blogging

My review of The Content Chest – by Izzy Matias

#PR #AFF – I was provided with access to the membership in exchange for my honest review of my experience

Before I started my first blog, I was active on social media and found connections with other like minded bloggers really quickly. My attendance at the Mental Health Blog Awards gave me the confidence to launch my blog. Fast forward 10 months and I am now a speaker and nominee for this year’s awards. 

None of this would be possible without the amazing, supportive blogging community on Twitter. We are that close knit, I can post an update about my blog and I know it will be viewed, almost immediately. Given my blogging backstory, I believe community is vital to success. Sharing your creative thoughts with other like minded people is really what life is all about. 

I took on board suggestions on how to engage my audience and was given ideas for new creative ways to get the word out about my writing. Something I need right now because I am currently at the stage where levelling up is the next option. These posts allowed me to brainstorm my next move.

content chest

Supporting other bloggers

Therefore when I was asked to review The Content Chest, Izzy’s new membership platform, I jumped at the chance. And even though illness set me back a few weeks recently and blogging tasks were mounting up, I am thrilled this was one of the tasks on the list. I am currently smiling whilst writing this. 

Izzy is someone I’ve had a connection with for a while. She is so supportive. I’ve won a few of her competitions and always love my interactions with her. I feel honoured to be asked to review her next creative project. 

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The charm of an online membership community 

Whilst I love Twitter, we don’t control the platform. And dreaded algorithm hides our Tweets. I find when I email other bloggers directly, it’s lovely and refreshing to chat one on one. This is the same charm you get in an online community. Fewer people who all have the same interests and assurance your voice will be heard. 

The content chest – my review

I started my membership on 23 April 2022. The posts on the platform are so motivational, easy to read and packed full of useful information. A theme which runs throughout all of Izzy’s posts. 

The topics you get are a mix of blogging support, together with light hearted content about K-pop. 

1. What was your biggest learning/takeaway from the membership?

The questions and prompts within each post got me thinking about my blog. I took on board suggestions on how to engage my audience and was given ideas for new creative ways to get the word out about my writing. Something I need right now because I am currently at the stage where levelling up is the next option. These posts allowed me to brainstorm my next move.

content chest

2. What are your favourite features?

My comments on Izzy’s blog posts go like this “I’m so intrigued by K-pop and K-dramas but it isn’t something I’ve explored“. Well, I’m now sitting here watching K-dramas on YouTube. And she’s right, they are funny, light hearted and bring about a sense of joy in your life. 

3. What did you like about the community?

I love the instructions on using the community and an update about different membership packages and topics available. It was also great to get an email reminder I can refer back to, each time a new post was released. Us bloggers are busy and email reminders I can mark for later make me happy. When I sit down on my blogging days, I can then just search the saved emails and crack on. 

Before joining the membership I was curious, but after I feel empowered 

5. Did the membership meet your expectations?

Yes. It’s easy to navigate and puts a smile on my face. Sometimes as a blogger, you need others to lift you and remind you what’s important. Izzy does this! Remember that bloggers don’t have a colleague sitting next to them to show support. It can be lonely and it’s the reason the community support is so powerful and means so much. 

6. What can be improved from the membership?

So far I love everything about the membership and can’t think of anything which needs to be improved.

7. Any other features you wish were a part of the membership? 

No. But I am looking forward to seeing what Izzy decides to add.

8. What do you think of the pricing?

For the level of content you get, helpful information and all important community, I think the pricing for my package was worth it. 

Ready to sign up?

(AFF) – Sign up to The Content Chest using code: MUMMYCONQUERINGANXIETY and you will receive 20% off your first month! To access The Content Chest, click here.

content chest

AD – INTRODUCING The Grumpy Olive

Today I am introducing you to three amazing sisters, and their blog is definitely worth a read. Grab a cup of tea and enjoy.

The Grumpy Olive

olive

I wanted to pick out two of the blog posts which resonated with me and explain why you should go and read them today!

Miso Aubergine Chicken With Soy Sauce

This is such a great recipe and something we would try in our house!

I just love how informative the post is and it teaches you something new about the ingredients in the recipe.

