Obsessed. Yes, this is little ole me stating that I am unapologetically obsessed with a new device I talked myself into getting. You see I honestly prefer Apple computers over brands. Not saying I don’t have other brands and don’t use them. However, I find myself rather refreshed after a day of dealing with windows to come home and enjoy the life of MacOs Sierra. Maybe having an iPhone and iPad makes me lean this way due to my life virtually syncs on the daily. I truly love the screen quality of Apple products. Well I have wanted an iMac 27 for years now. Not only because they are amazing to use, but they are simply beautiful. I was online the other day after a long day of work, saw an amazing deal for one and didn’t look back. My new post totally inspired me to write my Top Picks for Computers, Apps, and software that aids me blogging.

In blogging having the correct computer and software is key. I am going to give you all the details on all the products I use on my iMac and Macbook to blog. Not only can you use the devices to photograph for your blog due to their inept ability to upgrade any photo, but having a big screen that’s lovely to sit and type out blog posts is amazing. To me if I have a beautiful tool I am use to paint words on a page, I am more likely to have creativity flow fearlessly throughout me. I know this may sound ridiculous, but it’s the same idea that we listen to music to get the vibes going to write.

If you haven’t had the chance to use an iMac 27 or a Macbook Pro you are really missing out. Yes, they are super expensive. However, once in a blue moon you can find an amazing deal online. Granted this has been on my mind for years and was not a fast decision. It’s a financial commitment. However, I have a rule for myself that I don’t make fast decisions nor sink money into large purchases on a whim. I carefully plan my financials to allow me to do so.

I also think the iPhone is a great choice for blogging. Now I know those Android users out there may be thinking I am crazy. However, having the ability to AirDrop is one I don’t take for granted. I use AirDrop on a daily basis. I find it’s super easy to send images I have made from my laptop to my iPhone using the drag and drop method in AirDrop. Seriously these phones are iconic to photograph as well for blog posts. Afterall who doesn’t love a Rose Gold iPhone? I know my iPhone is never far from me as it’s essential for running my business and blogging.

The next tips is actually a monthly subscription. For editing all blog pictures, I use a combination of Adobe products. I use Photoshop to create images as well as to make unique combination of layers that accompanies blog posts. In the past you could outright buy these programs, but it seems now the easiest thing to do is get the $9.99 Monthly subscription. In additional I typically use Lightroom to edit all my blog pics. Bad lighting can really mess with the images and with Lightroom you can adjust particulates to correct the coloring. I using start with Lightroom and then move images to Photoshop. Both of these products are immensely useful, which you can do just about anything with images using them.

Next, I write all my posts in Microsoft word. I know this is pretty old school. However, most of the time I am places without internet and so you will see me with a USB stick everywhere. I like using Word before moving post into WordPress so that I can do most the editing before adding it to the post online. I find that sometimes typing in WordPress can really mess with the codes if you make too many change. This is just my preferred method. I also use Microsoft Excel to track my blog income and expenses. My accountant seriously thanks me every year, because I keep things super organized. I find using a blog income/expense tracker really makes tax time super easy.

Now that I have covered: the computer, the editing software, writing and tracking software it’s time to dive into apps that come in super handy. I simply adore Dropbox. I have everything sync’d on all my devices. It’s a great way to keep photos from hoarding memory. I love that I can create something on my iMac and then save it to my Dropbox and pull it on my phone to post on social media. The next app I love is Notes from Apple. I generally keep a list of hashtags in a note that I can easily access on my phone to include on social media posts. What did we ever do before apps?

I seriously love my technology system for blogging. I think all of these items aid me in writing some of the best posts I have written to date. Yes, I am loving my new computer. However, it did give me the inspiration to write this post. I hope that you find my tips here will work for you. Life is so busy that I am always looking for the better way to blog. If you have any suggestions leave them below.

I know tons of bloggers that have full-time jobs and then blog on the side (full-time) as well. Somehow we find the time to wiggle in posts and some are really successful at managing juggling both. Some even have children, which I have so much respect for. I’ve mentioned before that I started a business with my mom, which has consumed my life. No joke as most can probably understand life changes when you go all in on a business adventure. I am a believer you get out of something, by what you put into it. So I really have made a go of this business, which has left me a workaholic and very stressed.

Where did this leave blogging? Well where did that leave blogging? That would be on the backburner. However, after I believe 5 years of blogging it’s not something I want to give up. I have a bit of a routine that I have daily when I get home that enables me to keep blogging and attempt the stress-free home life. The objective is to have a serene state to write blog posts. Being less stressed can impact your creative juices to the core. So I am going to share my favorites and give all the details of my relaxed blogging process.

