image source
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about blogging, creativity, and comparisons. About the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of blogging. And about becoming a better blogger.
I’m not the only one thinking about what it means to be a blogger. Just last Friday, Victoria wrote about the “faux reality of social media” on SFGirlByBay, a topic that more and more people are daring to discuss. I always appreciate when bloggers with seemingly perfect lives are willing to reveal the cracks beneath the surfaces of their impeccably styled facades.
Blogging is hard. It’s hard when it’s a hobby you try to fit in between work and family obligations, and it’s hard when it’s a job you try juggle alongside other responsibilities. Besides requiring a lengthy time commitment, blogging can be creatively and emotional draining. There’s a constant pressure to come up with engaging yet unique content on a daily basis that will entice your readers to keep coming back for more.
Then there’s the (often unspoken) competitive aspect of blogging — Why is this person getting more comments than I am? Where does she come up with all of her great ideas? Is her family really happier than mine? How does she eat so much yet stay so skinny? — More power to you if you know how to avoid these types of comparisons. I sure don’t. The truth is, I get jealous. A lot.
I could go on and on, but instead I’d like to share some interesting posts I’ve recently read covering these topics (and more). These writers do a better job articulating some of the feelings and frustrations I have about blogging, as well as offer some advice and solutions.
On online burnout…
“I can watch for the cues: Oh, I’m not feeling like I’m enough? Or I don’t have enough things? I’m not doing enough? Time to get offline. Go outside. Hang out with friends. Make things. Cook. Read a book. Regenerate. Time to stop and smell those proverbial roses.”
On competition amongst creative professionals…
“There’s an abundance. A massive amount of opportunity. There’s a big enough pie that we’re not even competing for slices. Collaboration is the name of the game.”
On conquering procrastination…
“Psychologists assert that procrastinators actually sabotage themselves. They put obstacles in their own path. They actually choose paths that hurt their performance, and avoid success in life. It represents a profound problem of self-regulation.”
“But one thing I can’t help but notice in blogger-watching (including observing myself) is some of the not-so-subtle shifts that come as time rolls on. The wonder and gratitude and enthusiasm that we had as beginning bloggers has the potential to slowly give way to a sense of dissatisfaction, hurt feelings, and discouragement.”
“And then on some days, I feel like I have nothing to offer, like I must be the only one who isn’t a graphic designer and hasn’t yet managed to display her entire darling life online with lots of chevron and mint accents. I feel so certain that my life is a lot less darling than other peoples’ lives.”
On being creative and productive…
“The theory boils down to the fact that we can’t increase the hours in the day, but we can increase the energy with which we make the most of those hours. Taking short, scheduled breaks throughout the day rejuvenates and restores us physically and mentally, helping us plow through those assignments and to-do lists in a third of the time.”
Do you have any thoughts to share on blogging, creativity, or comparisons? Have any posts on social media struck a chord with you lately?
I am blessed with being able to juggle many things at a time. However, I am also somewhat cursed. I tend to chase rabbits. When I do this, I often am rewarded with new discoveries. But, I am often punished with still having a pile of unattended things to do. My solution is very simple – make a list. When you are staring at an enormous pile of things to do it can be discouraging and lead to brain freeze or “action gridlock”. When you have a list, it keeps you focused and discourages chasing those darn bunnies. The great Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said, “The greatest journey begins with a single step.”
I have huge problems with traffic jealousy. I seem to have plateaued and it’s very frustrating. I try not to let it impact my content, but I find myself with less motivation as a direct result. /confession
As writers, we don’t necessarily write for ourselves — we want eyeballs! It can be VERY unmotivating when your numbers plateau. I have definitely experienced that (confession: am currently experiencing that). Thanks for sharing 🙂
great post PJ! I know we all feel all of those things at one time or another and I am so happy to see more people talking about it out loud! Usually when I am feeling anxious about my own work, or my sometimes spotty traffic – I stop and think “am I having fun? am I doing something i really love to do?” and usually when I am most down I notice that I am doing something that I over-thought/ (felt other were doing so maybe I should) and didn’t truly feel genuine about. It is in those moments that I try and regroup and do what I really love instead – even if it seems silly or insignificant. I find when I am doing something that feels organic and genuine to my life that my readers respond much more. keep up the great work and thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Corey! I love what you said about doing work that feels organic and genuine. It’s so obvious when bloggers try to emulate another blogger’s style or work. And yes, I’m guilty of trying to “be like” other bloggers at times. Regrouping and getting back to the things you love is the best way to be authentic.
Great post, PJ. I always admire the openness in your writing. I think every blogger has struggles with these feelings from time to time (whether they admit it or not!). I know I can get caught up in feeling like my social media following grows at a snails pace (only 68 Instagram followers!), but then I need to remind myself that I can only do so much. If I was Instagramming and tweeting on my phone all day I would drive my kids nuts! It’s already a miracle that I can get out a couple posts a week, so I just need to focus on that accomplishment and let the other stuff happen on its own pace.
Aw, thank you, Haley. What you said is so true — I have to remind myself that blogging/social media is NOT my full-time job. It’s a part-time job. I’m also a mom and need to occasionally put down the phone and step away from the computer to pay attention to Levi!
That said, I think you do an awesome job producing quality posts. I’m really inspired by all of your DIY work.
Oh PJ – You have PERFECTLY summed up how I feel on more days than I care to admit. It’s awful. The comparisons, the feeling “less than”, the jealousy. All for a pursuit that started out as not only a HOBBY, but something that was going to be pure pleasure. Just for me. No pressure. HA! The faux reality of social media weighs way too heavily on me than it even remotely deserves. Thank you SO much for being brave and honest enough to put out there what many of us skulk around thinking much of the time. Well done, my friend.
Thank you, Sheri 🙂 I allow myself too much time to compare myself to other bloggers. I know it’s bad for me, but I can’t stop! By being open about these negatives feelings I have, I’m hoping to be able to work through them, to get some perspective maybe. Social media just makes it way too easy to compare ourselves to others.
AMENNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Haha, thanks!
Great share PJ! So so so true.
Love this post. Love you. Keep going. xo
Thanks for the love and the encouragement! You are a daily source of inspiration to me 🙂
For the first couple years of blogging, these things didn’t really bother me, I felt like I’d found my groove. But then, suddenly, there was a ton of pressure to do MORE MORE MORE and things feel like they’ve been going backward since then. Throw in lots of extra “life” to the mix and I feel pretty stuck lately. Thanks for writing this, its got my wheels turning.
I kind of miss blogging when it was just for fun…back in 2007 when I started. Don’t get me wrong, I still love to write and share and connect, but all that added pressure that you mentioned definitely weighs on me.