Thoughts on blogging/I'm back!
Hello readers (those of you who've hopefully stuck around!) Well, it's definitely been more than the month I said I'd be on break for. Honestly I was kind of getting burned out from the whole blogging experience and needed to step back for awhile. I started this blog as a fun hobby, but in my mind I was turning it into way more than it was. Worrying about how many views I did/didn't get, comparing myself to other bloggers, etc. That was not my intent when I started this thing! It was supposed to be something fun to do, not something that caused me stress! Yes, the 'numbers' behind a blog are a nice perk I guess you could say, but I'm not doing this full-time. I have a full-time job, I don't need another one. So along those lines, here are some things I learned on my break/reminders for when this starts stressing me out/different directions I'd like to take this blog in the future. Actually, feel free to skip over these, they are mainly reminders for myself anyway ;)
I don't know if I'm quite ready to jump back in the blogging thing with both feet, but hopefully I can start off slow and ease my way back into it :) (Actually, I wrote this post 2 weeks ago and it has been sitting as a draft since then!)
- I am not going to post every single day. A lot of you do, and that's awesome. I thought I could [had to] do that too, but that just caused a lot of stress. My hubby keeps telling me that some of his favorite blogs sometimes only post a couple times a month, so I shouldn't worry about more. Unless I'm doing some sort of collaboration or other link-up or theme week, I'm only going to post 2 or 3 times a week.
- Along those same lines, I'm not going to post if I have nothing to post about. Before, I'd post an outfit that I wasn't happy with just so I'd have a post for the day, then look back at it and wonder why I posted it in the first place. If I don't feel inspired, then I don't have to post anything.
- I'm also not going to worry about when I publish a post or joining link-ups right when they open. Before, I always had to make sure I posted right away in the morning so everyone would see it right away [dumb.] and also make sure I joined link-ups as soon as I woke up in the morning so I'd be higher up on the list [super dumb.] If people want to read my blog, they will read my blog whether it's 6 in the morning, or 3 in the afternoon :)
- My blog started off as a lifestyle blog, then I switched over to a fashion blog, but I miss posting about every-day things. So that's why I'm switching things up again to a life AND style blog! If I loose readers because of that, oh well! I want to be free not only to post about what I'm wearing, but what I'm eating, what I'm watching, what I'm doing, things about our home, things about my faith, [eventually] things about starting a family... I don't want to feel limited because I have a 'certain' type of blog. And I'm sure sometimes it will be more fashion-heavy or home-heavy or something, but I will write what I want when I want :)
I don't know if I'm quite ready to jump back in the blogging thing with both feet, but hopefully I can start off slow and ease my way back into it :) (Actually, I wrote this post 2 weeks ago and it has been sitting as a draft since then!)
I'm glad to hear your blogging break provided you with some clarity of which direction you'd like your blog to take. I think what you're experiencing is pretty typical - it's hard to figure out a balance between blogging and real life sometimes. And I know I've definitely thought about the blogging stats and stuff before as well, but whenever I find myself thinking about those things, the joy in blogging always wanes. Because it's such a fun hobby for me, I really want to keep it that way, I rarely check my stats anymore and instead focus on the content and the relationship I have with other bloggers, and that's what keeps me going :) I'm glad you're back and with a new perspective! Eager to see the new direction!!
ReplyDeleteThat is definitely something I missed was the relationship between other bloggers! And I'm interested to see the direction I take it in too- still not quite sure of everything yet!
DeleteWelcome back Maria! I know what you mean about ALL of these things. I only post 3 times a week and lately have felt inspired to do mainly outfit posts but sometimes I go for weeks with posts on only parenting so it varies. I belong to a facebook of like minded Christan moms and sometimes they are my biggest encouragement to keep going, and inspiration to keep up posts on parenting when it can be so hard to post like you said outfit posts that I am not thrilled with. I hope it becomes a fun hobby for you again, and I am glad you are taking it slow at first and starting off on a good foot again. Again welcome back. Rachel xo http://garaytreasures.wordpress.com
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachel! It is nice how a break can sometimes bring things back into perspective!
DeleteI've definitely gone through the blogging blues before. I think you've hit the nail on the head, you have to just do what works for you. I need the routine of posting every week day - if/when I don't, I feel like I have an itch I can't scratch. I also have felt the need to join link up parties as early as possible, but I honestly feel like they don't affect my traffic that much and so I've cared less as time as gone on. I look forward to what ever you have to bring us :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate! I'm definitely excited to be back and hopefully I can keep the creative spark going!
DeleteI'm so happy your back to blogging. We all need a blog break once in a while to rethink things. Can't wait to see where your blog goes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy! I'm happy to be back :)
Deletewelcome back. you didn't lose me as a reader. as a matter of fact, when I first discovered your blog I loved the fact that it was a lifestyle blog and all the recipes. since working full time for a month plus teaching two classes bi-weekly, plus being a full-time mom and wife, honestly I don't know how I do it. it is a huge hobby of mine but one that requires so much out of you,not just time.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to see everything you bring to us. and happy December - hey it's the month of the holidays!
Thanks Ada! I'm glad to hear that you were a fan of my other 'life' posts too- always great feedback to hear! Girl, you must be awesome at time management!! That is always something I try to work on more- probably would help reduce some of the stress that I got from blogging in the first place! :)
DeleteWelcome back (in whatever capacity you choose to be back)! I have definitely gone through those feelings, too. I think you can blog about whatever you want to blog about and most people will stick with you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andi! Yeah, I bet most bloggers feel that from time to time, but sometimes its good to step back and get a new perspective :)
DeleteSo glad to see you back! I have those feelings at times as well and those are good reminders to keep everything in perspective! Looking forward to reading your posts!
ReplyDeleteJill
www.dousedinpink.com
Thanks Jill! It's fun to be back but hopefully I can keep in the groove of posting at least a couple times a week!
DeleteBlogging breaks are great and completely necessary at times! I actually scheduled two weeks worth of posts while i was away on vacation in October and it took SO long! I was stressing over getting them all done so I could keep up with my 5 posts a week even though I'd be gone. Then once I left, the break felt SO GOOD. I didn't even check my blog at all until I returned. And then when I got home, I felt the pressure again to get a bunch of posts up for the last weeks before the move. Overall, it was completely exhausting and i decided when we moved that I wouldn't put too much pressure on myself to get new posts up. I try for 3 a week which isn't too bad and doesnt cause freakouts if we don't get outfit pictures everyday. Plus, we work from home and don't get dressed everyday anyway! I'm glad to hear the break did you sine good and made you realize what you want out of this blog. I hope your thoughts about blogging are still positive!
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to have a technology break once in awhile :) I think 3 posts a week is a good goal, although I think 2 a week is what I'm aiming for now!
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