The photo below best represents my mind right now. At first glance, it kinda resembles a watercolor painting but if you stare at it hard enough, you can start to make out the images within the image but if you stare at it too long, you start to get a little overwhelmed & dizzy and frustrated and just want to give up and move on. This is where I am right now whenever I think about blogging.
When I say that, I don’t mean researching about SEO, learning basic HTML code so that I can make minor changes here and there to my layout (my new layout is almost done BTW, and I’m really, really happy about it) or even trying to use an editorial calendar so that I can be a little more organized with my postings. All of those are great and are things that I genuinely needed to know. But when I say the business of blogging, I mean, learning about branding, reading about all of these bloggers who reached their tipping point and “made it”, and constantly reading articles about the dos and don’ts of blogging. It’s basically been Blogging 101 on crack everywhere and honestly, I’m tired. Not tired enough to completely stop blogging, but tired enough to realize that I’ve gotten away from the core of who I am and what this blog was suppose to be about.
I mean, the aspirations that I have for this blog are the same, but you know how you feel when you’ve had waaaaaaay too much of something good (say chocolate. Yes, you CAN have too much of chocolate), you start to feel a little uneasy? Well, I’ve absorbed too much information on blogging. On one hand, it’s awesome because on occasion I do consulting work so it has helped but on the other it’s fried my brain. Seriously.
You ever see a pup walking in circles before they lay down? That’s how I feel sometimes when I log in. I’ve taken in so much “advice” about who/what/when/where/why/how I should blog that it’s hard for me to do ONE blog post because it’s become ingrained in my mind that it has to be perfect so that brands/sponsors/etc. will see my blog as my resume and want to work with me. It’s the FRIGGIN PITS!
I used to run home from work to blog but now I put it off because I keep rewriting posts, re-editing pictures, and everything else bc some of the luster left and so I wind up going in a mental circle until I just collapse and nothing gets dones. I HATE IT. I don’t even get the same joy that I use to get when I read some of my favorite blogs. I feel like because it’s turned into such a booming business, the voices have left many bloggers. Yes the photos are pretty and all of the copy is clean, crisp, precise, but everything is so…GENERIC. IT. ALL. LOOKS. THE. SAME. And that is a fear that I’ve always had with my blog. That it would become generic. That in an effort to create content that would be universally appealing, I’d lose the voice that makes me…me.
I’ve OD’d on blogging advice, Social Media, hashtags, NON-engagement with other bloggers& brands, and all that jazz.
With all that’s been happening over the last few weeks with bloggers/ing (body image & blogging conversation, anyone?) I think it’s become clear that quite a few others are frustrated with the state of blogging (be it our own internal insecurities or outside influence) and that I am not alone with this. So moving forward, I’m starting a detox. I’ve removed a few sights from bookmarks, and I’m going to clean up my timelines on my social media accounts. While I’m not saying there isn’t more that I could learn, I feel like I haven’t learned anything new in a while so it’s best not to consume anymore of it until it’s truly necessary.
I’m a natural storyteller (some times better than others, hence this long ramble *cymbal crash*). I give pretty awesome advice when it comes to fashion & styling (this is a FACT that is proven every day at work!) I love makeup. I have fun discovering new brands, dissecting old ones, and doing interviews. Basically, this should be enough. It IS enough. And this will be my focus moving forward. I am thankful for all that I’ve learned but unless you can teach me something new about blogging, you can keep it (but I still want to know about your cute shoes).
How do you feel about the business of blogging? Are you over it? Under it? Stuck in the middle of it? Let’s talk.
Wow, I feel like you took over my mind and started typing. I haven’t even blooger for three months yet and I already feel this way. I feel sometimes like I am walking in circles. I started blogging to meet new people, go to events, and yes make some revenue but sometimes I feel like what’s the point of it. I want it to be fun, I can do my 9 to 5 for work & money. Thanks for sharing.
thank you for reading! I’m glad that you could relate. I seriously have information overload and it’s draining. Hopefully I can make a few changes and get back to where I used to be. Blogging is a lot of fun, even when it’s done for business purposes and I think that some of the creativity has been taken out of it in the name of “success”.
beautiful article. I sometimes feel overwhelmed and I like to take a break from my blog even tho it is just at the beginning. But I like it anyways and with every comment and follower I receive I feel so happy.
http://lalipops.blogspot.co.uk/
There’s so much that goes into blogging. It’s truly a hard balance, and constanstly reading about the business side of it is mentally draining. Hopefully I can push past all of it and get back to me!
Kim, I’m feeling the EXACT way right now. I love what I do but it’s starting to become overwhelm. I’m not looking forward to giving up though! lol
Me neither! This is what I’d like to do full time, it’s just hard to balance with all of the info that is out there, working a full time job, NOT being in a major fashion capital, etc. Hopefully we can keep pushing and get through this!
I understand! It can really be overwhelming to consume all the info and feel the pressure to create really great content daily. Have you considered having others guest posting for you? That may help spark some motivation, and it always helps both parties. Or, what about a monthly meetup for local bloggers?
Months ago I tried the guest blogging thing but after 2 articles the person disappeared-they didn’t even finish the series they started which was a little disappointing bc it was really informative. However, I’m trying it again (because it IS beneficial to both parties) but in a slightly different way. I’ve reached out to a few people for contributions (tips on their “expertise”) and it’s been fun. The first was with Andrea Fenise (it’s a few posts up) and I’m editing others as we speak. I want this space to grow into being more than just about me and my thoughts. As long as I pace myself I’ll get there.
I hosted a meetup a few months ago at a salon but it was for fashion bloggers only and it was fun. A more inclusive one isn’t a bad idea bc I’m sure there are tons of us here!
I’m kind of stuck in the middle, honestly. I’m still a newbie on the scene, so there’s still a lot for me to learn. So far, the hardest part is to be sure I stay true to my voice and my point of view. I blog what I want and when I want. My goal is to be more organized and scheduled, but I came to grips with the fact that I’m a part time blogger who has other career and life obligations. It’s so easy to get caught up and try to “keep up”, but this recent unplanned hiatus has allowed me to see that I can’t compare my beginning to anyone else’s middle or end (saw that quote on IG). It’s definitely OK to be you and only you and with that comes, doing what you want and how you want to. I think you’re pretty darn awesome so keep up the good work. Until we get together again…smooches.
Sometimes you have to take a break to get your thoughts together. Ive done it and it was the best decision ever.
I’m over all of it as well. Trying to follow all of these tips and speaking as a “brand” really killed my desire to blog, so I didn’t. I miss the slightly older days (like around 2007/2008) when blogging was more fun and personal, which is why I made the decision to just stick to the vibe that I like and be a person, rather than trying to be this brand/authority. The right audience may find me, or they may not, but at least I won’t hate what I”m doing and it will be genuine.