I woke up this morning and felt that sense of relief that I didn’t have to be somewhere. I’ve spent the last three weeks doing supply work at my former school, and while I have been surprised how much I enjoyed it, it has served as a reminder why I don’t do this full-time anymore.
The mindset is a funny thing – I had almost two months of uninterrupted blog time before my contract started, and I spent most of it thinking I’ll do it tomorrow whenever any major writing tasks presented themselves. However, when sitting at a desk in my temporary classroom all I wanted to do was get on the blog, posting my usual nonsensical ramblings and reading about what everybody else had been up to.
I suppose that when something is a daily part of life it becomes easily taken for granted, only for its importance to be realised once it is taken away, even if it’s just for a little while.
I’ve lost my way a little bit in the online world. It became about alt words, key words, SEO. The correct title, the correct image. Stats, stats and more stats have obsessively taken over at times to the point where they became more important than content and conversations. And I’ve missed those conversations. Granted, I’m more than proud of everything that I have created and achieved, but I’ve decided that October (or should it be ‘Blog-tober‘ – see what I stole there?) would be a brilliant opportunity to return back to the reason why I actually started writing in the first place: writing for me. Of course, I enjoy doing the wide and varied activities that the blog affords, (which I’ll participate in as they present themselves), and I’ll continue to share posts and blogs that I like to read, but I’m determined that the next few weeks will be devoted to getting back to basics. Write, post, repeat.
I started this morning by doing just that, crafting several posts to save into my drafts folder for later in the week and then sharing my older posts (and those of others) in @RachelintheOC’s #MondayBlogs hashtag. I’d forgotten how much fun it was to take the time to create a thoughtful and meaningful post from scratch, and I also had the chance to catch up on some great posts from my favourite writers, something I have neglected of late.
What about you guys? Do you find yourself on a different blogging journey at times than you originally intended?
You can also find me on Twitter and Tumblr @suzie81blog and you can also find me on my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/suzie81speaks, my Pinterest page http://www.pinterest.com/suzie81speaks and my instagram page http://www.instagram.com/suzie81speaks
It seems like I’m not the only one who has been feeling this way – despite the fact that this post was written this afternoon I discovered, as always, that similar ideas seem to present themselves in the blogging world at the same time – check out this great post from Anna Rosenblum-Palmer.
I think we all evolve along with our journey… and for me I know my blog won’t take a back step but sometimes I can’t put it first either… Compromise I guess!
I know what you mean – I think I need to just do my thing without all the extra worries and pressure that I put myself under
We are our worst critics! Chill and it’ll all come together!!
Absolutely!
Couldn’t agree more! it is my very first priority but sometimes I lack that driveee
Yup, I’m totally with you!
Hi-5 😀
Or the time to get behind the wheel! Amen to that!!!
Yes!
Haha 😂 Amennn 🙆🌼
Teehee, that’s why I don’t claim my blog is a foodie blog, or a Birmingham blog, it’s just Sarah’s and my adventures in the black Country and beyond. It’s easy to go off on a tangent if you box yourself in too tight.
I’ve never had a niche – I like to write about what I like, when I feel like it – but I’ve got a bit lazy in the general writing just for me recently… I miss reading the blogs too!
I think it’s easy to get diverted, I think your idea is a good one – back to basics!
Thanks Nicola!
Back to work myself and find getting time to blog so difficult -wish I had more. It really is something I miss. Enjoy your blogging time!
Thank you! I’m going to try and make the most of it this time!
You mean does life grab you by the ankles and drop you into the nearest gutter just as you thought you were going to make it to the red carpet while the light bulks were popping? Oh yeah, and the past three years, and especially the last three weeks, have proven that’s how it sometimes goes for me. Life 101, and we all signed up even if we didn’t see a contract. Awful as it sometimes is, I’ll take the bad with the good because others have so much more to contend with. I’m very fortunate after all.
Looking forward to your new writings.
Are you ok my lovely???
Healing, thank you, Suzie. I don’t think you read the most recent entry on my blog, posted mid- September. Explains the situation if you want to know, no worries if you don’t.
Oh my gosh Sharon – I’ve just seen it now! I’m so sorry – that must have been really frightening (and painful!). How are you feeling now?
Yep – agree. I feel like I am all out of puff and worse – inspiration 😦 xox
Oh no! Blogger’s block is the worst – it’s so frustrating when the urge to write is there but the ideas aren’t!
