Today we’d like to introduce you to Darby Hawley.
Darby, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I initially started blogging when I moved to Houston with my new husband. I just thought it would be an easy way to stay connected. And here we are, over 10 years later, and I’m still writing about our adventures. When I started this blog, I had no idea what I was doing. And while I still rarely know what I’m doing, I’m incredibly grateful for the lessons I’ve learned, people I’ve met, and personal growth I have gained through the blogging experience. Our blog has not only allowed me access to new friendships, skills, and hobbies, but has also become a true treasure. Of course, I love that our lives our chronicled, but there is also something so special about the therapeutic process of writing and creating. As cliche as this sounds, I honestly do not know what I would do without my little piece of the internet.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has this been a smooth road? Hmmmmmm, yes. And no. The easy part for me has been that I love to create and have the desire to exercise that unique part of me. I miss creating when it is absent; I crave to use that part of me. However, and this is no surprise to anyone, time is too small. There is never enough time.
I am always juggling and nothing is ever completed. Being a pretty “Type A” person, that used to drive me crazy!
In a decade of blogging and juggling, I’ve learned that that in-between space, you know where everything is half-way done between inspiration and product, is not a bad place to be. Sometimes that journey part allows for more processing, and I’ve found that when I take more time, and more pit stops, I end up with something better than I initially thought. It’s taken time, but I’ve learned that having 400 post-it notes, 14 tabs open in my browser, dinner on the stove, a baby on my hip, and a can of dry shampoo, absolutely it’s a juggle, but it’s also a pretty awesome place to be.
Please tell us about Life with the Hawleys.
If I had to categorize myself I would say that I’m a Lifestyle Blogger, but really I just genuinely share how I’m navigating life. I share about my faith, family, fertility challenges, clean living, and eating, DIY’s, & life as a neuroscientist. Most recently, within the past couple of years, I’ve started sharing a lot about homeschooling our two young children.
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
My brain is continually full so not much sticks, but there is one line that has danced around my cranium for the past decade. When I was in school for my doctorate, there was a guest lecturer, and she said, “Be selfish with your time”. Upon first hearing this, I admit that I wrinkled my nose. That sounded so greedy to me at the time. But with time and experience, I have learned that she was right. We live in a world of “GO!” and if you don’t establish healthy boundaries and priorities, this world will run. you. over. and not look back. I’ve learned that I need to protect my time so that I can give my best to those around me.
Also, the phrase that “comparison is the thief of all joy” is so true. This is something I, too, have struggled with and have had to train my own eyes to just look forward at what I’m working on and to stay true to myself. I know that this can be challenging since we live in an age of image, but remind yourself that those filters and airbrushing techniques are not real. Don’t compare your reality with someone else’s photoshop.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://lifewiththehawleys.blogspot.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darbyhawley/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Life-with-the-Hawleys-356744907671722/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarbyHawley
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/darbyhawley/
Image Credit:
The personal photo is by https://grace-hill-photography.com/
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