So the question comes from time to time, ”How much time do you spend on blogging?” and I shrink back. Why? Because when I say the truth – you might think less of me. It’s not the actual blogging that takes a lot of time.
I spend about 1 hour max on each post…times 3 times a week – that equals three hours. I also post twice a week over on GoodMorningGirls.org so that’s 2 more hours. So I could say, I spend 5 hours a week on blogging – but this would be half truth.
The bulk of my blogging time is spent on social media! Social media includes – Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, reading other’s blogs, commenting back to comments and on and on it goes. Social media keeps me hopping because well…it’s so…SOCIAL!
Then there’s email – 10 emails a day come from my Good Morning Girls to read and respond to. Emails come from readers, emails from real life friends, and emails from people who “want” something from me or my blog.
So the real question is “how much time do I spend socializing on my computer each week?”
Let me pause here for a moment and enter my mother into this scenario – if you could interview her and ask what one issue she fought the most with me in high school about the answer would be – “my extensive amount of socializing”! lol!!!
I have always been a social butterfly. My philosophy in life with friends is “the more the merrier“. I LOVE people!
So, social media enters the picture and immediately I was sucked in! It is this part of blogging that is like a little monster in my life. The monster needs fed about every 3-4 hours during my day. If I don’t feed the monster – I seem to get behind with messages that are coming my way, life happenings of friends or blog posts others are writing that I want to read.
This may seem strange to you that I am giving the monster this much time…by the way I’ve neglected to tell you how much time I give the monster – haven’t I? It varies based on home happenings but I’d say 2-4 hours a day on week days. UGH! Did I just say that out loud?
Okay – you are all shaking your heads…I have issues don’t I? lol!!!
Then you ask – “how do you balance that and all the other stuff – like reading your Bible, homeschooling children, cooking, cleaning, loving on hubby, serving at church, maintaining real life relationships etc.”?
God? That has to be my answer. I believe that this is the work that God created in advance for me to do (Eph. 2:10). He gave me a supportive husband, two widely wonderful children, supportive parents, sisters, friends, and a church that meets my spiritual needs.
The other truth here is that some things in real life are GIVING! They have to. My home is not perfectly tidy…dirty dishes do sit in the sink and laundry piles up waiting to be folded while I do my social media sometimes. My television viewing hours are down to nearly non-existent not because I’m anti-television but because I prefer to be on-line.
My blog and social media is a labor of love. It wakes me early in the morning and keeps me awake late at night. It woos me to the computer in the middle of the day when the kids are playing to take a peak and chat for just a bit. I have heard many other moms and bloggers struggle with the time issue as I do and so I must ask:
How is social media and this digital world of ipads, iphones and ipods affecting our relationship with God, our marriages, our parenting, our homemaking and our friendships?
Starting next Monday, I will begin a new 8 weeks series titled “Media Mondays”. I will explore the way this digital age is affecting us all and look for your feedback via link-ups and comments.
I hope you will join me next Monday for this interesting discussion!
Walk with the King!
This post is linked to Titus 2sdays, We Are That Family and Raising Homemakers.
Ah yes… cyber socialization lol. It actually makes me feel better that others have this problem lol. I used to watch tv after my kids went to bed…. now I get online (and stay for most of the night if I’m not reading my Bible… or cleaning). When you don’t have many people to talk too, in real life, it’s nice to get to talk to someone on the computer. Looking forward to the 8 part series….
Cyber socialization lol! That’s funny!
I love your transparency here. Sometimes I think, “How on earth does she blog so consistently? I wish I did that, and I don’t even have a husband, home, and children quite yet!”
I like the peek into your brain and heart! I’m excited about your new series, and I LOVE the new website. (Oh and I ran into your parents when I was with Jonathan and his dad at IGA yesterday!)
Oh that’s fun that you ran into my parents! They take my grandma shopping on Sundays at IGA.
Socializing online sucks a lot of my time too. I enjoy it. It’s less intrusive than the phone for me
But I do spend too much time on here. I keep my laptop open and on all the time so I see a message as soon as it pops up (yes, I have issues, serious ones). Looking forward to this topic and discussion.
Blessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God
But I have completely nixed tv so does that make it any better?
Mel, same here — we don’t even have TV at all! lol
I admit to watching an occassional show on Netlix, though
Courtney, I’m really looking forward to this series!
Same here I only watch an occasional show on Netflix which is all we have.
Very honest and helpful post! I found myself too far into social media and wasn’t able to balance it all. My husband and I just moved a month ago when he became a lead pastor and well my life is by far busier than it’s ever been! I’m very interested on your upcoming series! Love your new blog design! Not to lure you into more social blogging but, I would love for you to link this up at my linky party
!
Monday UnWasted Homemaking Party
I’ve never really counted how many hours I spend blogging, writing, twittering, or facebooking. But it’s probably close to your count. I believe that for now – God has given me this ministry. I try to realign things from time to time and every once in awhile God shows me where I’ve gotten out of whack. I’m thankful I can write and encourage others – as long as my family and children don’t suffer in the process.
I know my teenage daughter asked me would I rather her be online or watching mindless tv? She had a good point…..it is her that I worry more about. I am sure we will get into this with your series. Okay, I should go get my little one her bath……..lol
Can’t wait for this new series! I’m going to have to brainstorm and see what posts I can generate!
I can’t wait to read them!!!
uugh…this is an issue close to my heart. i have pulled back completely right now because the social part pulls me to too hard. i can’t find the balance. at. all. I would rather socialize than write…which the pathetic part is that I love to write:) anyway…thank you thank you for your honesty. With Relevant last year, I KNOW that almost every blogger struggles with this. I’m very excited about your series!
And yea…same issue for me with my mama. You know in 3rd grade my teacher put masking tape on my mouth cause I talked too much. Those were the days before one would get sued for that..lol
My sixth grade teacher threatened me with a muzzle. I had to go home and ask my Mom what that was. Let’s just say she wasn’t too happy with that teacher!!
Courtney thank you so much for being so transparent here! I really really appreciate this post! God has really pressed it upon my heart to blog for Him and I am SOOO excited about doing just that but it is a struggle to prioritize the blogging world with my life at home – especially since they entertwine so often! I’m also a Pastor’s wife – which is about 30% of what I blog about and balancing my ministry responsibilities on top of it are challenging! And like you the writing really doesn’t take long when God presses something on my heart! I’ve just recently started a new thing that has helped me with all of the socialization – I keep an ongoing stopwatch beside my computer and when I sit down I push go and when I stand up I push stop. Simple enough but it has the same effect as keeping a food diary – you’re more mindful of how you spend your time when its being counted! Thanks again for this post!
I’ve done this before – only with my microwave timer since my computer is in the kitchen. I set it for 20 minute increments – so that keeps me on task and from clicking around too much! I recently took a pad of paper and logged my hours on the computer and categorized them so I could get a clear picture of how long I’m on the computer and what in the world am I doing for all those minutes? lol! It’s not blogging – it’s socializing ugh! I’m learning with you all!!!
Oh, I am looking forward to this series!! I am trying to find a balance, because right now I feel it is drawing me away from my responsibilities, and the other one thing I really like to do (make handstamped notecards) Right now it takes me more than an hour to get my thoughts down in a blog… not very efficient!
anyway, gotta go get some sleep, but I will be back to re-read and can’t wait for next Monday
What a great subject… I’m looking forward to Media Mondays! I tried this resource one time: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/laankejkbhbdhmipfmgcngdelahlfoji “Stay Focused”… its a tool that lets you set an amount of time that you can spend on a certain website each day. It will show you how much time is remaining and it makes it VERY difficult to reset the time so that you don’t quick change it when you want more time! Just thought I’d share! It’s good to know our weaknesses and to use tools that will help us be strong in spite of them- by God’s grace of course! Just thought I’d share it!
Looking forward to the upcoming topic! I am like you, I love to socialize so social media has a definite pull on me. Especially facebook and reading blogs! Can’t wait to see your new series start!
