How I Feel About Blogging After Four Years
Last week – on the 15th September to be precise – I completely forgot to mark the fact that I have now been blogging for four years but I guess that really shows just where I am with my blog. The anniversaries still mean something to me but I don’t feel the need to shout it from the rooftops anymore. I feel that my blog is now just ‘there’. A place where people can come to read, if and when they feel the need (I may have to use that line in my poem this week!). I find I am far busier with my work as a Social Media Manager as well as putting together a website for my photography – the love for which I have re-discovered thanks to my blog. Whilst I want to make sure that this space doesn’t ‘suffer’ from neglect, I certainly don’t have the over-obsession with it that I used to.
Blogging was a majorly exciting thing for me when I first started out. I was hungry for more all of the time. Whenever I received an email opportunity, I jumped on it and in the blink of an eye I would respond as soon as I possibly could to make sure I didn’t miss out – even if I was out and about! Now, things have evolved. I am much calmer about the whole thing. If someone else gets something that I would have liked, I am happy for them – not that I wasn’t before – but now I don’t care if I don’t get offered it too. The saying ‘What’s for you, won’t pass by you’ has never been as prevalent in my life as it is now. When I get offered opportunities I want to make sure that they are right for me and my family. What do I get in return? Is it worth it? Are they paying me for my time (if necessary)? Is it something I can use/need/I want/we will enjoy? I make sure that my blog works for me, rather than the other way around.
I have seen so many get so wound up about things over the years. There have been arguments, bitchiness, fallings-out and quite frankly I find it all a massive shame. I am very much a live and let live person. I don’t begrudge any one anything and I would like to hope that they don’t do that of me too. I didn’t start any of this to get involved in any playground politics…but I digress. Talking about the dark side isn’t something I want to dwell on because, of course, there is a very supportive, happy side as well. I have seen so many use their platforms for good. Whether it be for charity, raising awareness or supporting other people.
I guess what I am trying to say is that I am finally in a good place with my blog. I don’t look at it as the be-all and end-all of who I am. I just look it now as a place where I can share some of my life, make a little bit of money, write some poetry and share some photographs. If anyone wants to have a read or a look then I am truly grateful. If they don’t, well, that is entirely up to them. I am not obsessed with the stats anymore – and haven’t been for quite a while now actually!
I am happier now with my blog design than I have ever been. I don’t feel the need to tinker with it or mess around with the layout. I am happy with the logo as it is very ‘me’.
In previous years, I ran a whole load of giveaways to celebrate. Last year I set myself 3 blogging goals. To include more ‘free from’ recipes, to improve my photography and to do more vlogging and videos. I can safely say that I have definitely achieved the last two and some of the first one. I am happy with what I have done.
In respect of the vlogging, there is still a journey to share and, even though I have not recorded any for a while, the Conception Diaries will be back as we enter the next phase of our fertility treatment.
I shan’t be setting any blog goals for this year as I feel I have enough of my own personal ones to achieve but I will still be here, sharing and writing, vlogging and chatting on social media. Because, yes, I am happy with this space. I feel it is a part of, and not the whole of, me.
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Yes to not wanting to witness the politics and be happy with the blog and be among lovely bloggers. #mmbc
Congratulations on the anniversary! I will be joining the ‘four year crew’ shortly too and it’s been interesting seeing so many of us coming to much the same conclusions. I’ve scaled right back, just doing what I feel like doing, and that’s working for me. I love the friendships and community (the bitching goes right over my head!) and that goes hand in hand with the love of writing for me. Here’s to enjoying our blogs and making them what we want them to be : )
It sounds like you and I have totally come to the same conclusion! I wonder if everyone does after 4 years? Absolutely! xx
Hi Victoria, congratulations for reaching four years ! You do sound content with your blog which is a good thing. Someone recently asked me whether I have experienced any ‘playground silliness’, and I honestly can’t say I have… Or maybe I am just too dozy to notice!
I wish you well with your personal ventures and I hope you continue to enjoy blogging for many years to come.
xx
Thanks so much Debbie. It took me a while! But I am now 🙂 Just don’t ever notice – OK?! xx
I think for any blog to continue long term this is the conclusion you have to come to. It is exhausting trying to be the” best” all the time and so much more important to enjoy what you do xx
So very true! Thanks Louise 🙂 x
Lovely Vic. Well done you. I think most of us come to this decision/realisation at some point! As you know, I did a while back. You’ll also see that I have a new blog but this one isn’t about chasing likes and follwers, it’s about being me. Congrats on your 4 years 🙂
Thank you Suzanne. I can still remember you as one of my first commenters 🙂 I love your new blog – all the best with it x
I’m so pleased Vic, this sounds like a lovely place to be. You should be super proud of your blog and all your hard work. You’ve been such a wonderful blogger to know and made me feel so welcome when I first started. I’m so excited you are pursuing your photography, lots of luck with this exciting project. I know you’ll do amazingly well. xxx
Thank you so much Tor, I really appreciate your kind words and I am so pleased to have been of some help 🙂 xx
Well would you believe it, it’ll be four years for me in November as well! Fascinating to read of all the bitchiness. I read about it happening, but ig oes over my head! COngratulations and good luck with the logging. #truthabout
Where does the time go?! I know – I just look at it from the sidelines! Thank you 🙂
Great attitude Vicky and well done. It’s an incredible achievement really because you have to be disciplined to post, no matter how regularly or not… You’ve got yourself a lovely corner of the internet which you’re in control of. What a brilliant thing to be able to say!
Thank you Carol 🙂 You are so right – I guess I just made sure that I got into a groove! What lovely words x
I think you’ve definitely got the right attitude Vic. I really admire your blog and what you put in and get out of it. I used to be very obsessed with it all too (not so much the opportunities side mind you – just writing and linking and the photography challenges and engaging) and that has dropped off almost completely. I actually feel like I miss the involvement but I’m also amazed that I had the time to get so involved because nowadays I just feel constantly exhausted. I keep saying, when this or that in my life works itself out, I’ll get back into blogging properly but I’m getting a bit lazy and it seems like a lot of effort all of a sudden. Maybe it’s just this stage of my life. Anyway, keep on doing what you do! And thanks for linking up to #thetruthabout Xx
Thanks so much Sam, what a lovely compliment. I feel the same about the involvement and exhaustion! I think just doing it for you is what matters. Thanks for hosting xx
Congratulations on the 4 years blogging! It sounds like you are so happy where you are now in your blogging life….
I’m glad you are bringing the Conception Diaries back…I have found it so interesting following your story. I hope things work out well for you x
Thank you so much Kim. I very much am 🙂 And I am so glad to hear that you are a supporter of my vlogs – I really appreciate it. I have to say that I am looking forward to starting up again!
What a brilliant post. Happy blog anniversary. Ours was 4 years too in August. Blogging is such a fascinating thing, has so many angles and people blog for many different reasons and from such varying walks of life. I always think that in another life where I have more time I’d love to study it as a topic as I’m sure there’s something to be learned from a psychological / sociological point of view as a phenomena in its own right. I hope you keep enjoying your blog and dip in and out of it as suits you. Xxx
Thank you Rebecca 🙂 Congratulations to you too! It really is – and you are so right, I bet it would be a fascinating subject to study. I’ll still be here, plodding on 🙂 xx