Source: all-dreams-can-be-real.tumblr.com via Jenyfer on Pinterest
Do you ever feel pressure to follow very strict blogging guidelines? I feel like there are now so many voices out there telling you how to blog. Of course, as someone who wants my blog to continue to grow, I’ve tried out many of these tips. For example, earlier in the summer, I decided that I was going to try post good content Monday through Friday and that I had to stick to that schedule, no matter what. But of course, the best-laid plans don’t always work out. One week you miss a day and suddenly you’re feeling like that entire week’s schedule has been ruined. Or another week you don’t feel like blogging a particular day, but you have to throw up a post that you don’t entirely love because the show must go on (cue dramatic music from Moulin Rouge here).
On top of that, you’re trying to keep up with various social media platforms (which are sprouting up faster than weeds in a garden!). Posting to Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/Pinterest/StumbleUpon/Google+ every time you write a new post- it can be exhausting! As a result, some of my other hobbies have been suffering, including reading and knitting. Both of these things felt like dessert- something I wouldn’t allow myself to touch until after I finished my meal (blogging).
About two weeks ago, I gave myself a little reality check. Why am I forcing myself to blog everyday? Because someone said that it would be a good idea? Or, why am I posting on Google+ daily when there’s not much engagement there and I much prefer other social networks?
Basically, I came to the following realization: I’m entirely in control of my blog so I should manage it exactly how I want to. For me this means not necessarily posting every day (and not necessarily posting only on MWF either), not worrying that some series are not as regular as I’d like them to be, and focusing on my writing and on why I started blogging in the first place. Don’t get me wrong, I still love blogging. I just want to remember to do it on my own terms.
My first few posts were wordy like this one because I used the blog as a space to hash out some thoughts (which I tagged as “reflections”) and I miss doing that. Of course I love to write about clothes and beauty and fashion, but sometimes I just want to chat a little too and let you know what’s on my mind.
Well, if you made it through to the end, I so appreciate you taking the time to read this. As always, I’d love to see below any of your thoughts/comments on my ramblings above!
![NOVEMBER WRAP-UP (thanks to the publishers tagged below for the free copies) • Except for one book, everything I read last month was 4 stars or higher, which is a very good reading month in my book! Swipe left to see what I thought about each of the books I read in November:
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📖 BLOODMARKED (via @simonteen)
📱 MORE THAN YOU'LL EVER KNOW [not shown here as I’m holding from sharing thoughts due to the HarperCollins strike]
📖 BEFORE I LET GO (via @readforeverpub)
🎧 WILD RIDE
📖 OUR MISSING HEARTS (via @penguinpress)
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Have you read any of these or are they on your TBR?
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[ID: A carousel with the title "What I Read in November 2022" followed by slides with the cover of each book listed above + a few thoughts + my star rating.]
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#Bloodmarked #MoreThanYoullEverKnow #BeforeILetGo #WildRide #OurMissingHearts #bookishthought #ratingbooks #secondchanceromance #diversespines #booklist #2022reads #readingwrapup #coolgirlsread #booksandbooks #minibookreivews #whattoreadnext #romancebook #recentreads #readromance #bookratings #monthlywrapup #whatiread #bookrecommendations #memoir #yafantasy #literaryfiction #2022books](https://starcrossedsmile.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
I totally agree with you! Sometimes I feel the same!! but definitely do what you love and don’t do what others want you to do :)
katattack2000.wordpress.com
Thanks Kat! Sometimes with all these outside voices, it’s hard to remember to do what’s best for you, but I’m working on being better at that :)
I am totally on you with this. I stopped blogging to the “rules” because it stressed me out. And guess what? My blog is still growing. Of course post quality has to still be on top, but I’d rather have that than mixing those and poor posts. Good for you for figuring out what makes you happy! :)
Exactly, the blog is not supposed to be stressful, it’s supposed to be fun! :)
I totally feel the same way. The “business of blogging” can be so draining. When I’m feeling uninspired, I just take a bit to regroup. After all, this is something that should be fun, not a chore!
Same- when I’m feeling uninspired, I’m not motivated to blog, so I try to take a step back until I am excited to blog about something again. :)
For me blogging is about escapism. I work the most boring executive job from 8 – 5 every monday – friday. I die a little every time I walk through the door. The paycheck is good, the benefits are amazing, but the work itself is just a bore. I started seeing that I was done with all my work by 1:00pm. What to do til then? Haha be naughty and blog on company time. Executive perks. But I wouldnt blog if I felt obligated to. You’re right its all about doing more of what make you happy.
I love the idea of using your blog to escape and that’s so great that you’ve made this creative outlet for yourself to counter your boring job :)
Great Post… I’ve been feeling the same way lately! Kudos for encouraging us to relax.
Thanks Laura for reading it- it’s good to know others are feeling the same way!
I am all for this! After blogging for six years, you start to realize that if you burn out, then there’s no joy in blogging anymore. Always do what’s comfortable for you. Readers can tell when you’re annoyed or disillusioned!
Wow, six years is such a long time- kudos to you! Yes, that’s what I’m working on- blogging on a schedule that works for me, not based on what others say.
I know what you mean, sometimes the blog can feel more like a second job than something that is supposed to be fun. I put a lot of pressure on myself to post 5 days a week and make sure i’ve got outfit photos that are (hopefully) up to the standards I’ve imposed upon myself.
I stay rigid to this becuase I like having the guidelines and the deadlines. At the end of the day I’m happy I posted.
Most of my burn out is coming from trying to keep up with commenting on other blogs and staying relevant in social media. Sometimes I wonder, would people still read my blog if I stopped commenting on theirs?
I totally feel like the blog is a second job! I mean, I take it very seriously and put many many hours into it, and I want it to do well.
I agree, it’s so hard to keep up with all the social medial. Of course, after you’ve put lots of work into a post, you want to spread the word and let people out there know, but it can be tiring to keep up with it all.
I think it’s all about finding a blogging method that works for you- whether that’s posting 5 times a week or whether it’s focusing on a couple social networks, etc.
Re: commenting- that’s a tough question! A few weeks back ago on the blog, I was talking about how I’ve noticed comments have declined due to the rise of social media. I’ve noticed that I’m commenting on fewer posts- partly because of time. But if a post is really great and I want to let the blogger know, I often leave a comment. I definitely don’t want comments to go away, because then I wouldn’t be able to have wonderful discussions with people (like this one), but it will be interesting to see what happens with commenting 6 months-1 year from now.
My editorial calendar is ALWAYS getting messed up, but… it doesn’t bother me much, which is great. I started blogging with zero calendar (I mean, I had a XANGA (who does that?)), so it was easy to let it go. Things that happen offline are always give priority over the blog.
I actually like G+, but no one is on it so I don’t use it.
Oh my gosh, Xanga, I totally forgot about that! I had one too, but no way I remember the login! I’m sort of glad I can’t find it though- I’m sure it’s pretty embarrassing! ;)
I totally agree with this philosophy! I had stopped blogging for WEEKS because the task just became so daunting. I have things on my mind, and accompanying pictures to boot, but when it stops being fun, what is the point? I’ve finally returned to my blog this week and I’m so glad to read that I’m not the only one with “blogger fatigue!”
Yes, when you’re not feeling it, it’s definitely a good idea to take a step back! Then when you’re feeling a bit refreshed it’s fun to come back full of of new ideas. Glad to hear you’re back to blogging! :)