It’s on my list to try. Check out the post!

Best Greek Mythology Books You Have To Read

Such an interesting post.

I don’t know about you, But I am a book lover. I also love discovering new topics to learn about. We are constantly watching documentaries in our house and then researching to find out more about the topic.

This post provides a rundown of the best books to ease you into the topic of Greek Mythology. It’s going on my reading list!

Check it out…

olive

All the details you need

If you missed the advertiser’s post, all the details you need to connect with The Grumpy Olive are below.

We are The Grumpy Olive, a team of three sisters blogging from London. On our blog, we write about all the things we love and including food, coffee, beauty and books among the many things. You can expect to find easy but tasty recipes, the latest in books and also some talk on beauty and travel because we may fancy that here and there. But most of all, The Grumpy Olive is a little corner of the internet where everything is just fun, new and upbeat – just what the doctor ordered!

Blog posts you should check out

https://www.thegrumpyolive.com/peach-ricotta-crostini/

https://www.thegrumpyolive.com/miso-aubergine-chicken/

https://www.thegrumpyolive.com/passion-fruit-curd-easy-and-quick-recipe/

https://www.thegrumpyolive.com/best-greek-mythology-books-you-have-to-read/

Ways to connect with The Grumpy Olive

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Instagram

FINAL thoughts

Have you already checked out this amazing blog?

I would love to hear from you in the comments below.

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olive

AD – INTRODUCING Positive Thinking For Beginners

Today I am introducing you to a great blog, which is worth a read. Grab a cup of tea and enjoy.

You will remember my advertiser’s post at the start of the month.

Positive Thinking For Beginners

Positive Thinking

I wanted to pick out two of the blog posts which resonated with me and explain why you should go and read them today!

Why You Don’t Have to be Happy all the Time to Be a Positive Thinker

This blog post breaks down the misconception about being happy and positive thinking, and focuses on the below:

1. Positive thinking is a mindset, not an emotion

2. Happiness is an emotion, not a mind-set

It’s a very interesting read and will change the way you think about being happy. Basically, there is no pressure to be in this state all the time.

Head over and check it out!

3 Things You Can Do Each Day to Get the Best Out of Yourself

This is a great, motivational post, focusing on a technique to make the best of each day.

A MUST read for everyone 🙂

Positive Thinking

If you missed the advertiser’s post, all the details you need to connect with Lisa are below.

A little bit about the blog

After hitting rock bottom and realising that there was only one way to go from here, I looked for ways I could turn my life around. Positive Thinking kept showing itself to me through books, TV, conversations, and everywhere I went. I eventually took a look into it and realised that I would need to start right at the very beginning, learning positivity and unlearning negativity. My life looks very different now and I created Positive Thinking for Beginners to help others begin their journey.

Ways to connect with Lisa

Facebook

Pinterest

Instagram

Twitter

FINAL thoughts

Have you already checked out this amazing blog?

I would love to hear from you in the comments below.

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Positive Thinking

AD – Introducing a great lifestyle blog – Cafe Beauty

Today I am introducing you to the Cafe Beauty blog, run by Alexis and it’s worth a read. Grab a cup of tea and enjoy

Great lifestyle blog

I wanted to pick out two of the blog posts which resonated with me and explain why you should go and read them today!

What’s New in Makeup? Valentine’s Day Makeup Edition

I just love everything about this post. Who doesn’t get excited about a new make-up palette? But these images and colours are fantastic and something I would buy.

How To Gain Followers and Grow on Twitter

I remember reading and commenting on this post. Twitter is by far the best social media platform for me, in terms of engagement. This post is packed full of useful tips on how to boost engagement.

If you’re looking to gain followers or increase your interaction on the platform, check out this post.

If you missed the advertiser’s post, all the details you need to connect with Alexis are below

Why I loved checking out this blog

Alexis is one of the bloggers in the community I have regular contact with and I love her blog.

A little bit about Cafe Beauty blog

Cafe Beauty is a beauty and lifestyle-centric blog that helps you find the right products. Starting in 2020, Alexis started focusing on blogging tips and college-related posts. On the blog, you can find a variety of posts as she transitions to a new stage of life. 

