Have you ever wonder what a blogger does all day?

If you are a person and blogging is your full-time job what in the world do you when you wake up in the morning? How do you make money? How do you budget your time? How long does it take to write a post? How long do you spend on your photos? How do you get it all done?

If you are stopping by from 11 Magnolia Lane welcome. I’m KariAnne from Thistlewood Farms and a group of bloggers and I thought it might be fun to share what we do in a day.

Me? I’m sharing yesterday.

I took notes so I wouldn’t forget all the things and wrote down a few tiny snippets of my life along the way.

And before we get started I wanted to add these links here. These are questions I get asked almost every day.

Here’s all the info if you want to start a blog.

And here’s how bloggers make money.

Part 1.

And Part 2. 

And now?

Let’s start at the beginning. The very first minute of my morning. The part where I’m asleep and cozy and the alarm rings and then….

….there’s this….

6:30 am: The alarm rings.

6:30 and a half am: You hit the snooze button.

6:45 am: You leap out of bed because you think you’re late. Except you’re not because it’s only 6:45 and the twins don’t have to be driven to school until 7:05.

6:46 am: Crawl back into bed and go back to sleep.

7:02 am: Now you are officially late. Wipe the sleep off and drive the twins to school with the first cup of coffee of the day.

7:30 am: Arrive home and sit in this chair. Drink coffee and post to Instagram.

7:45 am: Drink more coffee and work on more commenting. Oh and more emojis.

7:47 am: Eat a bowl of cereal and sit at this desk. There’s usually a computer screen here and a keyboard where you write the posts and tell your stories. Like this one. And this one. Oh—and this one.

8:00 am: Write the post for the day. The pictures already done and you sit and write. You don’t overthink it. That wouldn’t be fun. You just write your heart.

8:55 am: Click publish and send it out via e-mail.

9:00 am: Start on cup of coffee number two.

9:05 am: (total aside: just between us? This part is a little shameful to admit.) You sit and drink coffee and plan out the day and listen to the beeps on my phone. Every time one of y’all leaves a comment? The phone beeps. Every beep makes you the happiest of the happy. There is nothing better than beeping and coffeeing.

9:45 am: Answer comments. There’s about an hour every day reserved to respond to comments. Somedays you are amazing and answer every one.

And somedays? You fall so short and then you feel terrible and you need more coffee.

11:00: You head upstairs to THIS.

YIKES.

This is what all the fall looks like in its attic state.

11:05 am: Start looking for acorns. Fixate on the acorns that you have in mind for your project. Open one tub. Then another tub. Get so frustrated because the acorns elude your grasp.

11:14 am: Give up on the acorns and grab a pumpkin to put on the table by the back door.

11:16 am: Head back down these stairs with your pumpkin.

11:17 am: Get distracted with more fall decorating dancing around in your head.

11:18 am: Think about the fall tour from last year.

11:18 am: Try and decide if you should add buckets of wheat to the stairs like you did at the farmhouse.

11:19 am: Wonder if it might make people trip?

11:20 am: Decide against fall decorating that might be a health hazard.

11:21 am: Decide you are going to make this fall craft again instead.

11:25 am: Put the pumpkin right back where it was last year. Same table. Same mirror. Same pumpkin.

11:30 am: Fluff the pumpkin and stand back and pat yourself and your fall decorating on the back.

11:31 am: Get irritated that you can’t find the acorns. Decide you need to Hobby Lobby.

(total aside: I will use any excuse to head to Hobby Lobby.)

11:45 am: Get dressed in cute shopping clothes and red lipstick head to Hobby Lobby.

11:51 am: Stop at Sonic for an ocean water.

1:17 pm: arrive home from Hobby Lobby with new pumpkins.

And new fall stems that you are going to make a garland with.

And glass vases for the dining room.

And candles.

And NO ACORNS.

Realize you got distracted by the bright lights of Hobby Lobby and FORGOT WHY YOU WENT THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

1:34 pm: head upstairs again to look through this nonsense.

1:47 pm: FIND THE ACORNS.

1:52 pm:  Sigh because all is right with the acorn world.

1:53 pm: Start wiring together a garland for the hutch in this room with the stems you bought for 50% off at Hobby Lobby.

