Bloggers Block
The situation I feared most when I started blogging has materialised. I have been struck down with writers block. And man, is it bad! The feeling of having nothing to write about is a bit rubbish actually, and the downtime has lead me to question some things.
I've been blogging for almost 6 months now, nearly half a year! I've been on a bit of a roll, as far as knocking out posts is concerned. I'd often wondered to myself if I would run out of things to say, but it was never a major concern. I figured, if I did lose my voice a bit, I could just take a break and come back when I was ready. In theory, that sounds awesome, but in practice it's a little more worrying.
I've been feeling a bit lost for a few weeks now. Sure, I've posted bits and pieces, but it's all felt a bit meh.
A few months ago, I bought myself a little notepad. Nothing fancy, pound shops finest in fact, but it serves it's purpose well. I loved having a place where I could scribble down all my bits, ideas for posts, brainstorms and just blogging related stuff. Since I started I don't think there's been a time when I haven't been working on a few posts at the one time, and my little pad was always full of thoughts and inspirations.
Then something changed, and I started to lose my way. The notes and ideas became less frequent. Anything I did write down got crossed out. I'm becoming less confident in my writing, for some reason. There are so many things I've thought of, but then quickly dismissed because I didn't believe I could write it well enough. Countless amounts of posts have been sitting in my drafts ready to publish, and then I take a silly turn and delete the whole things because I don't think it's good enough.
This lead me to question my reasons for blogging. I started out with the idea that it would be a way for me to document our family life, for memories, as something we could all look back on. I have always enjoyed writing, it was my ambition to be a journalist as I went through college, and thought having a blog would allow me to do some writing. While I wanted the main bulk of the blog to be a 'what we've been up to' kinda thing, I liked the idea of peppering it with the odd article style post here and there. And while I did hope that people may read and enjoy what I had to say, I definitely was not expecting it.
Those first few months were bliss, I wasn't quite aware how much stats and the like would start to take over, and I just wrote random stuff that I felt like writing about. Once you start to see viewing numbers going up, things start to change. Well, for me they did anyway! I've certainly started to think a lot more about what people may want to read, and it's actually impossible to know that, really.
And I think that is what has lead me to where I am now, stuck with an empty notepad and no ideas. I'm trying to hard to write for others that I actually don't even know what I'm supposed to be writing.
I've spent a lot of time reading the mumsnet 'blog of the day', wishing my posts were good enough to be featured, looking for some kind of pattern, trying desperately to replicate. I've realised now that it's impossible to do, you can't write like anyone other than yourself, and why would you want to? And you know what it has taken for me to come to a realisation? I found myself feeling a real jealousy, in a nasty way, towards blogs that were doing well, thinking to myself 'What makes them so good?', when I know the pieces have been fabulously well written. Jealousy is so awful, it really can turn you in to a monster. I don't want to be that person, bitter and twisted about the success of others, especially when they deserve their success.
I had to step back a bit, and remind myself that I didn't start this blog so that I could become 'blog of the day' or any of that nonsense. I've been so consumed with trying about to write something that might go 'viral' that I've missed out on doing what I set out to do in the first place,which is documenting our family life!
Brummymummyof2 did a fabulous post here which pretty much sums up how I'm feeling right now. And while I know I'll probably never get blog of the day, or have a post go viral, I'm perfectly alright with that, because in 10 years time none of that will matter, and I'll have something we can look back on as a family, which is all I'm really wanting!
I love reading all of your comments and getting to interact with all my readers so pop a comment in the section below and lets chit chat.
I think this happens to every blogger at some point. I always find just having a break can help. Try switching of the internet, buy a stack of magazines that interest you and spend an afternoon with them (don't be tempted to look at any websites they suggest, just make a note of it and look later). You'll be surprised how inspired you feel afterwards.
ReplyDeleteI've massively reassessed my blog recently. I was just getting so bored with it and it wasn't until I looked a bit deeper that I realised I wasn't writing for myself anymore so I've stripped it right back and I'm loving it again.
Great post. I think blogging is actually really hard to do, if you want to do it seriously in any kind of a way. You need to not only write the good posts, but you need to network to find readers and then if you want to ultimately be "successful" you have to write what they want. And there are so may other fantastic bloggers out there what makes you stand out from the crowd?
ReplyDeleteLike you I set out to create a record of our lives for the future and also to help out other people with ideas and sometimes I have to remind myself to write for me not for others.x #mmwbh
It happens to every blogger once in a while so don't panic. How about keeping some of those little ideas and creating a sort of a jumble post - so "Things I Thought of While..". A blogging friend of mine has one which is things she found around the internet - so it's often things she might have shared on FB but while she's there she copies the link and then squishes all those links into a post for her blog. It might help to rekindle that passion and ditch the block.
