I literally have one friend that blogs. The rest of my friends and family enjoy reading mine but say they would never be able to take one on themselves. In a perfect world, every one of my 756 friends on Facebook would switch over to blogging. People would be real. It wouldn't be a slew of status updates, check-in's and pointless drama.
Now I know not everyone has the time, motivation or creativity to be a blogger. But hey, I never in a million years thought I would be a blogger by any means. I don't plan to become the next Casey Wiegand and make a living from my blog (Although she is amazing, don't get me wrong).
On blogging: I feel like its something I "have" to do to keep my readers happy. Even if I have 3 exams to study for, an interview to prepare for, and business meetings to attend each night.
And if you're like me, you have way more obligations to take care of than hours in the day.
Blogging should not be an obligation.
It should be something you enjoy for you. Not your 3456 followers, not for your mom, not for your dog.
I began Whispering Sweet Nothings when my lovely cousin Megan began the 30 Day Challenge and I just had to jump on board. After the 30 days I took a break for a few months, then decided to start back up while I spent the summer in DC. It became a place for me to vent about emotions, express my creativity (something I don't get much oppurtunity for stuck in an office dealing with finances 40+ hours a week), and just be me.
Once I really got going readership grew faster than I ever imagined...
then sponsor swapping began...
then the obligations came.
Sometimes I feel like I HAVE to post something each and every day.
Let's face it, I don't have a friend that will take a photo shoot of my less-than-stellar choice of outfits each and every day. Being a college student, the only days I look nice are Friday through Sunday if I'm lucky.
My crafty side is seriously lacking... Scrapbooking is my only exception.
Sometimes I fall victim to throwing a bunch of Pins I find appealing on Pinterest which is clearly in no way my own ideas, simply because I don't have the enough hours in the day.
And I'm pretty positive I could burn boiling water...or cake pops. Fail!
I follow all these Mommy bloggers, fashion bloggers, DIY bloggers, none of which I fall under the umbrella of. So what is my blog? That is actually something I am still trying to define for myself. I have "met" so many amazing people on here that I wish I could have as friends in real life.
I promise I will keep up with all the sponsoring/giveaway/random goodness that happens on this blog, for years to come. If I'm lucky, you will eventually see photo dumps of my future children.
I just don't always have the gusto to promise that Monday will be outfit day, Tuesday will be X day, etc. I have taken on a few projects: It's Friday I'm in Love, Secrets on a Sunday, Operation Beautiful, Let's Get Pint-imate Challenge.
Blogs should be fun! Your blog should be an expression of you, and not just for gaining followers, so in my opinion there is no "right" way to do it! Just be YOU!
So tell me, why are YOU here?
So tell me, why are YOU here?
22 comments:
You, missy, are a lifestyle blogger. :) We blog about life, all of it's adventures- good and bad, and whatever else you feel like. It's the best kind of blogger to be. :)I totally understand how you feel. Never let blogging be a chore, that's when it isn't fun anymore.
My cake pops looks a lot like yours! Those little suckers are HARD to make!
I agree 100% with you, if you keep it fun, you won't get burnt out. :) It can be a great personal outlet.
Love this, shane! Keep it up :) If you're not blogging for you... it's no fun! You're awesome :)
I wrote a few posts on this same thing lately! You should never feel obligated to blog :) We'll all still be here the next day or the day after that! I used to think I needed to blog everyday now but then I believe in quality over quantity and I only blog when I am "in the mood" because I think that's when I write the best.
Love this post! I could not agree with you more! I am lucky if I can make mac and cheese without getting the macaroni stuck to the bottom of the pan or if I can sew a button on a coat...not really a crafty or creative in my body. I love blogging but I am done with trying to gain an audience. The most successful bloggers seem to be the ones who are just genuine about who they are and what their life is about...like NieNie or Michelle at Oh, Mishka. And you! I love your blog! And I'm happy to hear I'm not alone on this topic :)
Have a great week :)
Tara
whoops I meant to say there's not really a crafty or creative *bone in my body
I am 100% on the same page. Thanks for sharing this - I thought I might be the only one!