Blog posts you should definitely check out

(Latest) What’s New in Makeup? Valentine’s Day Makeup Edition 

Closet Organization Tips
How To Gain Followers and Grow on Twitter
Guest Post| 10 Best Sustainable Skincare Brands You Need To Know About

Ways to connect with Alexis

You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter.

Final thoughts

Have you already checked out this amazing blog?

What do you think of the posts I have reviewed?

I would love to hear from you in the comments below.

BEFORE YOU GO

Sign up to my monthly newsletter, to gain access to exclusive offers & updates

Sign up for my freebie library. Each week there will be a new freebie added to help organise your life and take away some stress!

Enter the giveaway to win an amazing self-care gift

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great lifestyle blog

5 powerful hacks to boost your productivity in 2022

Guest post

I am so happy to welcome this guest post from Magdalene. You can find details on how to contact this amazing blogger below.

The first time I heard the word motion without productivity from my line manager, it sounded weird to me. How can one be unproductive yet move about working all day? This is so true sometimes for me. There are days that I take stock of my to-do at the end of the day and find out I barely scratched the surface. How can I boost my productivity either working from home or at work?

Here are 5 tips on how to boost your productivity in 2022 like a pro. These tips will come in handy for anyone looking to improve their productivity ASAP.

powerful hacks to boost your productivity

Make a to-do list

Like the saying, if you fail to plan then you plan to fail. So, it is true if you fail to plan your day. I feel most productive when I have a plan for the day.

Work your way through your to-do list as you go about your day. One way to write my to-do list is by using a planner. Planners are very useful in being productive. Especially digital planners that prompt you to do your task as it comes. You can also read my post on why you need a digital planner to boost your productivity. In this planner, you can split your task into small bits. 

Start with the hardest task of the day before moving to the easiest task. Also, prioritize your task as urgent, not so urgent etc. So, you tackle the very urgent task first before moving to another task for the day. 

If you would like to write a guest post for my blog, check out this post here on the benefits of doing so.

You can send your idea to mummyconqueringanxiety@gmail.com

Take short breaks

We all feel like we have so much to do daily. So, we may feel tempted to work for straight hours without breaks. Doing this is bad for you. Plus, you get burnt out faster this way. 

Always incorporate times for breaks in your work. Take short breaks, like 5 minutes away from your screen or your workstation. If possible, take a short nap for 10 minutes within your work. This will greatly improve your productivity. 

So, while your work, take these short breaks to keep you refreshed to carry out your daily task and maximise productivity.

Sign up for my monthly newsletter, to gain access to exclusive offers & updates

Sign up for my freebie library. Each week there will be a new freebie added to help organise your life and take away some stress!

Cut out distractions

There is so much noise and distractions we must deal with these days. The temptation to spend time catching up with colleagues instead of working. Also, you may spend so much time scrolling through social media without care.

It is even worse if you’re a stay-at-home working mom. The distraction from the kids, house chores, errands, cleaning etc. Cut out these distractions by blocking out time for your task. If you work from home allocate time for the home tasks and work separately. 

Have a discussion with your family on the time you blocked out for work. In this way, they will help you limit your distractions. So, by limiting distractions you get to do more of your work. This will in turn boost your daily productivity.

Do a daily Call-over of your to-do list

My day job is banking. One skill I have learnt from my job is doing a daily call over of my task. This skill I have also used to boost my productivity. At the end of each day, go through your to-do list to track your achievement. Any task you cannot achieve on the same day, you can move over to the next day. 

This daily tracking will help you stay on top of your tasks. Also, it will boost your daily productivity.

Summary

In conclusion, productivity is achievable for anyone. All you need is to apply these 5 tips on how to boost your productivity in 2022. These tips will help you squash your daily goals and overall boost your productivity. Don’t forget to comment on other tips you use to boost your productivity. 

About the Author

Magdalene is a copywriter, content creator and fashion blogger. She loves to travel, shop and try out new fashion trends. Follow Trendsenstylez blog for fashion & lifestyle content.

