Blog in Crisis

I've just come from my monthly Southern Bloggers Jubilee meeting and my head is swimming. The majority of the members of this small group have been blogging for less time than me, but (based on hearing some of their stats) I really suck at this blogging gig. I recognize that my blogging can be sporadic and my interests even more spread out, and I guess that's probably some of my problem.


Forgive me, for I am a sub-par blogger. I don't have kids to write about. My decorating skills are ehhhh. Organization isn't my strongest suit. Often I don't have enough time to even craft! And, I lack confidence in a lot of areas. Why are you even here reading this? After over seven years of blogging I still haven't gained a following or found a niche. Yet, I want to persist in trying. There have been so many things I've tried for years and years to do and have simply given up on mastering. I would rather not add this to the list. I guess it's time for me to have a good long think about why I'm blogging and what I hope to accomplish from it. And then. . . buck up and DO IT!

Now, I'll admit that I may just have a bug up my butt after hearing how well others are doing. I know I can get rather jealous at times. In fact, I'll probably feel like my old self again in no time and back to my shoddy blog writing. However, while I've got this eating at me I want to jump on it. Now to just stop blogging long enough to dive into re-learning and re-training myself. This should be fun.

Do you have a blogger confession you'd like to make at this time? I won't tell.

16 comments:

  1. Girl you are preaching to the choir+ Not even 175 followers here...and I can't seem to break thru - Please share any hints, I'd love to increase my visibility - THX

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    1. Tammie, There's a ton of followers listed on my sidebar (I say a ton, but that's all relative) but based on my stats I don't get anywhere near that number of views. as far as hints, I've pinned a couple of things I've found on my 'Business minded' board on Pinterest and will be looking for more soon. Thanks for the support and commiserating with me.

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  2. Comparing yourself to the big bloggers is so hard! I understand completely! I've been doing this for awhile, and have never gained a good following either. BUT I love to do it. I feel like it's a written testimony to my life, and I'll be happy to have it later on. I like reading your blog! Don't give up on it!

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    1. Laura, Thank you so much for that boost. I definitely can't compare myself to the bigger bloggers, but I am just a little saddened by the realization that I've been doing this since 2007 and am still not sure what my direction is. Like you, I do really enjoy the process and putting my words out there for posterity. I definitely just need to keep that in mind. Thank you for grounding me some.

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  3. I have lost count of the number of blogs I have, and they are all languishing unattended. Sigh...

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  4. Of course, number one - I don't want to get too personal on my blog and I can't write a post like this one but it feels good to read it; number two - I'm stuck right now, I have ideas but not the will to accomplish them; number three - my working table=dining room table is a huge mess, I can't find a thing any more and I have to put away my staff and then start again. But - I prefer bloggers that are not that prolific because I don't have the time to read all the posts, craft and make an appearance at the social media. In this case I consciously choose to miss a post or two. Still, blogging is more important for me that Facebook or Twitter or Google+, for instance, so I intend to try and improve it :)

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  5. Hope, Oh my goodness! You are soooo talented and smart! What are you talking about?? I wish I could do half the things that you do, are you kidding? You're always doing something crafty, something fun or something adventurous, you take great photographs and you put together that awesome online magazine! Hello, there are 327 followers on your sidebar. I only have 70. My confession is that I spend too much time on the computer (blogging and listing). I moved here so I could go to the beach whenever I wanted. We have been to Gulf Shores exactly 3 times in the past year and two of those times it rained. :-(

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  6. I can empathize with you and your blog issues. I don't have a lot of time to focus on my blog right now and very little to write about that fits into the scope of my blog. I can't do markets (for now, I'm focused on galleries) and my travel is limited to day trips because of caring for an elderly relative who can't be alone for very long. I don't write tutorials or post many jewelry photos anymore because I've had to deal with theft issues so, there aren't many topics that would interest anyone.

    You have a nice following but I've started to lose followers this year. Ugh!

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  7. Hope, you have so many talents! You sound just like me though, in not knowing what my focus should be. My advice...just keep writing and it will surface just like a Jubilee! Hugs to you.

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    1. Kim, Aw thanks. You are so sweet. I have so many interests that I really do have a hard time narrowing down my focus. And then I think, why should I? As you suggest, I'm just going to keep on keeping on and hope that my real voice shines through. Again, thank you! :)

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  8. Dang. I don't know if this is a second comment or not since my computer is being fussy.

    Hope you are a wonderful blogger and comparing yourself to others just doens't work. There are far too many variables including what the focus of the blog is and how many goodies you give away. I have found that the blogs that have the most followers are the review blogs that always have contests, Your blog is more like mine where you show your varied interests. No it's never going to be a money maker but is that your focus for your blog?

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  9. Hi Hope, Just checking in and the title blog crisis caught my eye. I am relating to much of what you said. I feel overwhelmed with keeping up with the blogs I follow, doing a blog post and it is hard not to compare yourself with others. I am taking the attitude that I will do the best I can and not be so hard on myself. I have a life apart from blogging and it is full for which I am greatly blessed. I am going to enjoy blogging or I need to stop. Life is too short not to enjoy each moment.

    You do a great job so pat yourself on the back and do not get discouraged. We are our own worst critics. I wish I could meet with all of you again but life has gotten in the way and it is quite a distance for me.

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  10. Success is relative. Might sound like a cliche, but it's oh so true. I know the "glossy" blogs with enticing photos of fashion, jewellery, food(porn) and travel get a lot of traffic. As a reader I subscribe to many of them. But they are superficial and a steady reading "diet" consisting solely of these chic&shallow blogs wilI leave us feeling emotionally and spiritually impoverished. So stick to your guns: be unfocused, blog sporadically, be honest, raw and real :-D after all real life doesn't come with an editorial team

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    1. Ana - You are SO, SO right! I've made some small changes around here and tried to make myself a little more focused and aware, but I still want to be true to who I am and what I enjoy. I'm not usually 'raw' and 'real' but feel like I need to be more often. Thank you so much for the encouragement, support, and words of wisdom. I definitely need them! :)

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  11. Your blog touched a cord and it was like reading words and feelings that were already swirling around in my own head.(thank you for that!!) Don't stop being you and putting out there what ever you feel like at the time, it's good for the soul. Comparing yourself to others who you see as 'successful' can be like an anchor around your neck and, speaking from experience here, it's best to untie that rope and let the anchor sink so you can sail in your own way, in your own time! :-)

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    1. Shel, I had a feeling I wasn't the only one who feels this way. The internet is swimming with blogs now-a-days and I just get down on myself sometimes. I'm sure all bloggers (even the big ones) feel the way we do at times. Thank you so much for your kind words, they mean so much to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

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