I can honestly say that right now I have 1 foot in blogging and 1 foot out of it. I'm on the fence. I have no clear vision because I can't decide what it is that I really want (or what the Lord really wants me to do). I change my mind each week and that's been going on for months! Yes I am a woman and I do like to change my mind, but that is a bit much! :)
One week I have all sorts of new plans for my blog or even ideas for new blogs and the next week I think about walking away from it completely. I have my healthier blog which seems fine because I do think it helps me be more accountable in my weight loss struggles and a place for healthier recipes. I even started a 3rd blog thinking that it might help me to have a spot to just write (no pics, no recipes) when I felt like it. I only have a few posts there, but it doesn't seem to have helped me to feel different about blogging one way or the other. I even hoped that my 2-week break would make things clear, but it didn't.
Now don't get me wrong - I love all my bloggy friends and have benefited and been blessed in so many ways from the blogosphere! I love my readers and I am honored that you continue to stop by! I hope you don't mind that I'm sharing my confusion and questions with you!
Do I go to the next level with my blog and spruce the place up, start contributing somewhere else to increase experience and exposure, add in a little advertising and bring in a few dollars? Do I leave it all as is and cut back on my blogging? Do I completely change the purpose/vision of my blog? Do I leave this blog and start an entirely different blog? Do I temporarily stop blogging and instead start writing articles (or maybe even a book) to see if I have what it takes to be a writer? Do I walk away from all blogging/writing and just focus on being a better wife and mom (not that the blogging takes away from that - the struggles I have will still be there, blogging or not)?
I know that you can't make a decision for me, but I do ask you to pray for me my friends as I consider these things. And I do appreciate your input! Feel free to say what's on your mind in the comments!
Do you ever lose your way in the blogosphere? Are both your feet fully in blogging? Or do you have 1 foot in and 1 foot out like me?
Thank you SO much for coming by my friends and have a fantastic day (and a little chocolate)! :)
Oh yes, I can so relate to this. I think I struggle most when I compare my blog with others. I look at one blog in particular that got started in just about the same month as mine--hers is WILDLY successful. Mine, not so much. I get discouraged when I compare myself with others. But I have to remember to be just who God made me to be and to write just what He wants me to write. When I have that perspective I keep going. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI can relate. I'm not on the fence about blogging, but I keep reconsidering the direction of my blog. I'll be praying for you as you consider your path, too!
ReplyDeleteOh my friend. I'm where you are at right now. I'm having a give away that only has 11 replies to it, some posts I don't think even get read and then I start thinking, Why am I really doing this? But if I remember I started it for me and continue doing it for me I feel better about it. It really started as an online journal to host happenings and memories and that's really what it still is.
ReplyDeleteI get a little jealous sometimes when I see the blogs that seem to have it all together and are going in one direction. Sometimes I feel like I'm going in several directions because I like to do so many different things. I could start 3 more blogs to house each thought but I'm not going to.
I could tell by yesterday's post that something like this post might be on it's way.
I say cut back and blog the things that are significant to you. That might be 4 times a week or 1 time a week. But don't pressure yourself to do it.
The way I see it is there are so many blogs and people follow so many blogs, they wouldn't miss me not posting for a week, I'm sure.
I've got your back no matter what you decide to do.
Big this comment is probably the longest you'll get today but that's probably because I'm a babbler and know how to draw something out size hugs to you!
You know I love you girlie!
I think its normal to wonder about blogging..is it still fun or a job ? Do you have a plan for it or flying by the seat of your pants or maybe you need a longer break..Either way if you need time--Most people will still follow the blog -- I have days like that too. Hugs
ReplyDeleteI think we all have those moments where we go..."what was the point, again?" I would step back and take a look and ask..."what do I really want". That easy question (which isn't so easy) can bring the clarity that you need.
ReplyDeleteHello............we don't know each other but were you reading my mind? I am so envious, even though, God doesn't want me to be, of other blogs that seem to have it all together. I never know quite what to do. I know that God has a plan, just not sure yet what it is. It is so different from my facebook support group.....I know that plan. Praying for you! Please keep us updated cuz I am your newest follower.
ReplyDeleteWell, I can't really give any advice, but just so you know, you're not the only one. :) I, too, have one foot in and one foot out. Anyone looking at my blog, would say I'm more out than in right now. I just have nothing to write. I kind of got caught up in the whole blogging thing and before I knew it I was meeting other bloggers in person, having giveaways, and have over 50 followers! I feel so guilty sometimes that I haven't written anything and that my posts have become sporadic. Then I think of all the time I need to spend on other things right now and the guilt goes away. I think I'll keep my own blog going, but I'm just slowing down a lot.