I couldn’t agree more to this post. Sometimes it can be so difficult to balance it all. I just try to remember to write because I love it, and to not let it feel like a chore! 🙂
Yes, I totally agree! I’m so concerned about it not feeling like a chore that I end up stressing myself out haha!
Yes…when I remember or find the the time to blog, that is. It became not-fun for a while, so now I’m easing back into it, or as much as my life right now allows.
What happened my lovely? Harassment by assholes again? Hope you’re doing ok!
Oh, none of that since I changed blogs (knock on wood) This is more about life and motivation and work and stress, etc. Not enough hours in the day, it seems.
There never is, is there? I’m sorry I’ve been so crap, we really need to catch up!
You seem to be singing a song that several bloggers have also shared (Elena, Anna, etc). While I’m still crazy busy this semester, I am blogging less. I also quit worrying about views and SEO and how-to blah blah for now. Blogging is supposed to be FUN, not work (who really earns enough to make it work?). Glad we recognize blogging for what it is. A way to connect!
Absolutely! The community side of things has been the biggest influence on my passion for blogging, but I need to devote a bit more time to it rather than focusing on stats…
Must be the time of year or something as I’m having a blog break. The passion just isn’t there for me right now!
I often find that the urge to write comes in phases – I’ll bet that in a little while you’ll be itching to get back in the blog again!
Hope so!
Sometimes it’s not possible to give the blog the time and attention you want to, for sure not as long as it’s not a business. For me it’s not a business, which is good too because then I don’t have to stick to a niche. I think that my blogging is influenced by what’s going on in my life and out there in the world which has a massive influence on what I write. Sometimes it actually takes my “voice” and I can’t write. And then it feeds me too. And sometimes I just don’t find the time to sit down and write and I feel I’m bursting because there is so much I want to write about.
I totally agree with everything you said – I get frustrated when Blogger’s Block hits, particularly when I have the urge to write something down!
Yep, totally understand that… But isn’t it amazing how out of the blue you get inspired and suddenly it flows again?
Yes! And even better when the first post leads to a whole group of them afterwards!
Yes 🙂
What’s the saying? ‘Never put off what can be done today, until tomorrow.’
I write when the mood takes me. If I have something to say then I’ll write it. Too many times have I said I’ll write it tomorrow, and then forgotten what it was I was going to write about. 🤔 You do good by writing and then saving it to draft.
Blogging is all about fun and enjoyment. It should never become an issue or a problem. I’ve been there and got the t-shirt. If it does, then take a break from it for a while.
Looking forward to Blog-tober very much.
You always have such a brilliant attitude Hugh, and thanks so much for the fantastic advice!
when i first thought about blogging it was intended to be for a short period to diarise the transformation of my classic car. Once i started writing I just needed to write about anything and everything that pops into my head… main topics tend to be family, politics, tourism but i tend to digress pretty frequently… usually i keep to the ‘rose-tinted’ banter i intend
It weird how our writing styles and topics tend to morph over time into something than we originally intended isn’t it! Did you finish the car?
oh yes.. its gorgeous and a show winner!
I still fear running out of things to say sometimes but life has a way of throwing things to write about at me! Just hoping more of them become good things!
I can totally relate haha!
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I just starting blogging last month (a whole 3 posts in!) and have felt so inspired and invigorated by the process. I am still learning the blogging world and “finding my voice.” But I have worried about finding myself in a situation like you describe – where I’m “caught up” in it all and forget the reasons I started this in the first place. Your post gave me hope to intentionally remember why I’m here and if I do get lost along the way, and I don’t have to stay that way. Good luck in Blog- tober!
Thank you so much for your comment! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the process! My best advice (not that you asked for it) is to write what makes you happy – try to avoid largely writing for the audience. Enjoy!
Hi Suzie! I hope you are doing well… .
I’ve nominated you for a blog award,here check it out 🙂
https://zkhan23.wordpress.com/2016/10/08/the-versatile-blogger-award/
Looking forward ❤ I'd be an honour to be on your blog 🙂
Love,
Zoha
Thank you my lovely, very kind of you!
Much love 💜
Totally Suzie. That’s what I love about blogging though. It’s your own corner of the internet and you can write about what YOU want. I think that when you write from the heart, it flows better too. Getting back to basics is a great idea to strip too many outside influencers away!
I couldn’t agree more!
For me, it’s more that I get so easily distracted while online that I get inspiration for a new post/to join a new linky I’ve never seen before. x number of hours later and I still haven’t quite done what I set out to do!
Haha! Me too! I’ve got a huge list of things to do today!