| The other day, a friend who remembered my old “A Guy Called Bloke” blog (which ran from 2017 to 2022) asked if I’d ever consider writing a personal blog again. It was a fair question — after all, I once wrote daily, sometimes several times a day. But life today looks very different. The Earthly Comforts blog has been running since January 2023 and officially went live in July 2023. Over the last 28 months, it has evolved in tandem with the growth of the gardening business itself. What started as a small educational space has grown into a steady stream of informative articles around gardening, sustainability, nature, and seasonal advice. The content has shifted, expanded, and matured in step with the business. These days, I craft about half to seventy percent of each published article myself, with the help of AI and Grammarly smoothing the rest. I batch-write whenever I can — sometimes enough for a month — and schedule posts in advance. WordPress blogs thrive on the social aspect of writing, and many creators can dedicate hours every day to engaging, networking, and growing their audience. That isn’t my reality anymore. Running Earthly Comforts takes everything I’ve got. Most mornings start at 4 am, with the kettle on by 5 am and admin waiting before the first garden visit at 7:30 am. In the summer, the workday can begin as early as 5:30 am and end close to 8 pm. Whether it’s winter or summer, I finish each day tired but fulfilled. The business now has two full-time gardeners — including myself- and a part-time administrator [Suze] — and we’re still understaffed. I’m currently seeking a reliable part-time Assistant Gardener and potentially a new Saturday Gardening Assistant to join our team. With the pace we’re running at, “free time” is almost mythical. I live, breathe, and sleep the business. Do I have time for a personal blog? Honestly? No. Not anymore. The Earthly Comforts blog has undergone some recent changes. It is now positioned purely as an educational and informative hub. At the same time, I am preparing to launch a separate, dedicated business website that focuses on services, calls to action, and a clearer customer journey – although this blog will be attached as a direct link. From time to time, on the rare days when I manage to relax, the idea of writing a personal blog does cross my mind. There’s still a spark of interest — a flicker of the old days when I had the energy and space to write about life, thoughts, humour, and more. But realistically, that chapter has closed. It was a fantastic time, but life is now complete, busy, and different. A personal blog, at least for the foreseeable future, will remain a pleasant thought rather than something that will ever materialise again. And that’s okay. For now, Earthly Comforts — the gardens, the clients, the learning, and the growth — is more than enough to write about. |
Do I Have Time for a Personal Blog Anymore?
Earthly Comforts 
I do enjoy reading your gardening blog but I do miss your personal blog Rory. Perhaps you can make it a fortnightly feature. Just an update about your and Suze’s life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good morning Sadje, once a fortnight is possible or thereabouts. Suze and l are both busy, and combined busier. Sue has held the Plot 17 fort down for most of this year, l have been only able to get there sparingly. So l can get a few observations on those updates alongside other smaller projects on the go . We are both juggling many balls in the air with all sorts of things at present.
I recently had a lower bowel cancer scare which luckily l am through and given the green light.
We are currently in the early days of seeking office space and looking at approaching venture capitalists with a view to purchasing a large building.
I am still waiting to get the soil hub land project moving, so there are things going on, but there isn’t always the time to write about it – it takes longer to craft a personal observation post than it does an informative post, go figure
How are you keeping?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is very understandable given your level of commitments. I’m glad that the scare was just that and nothing serious. Take care my friend and stay well. Lots of hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sure was good to hear how well you are doing at focusing your many talents on your gardening passion, Rory. It makes me feel good. I can’t believe I once posted every single day for over five years. Now I am lucky if I blog once a month!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Geoff, how are you keeping?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes I feel like I am living in slow motion, Rory. I was actually gardening this morning. Every time I do, I think of you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 Always good to garden Geoff, it keeps our minds and souls sane. I guess where you are is warmer now than where l am?
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are heading into winter but so far no freezing or snow, so we have been in the garden any day it is sunny or not raining
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent – we have seen our temperatures drop here, not significantly, well, l see lots of people wear thick heavy coats. I am still wearing short sleeves for 75% of my working day though, but then l am working non stop and don’t tend to feel the cold that much anymore.
LikeLike
I enjoyed your personal blog, Rory, but you have to do what’s best for you. You’re busy with your growing business, and your current blog is the perfect fit. I learn a lot about nature from your posts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Eugenia, although l am going to try and write a little more personal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most welcome, Rory.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t have a personal blog like that but I can relate.
As for the last 8ish months, I haven’t really had much energy or motivation to get up and post on my blog. So, I had the time to ask myself if I’d like to keep going or would rather quit blogging and I decided against quitting.
Either way, that choice is everyone’s own to make. A blog is a lot of work. Technically, it is running a business on your own, including marketing, cleaning, keeping it alive, engagement, get the word out and so on.
While some might not realize how much work it actually is, it absolutely is.
But, I also have to say, for the last 8ish months I somewhat lived for my job most of the time. That’s not a healthy thing either.
With that being said, I hope you find the right amount of staff you need to give yourself an actual break sometime. Not for blogging but for yourself.
Stay safe!
LikeLike