I cannot believe that next week I will celebrate my two-year “blogiversary”! Two years in my little corner of the internet.
When I started blogging, it was to capture my progress with New Rules of Lifting for Women, and since it has grown into something much more meaningful to me. I no longer use it to track specific progress in regards to how much weight I’m lifting, but rather use it more to document how I have been feeling and the emotions that are tied into things like running and Crossfit.
I’ve written before about my anxiety with running and anxiety with Crossfit, but seeing how I am apparently just an anxious person, there is actually a lot of anxiety that has gone in hand with blogging.
I took an unintentional break around Thanksgiving through the beginning of the year on my blog because I was feeling that I was writing because I was under pressure, not because I had quality things to say. While I have increased my engagement on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and even launched a podcast in the meantime, my blogging somewhat took a backseat.
Yes, I’m going to shamelessly plug it.. 😉
My blog is my happy space; it should be a place where I write about whatever it is I want to write about and not have to write things because I feel forced to. I will admit, I love the opportunities that blogging has given me and I have connected with some amazing brands who have shared their products with me. I have a handful of product reviews and even a couple giveaways that I am more than excited to share with you, but I have just felt uninspired to write.
I learned to only take on working with companies that I felt a mutual benefit to me or my readers, but still sometimes it just has been overwhelming. I am just full of excuses as to why they are not finished. I may not have solid pictures to go with it. Or just haven’t used them enough to justify an honest review. Or I don’t *love* the product but still want to write a fair review. And anytime I look at said products, it stresses me out.
I have about 20 other draft posts that I have started and stopped and started because I don’t want to put out any content that I don’t feel confident about posting. I am not one of those bloggers that can just write everyday; I want ultimate quality over quantity and want people to take an interest in what I have to say.I will write a blog post and go back and edit it about twelve times. I will start a post and revisit it multiple times in a week tweaking it and hoping it is more readable or will appeal to a bigger audience.
I worry about things like:
Is it SEO enough?
Will my readers like it?
Do I do too many product reviews?
Will anyone like the recipe I posted?
Did I comment enough on other blogs to drive traffic back to mine?
Are my photography skills (or lack thereof) being mocked?
Does anyone care what I have to say?
Why are my stats lower today than yesterday?
Who has time to amplify their posts so often?
How does she fit in all of the stuff when my life seems less busy than hers?
Even now, before I hit “Publish,” I am thinking that this is just going to come off as a rant, and that I’m going to be judged for being a lazy blogger or that I don’t know, a million other things.
Before I knew anything about blogging, I was blogging solely for the purpose of me. But now I feel I often get sidetracked and start blogging for the sake of others. I am a firm believer in blogging for yourself and not trying to fit anyone else’s mold. I mean really, I am not shy when it comes to expressing how much I love pumpkin pie or baring my belly. I loved a recent post by Lindsay at Cotter Crunch about embracing your blog space. As she says, “This is my space. How long will I be here? I don’t know. Sometimes I’ll post a lot, and sometimes my space needs space.”
So what if I don’t want to write this week? I don’t need to write.
While I’d love to make an income from my blog someday, now it is a hobby. It it something I do for fun and it should make me feel better about myself, and not be something that I feel stressed out about. So.. I shall write when I want to write and hope to have some awesome posts forthcoming for you all. 😉
Your turn..
Do you ever feel pressured as a blogger to write?
Do you read any blogs that tend to be more quantity over quality?
What sort of posts do you like reading from me or would you like to see more of?
I feel pressured all the time, but I don’t have two years under my belt yet so I probably am supposed to be writing every day to build up content.
I disagree with anything you’re “supposed” to do.. I say write some quality posts and then work on sharing and re-sharing it through social media to drive the traffic!
Twitter: fitcheerldr
February 13, 2014 at 11:28 pm
I agree – quality content and networking will bring the most benefits.
Janice – Fitness Cheerleader recently posted..Happy Valentine’s Day! Here’s A Kettlebell HIIT Workout for You!
