By Blogging breaks…
Sometimes they’re done with intent and most the time, they’re not.
A lot of things have happened since I last posted. It’s been months… whoops. This is my first post of 2019 and it’s April now.
Things that have happened in the influencer realm this year already:
- Pipdig scandal
- Article 13 has been approved
- T series overtook Pewdiepie and Pewdiepie overtook again
- Evidence of a YouTuber grooming underage girls but people are more concerned with a joke about Shane Dawson molesting his cat
- Attack on influencers taking photos outside of houses in Notting Hill
- Tanya Burr and Jim Chapman announce divorce and people are upset that ‘the old days are over’
- List of 28 influencers accused of cheating their way to top was published and removed
- Threat of potential jail time if influencers do not disclose advertisements correctly
Yeah, it’s a crazy place and it’s enough for anyone to feel overwhelmed. Notice, that a lot of (if not all) stories about ‘influencers’ in the press are negative. Couple that with the pressure on numbers and it’s easy to be demotivated.
Negativity in the industry
The negativity around this industry doesn’t worry me into stopping blogging, but maybe the portrayal of bloggers as “detestable freeloaders” and cancel culture has caused my subconscious to make me take a step back from blogging out of fear of being branded a bad person and have people ‘coming for me’ if I make a mistake.
That, and the fact been I’ve busy, ill, renovating a house, working a full-time, can’t be bothered, focusing on Instagram (delete as appropriate).
Read related post:Β Why are we ALWAYS so busy? Even when weβre not?
Leopard print dress: Zara
Post more and worry less
So, it’s time to get motivated and start posting. How? I’m making a promise, mostly for myself, that I will try to post at least once a week.
I need to be forgiving and get over everything trying to be perfect. As I said before in another post ‘am I shit at blogging?’: “itβs just not always possible to create the vision in my head, which is why I end up with a long list of ideas and unfinished blog posts.”
So, I’m going take a leaf out of Maria J’s book and try to write more on the fly, when the mood strikes, with or without curated photos. I loved what she said here because that’s exactly how I want to go forward with my blog:
I havenβt given up all quality, I just want this to be more casual and more me.
Ways to break the blogging break
(And what I vow to do from now on).
1. Set a goal and stick to it.
Set a goal of how consistently you’re going to post. I’d like to do two posts a week, but I’m going to sayΒ at leastΒ once a week.
2. Post when the mood strikes
To help with the first goal, write when you feel like writing.
Type it up, put it into your editor, quickly read it back and HIT PUBLISH. I never posted often because I faffed trying to make sure I had the ‘correct’ photos and ‘proper’ research all put in.
3. Write every random thought down
No motivation nor ideas? Just type up/write down any thoughts that come into your head. It doesn’t need to be in full sentences or even make sense. You don’t need to post it but, I find this helps me to get ideas flowing and get some motivation to write.
4. Read a few blogs
When I’m really not motivated to write anything at all, I’ll check out content from other people in the hope it inspires me.
5. Set a schedule
I’m going to try this. Set aside a time slot to blog a week. Maybe 6pm – 8pm on Mondays is blog time and that’s the only thing you do in that time.
6. Stop focusing on Instagram
The reason my blog is being neglected is because I’veΒ beenΒ paying more attention to Instagram. The blog is the only platform you have fullΒ control of, and I’ve been forgetting that. Instagram is great, but not when I’m spending too much time on that. I’m sure I’m not the only person that is guilty of this.
(PS go follow me π )
7. Do something blog related
Not in the mood to write a post? Just do something that will help your blog. Update a few of the image descriptions, update your plugins, tick the admin thing off the list that you’ve been meaning to do. There’s always something easy that you can do to help.
Question for you! Leave a comment π
So, do you have any tips to get your blogging mojo back? And what do you think about the representation of bloggers and influencers in the media… do you think this has a subconscious effect on you or your ability to create content?
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Hannah
April 7, 2019This was a good read – I’ve lost my blogging mojo too at the moment and I’ve not really enjoyed blogging much this year. It’s a shame because I’ve been on some really nice city breaks, but my hearts just not been there to write and publish posts. I like your tip about writing as and when you want to and not having a set schedule – I think as it’s a hobby for me I just need to be more casual and laid back about it!
Hannah | Admin
April 7, 2019Thanks! I hope it helps. I feel similar to you and it’s not always a passing feeling; it seems to feel like that more often than not, unfortunately. That’s great going away on city breaks! I’m sure it was nice not thinking about having to create content for it and just living in the moment, but at the same time, you probably felt like you HAD to be writing something too? It’s hard!
Definitely think that taking a step back from being so strict and just posting something when you feel like it might help!
Gemm
April 8, 2019This is such a great post and I can definitely relate! My tips would be to come up with ideas for blog posts whilst on your break so that you have a sense of direction when you go back to blogging. Also I think a lot of the time we put so much pressure on ourselves instead of just putting out content we enjoy creating. The stuff I see about bloggers in the media is rarely positive which is a shame because there are so many talented and hardworking bloggers out there.
Hannah | Admin
April 8, 2019That’s a good idea! It’s good to make notes as you think of them – otherwise you could have a great idea and easily forget it!
Definitely, I think a lot of the pressure comes from ourselves. Sadly, I think the media are always more drawn to negative stories π