Blogging can be a total roller coaster.
Sometimes you’re up, sometimes you’re down. Sometimes your traffic spikes and grows, sometimes it plateaus and declines. Sometimes you have tons of new ideas and stories to share, sometimes you have total writer’s block and nothing to say. Sometimes you feel confident, sometimes you feel discouraged. Sometimes you achieve the goals you want, sometimes it seems like everyone else gets there first. Sometimes you feel like you’ve been given the best job in the world, sometimes you start to wonder if this is where you’re supposed to be.
(You might have guessed where this is going…)
For a handful of reasons, I feel like I’m riding the downswing again. Some might call it burnout. I call it “the blogging blues”.
Trust me, this is not unchartered territory for me after 4 years of blogging. I’ve been there before. And when other bloggers write to me about this, I’m the first to assure them that these sort of seasons don’t last forever, and things will swing up again. (And that if you’re a blogger, these sort of ups and downs are pretty much guaranteed, so it’s wise to anticipate this roller coaster as part of the industry.)
But the fact remains that I’m simply not feeling it right now. Don’t worry, traffic is fine, income is fine, my blog is fine, but the blogger in me is not. I don’t feel like I have much to say. I feel like everything has been done before. I question if this is the field for me, and whether my voice needs to be heard amongst so many other talented bloggers out there. I compare myself to bloggers I admire who seem to “have it all”, and find myself falling short. I feel like I can’t keep up. I doubt myself.
In a nutshell, I just feel kind of discouraged.
My instinct when these seasons come (which I credit on being good ol’ 3 on the Enneagram) is to try and “do” everything I can to change the situation. I convince myself that I need to work harder, work smarter, put in more time, push myself, and basically do more in order to “fix” whatever seems to be the problem. Achieve, achieve, achieve. When I’m in a healthy place, this sort of personality instinct can be motivating and fruitful. But when I’m not, I end up spinning my wheels and end up absolutely exhausted. (Which I am right now.)
I mean, let’s be real. The truth is that there’s really only so much you can “do” to turn things around, especially in the world of blogging. And really, what I need to do (if anything) is just be patient. And keep putting one foot in front of the other. And trust that (as one blogger recently noted) this really is a marathon, not a sprint. And that the best thing I can do is stay true to myself, and do the best that I can. That’s really all any of us can do, right?
I’m trying to remind myself of that multiple times a day this week. But sometimes it’s just hard. And sometimes I simply get discouraged. And rather than pretend like everything is bright and shiny and oh-so-perfect, or offer 10 easy steps to bounce out of a slump, sometimes it’s helpful to admit that there are seasons that are challenging. That’s all.
So anyway, if I’ve been a little quiet on this blog lately, that’s why. Hakuna matata, I’m totally ok and will bounce back from this blogging slump sometime soon, guaranteed. But for anyone else who might find themselves ever experiencing the “blogging blues”, just thought I’d offer a little post to let you know that you’re not alone. And to remember that your blog is not your identity. And that this season, too, will pass. And, as my favorite character says in Finding Nemo, we’ve gotta “just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming”… :)
Almost 8 years for me, sister! Ups and downs, go with the flow, don’t compare. Keep writing to inspire and help change the world, Ali. You have SO much to share, and that is why your blog is a favorite of so many! Love you, girl!
Thank you for being so honest and open, Ali! I’ve been in a little blogging funk, too, and feeling oh-so-guilty about it. I’ve tried everything I know (in my type-A personality toolbox) and nothing seems to be working. Knowing that someone as talented and successful as you is going through the same thing gives me hope and the patience to ride it out. Enjoy your trip and break from blogging — it’s deserved! :)
Hey Ali :)
I just thought I would share this with you, b/c it struck me as slightly significant: I was feeling very, VERY gloomy the other day, and I was listlessly scrolling through the list (pun not intended) of blogs to which I subscribe, and if my stream of consciousness could have been captured, here’s how I think it would have read: “Oh look, new recipes, oh – more vegetarian food, oh my gosh, you can mash parsnips? Oooh look at that blog – ruffles and oh, look – more foo foo stuff, oh look, WOW. do you seriously produce something EVERY DAY???, oh, look – more foo foo stuff, oh, would you look at that – what a cute idea for decorating stairs, but I don’t have stairs, sooo.. wait. look. there’s that blog where I think the blogger is sweet and fun but not foofooey (yes, I realize this is not actually a word). Like, I think she’s real, and has a really good heart, and that means something to me. Maybe I’ll check that one out, and it will lift my spirits.”
So, I did check it out, and tadaaaa – It was yours :) Gimme Some Oven (and it did lift my spirits!)
I can tell you that out of all the blog updates I receive (quite a few!), you are the only person I have ever thought about – who I think would be a really cool friend.
Rock on, my dear :)
These kinds of things happen, but still, It needs to be said! Know you’ve got a whole community behind you hoping you find you way out of it soon!
As grandma said, “Inch by inch, life’s a cinch. Yard by hard it gets hard. Mile by mile, it’s truly a trial.” I say, slow and steady will win the race, hopefully with a smile on my face. XO
I am experiencing this right now too. I know there are lots of factors contributing to it. My dishwasher is not working, my oven is on the fritz, I am waiting for a kitchen remodel, sickness has run rampant through my house these last few weeks, this Nebraska winter can take a hike….it is hard to push through. I am sorry you are experiencing these blues, but it is oddly comforting knowing that someone whom I think “has it all” experiences the slump from time to time. Cheers to the upswing and the arrival of Spring (soon I hope!).
Ali – I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had the “blogging blues”, look around and my creativity comes to a standstill. Granted most of it could be due to the day to day which is makes it a struggle to find the creative side. Thank you SO much for being so open about it and reminding us it’s just a season.
As a very new food blogger, I enjoyed reading this post. It is all very overwhelming at times!
One of my favorite quotes that brings me comfort when I’m feeling like you at this moment is this, “One must go into the darkness to see the light”. I love it, it sweetly reminds me that I’m growing in a wonderful way, more insightful, knowledgeable and with a new beautiful mind.
I’m not an avid blogger, for me it’s more about being creative. Although, my blogging began as a keepsake for all of my mothers/family recipes, I did find myself wanting to “Keeping up with the Joneses” and struggled with many of the issues you mention here. I can say this… regardless of what field we are in online, medical or retail I believe we all experience these moment. So I like to lift myself up and think I’m growing right now more into the women I’ve always wanted to become. This may sound silly but it works, for me.
P.S. Love your blog and your writing.
Word. Ditto. All of the above. #bloggingbluesneedtobounce ;-)