There’s been a bit of soul searching around Facibus On Blogging recently. Less that a week ago I had my blogging with a heart epiphany, and yesterday I wrote about the benefits of sharing the pain.
As I said in my first post, most blogs on blogging don’t last six months. To blog in any serious way, especially in an overcrowded niche like blogging on blogging, is hard work, and you really have to want to do it to keep going.
So… when you’re sick, tired, a bit overwhelmed, feeling lost, or worried about killing the blog monster before it kills you… what do you do?
My advice, for what it is worth, is this: get away from the computer, go for a walk, sit under a tree, and think it through: why do you blog? If you are making yourself miserable, and alienating the ones that you love, do you know why you are putting up with it? Why you bore the tails off of your non-blogging friends and work colleagues, spend time away from your partner researching posts, blog when you are too ill to go to your day job? There had better be a pretty good reason for going through all that stuff.
What is your motivation? Why do you do it? There are many different reasons to blog. Some people do it for a feeling of belonging, others in the search for self esteem, and yet others for personal growth. For me, being perfectly self-honest, it is a combination of all three.
Why do you blog?
Note: I’ve entered this post in Darren Rowse’s 31 Days group writing project.
Yes, but even though you’re away from the computer doing your soul searching, you try to come up with a post a day to keep the rhythm going.
I agree that it has value, because we tend to lose sight of our original goals.
My ungeekit blog is in part because I write some of this stuff anyway - and in part to experiment with the business aspect of blogging.
My smugpuppies blog is just for the joy of writing, although I haven’t been able to spend much effort there lately.
Hi Jeri,
I agree - we think, and then we go and post anyway
A thought: asking someone to pick the one blog that they can develop (i.e “doing it properly”) is a bit like asking them to choose their favorite child - perhaps it is something that should not be done lightly.
Cheers, Andrew
I blog because I love to talk about my passions. I like to share what I know, and hear what other people know. I even like saying what I think, and having someone else completely bowl me over with their opposing arguments. It’s a fantastic experience to blog.
Hi Michael,
thank you for your comment.
I think that passion (in the “driven” sense) is what life is about - do what you are passionate about, blog passionately about what you are passionate about. I am lucky (or cursed, depending on your perspective) to be passionate about blogging. So I blog about blogging, a very full niche but it gives me lots to write about.
I agree that it is a fantastic experience to blog
Cheers, Andrew
I blog primarily to have an outlet for my writing. I also enjoy the interaction with my readers. It has also taught me to be more disciplined in my writing life. I do not really blog for the income it brings - that is a bonus.
Hi Trevor,
thank you for your comment.
Do you think that the blog has given you exposure that would allow for more money-making opportunities?
Best regards, Andrew
Pretty simple the idea but difficult to implement. I’m kind of trying, willing to achieve being more that good enough in a lot of aspects, but my blog is way behind. Thanks to put some light over it
Hi Dario,
thank you for your comment.
Whatever happens, don’t be discouraged
Cheers, Andrew