 Image credit: Unknown When it comes to starting a blog, there’s obviously a lot to think about - from the hosting service you use to the platform you build on, and everything in between. One thing that you may not have thought about or taken into account is how to create the perfect blogging environment at home.
The chances are that when you first started out you never expected your blog to turn into anything more than a hobby, and so you might not have thought about your blogging environment. While you can simply opt to blog from wherever you like, it’s important to think about creating a blogging area - think of it like your blogging home office if you will. Wondering what the perfect blogging environment should look like? Below is a guide to some of the simple steps you can take to create the perfect blogging environment, allowing you to take your blog from strength to strength. Set up a dedicated space First things first, it’s a good idea that you take the time to create a dedicated working space where you can blog from. Somewhere that allows you to sit and blog to your heart’s content without being interrupted. In an ideal world, this would be a dedicated room, however if this isn’t possible you could always create a mini blogging area in the corner of another room. For your space, you will need a few essentials, including a desk, ergonomic chair, a laptop, and any other useful accessories, such as a bluetooth mouse and potentially a laptop stand. Not sure what essentials you need? Take the time to work it out by getting inspiration online from other bloggers. Ensure the internet is fast and reliable It’s also vital that when it comes to creating the perfect blogging space that you set yourself up somewhere that has internet that’s fast and reliable. There’s nothing worse than trying to write a blog when your internet isn’t working properly and it takes ages for everything to load. If your WiFi isn’t reliable enough, then you might want to consider looking into using ethernet cabling instead, allowing you to have access to the fastest and most efficient internet access. Make the space comfortable If you want to be able to work productively, it’s vital that you ensure that the space is as comfortable and cosy as possible. It’s hard to work in a place where you don’t feel comfortable as it impacts your ability to work in a productive manner. So creating somewhere that you like to spend time in is important. Think about what you would like the space to be. Are you someone who loves minimalist design or are you someone who likes to have certain accessories dotted around, such as having lots of lovely greenery around, for instance? Create a space that’s the right fit for you and your blogging needs. Creating the perfect blogging environment at home is easier than you might think - it’s simply a case of getting the approach right.
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 Image credit: Ryderwear Everybody has asked themselves about their life purpose at some point. The pandemic has put a lot of things into focus, and for those people who are looking to improve their sense of livelihood, it's important to choose a line of work that aligns with your life path. So what can we all do when we get that little voice inside us that says “don't?”
What Have You Got to Lose? So many of us stop before we start. But the fact is that now is the ideal opportunity to try something out. Economically, things are starting to look up, depending on who you ask, but even if you keep waiting for things to “get better,” you would be waiting forever. These days, if you're looking to start your own business, you have an abundance of information at your fingertips. What’s more, with the amount of cheap web design services and support out there, for anybody who is looking to start their own business there is plenty of support. What do you really have to lose? Are You Trying to Please Someone Else? Sometimes we stop ourselves before we start because we worry about what others will say. While disapproving family members are one thing, if there's someone in your life that would actively discourage you from doing this, you've got to ask yourself if this person has your best interests at heart. Sometimes, we can find we try to please others rather than ourselves, and this is only going to result in regret. Following our life path is about focusing on ourselves. Sometimes we get in relationships with people who will try to discourage us, and it may very well be that they are looking out for us, however, it is our choice to make and if we make a mistake, at least we have learnt from it. Is Failure the Biggest Fear? Everybody fears failure. And now it is such a cliche that it is almost irrelevant! But it certainly makes sense why people are reluctant to do anything. There are issues with the economy, we've just lived through a pandemic, and there is no end in sight as of yet. But while it makes sense to be cautious in one respect, we've got to remember that if we are being cautious to the detriment of our happiness, we are only going to be regretful. And what's more, we are going to resent ourselves. Sometimes, making changes in life is not necessarily about the big, bold decisions, but it can be about improving the quality of your life. Sometimes, you've got to get more out of what you already have. And sometimes this means you need to look after yourself better, and actually focus on yourself. Your life purpose is something that you should never put off. Some people don't discover their purpose until later in life, and it has made everything worthwhile. So if there's ever a little voice in your head that tells you not to do something, always remember that your happiness is the priority.  Image credit: Imordaf from Pexels From the moment you are born to the day that you die, there's no escaping it: trash. Trash is everywhere and in everything. But what if your days of dealing with this smelly problem could soon be over? Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new products to prevent environmental damage. It's one way that humans can give back to nature and keep it healthy for generations. You can make a difference by recycling. Don't believe it? Then check out these fantastic tips for starting to recycle today. Correctly Sorted Do not put the trash into the wrong bin. Usually, blue bins are used for glass bottles/jars, black or green ones are for paper products, including newspapers, magazines, cans and cardboard boxes, and brown bins contain food waste like meat scraps and bones. At the same time, clear containers can hold styrofoam items such as cups etc. Just make sure everything is clean, of course, before putting it in. Recycling Electronics Recycle old electronics by donating them or selling them on places like eBay or Amazon if they still work after checking with family members about any valuable components. Possibilities Put glass bottles into a container with other recyclables such as paper and metal objects. The recycling company will take them out and turn them into something useful like pavement tiles or insulation material for homes. You should never put anything plastic (including packaging) in curbside bins because they aren't recyclable. Instead, bring all items containing plastic directly to a designated drop off centre where they'll be turned into something useful like plastic lumber or oil. Instead of tossing your old newspapers, magazines, and junk mail in the trash, put them straight into a recycling bin instead. They can be turned back into paper products that are re-used by companies. Extended Efforts Makes A Difference Your recycling efforts can extend to any area of your life. From your home to your office and even building sites. Although regular-sized recycling bins will be too small for commercial usage (or you might have to make multiple trips to the centre), you can utilise places like Westbin who specialise in big projects. Operating Hours Find a recycling centre near you and check out their hours. Once you know what they're open for, it will be easier to go there more often. If you can't go to a recycling centre yourself, don't worry. Other options include paper and glass drop-off bins that allow people to recycle from their own homes instead. Check your local municipality's website for more info on where these locations might be located near you.  Image credit: Greta Hoffman from Pexels Recycling is a great way to save the environment from being polluted. When you recycle, it reduces how much trash ends up in landfills and the air. Reducing landfill waste by recycling will help protect your water supply. Because less garbage means cleaner air which helps filter out chemicals that can cause harm to animals and plants. If everyone would recycle, we could reduce greenhouse gases and prevent deforestation for paper products like newspapers or magazines.
