In episode 680, Coley Gaffney teaches us how to deal with mental health struggles like anxiety and depression while running a food blog.

Nicole "Coley" Gaffney is a professionally trained chef and content creator behind the website Coley Cooks. She specializes in seafood and Italian cuisine, and previously had her own business as a personal chef and caterer. Coley has made numerous television appearances, including on QVC, The Rachael Ray Show, The Today Show, and most notably, was 2nd runner up on season 10 of Food Network Star. Coley lives at the southern Jersey shore with her husband and pup, and is passionate about helping people connect through food.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to recognize and address mental health issues without relying on therapy, and why understanding food blogging as a long game is essential to keep a healthy balance with your blog.

Key points discussed include:

- Mental health struggles are common: Experiencing mental health challenges is a normal part of life, and sharing experiences can provide comfort and reduce feelings of isolation.

- Acknowledge and address issues: Recognizing and addressing mental health struggles is essential because nobody is coming to rescue you.

- Journaling can be a powerful tool: Regularly journaling about thoughts and feelings can help process emotions and track personal growth.

- Make small promises: To combat work paralysis, start by making tiny promises to yourself and gradually build momentum.

- Social media can impact mental health: Taking breaks from social media can be beneficial, especially if it causes anxiety or stress.

- Blogging is a long game: Success in blogging takes time, so focus on the love of creating content rather than solely on monetary gains.

- Real people are valuable: Authentic, personal recipes and cooking advice will always be valued over AI-generated content.

If You Loved This Episode…

You’ll love Episode 534: It’s OK to Ask for Help as a Food Blogger with Teri-Ann Carty.

Connect with Coley Gaffney

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