Balancing life as a teacher and blogger in a passionate city like London can be challenging and rewarding. Every day brings a mix of classroom duties, content creation, and personal time, all of which need careful planning. From early mornings spent preparing lessons to evenings dedicated to writing blog posts, this journey requires organization and flexibility. Let me share how I guide through teaching and blogging while also making time for myself, my readers, and my students—because it’s about finding balance and enjoying both passions.
Early Morning Routine
The day begins early in London, especially for someone juggling two roles. An organized morning routine helps establish a productive start to your day.
Wake Up and Get Ready for the Day
The alarm rings at 6:00 a.m., and it’s time to start the day. For a teacher who’s also a blogger, mornings are precious. This is your chance to create a strong foundation for the tasks ahead.
Tips for a Productive Morning:
- Get ready the night before: Set out your outfit, organize bags, and draft a to-do list for the following day.
- Quick breakfast options: Have easy and nutritious options like overnight oats or a smoothie ready to save time.
- Practice mindfulness: A few minutes of quiet time or stretching can help clear the mind before a busy day.
Check Blog Stats and Social Media
Before heading to school, there’s a quick check of the blog’s performance and social media engagement. A 10-15 minute glance at blog stats and comments helps plan content ideas or social media posts for later in the day.
Blogging Tip:
- Limit screen time in the morning: Only check essential stats and avoid getting too caught up in online distractions.
Heading to School
After a quick breakfast and checking blog stats, it’s time to head to school. Teaching demands energy, preparation, and attention, so the focus now shifts to students and the classroom.
Commute to Work
Living in London means relying on public transport, the bus or the tube. Commuting is often a good time to think through the day ahead or brainstorm blog ideas.
Examples of Making the Most of Commute Time:
- Listen to educational podcasts: This can spark new blog ideas or help professional development.
- Write blog notes: Use a notes app on your phone to jot down quick ideas or plans for upcoming posts.
Teaching the First Lessons of the Day
Teaching requires a lot of focus and dedication. Once in the classroom, the first lesson starts around 8:30 a.m. Teachers must be fully present, helping students understand their lessons and fostering a positive learning environment.
Tips for Managing Time in the Classroom:
- Prepare lessons in advance: Plan out lessons for the week to save time and reduce stress each day.
- Engage students with interactive lessons: Using hands-on activities or group discussions helps students stay engaged and learn effectively.
Lunch Break – Time for Blogging Tasks
During the lunch break, there’s usually a window of time to work on blogging tasks. Whether replying to comments, scheduling social media posts, or drafting a blog post, lunch breaks offer a moment to switch gears.
Practical Blogging Tasks to Do on a Lunch Break:
- Schedule social media posts: Use scheduling tools to plan out social media updates for the week.
- Reply to comments or emails: Engage with blog readers by responding to comments or emails.
Afternoon Classroom Sessions
After lunch, it’s back to teaching. The afternoons are just as busy as the mornings, filled with lessons, grading, and helping students with questions.
Teaching and Grading
As the day progresses, there’s still plenty of work to do. Teachers spend the afternoon continuing lessons, helping students with projects, and sometimes grading assignments during free periods.
Tips for Staying Organized in the Classroom:
- Use time blocks: Allocate specific periods for teaching, grading, and helping students to stay on track.
- Stay flexible: Be prepared for changes in the schedule or students needing extra help.
Planning for Tomorrow’s Lessons
As the school day comes to a close, teachers typically spend time preparing for upcoming lessons. This can involve reviewing class materials, preparing worksheets, or setting up classroom activities.
Simple Planning Tips:
- Prepare materials beforehand: Have handouts, activities, and supplies ready for the next day to reduce stress.
- Collaborate with other teachers: Sharing ideas and lesson plans with colleagues can help lighten the load.
Evening – Balancing Blogging and Personal Life
Once the school day ends, the focus shifts to blogging and personal life. Evenings are often a mix of writing blog content, engaging with followers, and taking time to unwind.
Write and Edit Blog Posts
After a full day of teaching, it’s time to work on the blog. This is when blog posts get written, edited, and scheduled for publishing. Finding a balance between creativity and discipline is important, as consistent content keeps a blog successful.
Blogging Tips for Busy Evenings:
- Set realistic goals: Aim to write or edit for a set amount of time, like 30 minutes to an hour.
- Batch writing: Write several blog posts in one sitting and schedule them for future publication.
Engage with Blog Readers
Engaging with readers is key to growing a blog. Taking time in the evening to respond to comments, answer questions, and interact on social media helps build a community around the blog.
Examples of Reader Engagement:
- Engage with comments: Address meaningful feedback on blog posts or social media.
- Run polls or ask questions: Get feedback from followers about what content they’d like to see next.
Unwinding and Relaxing
Balancing a busy workday with blogging can be tiring, so relaxing and recharging in the evening is important. Whether watching a favorite TV show, reading a book, or spending time with family, winding down is crucial for maintaining energy and focus.
Tips for Relaxing After a Busy Day:
- Set a time limit for work: Stop working at a certain time each night to ensure you have time to rest.
- Practice a hobby: Spend time doing something you enjoy that’s not related to work or blogging.
Maintaining a Work-Life Balance
Balancing two careers—teaching and blogging—requires careful time management and the ability to separate work from personal life.
Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries between work, blogging, and personal time is key to avoiding burnout. It’s important to designate certain hours for each responsibility and stick to that schedule.
Examples of Setting Boundaries:
- Turn off notifications: Disable email or social media notifications after a certain hour.
- Designate weekends for personal time: Use weekends to relax, catch up with friends, or spend time with family.
Delegate Tasks When Possible
When managing two careers, delegating tasks when you can is helpful. This could mean working with other bloggers for guest posts, hiring a virtual assistant, or sharing household responsibilities with family members.
Practical Ways to Delegate:
- Hire freelance writers: Get help writing blog posts when you’re too busy.
- Use automation tools: Schedule social media posts in advance to save time during the week.
Balancing Teaching and Blogging Long Term
For long-term success, it’s important to maintain a consistent schedule and keep both roles enjoyable. Balancing teaching and blogging is possible but requires organization and regular self-reflection.
Reflect on What’s Working
At the end of each week, take a moment to reflect on how well the balance between teaching and blogging is going. Are you meeting your goals? Do you need to adjust your schedule or workload?
Questions to Reflect On:
- Did I stick to my blogging schedule?
- What worked well this week, and what didn’t?
- Do I need to adjust my work-life balance?
Adjust as Needed
As life changes, so do your responsibilities. It’s important to regularly adjust your schedule, workload, and goals to ensure you continue enjoying both teaching and blogging without becoming overwhelmed.
Tips for Making Adjustments:
- Take breaks when needed: It’s okay to step back from blogging for a week if teaching gets too busy.
- Revisit your goals: Ensure your blogging goals align with your personal and professional life.
Conclusion
A day in the life of a teacher and blogger in London is busy but rewarding. Balancing work responsibilities, personal time, and blogging makes it possible to stay organized and productive. Whether making time for students in the classroom or connecting with readers through blog posts, each role provides unique opportunities for growth and creativity. With a clear schedule, realistic goals, and the ability to reflect and adjust, it’s possible to succeed in teaching and blogging long-term.
This routine may seem hectic sometimes, but the satisfaction of helping students and growing a personal blog makes the effort worthwhile. By focusing on simple strategies, staying flexible, and enjoying the process, you can successfully manage the busy life of a teacher and blogger.