HERE WE GO AGAIN
Parenthood is one of life’s most transformative experiences. Add to it a love for cars, a burning drive for creativity, and the demands of a full-time job, and you’ve got yourself a delicate balancing act. As a content creator running two YouTube channels, Bulameister and Bula’s Gaming Garage, while also working a 9-to-5 job and preparing for a new addition to the family, I’ve come to appreciate the art of juggling priorities. Here’s a dive into my journey navigating this whirlwind of responsibilities while striving to honor my passions, obligations, and, most importantly, my family.
The Day Job: The Foundation of It All
The 9-to-5 grind is the backbone of my current life. It provides financial stability, health benefits, and a sense of structure—all crucial elements for supporting a growing family. However, like many creatives, I often feel the tug-of-war between the practicalities of a day job and the desire to pour my energy into personal projects. The hours spent in meetings, fulfilling deadlines, and tackling work emails often leave me drained by the end of the day, yet it’s a necessity I respect and appreciate. Still, the passion for cars and creativity doesn’t diminish just because the clock strikes 5 p.m.
The Creative Hustle: YouTube and Beyond
Running two YouTube channels requires more than just pressing “record”. For Bulameister, which focuses on cars and motorcycles, my time is spent planning content, scouting locations, setting up shots, and editing videos to capture the spirit of automotive culture. Bula’s Gaming Garage, on the other hand, is a labor of love that merges my automotive passion with gaming. From creating detailed reviews to streaming motorsport and vehicle-themed games, every video is an effort to connect with my audience in meaningful ways.
Balancing these two channels means every spare moment is precious. Late nights become editing sessions, weekends are reserved for filming, and brainstorming happens whenever inspiration strikes—whether I’m commuting to work or building a crib for the nursery. It’s a relentless grind, but seeing the final product and the engagement from the community makes it all worthwhile.
Family First: Preparing for Change
Family has always been at the center of my life. With a baby on the way, the focus on home and family life has become even more pronounced. Weekends that might have been spent photographing cars or working on content are now filled with building furniture, reorganizing rooms, and ticking off endless to-do lists. Preparing for the arrival of a newborn has added a layer of urgency to everything, yet it’s a joyful kind of busyness. My older daughter has also kept me grounded, reminding me to pause and savor moments amid the chaos.
Parenthood has a way of teaching you to prioritize. It forces you to evaluate what truly matters and to find creative ways to maximize your time and energy. While it’s been challenging to let go of certain hobbies or to shelve long-standing creative ideas, I’ve learned to embrace the seasons of life for what they are.
Tips for New Parents:
- Create a Flexible Routine: Babies are unpredictable, so build routines that can adapt to sudden changes.
- Ask for Help: Don’t hesitate to rely on family, friends, or community groups for support.
- Prioritize Sleep: Sleep deprivation is real. Take turns with your partner for night duties or nap when the baby naps.
- Use Tech Tools: Apps for feeding schedules, reminders, and budgeting can be lifesavers.
- Simplify Meals: Prep meals ahead of time or use grocery delivery services to save time.
- Batch Errands: Plan routes carefully to tackle all errands in one area, minimizing backtracking and saving time and energy.
Photography: A Creative Outlet and Passion
Photography has been a cornerstone of my creative identity. Shooting cars—whether it’s inventory for boutique dealerships like BelloMoto or capturing a rare Porsche—is not just a job; it’s a passion. Each shot blends art and technicality, requiring careful composition, lighting, and timing. Yet, photography isn’t immune to the constraints of time. Finding hours to dedicate to a shoot, let alone editing and publishing photos, often feels like a luxury these days.
Despite the challenges, photography remains my go-to creative outlet when I need to recharge. It’s a meditative process that allows me to immerse myself in the moment and reconnect with what I love about cars and design. Sometimes, just an hour spent behind the camera can reinvigorate my creative spirit, helping me return to other responsibilities with renewed energy.
Time-Saving Tips for Parents:
- Batch Tasks: Group similar activities like editing or shooting together to maximize efficiency.
- Set Clear Boundaries: Allocate specific time blocks for work, family, and personal hobbies.
- Outsource When Possible: Hire help for tasks like editing or house cleaning when your schedule gets overwhelming.
- Leverage Naps: Use your child’s nap times as focused work periods.
- Streamline Decisions: Pre-plan outfits, meals, and schedules to reduce decision fatigue.
- Optimize Routes: When running errands, plan stops strategically to avoid retracing your steps. Use mapping tools to identify the most efficient route and avoid traffic.
Managing Energy: The Real Balancing Act
Time is often seen as the most limited resource, but I’ve found that energy—both physical and mental—is even harder to manage. Gym time, for instance, has become a rare indulgence rather than a routine part of my week. While I used to prioritize exercise as a way to stay sharp and relieve stress, the combination of work, family, and creative projects has made it difficult to maintain consistency.
To counterbalance the physical toll, I’ve started focusing on small wins. A short workout at home, a quick walk with my family, or even mindful breathing exercises during breaks at work help me keep my energy levels up. Nutrition has also become a bigger focus—opting for healthier meals that fuel me rather than weigh me down. While I haven’t mastered the perfect balance, I’m learning to adapt and prioritize self-care in bite-sized increments.
Resources for Parents Balancing Careers and Side Hustles:
- Books:
- “The 4-Hour Workweek” by Tim Ferriss for efficiency tips.
- “Atomic Habits” by James Clear for building better habits.
- Podcasts:
- “The Parentpreneur Accelerator” for business tips tailored to parents.
- “How I Built This” for inspiration from successful entrepreneurs.
- Apps:
- Trello or Asana for task management.
- Canva for quick graphic design.
- Zoom or Calendly for streamlining client meetings.
Car Safety: Keeping Kids Safe on the Go
As a car enthusiast, I’m meticulous about vehicle safety—especially when it comes to my kids. Ensuring their safety during transport is a top priority, and there are several practices every parent should adopt:
- Choose the Right Car Seat: Invest in a car seat that meets safety standards and is appropriate for your child’s age, height, and weight.
- Install Correctly: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions or visit a certified child passenger safety technician to ensure proper installation.
- Regular Checks: Routinely inspect the car seat for wear and tear and ensure it’s still securely fastened.
- Avoid Loose Items: Secure all loose objects in the car to prevent them from becoming projectiles in an accident.
- Model Safe Behavior: Always wear your seatbelt and adhere to traffic laws to set an example for your children.
Looking Ahead: Preparing for the New Normal
With a new baby arriving soon, I know that my current routine is about to be turned upside down. Sleepless nights, diaper changes, and the general demands of caring for a newborn will undoubtedly take precedence over everything else. Yet, I’m excited for this new chapter and the opportunity to grow as a parent and creator.
One goal I’ve set for myself is to integrate my family life more deeply into my creative work. Perhaps that means featuring my kids in videos, documenting the joys and challenges of fatherhood, or finding ways to involve them in my photography sessions. By blending my passions with my responsibilities, I hope to create a life that feels more cohesive and fulfilling.
Final Thoughts: The Art of Balance
Balancing cars, creativity, and family isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. There are days when it feels like I’m falling short in one area or another, but I’ve learned to embrace the ebb and flow of life. By staying true to my passions, prioritizing what matters most, and giving myself grace in moments of imperfection, I’ve found a rhythm that works—for now.
To all the parents, creators, and dreamers out there juggling multiple hats: keep going. The road may be winding and unpredictable, but the ride is worth it. And at the end of the day, it’s the journey that makes us who we are.
Ryan Bula 