More ideas

 I hear you. When we start talking about "RPMs," "affiliate links," and "service pages," it starts to sound like a second college degree instead of a blog you enjoy.

Let's strip away all the "expert" noise and look at the absolute simplest path for you. Since you're already busy with Nathan, the kids, your health, and Penn State, you don't need a complex 10-step business plan.

If you want to earn money without the headache, just focus on these two things:

1. The "Set It and Forget It" (Ads)

You already have ads. The only thing you "need" to do here is keep writing your daily posts with your Bible verses.

 * The "Simple" Task: Just try to make your posts a little longer.

 * Why: The more words you write, the more ads the system can automatically tuck between the paragraphs. You don't have to do anything tech-y; just keep talking!

2. The "Recommendation" (Affiliate)

Think of this like talking to a friend at Harvest Baptist. if you told a friend, "Hey, this walking pad really helped me," you're just being helpful.

 * The "Simple" Task: Sign up for Amazon Associates (it’s free and pretty easy).

 * The Action: When you mention your walking pad or a book you're reading for class, drop the link.

 * Why: If someone buys it, you get a small thank-you check from Amazon. No designing, no shipping, no customer service.

Why it feels like it takes "Forever"

The reason it feels slow is that blogging is a volume game.

 * 400 posts is a great library! But if those posts are short, there isn't much room for ads to work.

 * If those posts don't have links to products, there's nothing for people to buy.

My Advice for Right Now?

Don't try to do the "tech-y" stuff today. You’re already a Poshmark Ambassador II. You already know how to make money online by selling clothes. Blogging is just "selling" your ideas and your encouragement.

How about we start with the easiest thing: Do you have an Amazon account? We could see if your walking pad or your favorite coffee is something you can link to in your next "Poetic Coffee" post.

Strategies

 Back to business! Since you already have 400 posts, an ad network set up, and a "Poetic Coffee" brand, you aren't starting from scratch. You’re sitting on a car that just needs gas.

To get from "pennies" to "paycheck" without it taking forever, you have to move away from waiting for random traffic and start directing it.

Here are the three most realistic ways for you to earn money, ranked from "fastest" to "long-game":

1. The "Designer" Fast-Track (Active Income)

Since you are a Digital Multimedia Design student, your blog is your resume.

 * The Strategy: Create a "Services" page. Offer to design custom Bible verse social media graphics or Pinterest templates for other Christian bloggers/churches.

 * Why it works: You don’t need 10,000 views to make money this way. You only need one person to see your beautiful work and hire you. One $50 design gig is worth more than a year of low-traffic ad revenue.

2. Strategic Affiliate Marketing (Passive-ish Income)

You mentioned "daily life" posts. Every time you mention your life, there is an opportunity to link to a product you actually use.

 * The "Pre-Diabetic" Angle: Link to the specific walking pad you use or your favorite sugar-free coffee syrups (ties into the "Poetic Coffee" name!).

 * The "Student" Angle: Link to the desk setup or design software you use for Penn State.

 * The "Poshmark" Angle: Link to the poly-mailers or thermal printers you use to get that 1-day shipping.

 * How it pays: When people click your link and buy, you get a commission. Amazon Associates is the easiest place to start.

3. Digital Products (High Profit Margin)

This is where your design major meets your faith.

 * The Idea: Create a "Poetic Coffee Prayer Journal" or a pack of "30 Days of Scripture Printables."

 * The "Tech-Light" Version: You don't need a fancy shop. You can sell these on Etsy or even just put a "Buy Now" PayPal button on a blog post.

 * The Math: If you sell a digital download for $7.00, you keep almost all of it. To make that same $7.00 in ad revenue with low traffic, you'd have to wait months.

The "400 Post" Quick Fix

To help your ads actually make money, you need to increase your RPM (how much you get paid per 1,000 views).

 * The Trick: Go back to your 10 most popular posts. Make sure the text is broken up into small paragraphs (easier to read on phones).

 * The Result: This creates more "space" for ads to appear. More ads viewed = more money in your pocket, even with the same amount of traffic.

Since you're already a Poshmark pro, would you be more comfortable selling "digital items" (like design templates) or "physical items" (referring people to products you love)?

Faith, mom life, college, health, & poshmark

 "Poetic Coffee" actually sounds great. It has a really strong "vibe"—it feels cozy, thoughtful, and a little bit creative. It’s the perfect name for a blog where you’re sharing "anything" because it suggests a conversation over a warm mug.

Since you are a Digital Multimedia Design student, you probably already see the aesthetic potential in that name. It gives you a great "brand" to work with!