The first thing that I try to adhere to that really makes a difference is to “Leave it at the office.” Don’t bring home the negativity that occurs at work. I have a seriously stressful job which I have people’s livelihoods at stake. I must stay super focused and try to keep from making mistakes. Mistakes in this business are super expensive and ones you want to avoid like the plague.  My thoughts in leaving all the tension at work is that if you don’t bring home the drama you won’t take it out on your loved ones. It also enables you to let your brain relax. I for one always struggle with turning my brain off, but it’s something I continuously am working on. Obsessing about work 24/7 can seriously make you crazy. We need to have a healthy separation between work an home.

Next, time I get home I get into comfy clothes. It’s like shredding layers of stress and frustration. Sometimes my shoulders ache due to the tension and getting into my pjs is a good way to free up the tension. Being comfortable in what you are wearing can alter your way of thinking. It’s like the difference in wearing super tight jeans vs wearing yoga pants. Same philosophy and being comfortable is the next step in letting the stress melt off.

After changing it’s time to take off the makeup. I love putting on makeup but finding it’s just as satisfying to take it off. I have super oily skin, so by the end of the day I am a total oily mess. It’s very soothing to see the makeup melt off my face when I use the Clinque Take the Day off Cleansing Balm. Seriously try it, it’s totally worth it. Next I follow up with my favorite Younique skincare products. I start with the Pore Purifying cleanser to further get all the makeup and oils that remain off my skin. If I am having a really bad day I will use the Detox Mask from Younique. I think it not only pulls out the toxins from my skin but also pulls out and tension. It’s so pleasing to see your face covered in a thick black mask that can scare small children.  Of course I am kidding, but this stuff is wonderful. Next I use the Rose water spritzer and Time correcting night cream from Younique.  The Rose water in particular seriously is amazing. It totally calms your skin from inflammation and the stress of the day. I find using great skincare can really give you the spa feeling of relaxation.

After the pamper routine, I make me a cup of hot Earl Grey tea with local sourced honey and lemon. I then grab my laptop and cozy up in my writing nook for ultimate blogging success. Normally I am able to get a few photos edited and some blog stuff done. The thing you don’t realize about blogging before you start is that there is a ton of maintenance and upkeep that goes along with having a blog. I find that after doing my ritual for getting rid of as much stress as possible, I am able to really get thing. It’s surprising how many blog post ideas you can come up with when your mind is clear and body relaxed.

This is just works for me. I find that when I need to go home and do any blog work it’s a must. I spend most nights working on something blog wise. Thank goodness I came up with a solution for my stress issues. I am not saying that I become stress free but I am saying this totally works for me. What habits do you have for decreasing the amount of stress to blog? Until next time, I will be here relaxing in my Yoga pants/comfy clothes and sipping my hot tea.
Linking up today with:

Being in the blogosphere for years now I’ve seen many things that totally fascinate me. Blogs go and come. You meet people with the most fascinating stories. You make friends that become closer to you that people you’ve known your entire life. It continues to fascinate me that we meet people and truly become friends. I am sure regardless if you have been blogging a short time or for years you have met someone that you call a blog friend. Sometimes this “Blog Friend” turns into a great friend.

Life is hard and I can say that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting bloggers like myself and go through life’s hurdles with them. I ‘ve heard the most horrific stories and shed tears right along with them. We’ve been through life’s greatest moments to life’s worst. Through life and death we support each other. I truly feel that each moment that’s tough regardless if it is in blogging or real life, I have this support system to fall back on.

It’s most fascinating that in blogging for years I have made some truly wonderful friends. It’s evident that a year of blog friendship has developed into many friendships. Even as I write this post I am actually texting one of these blog friends that I really respect. She’s truly a Lady Boss and knows exactly how crazy my life is and helps comfort me in being crazy busy.

For example she knows me, and I mean really knows me. She knows that I don’t sleep much. She lives an hour behind me but I often am wide away as she is ready to go to sleep. By the way I am talking about Christine. She’s a super amazing person and blogger. Head over and check out her blog here.

Having just an outlet to ask, “how does this post sound or is this idea total crap” is a big help. I anticipate many of you have met such people in your blogging adventures. I truly hope that you have had the fortune of meeting a blog friend as I have through my own experience. I continue to be fascinated by this, as I never expected friendship to come from blogging. Do you share this fascination?