Despite the fact that my job as a blogger and designer is constantly evolving, I do find that I have a routine to my days. It’s been awhile since I’ve shared a “behind-the-scenes” look at my day-to-day, so I’m looking forward to peeling back the curtains a bit and answering a question that I get quite frequently: “so, what do you do all day?”

8:00-8:45am: This is when I groggily wake up, look around to see what funky sleeping position my dog is currently in, and crawl out of bed. I shower and do the basic things necessary to maintain a normal human hygiene (ha!), and then I cuddle my dog until he wakes up (seriously, I’m a monster). I take him outside and then make breakfast before sitting down for work. Lately, I’ve been having avocado toast, a smoothie, and a cup of coffee every.single.day. It’s pretty much the best.

I forgot to mention, but I also aim to get rid of electronics in my bedroom when I’m going to sleep. Instead of using my phone’s alarm, I have an old-fashioned alarm clock that sounds more like a 1950s fire alarm than anything that should be near my ears. It’s been working out well. 😉

8:45-9:30am: This is when I’ll settle down at my desk and start answering emails, mainly to clients and TNC’s developer, Amanda. I don’t think answering emails first thing is the best idea, and it’s a habit I’d honestly like to change.

During this time, I also make a to-do list for the day, with the main tasks I’d like to get done. I have a notebook that I always keep near me for that purpose.

9:30am-12:30pm: What I do during this time can vary a lot each day, but here are some examples of things I’m most likely doing >>

• Working on design projects for clients.
• Chatting with my blog coaching clients.
• Writing blog posts.
• Responding to comments on the blog.
• Working on our weekly newsletter.
• Taking photos for blog posts (the lighting is best at this time!).
• Reaching out to brands with potential collaboration ideas.
• Approving TNC contributor pitches and editing contributor posts.
• Running errands for any supplies I need, from office supplies to photo props.

This is one of my most productive periods during the day, so I generally try to utilize that time to get a lot done! As a specific example, today I finished design proofs for a client, did some trouble-shooting for another client, scheduled a couple blog coaching sessions for next week, and published a blog post.

12:30-1:15pm: Lunch! I like to cook, so I almost always cook something for lunch and dinner. Today, I made teriyaki chicken with veggies and rice pilaf. While eating, I almost always watch an episode of a show I’ve seen 900 times, like The Office or my new favorite, House Hunters. 😉 I also often have shows like that playing in the background while I work. I find it’s pretty helpful to have some background noise while designing. And I love this site, which sounds like a coffee shop!

I also take Monja outside for a little break at this time. Lately, I’ve been trying to take him for longer, 30-minute walks + training sessions, which usually extends my break by a few minutes. Here’s Monja, pooped after a long afternoon of doing nothing. 😉

1:15-1:45pm: Another bad habit of mine is that I check my emails all throughout the day, rather than at a couple specific times each day. But after lunch, I do ease my way back into work by checking my email and social media. Sometimes, around this time, I’ll also schedule social media promotions for blog posts.

1:45pm-6:00pm: Like my productive block of time in the afternoon, this section of time is often filled with a variety of different tasks, from creating e-books for our newsletter subscribers to finishing design proofs for clients. Today, during this timeframe, I edited some blog posts, scheduled a future post, did a bit of social media work, revised design proofs for two clients, and revised the PDF that I give to new potential clients with my services and pricing (which was on my to-do list for ages!). I also gave Monja a bath — don’t tell him, but he needed it! 😉

6:00pm-?: Around 6, Monja starts whining about how I haven’t fed him in for-e-ver, so I end up giving him dinner and making some for myself, too. I’ll eat, read, cuddle Monja, and maybe watch some Netflix. After that, I usually work a little more, by choice. If I work in the evening, it’s not usually on client projects like designs or blog coaching, it’s more-so my own side projects, like e-books and e-courses I want to launch. It’s kind of my “fun time” and those are the types of things that I get really fired up about. 🙂

Most of the time, I work from my desk at home, but once or twice a week, I like to walk to a nearby coffee shop to crank out some work, too. I find that it’s really helpful to get out of the house and surround myself with others who are working, too.

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Since I work from home most days, it’s uber important to have a space that inspires me. I once tried to use a tiny bar cart as a desk in a studio apartment and was massively uninspired. >_< To make my workspace feel more homey, I used a few products — as seen in the photos above —  from Lulu & Georgia. You can check them all out there: Misty Pillow (Teal), Agate Coasters, Taliah Pillow (Violet), Kamile Pillow (Black), Natural Patan Pouf, White Florence Throw.

By the way, Lulu & Georgia is having a site-wide 25% off sale for Memorial Day from May 22nd to May 25th, 2015! Mark your calendars, friends. 🙂

What is your typical workday like?

This post is in collaboration with Lulu & Georgia. Thank you for supporting the awesome brands that keep The Nectar Collective going.