Here is how you can take that "cool" name and tie it into your Faith, Health, Mom Life, and College post:

The "Poetic Coffee" Themed Titles:

 * "A Full Cup: Balancing Penn State, Pre-Diabetes, and Prayer"

 * "Steam & Scripture: Finding God’s Grace in the Midterm Grind"

 * "Refilling the Mug: How I’m Navigating Health and Homework"

 * "Sips of Strength: When Life Feels Like a Lot, but God is More"

Why the name "Poetic Coffee" works for your goals:

 * The "Poetic" side: This covers your Bible verse images and the "Sharing God's Message" part. It’s the beauty, the soul, and the reflection.

 * The "Coffee" side: This covers the "Daily Life" part. It’s the energy you need for the walking pad, the late nights studying for Penn State, and the busy mornings getting the kids to Harvest Baptist.

A Design Idea for your Verse Image:

Since your blog is "Poetic Coffee," you could occasionally use design elements like warm tones, soft textures, or even a subtle coffee-ring watermark on your Bible verse graphics. It would make your 400+ posts look like a cohesive collection!

A Quick Recommendation for a Verse:

If you’re writing about the juggle of college and health right now, Isaiah 40:29 is a perfect fit for a "Poetic Coffee" post:

> "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."

> 

It’s the perfect "caffeine for the soul" for a 37-year-old mom doing it all.

Would you like me to help you write a quick "About Me" blurb for your sidebar that explains the meaning behind "Poetic Coffee"? (Something that mentions you're a designer, a mom, and a believer?)

What’s a good title- faith, health, mom life, college ? lol

 That "lol" is the sound of a woman who has a lot of tabs open in her brain! Since you've got 400 posts of "anything," giving a post a title that weaves all those threads together is actually a great way to show how God is in the middle of the mess.

Since you're a Digital Multimedia Design student, you can think of these as "branding" your life. Here are a few options ranging from "deep" to "relatable":

The "Big Picture" Titles

These work great for a "state of the union" style post:

 * "Calculators, Clean Eating, and Christ: My Current Season"

 * "Designing a New Life: Balancing Penn State, Pre-Diabetes, and Prayer"

 * "400 Posts and a Whole Lot of Grace: How I’m Juggling It All"

The "Daily Grind" Titles

These are perfect for those "daily life" updates you enjoy writing:

 * "Between the Walking Pad and the Textbooks: Finding God in the Hustle"

 * "Study Breaks & Spirit-Led Steps: Life as a 37-Year-Old Student"

 * "Raising Kids, Reselling Clothes, and Renewing My Strength" (A little nod to your Poshmark success there!)

The "Faith-Forward" Titles

Since you want the message to be the focus, these lead with the Word:

 * "Strength for the Stairs (and the Walking Pad): A Lesson in Perseverance"

 * "New Creations: From Multimedia Design Projects to a Healthier Heart"

 * "More Than a Grade: Trusting God with My Degree and My Family"

A "Designer" Pro-Tip:

Since you start with a Bible verse image, you could use a "Double Title" format. It’s very popular in the blogging world right now:

> Title: God’s Strength in My Weakness

> Subtitle: How I’m navigating college, health goals, and mom life this week.

> 

Which of those "buckets" feels most like you right now? I can help you pick a specific Bible verse that fits one of them perfectly for your image!

Did the 3000 steps before 7 am challenge on WeWard

 I would love to! Since you’ve got that 60-day streak, the 3,000-step early bird win, and that 1,000-Ward milestone all happening at once, this is the perfect time to share your progress.

Here is a draft that captures your vibe—authentic, hardworking, and a little bit "4:00 AM exhausted but proud."

4:30 AM, 1,000 Wards, and the Magic of a 60-Day Streak

They say the world belongs to those who wake up early, but at 4:00 AM in Leechburg, it mostly just feels like the world belongs to me, my walking pad, and a very quiet house.

Today was a big one. If you’ve been following my journey to move from "technically sedentary" to "active," you know I’ve been chipping away at my goals one step at a time. This morning, I hit three major milestones before my coffee was even cold:

1. The 60-Day Streak 🐼

I officially hit 60 days of walking every single day. Seeing that "DONE" panda pop up on my screen felt like a graduation ceremony. It hasn't always been easy—especially balancing my Digital Multimedia Design classes at Penn State and keeping up with my Poshmark closet—but showing up for myself for two months straight has changed how I see myself.

2. Owning the "Early Bird" Challenge

The goal was 3,000 steps before 7:00 AM. I’m not going to lie—at 1.0 mph, it took some patience (and a few "I'm sweaty" breaks on the couch!). But I clocked those steps, banked the bonus Wards, and proved to myself that I can be disciplined even when the bed is calling my name.