I love this. If more people were like JUST BE YOU. I don't think blogging would turn into such a chore. Just go with the flow. If you need to take a break to refresh, TAKE IT. I wish more people would understand that we'll still be here when ya get back.
Remy / Cinnamon Bubbles
stumbled onto your blog and just wanted to leave you a little blog luv! i totally agree!! blogging should be for fun and because YOU want to. it is all about a balance. i even take "media time outs" once a week. one day of no internet and it is AMAZING. i think as long as you stay grounded things work out fine
http://infinitelifefitness.com
http://mscomposure.blogspot.com
i like this post! and my favorite blogs are a mix of everything!!
I love this post & couldn't agree more! My blog started out for me, so it is important to remember that I don't need to be blogging constantly! :)
Sometimes I feel this way too.
I originally started my blog for ME. To get some thoughts on paper, as like a journal. I love to write and I just wanted to write: my opinions, thoughts, and feelings. I find that I am focused more on others now too. When really, I should keep doing it for me. Thank you for reminding me. Seriously. I write some pretty deep, emotional, heavy, funny, crazy, silly, fun things. And thats how I like it. So I need to go back to that! Haha.
xoxo,
Sierra
Oh, Just Living the Dream
sierraainge.blogspot.com
Totally agree! I also see a lot of bloggers out there desperate for people to follow their own blog and promote their own stuff. But, I like to see it as more of a community of people to learn and be encouraged and inspired by. I follow your blog because I love to read what you have to say, regardless of how often you write, what you write about, how many followers or comments you have, etc. So you should definitely always have fun an enjoy sharing whatever it is that you have to share.
Sometimes I feel like blogging is obligatory too. But really, you're right. You're blogging for yourself, and that's the best way to do it. Nothing is better than representing who we really are. Let's be true to ourselves and not blog only for readers but for ourselves. I love this post and I love the "keep calm and blog on"! Thanks for sharing this :)
xo, gina
anythingimaginableblog.blogpsot.com
I totally agree. I see people sometimes try to tell others how a blog should be done, but this is your space to do as you please. I don't think there are any right or wrong ways to blog; just be you! P.S: Have nominated you for the versatile blogger award:)
Universal Gibberish
Amen girlie. I many times feel like my blog isn't good enough or lots of times I feel bad if I don't blog. But I really have nothing to post. So why am I going to bore people with something that I don't even care about just to get a post up for them. Pointless. A little reminder to blog for yourself is always needed :) Thanks
Hi! Found your blog on the IBlog4Me community and just felt I had to comment. You're right, blogging should be fun and never a chore. I blog because I like to write. Also, it allows me to share my thoughts and insights to those who'd want to listen. Love this post!
Love it! I wish the exact same thing about my friends.. And they make the same comment, I don't know how or I wouldn't be good. Who cares, its for yourself duh!
I've been blogging for many many years now, and one of the things I've learned is that it's just not worth it to force it. For me, blogging is a fun thing that I do for myself, first and foremost. I enjoy doing things to grow my readership and connecting with the people who read my blog, but at the end of the day... I don't blog for them, I blog for myself and if I don't feel like writing, I don't force myself to.
I am loving this post! I actually just took an accidental couple of weeks break from blogging because of my hectic schedule! I missed the blogging world so much! I just knew I had to take care of things before I blogged. I completely agree that it should be fun and not a chore which is why I decided to take a step back for a little--if I didn't I knew I would feel it was like a chore and I did not want that to happen!
I mainly follow kid blogs and mommy blogs, but I love what you said in this post. Sometimes I feel the same way, like I have to post SOMETHING! So, I am following your blog for me, for my own personal enjoyment. Whatever your blog is about :) I can't wait to read more.
I do feel obligated some days, but when I actually start writing, that changes.
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