For This House
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
As we celebrate the one-year anniversary of For This House, we have been reflecting on our journey as bloggers and content creators. (It feels really strange to call ourselves those things!) My sisters and I have always wrestled with the desire to be an uplifting voice in this digital community while fully soaking up our offline lives with family and friends.
With so many people using their online presence not only to share personal experiences but to build brands, sell products, and craft narratives, it’s easy for technology to consume more of our time than we intend. While digital platforms offer outstanding opportunities for creativity and discovery, they also present challenges in maintaining a healthy relationship with technology.
For content creators, the line between work and personal life is blurry. Using our personal lives as content invites audiences into our homes and daily routines. This constant connection makes it difficult to separate being present in person from being present in our digital space.
Over the past year of showing up and being present online, I have established a few ground rules for myself as I strive to be an uplifting voice online, while remaining a present wife, mother, and friend.
Set limits on your phone—and actually adhere to them. Consider having your roommate, spouse, or teammate set a passcode for you. This way, you’ll need to ask someone before you can log back on, which may help you think twice. Tip: Here is a tutorial for iPhone users.
Clock in and out, even for unpaid passion projects like ours. I clock in and out when writing, editing, and creating in order to keep a rough estimate of my time spent on blog-related activities. This method also helps my work remain focused and purposeful.
Designate specific times to be fully present in your physical life. Examples: meal times, when children are awake, dedicated evening hours.
Turn off unnecessary notifications (e.g., likes, comments). We utilize an automated system for routine responses to comments, that way we can respond personally during our “on the clock” hours without fearing that someone is waiting for a link.
Engage in activities without documenting them. Remember: Not everything needs to become content. Practice turning off your “content creator mode” and enjoy what you’re doing for an audience of one! It is immensely refreshing.
Try doing “temperature checks” with yourself or your team members. Assess feelings about your work regularly, on a scale that works for you, then create plans to adjust and support as needed. Self-checks include processing how your work is affecting your personal life—doing this regularly ensures your priorities don’t get muddled.
Setting boundaries as a content creator is an ongoing process—as your audience grows, your habits will change. By implementing these strategies and personalizing them to fit your lifestyle, you can cultivate a healthier relationship with technology.
Remember, we want to harness the benefits of our digital tools without spoiling the richness of our offline experiences. Finding balance between digital and tactile not only enhances our content, but also enriches our lives beyond the screen.
Dear Lord,
Help me balance my digital and real-world presence. Guide me to be a light for you in both, without becoming overwhelmed. Keep me centered on you amidst the distractions.
May my actions online and offline reflect your love. Grant me the discipline to maintain healthy boundaries and the wisdom to use technology as a tool for good.
Remind me that my worth comes from you alone—not from my accomplishments or digital engagement. Help me create uplifting content and nurture meaningful relationships.
In all things, digital and physical, may Your name be glorified.
Amen
Ally is the primary founder of For This House. She just finished renovating a cute, old house in small town Washington where she lives with her husband and young son. Ally is a teacher by trade, but also enjoys library cookbooks and watching Downton Abbey. Learn more about Ally.