3. The 1,000 Ward Milestone 💸

I finally crossed the 1,000-Ward mark on WeWard! For a stay-at-home mom and entrepreneur, there is something so satisfying about turning health goals into actual rewards. It’s a small win that represents a lot of miles.

My "Mirror Moment"

The coolest part of this morning? While I was cooling down in my favorite leggings and tank top, I looked at myself and realized: I don't think I look that big. Even though my BMI says one thing, my body is starting to feel like another. I’m feeling stronger, tighter, and more capable. To my fellow pre-diabetic warriors and busy moms: the scale is just a number, but the feeling of a 60-day streak? That’s everything.

Now, time to get the kids ready for Harvest Baptist and switch back into "Mom mode."

What are you doing for yourself today?

Would you like me to tweak the tone to be more "design-focused," or does this feel like the right balance for your blog?

Got a dif question 🙋🏽‍♀️… if I get in 3000 steps before 7 am I can get a bunch of points on WeWard. Should I try? The walking pad is in the living room and everyone’s sleeping and they’re sorta nearby. Hmm 🤔

That is the ultimate "Early Bird" dilemma! Since you're balancing a busy household with three kids and a husband who works management hours, that quiet 7:00 AM window is probably your best "me time"—but the noise factor is real.

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide if you should go for those WeWard points:

The "Pros" (Why you should go for it!)

 * The Points: If it’s a significant bonus, those points add up toward real rewards, which is a great "game" to play alongside your Poshmark hustle.

 * Health Win: Getting 3,000 steps done early means you only need 2,000 more to hit your 5,000-step goal. You'd basically be "active" before the kids even have breakfast.

 * The Penn State Edge: You could listen to a lecture or catch up on your Digital Multimedia Design reading while the house is quiet.

The "Cons" (The Risk Factor)

 * The "Thump-Thump" Factor: Walking pads aren't silent. Even if the motor is quiet, the sound of your feet hitting the deck can vibrate through the floor.

 * The Wake-Up Call: If Seth, Evan, or Ava wake up early because of the noise, your "quiet morning" disappears instantly!

 * Nathan’s Schedule: If Nathan had a late shift at Strickland Brothers, he might not appreciate the 6:30 AM rhythmic thumping.

My Recommendation: The "Test Drive" Strategy

Try it, but with a few "Stealth Mode" tweaks:

 * The "Rug" Hack: If you don't have one already, put a yoga mat or a piece of carpet under the walking pad to dampen the vibration.

 * Slow and Steady: Keep the speed lower (maybe 2.0 or 2.5 mph). It’s quieter and you can still rack up steps; it just takes a bit longer.

 * The Headphones Rule: Keep your own audio in earbuds so you can hear if a door opens or a kid starts calling for you.

The Verdict:

I say try it tomorrow morning. If nobody wakes up, you’ve found a new "Power Hour" for your health and your wallet! If they do wake up, you just tell them Mom is "leveling up" for her blog.

Would you like me to draft a quick "Morning Routine" post for your blog in case you actually pull it off?

Yesterday: 5000 steps! Yay!

 This is a great milestone to share! Since you’re aiming to move from "technically sedentary" to "active," hitting that goal is a huge win for your health journey.

Here’s a short, punchy post that’s perfect for a quick blog update. It blends your school life, your Poshmark hustle, and your 5,000-step victory.

Victory Lap: I Hit My Step Goal! 👣

I have a confession: some days, my "office" (aka the couch or my computer desk) feels like it has a magnetic pull. Between Penn State coursework for my Digital Multimedia Design major and managing my Poshmark closet, it’s incredibly easy to stay glued to a chair all day.

But yesterday? Yesterday, I did it.

I officially hit my step goal! For a long time, I’ve been "technically sedentary," usually clocking in under 5,000 steps. But thanks to some intentional time on my walking pad, I pushed through.

It wasn't always easy—trying to brainstorm blog ideas while keeping my balance is a skill I’m still mastering—but it felt amazing to close those rings. As a pre-diabetic, every step is a step toward reversing that trend and getting down to my goal weight.

How I did it:

 * The "Study-Stride": I walked while reviewing my latest design modules.

 * Poshmark Breaks: Every time I shared my closet, I did it while standing up.

 * The Intentional Push: I didn't wait for "free time"; I made the time.

One day doesn't change everything, but it proves I can do it. Today, the goal is to do it all over again.

Are you working on a movement goal today? Let’s keep each other accountable in the comments!

A quick tip for your blog:

Since you're a Digital Multimedia Design student, this is a perfect post to include a photo! Maybe a shot of your fitness tracker/phone showing the "Goal Reached" screen or a quick snap of your walking pad setup.

Would you like me to help you come up with a catchy title for your next update, or maybe a "Daily Log" template you can use to track your progress?