Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Disenchanted with my Blog

So I am having a difficult time writing new posts. I am disenchanted. I started blogging with such zeal. Now, after four years, I feel stagnant and a bit tired of it all. About a year ago, I spent up to 12 hours a day working on the blog, commenting, doing blog hops, working with sponsors, etc. Back then, I got up to 30 comments with each post. I was on top of the blogging world. Except I was bitterly unhappy in MY world, my children made comments about mom never being off of the computer, my husband knew that in between cooking and cleaning I wouldn't be available to anything but the blog.

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Then I got my head together and my priorities in order. I started spending lots of time with other people. I wasn't rolling in angst. Sure, there are worse days than other, but by and large I am able to manage my psyche pretty well. I quit responding to 50 blogs a day. I no longer participate in blog hops. Instead of writing posts about how difficult life can be, I write recipes and observations. And I've lost readers, comments are down, I have no sponsors.

At some point I had to face the fact that blogging simply is not going to pay the bills. God bless those who have been able to turn it into a career, but just like any form of media blogging is competitive and the people with the money like other bloggers more than me. So then if blogging isn't going to be my job it is a hobby and it should be fun, enjoyable, something I look forward to doing.

But lately it isn't. I realize I haven't posted for days and I don't have a problem with it mostly because it feels so "blah." I would like to get my blogging mojo back; I think I maintain a good space. So help me, my blogging friends. What do you do when you want to call it quits? How do you get the spark back? How do you banish the disenchantment and start with new vigor?

22 comments:

Life love, clutter and other beautiful things. said...

I just blog for me, no other reason. I can be silent for ages then get busy. I love visiting other blogs I do not always leave comments but enjoy popping in and out of blogs. I find it a lovely inspiring place the blog world, but I also take a break from it and enjoy the real world too!!! xox

StuckAtHomeMom.com said...

It's not like you've failed - you got a life!
When you're 110 y/o are you going to say "Gee Wiz, I really wish I'd blogged more"?

Mariella said...

I have never been on the top of the blogging world but I know what you mean...blogging has never been anything but a fun hobby for me but I also had my blah moments not to mention lack of time these days with a new born, but in the early days of my pregnancy when I was nauseated by everything what I did was simply step away. it took me a few months to get back and yes I might have lost a few of my readers but it was ok. It came back naturally and now I blog less often maybe, but I make sure that each post is enjoyable for the others but mostly for myself.

Jenny said...

I went through the same thing & now I barely blog at all. I attempt to go a few days straight in order to un-kill my site but it never lasts long.

It's okay though. There are better things to do then blog, I know that now & so do you :D

Paige Knowles said...

I ensure you that you will always have support, even if you choose to take a break from blogging. I do not think that there is anything wrong with stepping back and getting grounded, because what is important is that you are happy and healthy. I think that when you are doing something you love, maybe hanging out with your family or reading a brilliant book; not even thinking about your blog, you will find some inspiration and feel completely revitalized and ready to type!
I have complete faith that you will pull through.

susie kline said...

My blogging mojo waxes and wanes. I realize my blog will never pay the bills. And that my time might be better spent actually writing/finishing my novel. But I feel I've invested so much time in it, that I cannot dream letting it lapse!

Good luck!

Rachelle said...

I find if the mojo has gone that I need first to give it a little space; then a challenge. I find the Blogtoberfest types of things a good challenge for me; I just have to post something each day; not necessarily a lot, just something.

Ruth said...

I have been without much to talk about on my blog recently too. Hence all the pictures from pinterest.

Unknown said...

I don't really have any answers..I am sort of at the same spot..except I never spent a gazzilion hours blogging... I hope to learn something by your comments...fingers crossed

Unknown said...

I would rather see good posts once a week or even once a month, than alot of rushed posts.

Lucy's Soup Can said...

Haha, I just came back after taking a year off from blogging (and I had only been blogging for one year!). I decided to get back into it more as a journal for myself and less as a communication device to other people. I weeded out who I follow (I still follow you), I only comment when I want to, I only write about things when I feel inspired and most of all I don't expect anyone to read what I write. I still don't have time to scrapbook but maybe one day I will, so I figure I should have my thoughts accessible somewhere. Like you said, treat it as a hobby.

Bethe77 said...