Blessings,
Heather
I feel guilty leaving you a comment because you are gonna have to take 2 minutes to read it
JK! Seriously, I think it is OK. Your time in all this is for the Jesus! It is a HUGE ministry and you are impacting so many people, including me! My marriage is much better today than 3 years ago, when I stumbled across your blog. It is a volunteer ministry but one that God has asked you to do! I put a few hours a week into our neighborhood ministry. I am not getting paid but it is what I believe God has led me to do. However, I do struggle with that time so I understand your struggle.
On another note, I think it is cute how you are so social! I am an introvert. One one hand social media is great for me because it is not face to face (which I struggle with). On the other hand I find myself getting burned out. There are times when I step away from social media because I feel drained, much like I feel when I am around people too much. I really wish I was an extrovert but that is not how God made me.
I look forward to your media mondays!
Thank you for being so transparent. I have also wondered how you keep up and still offer so much “meat”. You do a great job and I pray God’s richest blessings on your ministry to women.
A Sister from Canada,
Kristen
I have struggled with this for sometime! In fact this Sunday at church I felt like Jesus was calling me to just give it to Him. I can’t balance it on my own. And.even tonight I was wanting to blog but I just don’t have the time to sit down and actually put thought into a blog post! If I want to get a goodnights rest, well I need to be asleep in 15 minutes! I spent very limited time online today. My day was mostly spent serving my precious family. So, I’m just wondering to myself, is there time for it? Because it seems that when in put all my efforts in serving them, there is little time for anything else… And that is okay. I want to do what He’s called me and so maybe, just maybe a blog isn’t part of it. Anyway, I m just rambling now. I am curious to read your series!
I have struggled with this, as well. While I do have a Twitter acct, I was finding that to add yet another item to “check” was overwhelming to me, although I know it would really help to grow the blog and to connect me to other bloggers. Finding the balance is hard…
I do try to blog in the afternoons in the summer while the kids know it’s “rest” time for us all. There is still guilt, though. Yet I truly believe that I am doing something God has led me to and that I am a better wife and mom and have grown so much as a person thru blogging…
So interested to see this series unfold.
Amanda
I have thought about this but never “really” thought about it. For the same reason. Do I really want to know how much time I waste online. Now my business is based online so I could use that for an excuse but really I spend much more time blogging/facebook or other social things than I do working for my business. I’m excited to see what you have to say on Monday’s about this. Hopefully God will give you some great things to share with us.
Thank you for your honest words and Cant wait to join on Mondays!
I feel like I spend too much time blogging, commenting, facebook..ect. I got rid of my facebook account for awhile and it felt great not to feel obligated to check it and comment others, but I did get behind with family and friends. I have made rules for myself to not get online over weekends and when hubby is home. I am going to try the timer! Also to keep praying that my time online is not a waste or too long..
Blessings, Sarah beth
I can’t wait! Seriously – I have the same problem…for the same reason. I am a hypersocial person who doesn’t get out much (mom with no car)…and so much of my social life happens online or on the phone. Yet, I am making big efforts to turn off my computer. I even schedule it in my day – times when the computer is off. And yet, because of it, sometimes I see my blogging is affected. Its hard to balance it all!
I am looking forward to this. I know I probably spend too much time on the computer…… although I don’t usually sit down for long periods of time unless I am doing a blog post. Tonight I did one and I just finished up and am going to bed at 12:30… yikes. about an hour and a half later than I planned. hmmm….
I think I need to just be more disciplined about it.
Oooh!!! This will be good. You always have great wisdom! -Thank you! I need to hear this because it is a problem for me. Facebook emailed me the other day and said, “You haven’t been on in awhile…” -I was so proud because I am making progress in some areas. However, even though I have tried to limit myself to a certain amount of computer time, I find myself getting on it randomly all day long
I can’t wait to read your post!
It’s a really sticky situation–balancing social media with “face to face” relationships! I’ve been tending to wake up before my husband so that I can blog and not have to take time away from him when we get home at night. Facebook is difficult because I keep in touch and connect with a lot of people for my business on there…and because I have an iphone so it is accessible (haha)!