Twitter: inmyheadspace
February 13, 2014 at 2:09 pm
Two years already? WOW! I have loved watching you and your blog grow. Don’t let the pressure to blog a lot just to do it get to you. I like when your posts are raw and honest like this. Not that you are ever not honest… variety is good. Of course your lady lifter spotlight is a good one. I have followed many since you started that. Keep up the good work Jen. People will keep coming back for more 🙂
You’re such a great follower, Mary! 🙂 Thank you!!
Just realised I have been blogging almost SEVEN years – eek! I (and my blog) must be ancient!
There are times I feel conflicted about my blog – I miss the comments and community I had before facebook/pinterest/instagram took up so much of our time – people now read blogs in a different way.
However, it is still MY space, to decorate as I will, to share, to connect, to record the everyday moments with my kids.
Lovely to “meet” you – stopping by from SITS and N Ireland
Janmary (N Ireland) recently posted..Mum – an update, and Psalm 23
One thing that might make it easier for you, is that you don’t need to write posts nearly this long. Most people that read blogs start to skim when a post is long. They want a quick read. Sometimes you can’t help but make them long. But if you aren’t writing because you don’t think you have enough to say, that shouldn’t stop you.
Jennifer Wagner recently posted..Colorful Tech Gadgets From Lepow
Great tip, Jennifer! I don’t think I know how to write a short post! 🙂
I feel I can’t get out everything I want to say if I limit myself, but do understand things can get lengthy and people may lose interest. Maybe something I can work on!
Oh friend, i love this! this is your space and it’s changing all the time. But it’s still you! we grow. We have time to share and sometimes we don’t, but your content is quality, not the quantity, yes?
I am with you girl! You have no idea… it was like I was writing this! I have my ups and downs with blogging. Some days I feel the burning of that post I have to share and other times I just don’t want to be in the rat race. It is nice to hear that I am not alone! Guess all we can do is follow our heart right?! Thanks so much for sharing! #SITSblogging P.S. I write long posts too! Some of us just have a lot to share right?! Keep doin your thang girl!
Congrats on your Anniversary! I agree…sometimes it is so easy for me to get caught up in the technical side of blogging I fail to enjoy the creative side. I have to remind myself that I blog because I enjoy it and any good things that result from that are a bonus. Stopping by from SITs. Have a wonderful evening.
jessica recently posted..Valentine’s Day Crafts, DIY & Recipe Ideas
I do feel pressure to write, but that’s only because I’m on a 2014 national food holiday challenge that I have imposed on myself, lol. But, outside of that, I don’t feel incredibly pressured because if you force posts, they don’t turn into quality and quality is what’ll get you there.
Jennifer B. recently posted..National Tortellini Day | Basil Pesto and Creamy Nutmeg Tortellini
Twitter: fatgirlhealthy
February 13, 2014 at 9:17 pm
I’ve only been blogging for a little over a year….actually I missed my “blogiversary” I’ve never been able to commit to posting everyday. For a while I was convinced I would never get anybody to read my blog because I didn’t post enough. I am finding that is not the case AND when I removed the pressure, I liked doing my blog more. I’ve have since promised myself I won’t write just to write. My blog. My space. : ) I love coming to read your blog. Keep doing you!
mandy @ fatgirlgonehealthy recently posted..Whole30 – Hitting the wall
Standing ovation! This is what I’ve been saying for YEARS. I started my blog as a hobby and I want it to continue to be a hobby. I’m not going to reject money if someone is going to throw it at me (does that happen?) but I’m not going to stress myself out over it or start to hate what I used to love because of it! In fact when I noticed that my posts that were getting the most traffic weren’t the ones I enjoyed writing the most…I started a second blog. Now I keep the content “they” want on the other blog (and only post when I feel like it) and blog for “me” on the second blog where no one knows I’m there, but I’m having a blast! 🙂
Write what you want, when you want, and how you want. And if you lose readers…their loss! And if you gain some? Awesome! And if you stay the same? That’s fine too.
Honestly, some times I grow very weary of all of the talk about monetizing, and brands, and sponsored posts. When is someone going to start talking about writing again? Isn’t that why we all started blogging in the first place?
