 hit with a positive pregnancy test and EVERYTHING CHANGED.

It took me years to figure out how to juggle writing and being married. And then it took me years to figure out how to juggle writing, being married, blogging, and having my own editing business. And then I was juggling writing, being married, blogging, having my own editing business, working a part time job in ministry, and speaking at conferences.

Finally, I had a stern talk with myself and I stepped back from editing, and I gave my two-week’s notice for the part-time position (with God’s urging, of course.) Now I was only married, writing, blogging, and speaking at conferences.

But here’s the thing: I’m not a fast blogger. It takes me a solid day to write my blog posts, and when you’ve only got 5 workdays a week, that’s a pretty big commitment.

Enter the little Halfling. Halfling is on his/her way and it’s time for me to reassess my limitations. For me, that means stepping out of blogging.

 

I’m not disappearing completely!! I just know that there’s no way I’ll be able to carve out a solid day every week to work on a blog post when I have a baby. (Goodness, I can’t even do it while pregnant!) And it’s not Halfling’s fault, it’s my own limitations. And there’s nothing wrong with having limitations.

So here’s what’s going to change:

– I will no longer be blogging every week. 🙁 It’s sad because I blogged because I loved it. But I think I’ll love Halfling more, so it’s okay. 😉

– I will use this blog mainly for bookish announcements or sharing life events (like when Halfling shows up!)

– I will be shifting most of my focus over to my YouTube channel.

“But wait, Nadine. I thought you didn’t have enough time for this stuff!” you might say.

Well…there are many reasons for shift:

  1. YouTube is actually far less time consuming for me to make and post videos than it is to blog. (Blogging = 1 day per post. YouTube = 1 day of work for a month’s worth of posts.)
  2. I feel that it’s more personal because you get to see my face and goofiness and I get to share more of me with you.
  3. It’s where my readers are. As much as I’ve enjoyed blogging, it’s reached only a tiny percentage of my readers and YouTube has opened a door to reaching many more–and I want to connect!

It’s been wonderful, my friends. I’ve loved interacting and meeting new people via the blog. I’ve loved wracking my brain and stretching myself with certain topics. I hope you’ll stick around.

The main ways that you can keep up on all my thoughts, posts, updates, etc. are to make sure you’re subscribed to my newsletter. All other smaller updates take place on my Instagram and YouTube.

Thank you for understanding, and for always being such an incredible support.


Just out of curiosity, where do you spend the most time: Reading blogs, watching YouTube, or on social media like FB, Instagram, and Twitter?

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About Nadine Brandes

NADINE BRANDES once spent four days as a sea cook in the name of book research. She is the author of the award-winning ROMANOV, FAWKES, and the Out of Time Series. Her inner fangirl perks up at the mention of soul-talk, Quidditch, bookstagram, and Oreos. When she's not busy writing novels about bold living, she's adventuring through Middle Earth or taste-testing a new chai. She and her Auror husband are building a Tiny House on wheels with their Halfling children. Current mission: paint the world in shalom.
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9 Comments

  1. Congratulations, Nadine and Mr. Ninja!!! Completely understandable. This will change . your life forever … in mostly wonderful ways. (Although we’re facing an empty nest now and that’s another kind of change 🙂 Because my life gets crazy too, I’ve reduced my social media focus to Twitter and (recently) Instagram. They’re quick, easy and fun to check and interact on. I’m on YouTube somewhat too, but mostly for “How to” and art tips. Enjoy every moment with your halfling. Even the exhausting ones will amuse you when you look back on them 😉

  2. Yeeeeah, those little ones are life changers. I’m like you, I want to do ALL the things, but those darn limits. (And those adorable babies.) Good for you for prioritizing!
    So I actually have questions about the YouTube channel. I write YA too, and I haven’t done a ton of research yet, but it does look like a lot of the YA crowd is on YouTube, which means I should get out there too.
    I’m just now sure where to start with that. Any tips for someone who doesn’t know what they are doing for starting a YouTube channel?

  3. Totally makes sense, and I admire you for knowing your limitations and choosing to keep the best things. <3 I’ve had to really slow down my blogging while in college. Such is life.

    I love your YouTube channel, so I’m glad you’ll be continuing that!

  4. Aw, no worries! *hugs* Blogging does take a TON of time, plus you have another human you’ll soon be able to snuggle + cuddle with! <3

    I just wanted to let you know, Nadine: you're such an encouragement (and juggling even /just/ marriage, writing, blogging, and speaking is incredible!), and I can't wait to see your new videos! *hugs again* You're in my prayers for a safe + easy delivery! <333

  5. Congrats on the baby Nadine! I hope everything goes well and that your changing schedule will work out for you 🙂

  6. Totally makes sense. I need to start watching your videos. (It’s easier for me to read blogs throughout the day since they are silent, but I do enjoy watching youtube videos at night.)

  7. I LOVE your youtube and instagram!!! I’ll miss all of the blog posts, though … but I totally understand!!! Excited for the halfling (even though I “technically” don’t know you guys?? lol)!!!!!

  8. SUPER DUPER EXCITED FOR YOU NADINE <33 Making these kinds of decisions is really tough, but so glad you'll still be doing both your blog and youtube. I love any content you put up either way XD (side note; i have a major crush on your bookshelf lololol *heart eyes*) I've actually been seriously considering starting a Youtube channel for the very reasons you listed above. I think it'd be so much fun, especially because I'm just naturally a talkative person, it's harder to type out words when I'm way better at just saying them out loud… plus my humor is hard to express through punctuation and all hahaha! Any tips on starting a channel? Thanks, Nadine! God bless! Stay filled with wonder :))

  9. its.eliza.noel

    I definitely understand all this & I’m excited for you!!! my main hangout is instagram :)))

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