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powerful hacks to boost your productivity

Time for a cup of tea and a little chat – come & join me

I love a good Christmas gift guide and I am enjoying reading through everyone else’s guides this year. It gets me in the Christmas spirit. But today I wanted to change up the post and write something more personal. It’s time for a cup of tea and a little chat.

A catch-up with my loyal readers and hello to my new ones. I am eternally grateful you’re all here. Simply because the interaction with you has helped me heal from a mental breakdown. 

Last month I included a review of my goals in my monthly newsletter. I wanted to keep this exclusively for my subscribers. It’s now time to share a snippet of how October went and share my goals for November and the coming months. 

You’ve all helped me achieve my dreams. It may sound corny, but it’s true. Back In May 2021, I was at rock bottom in my life and this blog literally pulled me out of the darkness.

cup of tea and a little chat

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    Review of my goals for October

    Check out my goals for the October post.

    This was the summary and whether I achieved the goals I set out…

    I want to smash Blogtober

    I am pleased with the progress I made during October and that I was able to decide to stop the challenge and put my mental health first.

    Up my game on Pinterest

    I have pinned more this month, and it is now easier because I am only releasing three posts each week.

    Still lots of work to be done on this topic though.

    I am considering buying Pinterest templates as I think this may help. Maybe taking a Pinterest course, because it is something I want to focus on more.

    350 blog views by month-end

    My blog views are still quite low and I have some strategies I want to try to improve this. Watch this space.

    1500 followers on Twitter

    I have 1724 followers. Thank you, everyone. Making connections with like-minded people means the world to me!

    3500 followers on Instagram

    I have 3276 followers, so almost there 🙂

    Get my first affiliate sale

    I have had an affiliate sale, but have not yet received the commission from it. Very happy with this.

    My other wins throughout the month of October

    My DA score jumped to 11 and I landed a partnership with a brand I wanted to work with before I set up my blog.

    I have also received my first paid partnership!

    I am over the moon with these wins because it confirms I was correct to start walking down this path and begin my blogging journey. I am turning my goals into a reality and I couldn’t be happier.

    Goals for November 

    I didn’t set fixed goals for November, but I can give you an update on where I am with the previous goals:

    Up my game on Pinterest

    I am pinning for every blog post and it is on my to-do list to organise folders and set up pin covers. I have also purchased Pinterest and Instagram branding for my new blog to ensure a consistent approach.

    With this blog, I did want it to be colorful and eye-catching. Simply because talking about mental health can be heavy. It was intentional to use vibrant colours and graphics. I want to cheer up my readers and I hope the blog does that.

    350 blog views by month-end

    I am pleased to report my blog views are slowly increasing daily and I am starting to see organic traffic coming through. The views for the last 30 days are over 400. I am thankful to have now smashed my target.

    1500 followers on Twitter

    I am now at 1860 followers and thankful for every single one of you! I genuinely enjoy chatting with everyone on Twitter and it never feels like work.

    3500 followers on Instagram

    Currently at 3277, so still some more work to be done on Insta.

    Get my first affiliate sale

    I now have three affiliate sales under my belt and it makes me happy. I have also recently bought Neesha’s e-book and I intend to learn everything I need to create passive income for my blogs. More importantly, recommend trusted products and services I use and I think could help others. I honestly love some of the products I’ve recommended recently. Check out my media kit below to find out who I’ve worked with so far.

    Future of the blog 

    I set out my goals for the future of the blog in an earlier post.

    I am currently working on my e-book. Creating lovely, printable worksheets and planners is also keeping me busy and now I’ve mastered my first one, I love doing them.

    The new blog is set up, but in the very early stages at the moment. Keep an eye on social media for announcements of the launch.

    What I did on my week off work

    On a personal note, I had a week away from work to relax and focus on the blog. As it turned out, reality meant I had a poorly toddler who didn’t attend nursery all week and a sick hubby. Although my week off got hijacked, I dealt with it pretty well and made the best of it. This proves my mindset has changed for the better. The old me would have gone into full meltdown mode and threatened to return to work. That’s what living under the negative pull of toxic anxiety does to you.