2:34 pm: Leave to go pick up the twins from school.

3:00 pm: Go to Sonic after school for Happy Hour.

3:15 pm: Listen to all the 11th-grade gossip. Finish your garland for the hutch while you are listening attentively.

4:00 pm: Watch Judge Judy.

Decorate for fall while Judge Judy is on, but end up sitting down on the couch because you get distracted wondering why in the world the floor got a hole in it from the vacuum salesman.

5:00 pm: Finish your work for the day.

5:15 pm: Call your mom.

5:16 pm: Analyze your life.

Tell your mom about your garland.

Tell your mom about Judge Judy.

Tell your mom about the acorns.

Tell yourself how thankful you are for a mom who listens.

6:00 pm: Get off the phone and think about dinner.

6:01 pm: Remember that you don’t cook.

6:02 pm: Ask your family if they want to go out to eat and talk about the day.

6:14 pm: Put on more red lipstick.

8:30 pm: Arrive home.

8:35 pm: Fix hot tea and snuggle in with a magazine and air conditioning and tell your husband about the day.

8:45 pm: Tell your husband about your garland.

Tell your husband about Judge Judy.

Tell your husband about the acorns.

Tell yourself how thankful you are for a husband who listens.

10:00 pm: Get out your planner and figure out what you are doing tomorrow.

10:45 pm: Get into bed and set your alarm so you won’t be late tomorrow.

10:47 pm: Count your blessings instead of sheep.

Realize how lucky you are to be a blogger.

And fall asleep dreaming of acorns. 🙂

PS For the next stop on the “A Day In the Life” tour, stop by and visit Chris from Just a Girl.

Be sure to visit all of this year’s series participants:

Tuesday

Christy at 11 Magnolia Lane | Rhoda at Southern Hospitality | Traci at Beneath My Heart

Wednesday

Amy at 11 Magnolia LaneChris at Just a Girl

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

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Comments

  1. Image for laura laura

    I love this post! And, love you! I wish we were neighbors in a no humidity state ;0) I just shared your pending book in a blog post! I love when bloggers reply to comments. I am shocked by the ones that have NEVER responded to my comments. Happy Hump Day! laura

  2. Image for Beth Minger Beth Minger

    OK now I will ALWAYS need to leave a comment because you write one of my favorite blogs and I NEED to pay you back with a phone beep!!!! This may backfire on you if you plan to answer every beep - I completely understand if you don't answer! However, it's fun when you do!

  3. Image for Kathy Menold Kathy Menold

    Karianne You are so real. Love to read your blog and especially when it is a collection of your free rambling thoughts and life experiences. I have yet to bring down my fall containers from our attic. Seems like yesterday I was lugging them up the stairs! Waiting for the perfect day : cool ,rainy and one that I feel really energetic and have no other commitments for the day! Maybe next week..........

  4. Image for Sevahn Sevahn

    You are funny! I think your autumn decorations in those bins need to be put in orange-colored bins so that you will be inspired to open them up with glee instead of with dread. Save the red ones for Christmas. Label what's inside so you can locate your acorns easily next time, and get rid of the bins that don't spark joy--the Kon Mari method of thinking. You bring all of us joy. It's fun to write to you, and don't fret about answering all the emails.

  5. Image for Barbara Barbara

    Great idea Sevahn! Love this post Karianne- you just make my day!! And I feel so special when you send me an email, but don't fret if you don't have time- keep blogging and telling such awesome stories♥

  6. Image for Linda Miller Linda Miller

    Whew! SO glad you found those acorns! lol Thanks for the laugh this morning. You brightened my day. (By the way, the striped chair arrived from Wayfair and I LOVE it! Thanks for the tip!)

  7. Image for Anne-Marie Anne-Marie

    How can you not take a nap in the middle of the day ??? When my kids were young, I got up about 7 A.M. I had to do everything being a solo mother and HAD to have a one hour nap at about noon. I don't know how you do it .... Just thinking aout it makes me want to sleep .....

