JuggleMum has changed. This blog has been running as a dedicated and maintained blog in various forms and on various platforms since 2009. However 2015 is the year that it was re-born!
I’m Nadine Hill, I started this blog (which was originally called Time Management Mum) in 2008 and was regularly blogging several times a week from 2009. It was my therapy – a creative outlet to call my own, where I could express whatever I wanted to and indulge my love of learning. I soon became hooked on figuring out what html was, and how to do basic site design so I could add a new page or link one post to another. Then I wanted to know about graphic design so I could create my own blog badge. Years of nudging along occurred, learning a little more here and there whilst still putting up regular content onto the blog and finding my voice.
Finding my voice sounds like an odd thing to say, doesn’t it? Friends and family at the time wouldn’t have thought that the confident Nadine they knew might be unsure of her place in the world and who she was back in 2009. But I was lost. I’d been working from home since 2005 after starting a business so I could be there for my daughter – our first child. Which means I wasn’t part of a workplace gang anymore. I worked alone every day and took care of my family and that’s all I did. I had friends but my social life had dwindled to zero and I was always either thinking about the business or my baby. Who had the time to have a social life with the demands of baby and business weighing heavy?
I got fat. I wasn’t looking after myself and I turned to food for energy (the wrong kind- it was a sugar rollercoaster) and for comfort. My food was my friend – except it wasn’t. My struggles with weight and my successful weight loss to date are a subject for another blog post. I could fill a book with what I’ve learned about emotional eating, but essentially at the time I started blogging, I was disempowered, not ‘myself’, coping with two young children and running a home based business. There was nothing in that busy life for ‘me’.
Through blogging I was able to talk about what was on my mind. I could take photos and make everything look pretty – this gave me the reward of satisfaction. The blog was like an online journal – the therapeutic act of writing things down combined with the aesthetically pleasing act of taking and choosing photographs to accompany each post. It helped me to live again – not just exist.
This sounds like a lofty goal for a mere bunch of pixels and website coding. However blogging slowed me down – it forced me to live in the moment. I knew my children were going to grow up quick and I wanted to savour every second. The fact that I was writing about the funny things they said and what we did together on this blog, made me pay attention. Everything we did was potential blog fodder. There are some things that no-one outside of our four walls will ever know. Private family jokes and memories that only the four of us share – not everything is for public consumption. Plus until very recently I have never disclosed my children’s names on my blog, keeping their digital footprint to a bare minimum. I’ve always respected the family’s privacy – never putting online anything I’d not want to be overheard if I were chatting on a bus. But through talking about family life, being invited by brands to review their products and by building up a catalogue of posts, I started to gain a following of readers who would engage with my posts and what we were up to.
Now I’m taking JuggleMum one step further. Over the last 3 years I’ve moved away from the kind of ‘diary’ blog posts about ‘what we did today’ and started to create more posts about lifestyle. I have enjoyed sharing my recipes, beauty recommendations and family travel tips and my content has become more useful to other people in general whilst being something that readers can dip in and out of – without feeling like they’ve missed part of a running saga! JuggleMum is now less about me, and more about all busy mums – doing the daily juggle just like I am!
So the site you are looking at today is the new look JuggleMum! It has had a complete virtual nip/tuck and I think it looks rather glossy – don’t you agree?! Here are some screenshots of the ‘old’ JuggleMum so you can see how it has evolved:
This is JuggleMum today… Isn’t she beautiful?
Whilst I’m writing, I’d just like to say a heartfelt “Thanks” to all of you who have read, commented on and supported my blog and become my friend over the last 6 years. My plan is to take JuggleMum from strength to strength so buckle your seatbelt – I’d love to have you with me for the ride.
Nadine x
Oh I love your new look Nadine – both on here and on you! I am glad you have gone from strength to strength and continue to do so, being so dedicated and decent, as you are! I have certainly enjoyed whatever I’ve read when I’ve visted, am especially inspired by your vlogs and weight loss and, having met you and worked with you, know that you deserve every bit of your success. Keep up the good work lovely! XX
Thanks so much Anya- what a lovely comment. It brought a tear to my eye! x
I LOVE the new look! I agree – like a glossy online magazine. I love the bright pink, and the contrast of this colour against black and white!
You’ve been blogging such a long time, and it has been a real journey for you – that’s what I love about blogging too, I can see the journey I’ve made from my beginnings in 2011. I can’t wait to see what your new style blog brings! Good luck honey xx
Aww thanks Michelle! I’m so glad that the design is getting some lovely feedback – I really love it! x
Gorgeous new look, very sleek and professional. I can’t believe you’ve been blogging r for so long, well done for keeping it up and continually refreshing it and upping your game.
Thanks Phoebe, it did feel like a big step up when I was getting this site ready before it launched, but you’ve always got to evolve and grow haven’t you? Thanks for commenting.
I love how your blog is designed, it is so easy to read and navigate around x
Thank you! One of the things that I love about it is that all the content is equal, so older posts get as much attention as newer posts, due to the permalink structure and the sectioned layout!
I like the new look and the magazine style format. Very modern and very you.
Loving the new look Nadine! It looks great!
Thanks ladies! It’s so affirming to get such lovely feedback!
Really like the new design and I love hearing how the blog has changed over the years and your journey with it. New reader here x
Thanks Sam, so glad to have you!! x
Gosh I had not idea that you had been blogging for so long – you must be one of the original UK bloggers! Fabulous new look 🙂
haha thanks! Either an original or a dinosaur!
What a gorgeous new look. You’ve come so far and achieved so much, you must be proud x
Thanks Liz x
I remember the original time management mum and the pink leopard print too. I love that blogging can evolve as out families grow and evolve. Here’s to many more years
I adore the new look, it’s very slick and modern. I think it is natural for your blog to grow and evolve, I know mine has changed so much since I started. Can’t wait to see more :0)
I love the new look! I can’t wait to see where you go from here 🙂 its a pleasure joining you on your blogging journey! x
I absolutely LOVE the new look Nadine – Its 100% you!
I’m going to stay here for the rest of the night and catch up on posts I’ve missed.
Charlotte x
Bless you! Do take off your shoes, grab a cuppa and stay awhile! You are very welcome! xx
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It look beautiful, Nadine! I started my blog motivated by the same lack of stimulation and me space and I am proud of what it has accomplished in the last three years! Good job and all the best with the new beginnings!xx
I’m loving the new look, it looks really professional xx
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