I have really enjoyed this post very much. I sometimes think we get so caught up we loss the real reason we started bloggin. I started this to be a forum for me to grow and just be me. Then I realized it could be so much more. But never got caught up in the media of making money from it. Thought oh wow! That would never allow me to be me. My oldest grandson loves the fact that I blog. He wants a book so every few months I make it in a book. I post what is on my heart I do prompts that challenge me as a writer and if wome one read s great if not. Im doing this for me no one else. The added bonus is the readers and the friendships I make along the way. I do some hops but mostly links to things I enjoy and enrich my life. It can take away or add like anything in life. I would like to think this is a bonus that adds. So do it for you. Make it fun and enjoy. What was it that made it enjoyable for you? Go back to the reason you started then your talent will follow. If you miss a day or two who cares. It is about expressing your thoughts. Those who are truly interested will follow. Have fun. I will be praying.
Blessings

Unknown said...

Hi Erin, thank you for being open and speaking freely about this issue. It is real and it is something that I wondered about. I compared myself to other blogs in that they had sponsors, lots of comments, followers, giveaways etc. But then, like that Damascus moment with Saul in the Bible, I got stopped in my tracks by this question, "What does your blog do for you?" It totally reframed my thought process. I began to see that my blog was my therapeutic environment. Even if I do not get one comment, I know, there is a silent group of visitors who read and there is someone who may stumble by and find something that would reach out to their spirit. That pushes me because it is partially for myself and for that person who may need to read that post for themselves. I hope I answered the question. Keep blogging! You are an inspiration!

Unknown said...

Love that picture!

Get back to basics. Write about what made you so passionate in the beginning. Write about the things you love doing today that are different. Passions change, and that's okay. But if you really love writing, stick with it. Or challenge yourself in another way be picking 10 topics from your audience and challenging yourself to write about them. Hang in there!

jetts31 said...

I went through the same thing a few weeks ago. I was ready to turn off the computer and be done. I get some comments, am not listed on any "Top 50" lists anywhere, and haven't made a dime blogging but I came to the conclusion, that's not why I am doing it. I want to write. Just write. I want the respect of people in the community I respect. And after a 3 week hiatus, clearing my mind, I'm back. So maybe you just need a break? Walk away for a little and clear your head. Distance can sometimes make for clarity. And good luck.

the cape on the corner said...

i don't think there's anything wrong with blogging when you have something to say, or want to say something or show something. i say if you don't, then don't feel like you have to. that doesn't mean stop blogging all together, it just means sporadic. do you have to make it an all or none choice?

Natasha in Oz said...

Have a break my friend! Don't make blogging a priority; blog when you want. But first take a break! I did that and it really helped.

Take care and enjoy the lead up to Christmas without feeling the need to blog!

Best wishes always,
Natasha.
xo

Sue's blog said...

I know how you feel. I started my blogs thinking I was going to make heaps. I really got into it and was really keen, got adsense and thought I was doing wonders. Then I realised that adsense was not all it was cracked up to be, I made $1.50 in eight months, wow.
Then they banned me for bad clicks and took my hard earned cash away.
I am a little like you now, I lost that drive. I find it hard to write about things but am afraid to let it go because I do enjoy it, at times.

Alex said...

Blog when you want to and when you feel like it, that's the way I do it. Sometimes I've gone weeks without a post and then I'll do 2 or 3 in a day.

I'm a lot happier since I decided I blog for ME and not some perceived audience out "there".

It's a fine balancing act though isn't it? I often wonder that the people I see on twitter 24/7 have anything to say, when do they get to experience life?!

Moments and Impressions said...

I blog about things I want to remember and share. I write about what makes me smile, laugh or cry. I think sometimes that people will like to read a post - but it is mainly for me and my family. Looking back over the years, I love reading and seeing the little things. I write fewer words than a lot of people - but I get more things down to remember that way. Just do what feels right to you.

Adam @ Hanging with Dad said...

I've been in a bit of a lull myself, but I think it's all technology based. I feel that being connected 24/7 has made it even more important to completely unplug for a while. So maybe you just need to unplug for a while, get everything straight and then see if the desire is still there.

Unknown said...

I feel your pain. With my blog, I look at it as part of my job to help inform and educate about farm life, but in the meantime "life" (laundry, bill paying, cleaning chores) can pile up. It's hard to strike a good balance, and what works for one week/month may not work the next. Just write when you have something to say; go for the quality and not the quantity.

Hugs!

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