But I agree with you…they are huge ministry tools and can be huge arenas for encouragement! I look forward to reading your new series!
http://modernchristianbride.blogspot.com
Courtney, if God is convicting your heart that’s one thing but my observation is it’s because of the time you spend on social media that your ministry is what it is. I am so blessed to be able to read you posts and they very often spur me on to be a better mother and wife. My husband and I are transistioning into a time of full time ministry, it’s scary but the reality is, in this day and age social media will play a huge role in where God is calling us. I never dreamed of sharing my musings with more than a few people at a time, and yet God has opened this door to minister to the spirits of those who need it so desperately. Being a wife and mother is harder than ever, but it makes it a little easier to press on knowing I’m not in the battle alone. (sorry if this is rambling, I haven’t had my coffee yet)
Many Blessings!
Courtney,
I’m always excited to see fellow bloggers blogging about this! About a year ago, I was finding myself “thinking” about blogging {all the time}, I think I was piratically breathing it! And I could see a pattern I wasn’t necessary pleased with. Since I began limiting my time and became more “organized” in the realm of social media. I have found myself at peace. And without no effort on my part, my blog has “grown.” I think of it as a little blessing from the Lord.
Thanks for being REAL! I’m looking forward to this series! :0)
Esther–very much relate to this comment…I just shared below…for me the battle is less about the time online, but on how much time I’m distracted thinking about blogging, responding, reading, what I’m behind on etc. I’ve slowly come to that same place that you mentioned above…one of peace in letting God use whatever amount of energy, emotion, thought-time is healthy–but has been a battle to fully disengage when I should. Appreciated your words…I definitely “get” this comment
I’m very interested in this series – I’m going to do a workshop in the fall for the ladies at my church about using social media as a tool in evangelization and spiritual growth. Look forward to hearing what you have to say!
Very much appreciated this post…
I agree that we all answer to God and our husbands and our family in all this…and probably only He knows the balance that is right and acceptable and healthy for us. I’m thankful that my husband will speak in when he sees things getting out of balance.
There are different seasons, different kiddo needs, different husbands, different schedules…one marriage may be fine with letting household tasks go…in another… that might not be okay…
For me–taking almost 2 months off (completely off) from FB was so good…really healthy.
And for me, it’s also less about the time actually on the computer (because that’s pretty minimal in the scheme of blogland)…but it’s about whether my thoughts are distracted, dwelling on cyber issues/tasks/posts/responses vs. present and fully engaged in our family, my guy. If that makes any sense?
Anyway–love the idea of the Mondays. I just bought this book and want to read it–about how the internet is changing the way we read and respond. It’s called The Shallows–by Carr. I quoted a reivew on our site this week that made me want to read it.
Because I don’t want to live in The Shallows–when I read, talk, in relationships, church, education etc. and I do think FB, blogging, the internet tend to lead in that direction…so it’s a battle I want to fight.
Great post!
I deeply appreciate your heart for Him, Courtney… .
Thank you.
I don’t know if someone may have mentioned this or not but Tim Challies just came out with a book concerning some of your above thoughts. It’s entitled “The Next Story” and deals with Life and Faith after the Digital Explosion. Just FYI.
My blog is 6 months old, and I am definitely trying to find a balance! It is definitely harder during the school year. Homeschooling takes up a lot of my time, so blogging falls into the wee hours.
I am anxious to read your wisdom as I grow my blog…hopefully not into a monster that I can’t manage!!
My little boys (4 yrs & 18 mos) keep me busy, so I use them as an excuse to be involved in Social Media! It’s one way I can have adult conversations and keep up with my friends while still putting my boys first. It’s hard to go to starbucks with youngsters ya know.
So I find moments at home (and on my droid) to say hello and keep up with everyone. I’m excited for your series. I’ll definitely be following!
