When I started Trixy Life, I never imagined how much time and energy it would require. Back in August, I committed to posting every weekday – and at the beginning, I even posted on weekends. It became part of my daily routine, almost like a full-time job, even though it was never meant to be one. Writing has always been my passion. I love putting my thoughts into words, sharing my experiences, and reflecting on my life.
But over time, the daily commitment became intense. Writing every day meant that my days were shaped around creating posts, sometimes spending up to six hours between writing, editing, and preparing the content for my blog and social media. While I have loved the process, I am starting to realize that it is time to find a better balance – to enjoy writing without it feeling like a relentless responsibility.
The creative process behind each post
My writing process has always been deeply personal. Most of my posts start from something that happens in my daily life – a conversation with Pietro, something my sister mentions, or even a quiet moment with the kids. Sometimes, it comes from a book I have read or a thought that sparks while I am walking Blu. When inspiration strikes, I start thinking about how that experience connects to my life and how I can shape it into a meaningful story.
If the topic is unfamiliar or complex, like when I wrote about the five love languages, I start with research. I dive deep into articles, books, and studies to make sure I understand the subject thoroughly. I take notes, organize my thoughts, and then reflect on how that topic fits into my life and family. This phase alone can take several hours, but I love it – learning new things is one of my favorite parts of blogging.
Once I have gathered enough material, I start writing. I usually write in Italian first because it feels more natural to express myself in my native language. Afterward, I use ChatGPT to translate the post into English. This has been a game-changer for me. When I was blogging in the UK, my English was far from perfect, and translating posts was a frustrating process. I would either make too many mistakes or end up abandoning the translation altogether.
ChatGPT has simplified everything. It translates my Italian posts into fluent English, adapting idioms and sentence structure so that it reads naturally in English. But it is not a simple copy-paste job – I always review the translation to make sure it reflects the original meaning. Sometimes the translation shifts the tone or slightly alters the message, so I tweak it until it feels right.
Adding the finishing touches
After translating and editing, the next step is finding the right images. This part often takes longer than the writing itself. I have a photo archive with pictures from 2002 – thousands of pictures, each capturing a different moment of our lives. If I am writing about a specific memory, I usually know exactly where to look. But other times, I find myself scrolling through endless folders until I discover the perfect image.
If I do not have a suitable photo, I create graphics using Canva. This includes designing the blog cover image, adding a quote or a title, and formatting it to work across Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. I also write a short description for the image so that it is accessible to visually impaired readers. This step matters to me – I want my blog to feel welcoming to everyone.
Then comes the technical side: uploading the post, checking the layout, adding keywords for SEO, and creating at least two Pinterest pins. I have learned a lot about Pinterest over the years, and I know how important it is to have eye-catching, optimized pins to drive traffic to the blog. The day I decide to post, I check that everything is ready, publish it, and share it on social media, and then carefully file the post (with photos) in both my computer folder and a printed copy for my personal records.
Why I am slowing down
I love writing – that part has never changed. But the daily posting schedule has started to feel overwhelming. It has turned into an obligation rather than a creative outlet, and that is not why I started blogging.
This spring, I realized that I needed to adjust my pace. My kids are on spring break, and instead of feeling excited about spending time with them, I found myself stressed about keeping up with my posting schedule. That was the wake-up call I needed. Blogging should enhance my life, not take over it.
I have decided to scale back to posting three times a week. This feels like a manageable balance – enough to keep the creative flow going without sacrificing time with my family or feeling pressured to produce content constantly. It also gives me more time to enjoy the writing process instead of rushing through it to meet a daily deadline.
This change does not mean I am losing interest in blogging – quite the opposite. By reducing the pressure, I hope to reconnect with why I started this in the first place: to document our lives, reflect on our experiences, and create a space where others might find inspiration or comfort in my words.
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Writing for myself – and for you
At its core, Trixy Life has always been about storytelling. I write because it helps me make sense of life – the joyful moments and the difficult ones. Keeping a record of our lives feels important, not just for me but for my kids. I love the idea that one day, Elisa and Marco might look back at these posts and understand the choices we made as a family, the adventures we had, and the lessons we learned along the way.
But I also write for others. I know how much I have gained from reading other people’s stories when I needed guidance or reassurance. If one person finds comfort or clarity in something I have shared, then the time and effort behind this blog will always have been worth it.
What is next for Trixy Life
Going forward, I will focus on quality over quantity. Three posts a week will allow me to maintain a steady connection with my readers while giving me the space to explore topics more deeply. I want to write with intention, choosing subjects that resonate with me and (hopefully) with you.
I hope you will continue reading and following along. This blog is not going anywhere, it is simply evolving, just like life does.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me. Your comments, messages, and support mean more than you know.
And now, I am off to enjoy spring break with my family – without worrying about tomorrow’s post.
Thank you for spending time with me today!
See you next time.
Valentina
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