  8. Image for Bobbie Montgomery Bobbie Montgomery

    I'm new to blogging and owning a business, so I relate to much of this, except I'm also designing all my graphics, drinking coffee, writing Facebook post, writing contracts, drinking coffee, don't forget social media, sending out emails, and you guessed it...drinking more coffee as I watch videos all about outsourcing all.the.things and think "maybe one day..." Also, as a professional organizer I've got to say I loved the previous comment about color coding those bins and labels with an inventory checklist taped to the inside of the lid! As always, it's been a pure delight reading your post...now, more coding to learn and coffee to drink! Ha!

  9. Image for Regina Merrick Regina Merrick

    Oh I SO wish it didn't take me an hour to get to Hobby Lobby!! I'm in full-on fall-wedding-decorating-ideas mode and I keep moving things around in my mind. Would you believe I started collecting small glass containers for stem vases and over the holiday weekend ended up with FORTY-SIX containers! LOL! I'm obsessed . . .

  10. Image for Julia G. Julia G.

    You, my virtual friend keep it real! Today you have put a smile on my face! 😊 Happy day to you and thank you for being you and sharing so freely with us!

  11. Image for Paige Cassandra Flamm Paige Cassandra Flamm

    Can totally relate to this! Although, your superwoman, my kids school doesn't start until 8:45, so I've heard we get to sleep longer than any other family in the world haha. But yes to comments! Those are the very best! Paige https://thehappyflammily.com

  12. Image for Kim S. Kim S.

    I love this post! Question - my son is also 16 and a Junior. This year he can finally drive himself to school and practices. - game changer! What age can your girls get their licenses?

  13. Image for Denise V Cox Denise V Cox

    Karianne, you are such a lovely, heartfelt writer!! I absorb every word!! I'm always sharing what I learn from you with my Mom, prefacing it with, " Mom, do you remember my blogger friend that moved from Kentucky to her childhood home in Texas...?"...... 🏡😉😘🤠 So enjoyed today's post. ... 😝

  14. Image for Lauren Lauren

    Your website and blogs are my favorite of all the ones to which I subscribe. You combine humor, a lovely writing styler, with some very good tips, ideas, projects, etc. BUT I would hate to feel that I need something every day to write on my blog (one of the reasons I don't have one). First of all, I read yours and rarely miss a post. But some people post things, but they are boring. There was one where I finally had to divorce myself from it because the blogger seemed to be fixated on flower arrangements every day. I'm a busy person, doing lots of things every day. I would rather see most bloggers (besides yourself) try to limit their posts to once a week. Sometimes, for some posters, less is more--but not you.

  15. Image for Amy Amy

    Thank you for joining us and sharing! I totally feel the need to go to Hobby Lobby RIGHT NOW! :) Though I have yet to pull out a single fall decoration. Have a wonderful day! XO, Amy

  16. Image for Chrys Chrys

    OK so now I am going to Hobby Lobby, well after work. That place amazes me as do your blog!!!! I get most of my inspirations from you and your red lipstick!!! Keep up the great work you inspire us all!!!

  17. Image for Sharon H Sharon H

    Okay, so today your phone will beep soooo many times that you will need at least 2 hours to answer them all! LOL, miz karianne you are such a special person! And I know you well enough to know that you actually did more than you wrote down......there is no way you could take the time to jot down EVERYTHING you did....just between you and me, I think there are two of you! HA, twice the fun!

  18. Image for TERESA GONZALES TERESA GONZALES

    LOL-sounds like a really FUN day!!! You must run through your day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  19. Image for Elaine J Elaine J

    You left out the food!!! Except for dinner and coffee, you didn't eat a thing all day! Girlfriend, I have 3 squares and at least one snack a day. Love your stream-of-consciousness blog posts. Keep 'em coming :)

  20. Image for Marlene Stephenson Marlene Stephenson

    I'm just glad you bloggers like your job and like sharing with us regular people because, my house would be ugly without you. So thank you for all you do, you are a blessing.

  21. Image for Debra Matcovich Debra Matcovich

    I was just at Hobby Lobby, I didn’t see that wheat like pumpkin. I hate when season decor overlap. Like pinecones, I use for fall and winter, so they’re in the winter bins. I never find them when fall comes around.