ReplyDeleteI'll pray for you and you can do the same for me. :) May we both find the Lord's direction.
My beautiful friend ... I adore you. But I imagine if we were all honest, most everyone has felt that way. I struggle ... I don't know what to do. I could care let about SEO and monetizing ... I just want to write. But when I just write, it feels like that's not enough.
ReplyDeleteAll that to say, whatever you decide, you'll always be my chocopalooza friend!! I love you!!
I will be praying God gives you direction and peace about this. I haven't been blogging for very long. And I would stay I am in blogging completely with both feet. But I started slowly. I told myself I was not going to get caught up in having a relevant post every day. Instead, I had a relevant post 1-2 times a week. My relevant I mean something I felt inspired of the Lord to write. The other posts were random, and yes, I did participate in weekly memes, but I did that to get to know other bloggers. I would be purposeful to build those relationships. As I've gone along in this thing, I've always tried to be "real" in my posts.
ReplyDeleteI think maybe you are trying to take on too much with all the different blogs. Maybe key it down to one and use to to blog about whatever is laid on your heart and you can still have a huge variety of subject matter and people will still follow you.
I love your blog. I hope the Lord will lead you to stay!
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one. I do SO appreciate all of your wonderful input my friends!
ReplyDeleteI understand. I'm there too. I finally just gave both blogs to the Lord and asked Him to show what I was supposed to do. I do know that I have to write. It's the only thing I create every day that doesn't immediately get eaten!
ReplyDeleteI can absolutely understand. I go through phases where I'm one in and one out. But as someone who's been blogging the same amount of time as you, you are hugely successful in my eyes. I've been blogging two years as well and I only have 36 followers. I think you're doing great.
ReplyDeleteI can understand if your focus is changing. I've noticed you seem to have more desire to write for your healthier blog.
Just remember that writing is for you. If it becomes a job, then I'd be done. But as long as you love it, as long as you feel compelled to write, keep doing it.
And if not, you can always send some readers my way... :-)
I'll be praying for you.
I do love your blog, Lisa. I feel like I am still in the 'honeymoon' period with my blogging..it is still fun and I feel like I have enough to say. But then a lot of times I only post once a week. But I do love keeping in touch with you this way. If anything, just keep up one blog where you can post your family's happenings and what you are up to. I love the recipes that you post, the pictures and the links...(thanks to you I found the crockpot365 site and am loving it!) I will keep you in my prayers as you make your decision.
ReplyDeleteOne last thing, I have a place on my blog where people can subscribe and then my posts go directly to their email account. For some reason I have never been able to see who has chosen this option, but I am shocked at how many of my family, old friends and church friends have commented to me in private how much they appreciate my blog. None of these people have ever commented, much less even gone to my blog - they just read it in their in box. So when I have a post that gets only 1 or 2 comments or (horrors!) none, I know that someone out there is reading it. Know that you probably have a lot of silent lurkers who love your stuff but never tell you that. ( Alas, I used to be one of those to many blogs)
Did I beat Kim in comment length? :-)
Wow, it's amazing to see that so many people here relate to your post, as I do myself. I guess it's not unusual to be stuck in this position of "go big or go home." Keeping up a blog can be fun, but it can be a lot of work too!
ReplyDeleteI do know how you feel Lisa. I have no direction with my blog other than "whatever"... and often, thoughts go through my head that I might just step away from it for good. If there is no purpose to it, I feel it's just eating away at time that I could spend doing something of more value in my home or community. I'll pray that you find direction my friend.
ReplyDeleteLisa,
ReplyDeleteI felt this way when I was struggling to put more time into my novel, and that's why I took a six month break from my blog. I learned after coming back to it to not have an all or nothing perspective, which is sometimes hard for a Type A like me... Lol. I realized I can blog and write other things too; it's just about balance and finding a way to keep my priorities straight. This week, I have some other writing committments, so I'm not posting on my blog. It helps to take the pressure off yourself, you know?
I say if you are feeling a tug to take a break and try something new, go for it! You'll either be relieved or realize you miss blogging. And nothing is permanent anyway; you can always start your blog back up.
Either way, we still need to meet for coffee again!!!
Lisa, I think you have a great blog here...I hope you will stick with it!!!
ReplyDeleteLisa - i can read some of the other comments and it seems like many of us are in the same place. I keep going back and forth with my 2 blogs - and other writing opportunities - and advertising (ugh!) - and it seems like laundry & dishes are so much easier... sigh... praying with you and for you... (I love this blog - know that doesn't help - but LOVE it!)