 Image credit: Daniel Reche from Pexels From time to time, just about everyone finds themselves in a situation where they want to make some significant change in their life, whether that means setting a New Years’ Resolution to get in better shape, or whether it means creating a startup business.
Whether you are considering a foray into the field of Digital Marketing, want to get more fit, or are interested in seeing more of the world, however, one thing that can end up getting in the way of a planned life change is a simple lack of energy. If you feel exhausted and unmotivated on a regular basis, actually moving forward and making any substantial kind of life change can seem very daunting. Here are some tips for getting the energy to make a life change. Use a habit tracker, and start by forcing yourself to go through the right basic steps each day At the start of any new endeavour, you're likely to find it difficult to consistently turn up and put in the effort required – and this could seem to drain your energy significantly more than it would otherwise. Particularly when you're feeling as though you don't have as much energy as you would like, however, using a habit tracker and starting off by forcing yourself to go through the right basic steps each day, can be very helpful. It's a good idea to start simple here, rather than to allow yourself to become overwhelmed by trying to do too much in one go. Consistency, and gaining momentum, is very important. Both for making a life change, and boosting your sense of energy. Put yourself in an environment that helps to encourage and motivate you When you put yourself in situations that help to facilitate the kind of behaviour you're trying to adopt, and especially when you surrounding yourself with individuals who embody the kind of change you're looking to make, you will tend to find that you are much more energetic and driven to move forward in the right direction. If, on the other hand, you want to get in great shape but don't know anyone who's into fitness, you are just going to tend to find it harder to be energised and to take the steps required to move in the right direction consistently. Take steps to surround yourself with the kind of people who can help to keep you motivated to make the change you're looking to make. Find energising hobbies and pastimes to add to your daily routine There are various hobbies and pastimes that you can adopt that are likely to help you to feel more energised on an everyday basis. Find which of these hobbies and pastimes work for you, and then make sure to add them into your everyday routine. Some of the kinds of things you might want to explore could include a yoga routine, regular outdoor strolls, or a chat with a loved one who always helps you to feel more upbeat.  Getting older can be fun, as you look forward to retirement and going on all the adventures you have spent years planning. There are a few things you have to think about though and not take for granted.
Exercise Exercise is very important at any age but especially as you get older. You need to ensure you are staying mobile as your joints can start to get stiff. Just 30 minutes of gentle exercise each day is enough to keep you healthy and supple. Think about doing something like cycling or yoga, even swimming is gentle and very good for your body. Exercise also boosts your mood, so if you have been feeling down in the dumps think about doing a workout of some sort. You can even do a workout in the comfort of your own home if you don’t fancy venturing out. If you do wish to go out, why not think about joining an exercise class. This is not only a great way of staying fit and motivated but a wonderful way to make friends. Exercise and socialising have been proven to keep the onset of dementia and Alzheimer's at bay as well. Diet You need to think about your diet carefully when you get older, this is due to your metabolism slowing right down. If you continue to eat as you did when you were younger you may be at risk of developing middle-aged spread. You may have heard of this, it is a ring of fat that happens due to it taking longer for your food to be digested. You should plan what you are going to eat, and eating smaller meals regularly will prevent bloating and indigestion. A healthy balanced diet will keep you satisfied for longer so you don’t feel the need to snack between meals. Water is your friend, it always has been. Drinking water has many benefits including healthy radiant looking skin. It not only keeps you hydrated externally but internally as well. Water helps keep your mind hydrated as well, you may not realise that the brain needs water but it does. If you don’t drink enough water you can struggle with memory loss and concentration problems. You will know if you are not drinking enough water as you will get a lovely dehydrated headache. Where To Live Unfortunately, when you get older you have to think about where you will spend the rest of your years. This could be at home, in peace and quiet or you may need to move into a residential home or a facility that offers assisted living in Greenburgh, NY (or similar in your area). If you are fit and well there is no problem being in your own home as long as it is suited to your needs. If you or your family find that you are struggling with everyday tasks such as getting about, washing, or cooking then you may need to find a place in a residential care home or assisted living facility. There are professionals who can help you with this process as it can be quite daunting. A care home broker will look at what you have available, what your needs are, and then find suitable living arrangements for you.  Image credit: Soroush Karimi from Unsplash It’s said that the biggest financial investment that people usually make is in their homes. But you could also argue that your home is an investment for your future. Regardless of where you are in life, you should always have some kind of plan for the future. Whether you’re buying your first home or finding somewhere to settle down for retirement, here are some ways that you can future-proof your home.