  22. Image for Michele M. Michele M.

    LOL my golly you are one funny gal. I loved this post. No need to respond - save yourself a moment and go get another cuppa in the time it saves ya. Actually never feel you need to for me - unless my nieces or cheerleading or football and maybe my grand girl is mentioned, then by all means, please do. ♥♥♥ HUGS.

  23. Image for Sheri Sheri

    Karianne you’re such a hoot! And I’m sorry because it’s late in the day for your phone to be beeping but just wanted to say I needed a little chuckle and the wonderful feeling that comes along with it. Your blog is like a big piece of chocolate cake without the guilt! Never stop being you. Your words are a treat!

  24. Image for Carol@BlueskyatHome Carol@BlueskyatHome

    KariAnne, thanks for sharing your day. I’m mystified that you spend 55 minutes writing a post. Does that include the project for the post, taking and editing photos, writing and editing the text? Adding links? Should I don’t drink coffee. Is that my problem? I’m serious. What’s your secret??

  25. Image for Cheryl Cheryl

    Hah, have been in your situation in more than a few occasions! Over the years I have moved many times and have come up with a handy method for labeling boxes. I attach a clear plastic holder (it is self stick and available at Amazon) which holds an index card to the outside of my box/container. On one side of the card is a general description (like "Fall"). On the reverse side is a list of the box contents. This way you can just pull the card out of its pocket to know what's inside without having to open it, or usually, without having to even move it! It is also easy to change the label of the box or its contents as needed.

  26. Image for Lori Howard Lori Howard

    Karianne...I do have to say I was so delighted that you responded to one of my comments before as I've commented on other blogs before and never received a response (so I don't ask questions in most blogs anymore)...totally realize it's got to be so time consuming. I loved your info on blogging and have saved it to my Pinterest page for a "Someday Wish I could get it together and do motivator guide".....love your day as it's like mine except I don't write a blog and I have 2 dogs instead that must be walked:0).....keep blogging...cause I'm reading!....P.S. Just enjoy this beep..no need to respond..hugs!

  27. Image for Juliet Juliet

    Such a fun blog post / hop idea! I hoped on over from Rhoda's and enjoyed learning not only about your day ... but you and your blog. Hurray!

  28. Image for Dee Dee

    First of all, I wanted to really thank you for writing the two articles on blogging and monetizing a blog. It's been on my heart and embarrassingly enough to say 3 years to start a blog, and have I yet? No! I have had a lot of life and illnesses get in the way, but I don't want to use it as an excuse, and you have answered a lot of questions. One thing you didn't talk about was having a domain name, is that something that we have to have? I would use my Instagram name Cottage Comforts as the name of my blog or something like Cottage Comforts Home (and Garden or home Garden and food lol you know what I mean 😄 You are just such an amazing person, I love that every aspect of your blog is so real because you are so real, you are the true Velveteen Rabbit! 😘 I mean that in the most special way possible, because The Velveteen Rabbit was as real as real can get! And thank you for sharing your bins that were down from the attic; just for the simple fact that I know that everyone including you has to start somewhere with decorating, and I'm not the only one that has to start with a fiasco first! Hugs and kisses sweet friend!

  29. Image for Tina Tina

    Oh my goodness this made me laugh for the first time today! I feel like there are days when I'm really not accomplishing anything, but I'm good at going in circles🙂, & boy the time flys by!! Thanks for this!

  30. Image for Barbara Chapman Barbara Chapman

    KariAnne! This is very funny but isn’t distraction real life?! Love your knit top acorns. Now I want some! Must check Hobby Lobby... 😉 Happy decorating for fall, Hugs, Barb 🥰

  31. Image for Jolyn Jolyn

    Who can pass up Sonic Happy Hour? We call it CODE 2-4 at our office, because if it's between 2-4 p.m, and anyone is passing a Sonic, they text CODE 2-4 to the office and we all place our orders... And, it makes my day to get a reply to a comment from YOU! YIPPEE!!

  32. Image for jennibell jennibell

    Oh my!!!! THIS is real life, for sure!!!! Someone who can only get as much done in a day as I can ;) Did you put the fall stuff AWAY??? See, that's my problem. . ..I get it all out, get everything cute, but don't follow through the the actual "put bins away" part. Sigh. Maybe I could get my blog going again if I would follow your advice -- don't overthink it all :) Happy Fall!!!

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