ReplyDeleteLisa,
ReplyDeletePls see my email: To Blog or Not to Blog and get back with me.
Have a blessed day!
Ginger
I go through this on a regular basis, too Lisa! The blogging world is so vast that there are so many directions you could go. And it does get overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteWhat about taking a little time to pray and make a "Mission Statement" for your life right now. Start by brainstorming everything that's important to you, prioritize and come up with a purpose. Then, see how blogging fits into that?
Just popped into my mind as an idea, but I will certainly pray that God makes his plan clear to you!
I sooooooooo know where you're at. I have moments of wanting to hit the delete blog button then I have moments of overwhelm when the inbox hits 60. Then I write and write and remember why I started. Cheap therapy away from my baby!
ReplyDeleteJust read Shelly's comment - that is sooo me. Never been competitive in the past, now I am. On a related note if any of you are looking to guest post on blogs a little different to yours to incerase expsoure, I think that helps. Anyone wanna trade?!
ReplyDeleteI totally know how you feel, as many other do it seems!
ReplyDeleteI think that when something moves from fun to chore it's time to take a step back and really reconsider why you're doing it in the first place. I've done that a number of times both with my blog and my business - step back, take a break {sometimes get very close to saying goodbye completely} and then re-energize and return.
And it *is* so hard with blogs, because some really do seem to fly more than others... and you have to wonder how much work goes into them and what the owner is getting out of it?
I for one would definitely miss your blog, and if you do decide to keep at it I think adding advertising is a great idea and a bit of income from all your hard work might be just what you need to keep your bloggy-spirits up!
Great title! I think if you have been blogging for awhile you will always come to this fork in the road. I went through mine this past fall. I went from posting daily to about once a week or even longer. I wasn't sure where I wanted to go with it. I even pretty much quit reading the blogs except a very select few. Blogging is so personal though that I think it is very hard to keep it going without having your heart into it. As they say absence makes the heart grow fonder so maybe you just need to step back and see how much you miss it. For what it's worth though I would miss you if you disappeared!!!
ReplyDeleteYup. I started 'another' blog at the first of the year to discuss diet and trying to lose weight. Ended up with a very sick winter for us and that blog is abandoned. And my 'regular' blog might as well be. It's sad when I get emails from my readers wanting to know if I'm ok since I don't post. But I just can't figure out what I even have to say at this point. Hoping this is just a phase and I can think of something worthwhile to share at some point. I know why I started my blog so I'm not totally 'lost'.. I just don't feel as if I have anything fresh to offer right now. I guess we all hit a wall at some point. : /
ReplyDeleteOh my friend, I love you and I love your blog. I know you've been struggling with this for a while. I pray the Lord shows you His direction. May He give you His passion and His love. You are an incredible friend & blogger. Never underestimate the power of that!
ReplyDeleteThe time you have all taken to leave me such thoughtful comments (and your advice and prayers) is such a blessing to me. I know that my bloggy dilemma is a small thing compared to many things in our lives. You are more than readers - you are friends for helping me with it! Hugs to all! :)
ReplyDeleteLisa,
ReplyDeleteI had a moment and wanted to just tell you how it's working for me right now...
With my quasi-part-time job of 25-30 hrs per week and my more-than-full-time job of wife and mom, the blog takes a back seat.
I don't pursue giveaway or sponsorship type opportunities unless they would directly benefit my family and fit in to the "theme" of my blog. In other words, not unless it's something that I wouldn't normally write a post about anyways.
Now that being said, I find that keeping the ol' blog around is good for me in some respects. It keeps me accountable in some things and challenges me in others. I don't push myself to post every day and only do when I feel I have something worth saying.
I don't know if that helps any, but just wanted to give you a glimpse of how it works for me.
I hear ya' loud and clear! Me too!
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI will just second and third everything everyone else has said. Although, my first thought when you said THREE blogs was, whoa mama! Do you think you would have more fun with just one? I just started blogging and honestly it's just another social connection for me. I'm not making money, I just don't have the time or the desire to take that route. As it is, right now I'm sitting here reading blogs when I should be cleaning/doing laundry! Once a day or once a week, once a month, that's up to YOU. I think your readers will stick with you whatever you decide. I know I will!
I really appreciate that you've written this. I think at one point or another we all come to that place where we have to make a decision. I'm about to start graduate school and so I'm also trying to decide what sort of commitment I can make to blogging long term.
ReplyDelete~Aubree Cherie