    I mean, there is always a silver lining. Even under sicky conditions, we had some family time on the sofa to play games and interact with one another. For this I’m thankful.

    I did also get some blogging done and I am happy to report I completed the following:

    Scheduled posts into January 

    Wrote all of my gift guides 

    Created and released my first freebie

    Secured some further blogging jobs 

    Set up my new blog (still, lots to be done) 

    New blogging schedule reminder

    I previously released a new blogging schedule. Just a reminder below about when you will be hearing from me.

    Final thoughts

    I need to thank each and every one of you. From those who read my blog, comment, interact, send blogging opportunities.

    You’ve all helped me achieve my dreams. It may sound corny, but it’s true. Back In May 2021, I was at rock bottom in my life and this blog literally pulled me out of the darkness.

    Come and share some of your blogging or life goals with me. I would love to know what you hope to achieve in the future.

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    The secret of how an anxiety-prone person manages a new blog

    If things go wrong, like me losing my whole website one day, I panic. I am pre-dispositioned to act like this. Whilst my anxiety will never go away, I can put tools in place to manage it. I now have to find ways to balance the blog and my anxiety levels.

    The excitement of starting a blog means I wanted everything to be perfect and I was eager to upload several posts and progress the blog as quickly as I could.

    Pick your battles and only trade your energy where you believe it is worthy.

    Like other young families, I have some time management issues. Working around childcare, having a messy hubby, housework, learning a million new things at once, I have struggled with also fitting in self-care. In my free moments, I’m always asking myself whether I should work on the blog instead of resting. I need to remember that I’m still in a recovery period following a mental breakdown, and whilst writing for this blog and speaking out about mental health is helping me, it’s about taking it one day at a time.

    It’s lovely to be part of the mental health blogging community. Having like-minded people who know how you feel is amazing, so thanks to everyone who offers me support on a daily basis. Becoming a blogger is the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time.

    Tips on how I am currently managing my anxiety levels

    Naps

    I know I talk a lot about naps on the blog, but they do so much good. My anxiety is worse when I’m tired and therefore I must take time to rest if I don’t want other areas of my life to get out of control.

    Brushing off the insignificant things

    Naturally, when you suffer a mental breakdown and are going through redundancy, you identify the things in life that simply don’t matter. And you train yourself to not care or use your precious energy on this particular thing in life. Pick your battles and only trade your energy where you believe it is worthy.

    Medication

    I am still taking anti-depressants and intend to continue doing so for as long as I need them. There is no shame in this, despite the stigma still surrounding the issue.

    Without medication, I wouldn’t have been able to get to a place where I could start recovery or let myself heal. Think about a pot on your broken arm or pain medication whilst a sprained ankle is healing. You wouldn’t be able to even begin the healing journey without these measures. Mental health is no different. My hope is that by speaking out, the perception will change.

    Not stessing out about things outside my control

    I’ve come to realise there are more factors outside our control in our lives than the ones we can do something about. I previously worried about other people and changing things. I don’t anymore.

    It’s sometimes easier said than done and I will be honest, at the moment I still have the same reaction to difficult life circumstances. The difference now is, I stop to think about whether it’s the correct reaction and I evaluate this before proceeding.

    blog and my anxiety levels

    Organising things inside my control

    Before pregnancy, when everything kind of fell apart, I had standing orders set up to make bill payments and I was super organised. I am now trying to find some sort of middle-ground. In this middle-ground, the automatic stuff like money, shopping lists, meal planning is taken care of. This leaves time for the more enjoyable elements of life.

    I am still working on the plan and hope to have it resolved soon. My family and I can then look forward to a bright future and concentrate on living life.

    Working on the blog when it suits me

    To clarify, I work at least 3-4 hours daily on the blog, and during the first three months, it was a lot more. Because I have a little one to entertain during the day, I usually work early in the mornings and late at night.

    The point here is, I am free to do special things with the little one during the day. We have just started visiting soft play areas and going swimming regularly. This is the reason I would like to turn my blogging passion into a full-time job, eventually. I can then achieve my dream of finally having a work-life balance.

