I honestly really enjoy creating these so I figured why not do another. I love this verse so much. It has a great message and I really like the choice of words. What is a Bible verse that you love? ♥

I started my blog over a year and a half ago and, throughout that time, I have found some tips and tricks that certainly help with planning and posting. I know that some of you have (or are thinking about creating) a blog so I thought that it would be helpful if I shared some of my tips with all of you fellow bloggers.


Planning: 
Planning is a very crucial step if you want to alleviate stress and stay on a schedule. Without some form of planning process, I honestly don't know how I would be able to stay sane while releasing new content. I personally enjoy using a blogging binder. It makes it easy to know when to post and even keeps track of what days I should be active on social media. It has helped tremendously. I will also sometimes use just a notebook and it seems to work out just as well. There are many free downloadable blogging planners so I am sure that you will be able to find one that you like. If that doesn't work out then you can even create your own or use a notebook.

Schedule:
Sticking to a schedule, the thing that took me a while to do. As of now, I plan on posting every Sunday and Wednesday. I know that I have missed a few days but my schedule is still my goal. It took me a while to start posting on a schedule because, at first, I didn't really care about it but now I realize its importance. It helps me by holding myself accountable and it helps my readers by knowing when to check back for more content. Sticking to a schedule shouldn't be your top priority but it should definitely be thought of with importance. Using your planner would help greatly with reminding yourself.   

Content:
I struggle a lot with coming up with blog post ideas. In order to help with that, whenever I think of an idea, I try to remind myself to write it down because (knowing me) I'm sure I would forget it within the next ten minutes. Also, whenever I really need an idea quickly, I search for inspiration. Whether that be, Pinterest, other blogs, Instagram, you name it. It seems to help bring in a few new ideas.

Social Media:
Some might think, "Why do I need to keep up with my social media when it has nothing to do with my blog?". Answer: it does. A lot. Social media brings in new people, brings in returning people, is another form for people to keep up with you, and is a great marketing strategy. I don't have an issue with this because I personally love social media so I would use it anyway but for some, it seems to be another thing added to their to-do list. Using it doesn't mean you have to be on it 24/7 but it should mean staying up to date with it every now-and-then. It really does make a difference.


How did you like this post? Did you get anything out of it? Let me know in the comments down below. Also, what are some of your blogging tips and tricks? I would love to know! ♥

Happy hump day! Hopefully your week has gone by well so far!

The other day I was messing around with my watercolor paint and had an idea to make swashes but not only that but to make them into graphics and share them with you all for FREE! I made a couple different ones and I really enjoy creating them and converting them to a graphic-I find it is really cool to be able to see them digitally. Today I will be sharing one of the swashes (that you may have already seen from a couple posts back) that I made but I plan to do more so be looking out for those in the future!



This graphic is free for personal use only. If you decide to distribute the files please just link back to this post and attribute credit to My life as Madalyn. Easy enough, right?

Below is the download link for the swash. Enjoy!

Click to download graphic.

Note: You can change the color of the graphic in Picmonkey. Just click the uploaded image and change the slider to your preferred color.

Hello! I am back! If you didn't notice, I took a break from blogging on Wednesday but today I am planning to be back on schedule.

I have done many Birchbox reviews in the past and y'all seem to like them so I decided that I could do another one today. I am not sponsored by Birchbox and I do not receive products or compensation from them so these reviews are always my sincere opinion.

This month's theme "is all about making little changes, embracing the things you love, and products that make you feel like the greatest version of your (already great) self."

Without further ado, let's get into what I received in my January 2017 Birchbox.

Happy Sunday! I hope that you all have a great day! Today I will be doing another verse of the day. This will be the second one that I have done. Enjoy! As always, feel free to share! ♥

Resolutions, goals, items on a to-do list-whatever it be, let this be that extra motivation to you for you to do it. Be the boss of your 2017. With school, work, or life expectations sometimes it can be really hard for us to find time (or the motivation) to do the things we need to do. Sometimes it gets to the point where we procrastinate or altogether give up. Well my challenge to you this year is to never let anything win the battle over you. You defeat anything that comes your way. Make it the best year you have ever had.

Don't make that goal, to make it the best year you have ever had, another thing that you add to your list of things that you want to get done. Put it at the top of your list and circle it in red if you have to; just make it one of your top priorities. If you put your happiness and contentment as one of your top priorities, all the other things on your list will be easily accomplished.

I know that this post was short but hopefully you still enjoyed it. I also know that getting reminders like this at the beginning of the year certainly has a positive effect on me so I hope it does the same for you. I'll be back on Sunday so until then...♥

Happy New Year! It is officially the first day of 2017! I thought that with today being the official first day that I would do a welcome-to-the-new-year kinda thing. I will be sharing some of my New Years resolutions and wishing you all an exciting and enjoyable 2017. Here we go...

So, some of my New Years resolutions consist of reading the Bible but more on a regular basis, (Oh! Also, a little update for y'all, last year I said that I wanted to read the whole Bible in one year and well unfortunately I did not achieve this but I did manage to get through about a third of it. I just didn't realize how much time I was wasting.) having a more consistent workout routine, and drinking more water/eating healthier. I would also like to grow spiritually, emotionally, and also grow my projects and just get things done. I hope to stick with these but I guess we will see what happens.

Well if you have any resolutions that you will be trying to stick to-I wish you all the best! I also wish the best for really all of 2017. I pray that everyone has an amazing year and that it is full of good things. I'm sure that God has some pretty awesome things in store for y'all. (;

What are your resolutions for the New Year? I would enjoy reading your responses if you leave them in the comments section down below. Also (again) Happy New Year! ♥