Happy Blogiversary! Here from SITS 🙂
Jenn Rian recently posted..St. Patrick’s Day Traditions: Leprechaun Footprints
Twitter: fitcheerldr
February 13, 2014 at 11:29 pm
Oh great questions! I prefer tweaking with code and layouts etc over the actual writing part 🙂 I mostly use my blog as a training planner – a way to keep myself accountable.
Janice – Fitness Cheerleader recently posted..Happy Valentine’s Day! Here’s A Kettlebell HIIT Workout for You!
Hi there! I’m a psychologist who specializes in anxiety disorders:) Unfortunately I have no fix for you as I have many of the same issues myself. My day job keeps me very busy and I am a bit of a perfectionist when writing up blog posts so I am lucky to get out three blog posts a week. Some things that have helped me is writing things down in a blog calendar, making commitments to myself, other bloggers, and brands about when posts will be published, and sticking to all deadlines as much as I am able (even if it means staying up really late as I am a habitual procrastinator). However, I think sometimes when you are not feeling well or just need a rest you also have to let yourself off the hook and let some things go or turn down opportunities to give yourself more breathing space. Ethan and I both work in healthcare where there are really stressful and even life/death issues, blogging is not that and that helps me keep perspective.
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Congrats to two year:) #SITSBlogging
Jeanette recently posted..Under construction
I’ve been blogging since August 2013. I try to post every other day, but sometimes I just don’t have the time or I don’t have anything to write about. I don’t want to write just to write or say I blog everyday. I value quality over quantity as a reader and I need to remember that as a blogger. I like longer posts as long as their written with purpose.
Thanks for bringing this topic up!
Jenn @ Happy Hour Miles recently posted..WIAW #3
Twitter: alex_j_meyer
February 14, 2014 at 11:30 am
Seriously … all of this … ALL THE TIME.
You’re not alone! I think it’s definitely almost trickier when you’re NOT trying to make a profit or life off your blog. When it’s a hobby, it’s so tricky knowing how much is enough, not enough, too much time to spend on your blog.
I know we talked about this recently, but I’ve felt uninspired to write as well. For me, I think it’s a mid-winter funk coming out in my blog, but who knows.
I feel pressured to write, but I try and right things that I think are valuable, or that I enjoy writing, over just writing to write. Ultimately, I try to make decisions that make ME happy. And, remember that stats or comments aren’t what should be making that happen in my life :).
And seriously, WHO has that much time to amplify????
Alex @ Alex Tries it Out recently posted..A Sugar-Free Valentine’s Day
Oh man, I just started blogging and feel all these things and was hoping it would eventually go away! Lol! I entered in to blogging thinking it was just an easy place to write down what I think and share my product. I was flipping out about SEOs and needing relevant content, etc. It does boil down to writing for yourself now. Enjoy it and write when inspired. I figure if something needs changing with my blog, I will be inspired to change it when the time is right. #sitsblogging
Jennifer Loyd recently posted..Leggings 101 – Mommy Style
Twitter: JackiRHayes
February 14, 2014 at 1:19 pm
One thing I love about blogging is that it makes it incredibly easy to see just how much you have changed and grown in a short time period. I’ve never been good at keeping a journal, but since I started blogging 6 years ago, I’ve been able to look back and see where I was and how far I have come.
Jacki recently posted..The no-guilt road to clean eating
Congratulations on the blogiversary! I think blogging is really therapeutic. It’s just as much for your own soul as it is useful for others to learn from your experience. I hope I make it to two years with as much success as you. #sitsblogging
jessica recently posted..Thrifty Thursday: Breaking The Cycle Without Breaking The Bank
Twitter: snowfoxbandit
February 14, 2014 at 4:25 pm
YES. I’m a high-anxiety person in general. I hesitated so long between my old wordpress page and my new site. Why would anyone want to read what I have to say? What am I going to write about? What if no one likes me?? 🙂
So no worries — you’re not alone. 🙂
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I know I’m new to blogging but I think the only thing to do is write at a length that you are comfortable at. My style is to write longer posts and therefore I won’t be posting more than twice a week max. I know mine take longer to read, but to develop my ideas I need about 1000 words. Fans will come to expect your style and will know what kind of time commitment will be needed to read a typical post.