Keep Costs Down Utility costs add up, but you may be spending more than you need to. If you’ve recently moved in, or you’ve noticed costs spiking more than usual in winter, then you get an insulation specialist in to check things out. The first thing you should look at is your attic insulation. Typically, this should last at least fifteen years or so, but there’s no harm in getting it checked every three years. After all, not every house reaches the average. Another potential heat leech is through the doors and windows. Again, quality doors and windows should last at least fifteen years, but that’s if they’re brand new. If your home is a bit older or built in an exposed area, then you may need to consider a replacement. Besides, new doors and windows are a good way to freshen up your house. Rendering Repairs Your exterior walls keep your home and family safe from the outside world, but they can take a battering in the process. Any damaged rendering looks unpleasant, but it can also lead to damp and cause major issues in the future. Some companies, like TCA Rendering, can repair and protect your home rendering, preventing these problems before they crop up. Also, if you’re still concerned about keeping your utility costs low, you can get external wall insulation. As with any contractor, be sure to use a company that you can trust and that has a good reputation. This saves you time, money, and stress further down the road. No More Narrow Corridors This is something that few people consider, but if you have the space, consider widening the corridors and hallways. This way, you won’t feel cramped in your own home. Wider corridors have a more practical consideration, especially when you consider the future. Babies and children take up a surprising amount of space, considering their size. Prams, buggies, and other seemingly endless paraphernalia can jam up narrow corridors. Also, larger families can suffer from traffic jams unless they’re able to squeeze past each other. Also, larger corridors are easier for older or disabled people to navigate. They provide a clean and comfortable space to maneuver, especially for wheelchair users. If this applies to you or your family, you may also benefit from widening the interior doorways to make your home more accessible. Or, cut out as many corridors and doorways as you can by implementing an open-plan design. A well-designed open-plan home can be functional and attractive, providing a versatile and bright place for the whole family. 
Image credit: Picography from Pexels
Blogging has been around for longer than you probably think, it went through a huge explosion in popularity and almost everyone seemingly owned a blog whether for fun or commercial purposes. This then turned on its head and discussions about the death of blogging started to come to the forefront of advertorial conversations, particularly as social media and microblogging became the new in thing. That said it is still thought that blogging has its place and what is more than blogging can benefit your business. Here are some of the benefits of blogging for your business.
It increases traffic to your website A website that includes a well written and SEO friendly blog section will attract traffic to the website. Ensuring that the blog content provides value to the readers will draw them to your website and once they are there you have increased your website site traffic but also your brand awareness and potential for advertising. A purchase may not be made there and then but you are now on potential customers radar. The stronger your website traffic the better it is for your business. For example; A clothing brand may create blog content regarding the latest fashion items or how to style particular outfits. This is adding value to their customers all the while attracting traffic to the website and using the blog content to advertise their products. Showcase your business Whatever your business is then blogging gives you a real opportunity to provide a detailed outlook of your company. You don’t have to fit gimmicks into short sentences or summarise your business in a catchy caption, you can take the time to really portray the message you want and the services you offer. What is more, you can use this platform to raise awareness of matters important and relevant to your business. For Example; sustainability consultants or environmentally friendly products have a great opportunity to use a blog section to expand upon their services or products. They can create blog content that showcases their ethical business and explains what they are about in detail and why. They can also use this channel to share important issues that either relate to their business or indeed the wider issues concerning their business, such as environmental awareness and sustainability. Longevity of the advertorial content One of the real added bonuses of blogging content is its shelf life. A blog post can be written and instead of fading into the ether over time, a well-written keyword-friendly post can actually gain more traction and better reach over long periods of time, potentially over several years. Older posts can gain authority and ranking over time and become more easily discoverable via search engines. Further, if these posts are regularly updated to reflect recent or current purposes of campaigns they can increase their search engine standing. There are very few other advertorial options that provide that shelf life for similar financial and time expenditure. Example; A keyword friendly recipe post (if relevant to your business) that is updated from time to time is a great way of adding value and attracting readers that will truly stand the test of time. |
Author - Chris
Author, Editor, Creator of Learn Develop Live Archives
October 2024
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