    Vowing to never return to what caused my stress in the first place

    Long work hours

    Pressure to hit targets

    The office environment

    Significant travel time to work

    All the above are things I can control and make adjustments to in my life. I now have the confidence to achieve a future job role or self-employed status which means I don’t have to put myself through this anymore.

    For me, any of these factors may cause me to get to breaking point again. It’s now about creating a happy, healthy future and avoiding the impact on my mental health.

    Final thoughts

    I hope this post has given you some insight on why I started the blog in the first place and how I am managing all elements of life with very little time.

    I know these issues impact many families. I would love to hear from you in the comments below. You are not alone.

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blog and my anxiety levels

    My personal growth as a blogger and my goals for the future

    #AD – It’s time for me to look back, at both my personal and professional growth. A reflection period, to help my recovery following a mental breakdown and motivate me to reach my goals for the future. 

    goals for the future

    Personal growth

    Because my personal growth is inextricably linked with my professional growth, I have to talk about my situation. Two significant life-changing events happened which caused a ripple effect and improved my life. A mental breakdown and redundancy at work made me want to live my life differently. I would never have started the blog without living through these events. 

    Professional growth

    It’s clear to me now, my career taught me a whole host of transferable skills, all of which are required if you want to be a successful blogger. 

    I’ve achieved a lot in my three months of blogging and I now intend to up my game and monetise my blog. I had my goals recorded on a spreadsheet before I launched the website and now these goals are becoming reality. 

    Goals for the future

    It’s easy to compare yourself to others in the blogging world. But the truth is no two people are the same. We are individuals and therefore cannot be compared. But of course, it’s healthy to aspire to be successful and view other bloggers as role models for your success. 

    When I talk about blogging goals, there are certain people I have in mind. If in five years I am as successful as they are, I will be happy. Following this path has increased my confidence and now allows me to read other people’s success stories and believe I can achieve the same level of success. Why not? The old me was full of doubt, but not anymore. 

    These are the goals I want to reach by the end of 2021

    Create and sell digital products 

    There are so many platforms you can use to create and sell your products. It’s great to see additional features on social media, making it easier to sell. One of the first tasks I had on my to-do list when setting up the blog was to gain followers on social media and interact with other, like-minded people. 

    I am in the process of writing an e-book. In addition to making money to support the cost of running my blog, I want this product to offer valuable lessons to other people and teach them something. Turning my knowledge and experience into something useful for other people is my ultimate dream. 

    Worksheets and checklists have helped me get through tough times in life previously. I’ve used them to manage my everyday life and during therapy sessions. I want to create a structured way for other people to benefit from this format. 

    Learning is a passion of mine. The blogging world is a constant learning curve and I thrive on it. My ultimate goal would be to create a course for other bloggers. To communicate in a format that is easy to understand and teaches them something they wouldn’t have known before embarking on the learning material. 

    To create any of these products, I will be researching and relying on eCommerce platforms. 

    Continue to produce relevant, engaging content

    The main reason I set up the blog was to get my message out there. I am discussing a subject that is of paramount importance and I hope to change the stigma surrounding mental illness. I, therefore, view it as a duty to keep talking openly and honestly about my mental health struggles. My mission is to help other people. 

    Work with brands

    The brands I’ve worked with so far were aligned with my content and purpose. I enjoyed finding out about the products and recommending them to other people. I hope to continue down this path. And of course, I have a list of brands I would ideally like to work with. Who knows what amazing opportunities will come my way. It’s exciting. 

    Use my skills to create more opportunities

    I am currently looking into setting up a second blog and I am excited to create new challenges for myself. 

    Using the skills I’ve taught myself recently may also bring future career opportunities. I intend to keep learning. 

    What will 2022 bring?

    The pandemic had a lasting impact on every area of our lives. Marketing messages are no different and the online world became our go-to for everything when we were unable to leave the house. 

    It’s an exciting time to be a blogger and I genuinely enjoy interacting with brands and other bloggers each day. 

    Now it’s time to put in the hard work required to achieve my goals. 

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goals for the future