{Meet the Blogger} Meet Jacqui!

Today meet South African blogger Jacqui O’ Bree. 

• What do you normally get up to on an average day? (Give us a brief description about yourself)

I’m a mom, life coach and blogger. I have 2 girls – Mila (2) and Sophia (6), and I’m a stepmom to Hannah (19) and Josh (23).

I generally fit work into the mornings and afternoons are less predictable. I’m either with my girls or running errands. There are some days that I work a full day – depending on my work load. During work hours I’m either coaching, training (I run workshops), writing or marketing.

I am passionate about personal development and creating work life balance (for myself and others). I also love to travel, so I am always planning holidays or getting inspiration on Instagram for our next adventure.

2) How do you feel about motherhood – what are your struggles and joys?

Motherhood has been a humbling experience – you think you got a handle on things until you have kids!

Having children has been the biggest joy and the greatest challenge. I am learning a lot about myself and life.

The struggles are surprising – you expect the late nights with a crying baby, but it’s the seemingly simple tasks that have caught me off guard, like getting them dressed for school. No one warned me about that!

As a mom, I am my most vulnerable and my strongest. My youngest ended up in hospital just before Christmas last year. Luckily it wasn’t too serious, but it put a lot into perspective. I felt completely vulnerable because I couldn’t do anything to help her; but I managed to put on a brave face and get on with it. Moms can be strong despite what is going on around us, because we have to be.

The joys come from the simple things like going for walks, baking, or snuggling in bed. I’ve had to remind myself to enjoy motherhood more. I was trying to do everything perfectly so “I don’t mess up my child” but I’ve realized that kids don’t want you to be perfect, they want you to be present.

3) Tell us about your kid(s)

Sophia is 6. We call her Mowgli, after the character in the Jungle Book. She is an adventurous sensitive soul. She is brave (much braver than me), funny (she loves telling jokes) and strong willed.

Mila is our little firecracker – she wants to do everything her sister does and she owns a room. She is very loving and very strong.

4). How did you start blogging?

I started blogging when I started my business in 2009. I wanted to share what I was learning with other people, and hopefully offer some tools/ ideas that may help people who are on a similar journey.

5) Share with us a valuable blogging tip you’ve learnt. (or more)

• Blog from the heart – try to be authentic. I may be writing about personal development, but that doesn’t mean I get it right. I share my struggles, failures as well as advice.
• Keep it short – people scan online so don’t write essays.

6) If you make money from your blog, give us a breakdown on how you do it. Give us some of your methods on how to get started on this, or any tips or advice.

I use my blog to promote my coaching services and online products.

My advice – whatever you sell, must match your blog & brand. It would be weird for me to sell clothing via my blog, when the focus of my blog is personal development and work life balance.

I am also an Amazon Book Affiliate. I read a lot so I refer my readers to books I recommend, and I have an Amazon banner advert.

Jacqui O’Bree is a Personal Development Coach whose mission is to help herself & others be Purposeful, Present & Productive. Her blog is for anyone wanting to build their confidence, manage their time, find balance and live a meaningful life.

Find her here:

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