Chris recently posted..Cheaters Never Win?
I have gone through a few self reflections and needing my space periods of time. I think you just need those. And I agree that YOUR blog is for what YOU want to do with it. If that means taking a break, by all means take a break. We can get trapped by stats and “suppose to’s” but do you and what you love. I enjoy your blog (and Twitter banter!) Congrats on 2 years – we’ll always have Sweet Red.
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted..Friday Five: In the Name of Love…
Congrats on your blog-iversary! I do feel pressured to write and keep up with the other bloggers, but I have to remember the WHY of my blogging. It’s not to get sponsors, it’s not to have someone pay me for ads, it’s not to get 1k comments on my posts. I truly blog because I love what I do, and I love sharing with others how we’ve made a change in our lives for the better.
I steer clear of any blogs that are majority sponsored posts/reviews. I’ve rarely read any sponsored review where the blogger said something un-positive about a product. That turns me off…I want the truth, not what the sponsor wants to hear. I have, however, reviewed a product and gave the absolute truth…that I could not in good conscious recommend it to people. 🙂
This is my first time on your page, so I’ll be taking a look around. I do LOVE your title though…it definitely caught my eye! #SITSblogging
Twitter: Mychickenbutt
February 14, 2014 at 11:39 pm
Two years is an amazing milestone! I’m so happy you’re still at it.
I totally get where you’re coming from. Since I ditched my daily workout updates, it has been so hard to find my voice, my place, and what I want to do anymore. I have some obligations to post certain things so I feel awkward if I don’t post other stuff in the meanwhile?
I think we can both agree blogging has brought a lot of great things and people into our world!! It’s just funny how it morphs over time.
Martha recently posted..Just Dropping By: Umbrella, Taxes, Messes, and Murphy’s Law
I definitely understand the pressure that you are talking about! I’ve been blogging for almost 7 years but only “seriously” (as in realizing other people may actually read it) for about 5. I am definitely a more perfectionist/Type-A personality so a lot of the pressure I’ve put on myself. I had to take several unintentional breaks last year for health reasons but it gave me time to gain a better perspective on why I blog in the first place! I totally agree that quality wins over quantity hands down! I would much rather read a blog that publishes two quality, authentic posts a week than five half thought out posts. A community like SITS is a great group to be a part of to offer support and encouragement!
True, so so true. I often find myself submitting ’empty’ blog posts often, just because of the pressure to blog.
8 years into blogging, and I still haven’t quite figured it out. I need to remind myself that my blog is my space for my thoughts and if my readers would like to join me for the ride, than all are welcome.
Thanks
Sean recently posted..For the love of that beautifully brewed beverage – Coffee
WOW! Two years! Congrats! that amazing.
As for me I started as an instagramer. There my account grew to 8k followers in 4 months and I knew I was original for that platform. I really love the direct interaction possibility of instagram.
Then my instagram followers started asking for a blog so I recently started one and of course the content I post on my blog exists all over the internet, and so I do feel a greater pressure to be original and “a bit better”. However, it is hard with so much competition. Esp when being new to the field.
I am lucky to have started with quite a big reader base though (due to my instagram success) but I am very new and I still have a lot to learn.
As for your blog, I think you have a great blog! and I prefer longer posts and quality over quantity. most blogs I read update 2-3 times a week. I know some blogs that update 3 times a day. But unless it is a photographer blog, than there is no real point or pleasure for reading it.
What sort of posts do you like reading from me or would you like to see more of?
Guide for Ladies recently posted..Stop Facebook-stalking your ex!
I feel a little bit of stress when I’m not inspired, because I know readers will lose interest if you don’t publish often enough.
However, the reason I write a blog is because it feels good, and because I am 100% free to do whatever I want on it. I don’t want that to change!
🙂
I totally get where you are coming from. With working full time and taking care of my family, I struggle sometimes to get some quality writing in. What ever you are doing, keep doing it because I really enjoy reading your posts.
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