How it all began
When I started this blog three years ago I was in love with writing. I was a new mom on maternity leave looking for a sense of purpose. I needed a new project, something to keep my mind sharp so I didn’t start talking in sing song and lullabies to everyone I met. So…that’s how it all began. I wrote about exercise during pregnancy and postpartum. I got a lot of traction sharing information about diastasis recti and core recovery after baby.
I grew a following based on this and still have people responding to my posts on a regular basis (yay!). Sometimes I’d write about lifestyle, stress, nutrition or various wellness products but all my writing was based on research, personal experience and backed by my education in Kinesiology and Rehabilitation. My goal was to help people by providing guidance, reassurance and helpful information on a regular basis.
When Things Changed…
Then one day….my fun little blog turned into a business. I began taking online personal training clients and local clients as well. It grew and grew and I continued to let it grow until I found myself in a new career. Except, I never truly believed that I could make a living at it so I continually hung on to my healthcare job as an Occupational Therapist just in case my luck ran out.
I don’t really know how to set limits, a big personality flaw of mine. I live as if life has endless potential for success and excitement (I have a whole blog post on this for a later date). I continued to work more, be more, do more and it paid off. This year has been my most successful by far. I was able to take more clients, work my niche, and connect with new Moms, entrepreneurs and friends.
When life got in the way…
Now, I guess I should mention that at the same time I ran a physical therapy department of 10 staff, juggled personal training clients, picked up extra hours as an Occupational Therapist, wrote freelance, worked out 5 days a week, did some fitness modelling and tried to find balance at home. As you can imagine I quickly realized how I may have taken on more than I can chew.
So that’s when the blogging fell behind. I would try to set goals, reminders, schedule time. Nothing allowed me to actually sit down and write anything worth reading because at the end of the day I was simply too tired.
Just like anything, everything is fun until you do too much of it. Blogging was GREAT until I started freelance writing as well. Why did I write freelance? Well, it’s good money and a new challenge. Someone wanted to pay me to write?! How cool is that. But once again, the novelty wore off and I spent too many nights staying up late to meet deadlines, feeling like I was back in college again. So when I stopped doing that I didn’t want to write anything for a long time.
Simply put. I was burnt out.
This last month has given me time to sit back and reflect on what direction I want to take my business and professional life. I kept asking myself “what is the best way to create my ideal life”?
I have decided to focus on continuing to grow my local personal training business and get back to regular blogging. These are the two things that truly bring me the most happiness. I’ve set LIMITS on how many hours I commit myself to each week. Shocking right? I will disconnect when needed and spend more quality time with those I care about. Lastly, I will rest…so I can give my family and my clients the BEST of me.
Where to go from here?
So that being said, expect more posts, more videos and more great writing on how to live a healthier, happier, fitter life after baby. Stay tuned for some changes I’m making to my personal training business, new promotions, new classes and a new space to grow and expand. This is going to be a great year, and I am looking forward to every minute of it.
“Chase the dream…don’t chase the money”
In fitness and good health,
Natasha