ReplyDeletei think you've hit the nail on the head - as long as you write for you and your family it will always be worthwhile x #mmwbh
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad you have reached that conclusion as we do all go through these thoughts. They still plague me from time to time. I saw on a blog page recently that they get 19000+ page views a month and my heart sank a little, how the heck to they get so many??? Like you, I keep having to remind myself that it doesn't matter, that isn't why I started blogging, and for the most part I am really happy just being able to write what I want to write. If it gets read, fab, if not, ah well, I enjoyed writing it. Not always easy to remember that but when I relaxed a bit the ideas started flowing again. Best of luck overcoming your bloggers block! xx #sharewithme
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. I think you've come to the right conclusion - there's no point competing because it's not what it's about. The best way to blog is to write for yourself, and the rest will come naturally. It's hard to not be interested in stats and recognition - we're all human, and most of us want to know that the words we've so carefully crafted are being read by others. Otherwise, why would we bother to blog? We'd just keep a private diary. But ultimately, it really is about writing about what is important and relevant to you, and then the ideas will come.
ReplyDeleteIt happens to us all, and I honestly believe the only thing to do is step back and recharge those batteries, it then rights itself.
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I went through the same thing not long ago, I took a step back & stopped for about a week. That helped me come to the decision that I will blog when I can about things that are important to me. It's easy to get caught up in stats, etc but just remember why you started. Good luck xx
ReplyDeleteGood points! I like reading that others have felt the same things I've felt at times, too! I'm glad you're continuing though and hope the ideas start flowing again! #sharewithme
ReplyDeleteGreat post with a lot of great points. I think it's best to step away for a bit and let your surroundings remind you of why you started in the first place. I always find that with blogging, it's so easy to fall into the numbers game--number of comments, likes, clicks, etc...Just remember they are just numbers--something that tangible could be distracting, indeed.
ReplyDeleteI always find it helpful to post what I think I would love to see or read. The rest can fall by the wayside, but if I like the product I put out there, then that's good enough for me.
I hope this helps a bit.
Maria
cmntsblog.wordpress.com
This is a fantastic post and I'm sure when you relax and stop thinking too much the writing will come flooding back :) #MMWBH
ReplyDeleteHave been in this situation since last month and I cant join some linky that I loved before for the lack of things to say. I am compensating by posting photos that i took instead which lately are a lot as its summer. I hope that you & me both will have our writing muse back. #MMWBH
ReplyDeleteAh, I've only been blogging 3 months and I know the inevitable will hit sometime. I like the idea of posting photos with quick captions while you wait for your mojo to return, but this post was brilliantly written. x
ReplyDeleteThis is a brilliant post and I know the feeling well. My "blogging" notebook generally had very few ideas in. I will think of something when I'm driving or in bed, but won't write it down and forget about it.
ReplyDeleteI started my blog to document a new stage in my life but the stats and views do cloud my view a little. I want to go back to why I started it, for me!
Good luck with your future posts.
Ellie
http://havingababyandlivingathome.co.uk
#MMWBH
I've only been blogging for a month now and for the first few weeks I got one or two views and I was like WOW people are reading what I'm writing!!! Then I did a post that got 1900 views in a day! Obviously your mind wanders and I dreamed I was going to be able to support my whole family forever...... Somedays I get next to no views and some days I get a few. I've never had that big buzz again but I'm constantly trying to stop myself from chasing it!
ReplyDeleteThe most important thing for me is to see Buddy have fun. When he's having fun with a play idea I've had my heart swells and I feel happier than any number of views or visitors have ever made feel. Yes I write about the play, and when people like it or comment, it makes me feel good. I think it's great that you've gone back to writing for you and being you! You will get so much more satisfaction from it and I look forward to reading what you come up with!
Visiting you from #mmwbh
Aww I feel you. I often feel I talk to myself via my blog. Very few comments and interactions. Aspirations of being a better blogger. I search for ideas but sometimes just being you is all you can do. 😘
ReplyDelete#mmwbh I really relate to this post. It is so easy to compare your blog to others. There are so many bloggers out there and so much amazing writing. I think we need to remember that we can only be ourselves and that needs to be good enough. Who needs amazing stats and blogging awards anyway?! Hugs Mrs H xxxx
ReplyDeleteI couldnt agree with you more and I probably will never been picked or blog of the day either but we have to keep in mind why we started and who we started writing it for, us. And stick to that. I have read Brummymummyof2 post too and it is brilliant I can relate to it so much. Notepad always helps me make a list of things I want to talk about and then I come back to them when I need a new topic and pick from it. Thank you for linking up to Share With Me hope you get back to your true goal of having your blog and being proud of it. #sharewithme
ReplyDeleteNever fear - we all hit the metaphorical wall at some point and feel similar to you. I've been there at various points over the past 7 years too (hang on? Is it really seven?!?). My solution has always been to take a few days off, get back to the keyboard and just write about the first idea that occurs to me. It may not be my best post ever, but generally I find one thing leads to another ...
ReplyDeletelove this post, I doubt myself somedays, but like you I write for me. Its lovely that some people choose to read it x
ReplyDeleteOh hunny as someone has already mentioned, every blogger will have felt this at some stage. Myself included! Write what you love, be yourself & just shine in your own light. Thanks so much for linking up to #MMWBH xx
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