Courtney, this is great because I just started trying to grow my blog, and I’m already struggling with the time it takes! (and I don’t even have children yet!) I find that I like the writing more than the socializing and keeping up with it. Any suggestions on that? Thank you!!!
I’m so interested to see what this series uncovers!
Cxx
I’d be afraid at the reality of how many hours I spend online, if I were to track it! As a stay at home Mom, in a city where I don’t know a lot of people, it is so convenient to just hop online when I have time and to email friends, read blogs, check out all the money saving deals etc. There are so many amazing blogs out there, you could spend your entire life just trying to read them all! I closed my facebook account several years back because I was wasting time on there reading about people I never even talked to or saw. I’ve been thinking for a while now that I need to cut back on my social media time. My laptop sits on the kitchen table, and I know this is terrible, but when we eat dinner, I’m often on the computer! My husband is usually feeding our daughter (which I help with as needed) so I check things out online when he has things under control. But we do often discuss whatever news stories I’m reading etc. Still, I’ve thought about how I’d feel if my husband was playing on his laptop when I was sitting at the table with him and I would not be happy. So, perhaps I need to move my laptop when dinner time roles around.
I am also interested in what you will uncover in this series. I just started blogging and I’m finding that it could quickly turn into a part time job that I don’t get compensated for : ) Thanks for being honest about how much time you spend on the computer, I was beginning to think you were superhuman. lol.
Can’t wait to see what you (and God) have in store for this series! Finding the right balance between the social media outlets and my ‘real’ life, in particular my relationship with the Lord, is a daily struggle. Thank you for bringing attention to this issue on your blog.
Hi Courtney,
I just wanted to say thank you for your ministry on here. I am very new to the blog world but I somehow found your page and have found it as a great source of encouragement. I love that I can come on here and not feel alone in my desire to be a great christian wife and mother. We are going to be homeschooling for the first time this year and I found your k12 suggestions so helpful. Seeing your life displayed on here and the fact tha tyou are always directing others back the word of God is truly precious. Thank you the sacrifices you make to work so hard on this page. May the Lord bless you 100 fold!
Laura
I am REALLY looking forward to this series! I have given up all but maybe one hour of television a week (most of the regular shows I watch are off for the season…but even then, I only watched MAYBE two hours a week) because I’d rather be online. Looking forward to seeing what you have to say!
Don’t be shamed! I am the same way lol and I have twins to take care of!
I do need to spend less time though, I believe.
~Blessings momma!
Will there be a link up I love the Media Monday Idea! Brilliant.
Alyssa – yes – there will be a link up! Next week I will ask everyone who wants to participate to simply link up – no post needed. I will include the 8 week series outline, dates and main topics so you will know in advance what to write on. Then I’ll share my thoughts each week and you all can share yours ! I look forward to learning off of all of you!!
Courtney
Looking forward to this!
I love this- can’t wait to read it
I’m just as guilty!
Oh my heavens, I’m totally in the boat with you about this! My problem is Facebook and blogging! I’ll just get on Facebook sometimes just to get on it lol Is it because we’re women and are just plain nosy?? haha Glad to see I’m not the only one with this problem! I look forward to the “Media Mondays” though
I’m super excited for this series to begin. I often say to myself, what did i DO before online blogging, social media, etc.? I too would much rather be online than watching television. But here is my nagging thought about it: Do I gravitate towards the computer instead of online because I’m going to “miss” something if I don’t? Have I convinced myself that being online is more “educational” for me than watching televsion when in fact both are outlets of escape at times? Looking forward to your series and everyone’s comments following. I think we are all going to learn a lot.
I just found you on Kelly’s Korner and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. You are my a girl after my own heart. I am trying to figure out my place in the blogging world and your post was such an encouragement to me.
I can’t wait for Monday!!! Blessings
I received my first credit loans when I was not very old and this aided me a lot. However, I require the car loan again.
Love this. I’m several months too late in reading this but it popped up on your home page and the title definitely pulled me in. The amount of time I spend on social media is very, very similar.
Wow! That’s a lot of time! It does seem that this is what God made you for. Do continue to walk with the King! =)