Confession: I’m bored with my blog. And I can’t help but wonder, after a month of decreasing stats, whether you’re bored with it, too. And then the panic spiral begins–what should I do? Quit? Brainstorm ideas I haven’t already discussed ad nauseum? Get a fresh new look? Take a blogging break? Keep chugging along and wait for this to pass? Find a bunch of blog hops to participate in? Snag some fabulous guest bloggers?
What say you, readers (those of you who are left, anyway)? If you blog, what do you do while you’re in a funk, waiting for inspiration to hit?
Part of this, I know, is because it’s spring and I don’t want to sit inside at a computer! I want to be outside, living in the sunshine! I’m making fun memories with Jax, giving me lots of things to write about, I guess. But little time to do it. And about ZERO motivation.
Perhaps it’s time to reevaluate my blogging goals. When I started this blog in 2010, my primary goal was to give myself an outlet to vent about the aftermath (and occasionally the still-goings-on) of postpartum depression and anxiety. I wanted to find my community. And boy did I! But I feel like those PPD days are so far behind me now. And the things I used to write about frequently (breastfeeding, anxiety, lack of sleep) aren’t as much an issue in my life now. Things have changed, as things eventually do. Maybe the root of the problem is that I am meandering along with no new goal.
I do believe that blogs should be dynamic. After all, humans are, and our blogs are an extension of ourselves. I also believe that blog burnout is a positive thing. Burnout forces your hand, makes you change things up a little. I think it is even something to be proud of because it means a blogger is giving her all. If she were giving only 10%, she wouldn’t feel wiped out, right? Right.
Lately, I have not been giving my all at all! It’s been more like 50% of my usual effort. I mean, last week alone I featured two (superfantastic and awesome) guest bloggers. I think I wrote maybe one post myself. That was a first for me.
But that’s ok. It happens. It’s nothing to cry about.
I’ll keep going.
But I am curious to hear your thoughts and/or advice. I read 100+ blogs regularly. I know I’m not the ONLY blogger to experience this.
I’m currently in the middle of a bit of a blog funk. Some of that has to do with my body adjusting to the new medication I’m on (hello, bedtime at 9pm!), but part of it is just me taking it a little easier on myself.
That being said, I know that *for me* the best way out of my rut is…just write. Stop trying to make it some big post. Stop trying to think about audience. Stop trying to think about traffic and retweets and who will read. Just..write. For me, it’s a habit that I have to keep up, a muscle I have to keep working. The more time I take away, the more time I stay away. Eventually, when I make the effort to write, I find I have more to say.
At least, that’s me.
Ginger recently posted..Reads From Around the Web
I love your advice, Ginger, to “just write.” I’m going to plaster that onto my monitor so it’s staring right back at me while I blog. Thank you!
I’ve totally been feeling this way too. I’ve already shared my opinions on everything. Now what?
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Theresa, if you figure it out, do let me know!
I’ve thought of that too. But why don’t you make EVERY day special and post it? I hope it’s a good idea to hear. :)
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I’ll be honest and admit I have no advice. I just wanted you to know that I’d miss your blog if it wasn’t there. I do check for new posts almost every day, or at least a few times a week if I’m crazy busy. So there.
I am wondering that too and I’ve only been blogging for 4 months! My subject matter is too specialized I think so my concern is running out of material. I do think though that you can fill in the gaps by sharing interesting links/cartoons etc that you come across – kind of like a status on Facebook or just writing whatever comes into your head, relevant or not :-)
Naturallysta recently posted..Kids That Go Bump in the Night (or Day)
I’m with Kim – I would miss your blog if it wasn’t here. If you figure this out let me know! :)
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