1. You’re always waiting for that golden nugget of a post.
I believe quality is extremely important, however I’m also realistic to know that not every post is going to be a home run. Let’s be honest, coming up with really good content five days a week is hard. It just is. At some point you have to stop stressing and just write a damn post.
2. You’re striving for unrealistic perfection.
The color of your photos just isn’t right, or the title of your post isn’t catchy enough, or the last sentence seems off… It’s okay, you’re probably the only one holding yourself to such high standards. Chances are your life isn’t perfect, so everything you post on your post doesn’t have to be either.
*disclaimer: some bloggers do have perfect lives and I acknowledge this, so in that case their photos have to be perfect. As do their children and husbands.
3. You fear the Negative Nancys.
But what if someone doesn’t like your post? Or your new layout? Or new link-up idea? These negative thoughts will absolutely kill a blogger. At some point you just have to think who gives a shit? If you like it then all you can really do is move on and hope for the best. There are more than 7 billion people in this world, why would you let just a few ruin your day?
4. You’re always comparing your blog to the prettier blog down the street.
Comparison takes all of the fun out of blogging. I’ve realized (and almost accepted) by now that there is always going to be a blog that is better looking, or has better photos, or better content than your own. I know this is easier said than done, but try to take the negative energy you feel toward a blog you envy and turn it positive. Figure out what they’re doing that you admire and then decide how you can put your own spin on it.
5. You’re holding some grudges.
Because someone copied you, or took your idea, or didn’t invite you to their blogger bday party. Whatever it is, try to step back from it for a second and realize how silly it probably is. More times than not situations like these usually stem from a lack of a communication. It is the internet after all…
6. You’re worried you need to hoard your success.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from some of my favorite bloggers, it’s that success can be shared. Believe it or not, there’s always going to be enough of it to go around. Another blogger gaining success doesn’t mean that you’re losing it. When you see a great idea or post that you love don’t be envious you didn’t write it, share it with the world and learn from it.
7. You’re forgetting the fun.
When in doubt, try to remember why you started blogging in the first place. For most of us, it’s because there was a passion inside- whether it be for writing, or fashion, or photography, or sharing recipes, whatever it was, we all had it. Yet over time things like stats and traffic and profit tend to throw us off course a bit, but as long as you can find that original feeling of passion, you’ll also be able to find the fun again. You just have to remember to look.
OMG! This is soooo true! I'm actually sitting on like 5 ideas for posts, unfortunately, these will have to wait because as I already have writer's block, my sleep is kicking in.
So maybe I'll stick around a bit…but until then…laters!
Andie's Traveling Pants
I totally agree about the comparison thing, but it applies to real life too. Comparing yourself to others is unfair because nobody is the same. :] // itsCarmen.com ☼
Such a good post – all sooo true! I know I look at other blogs & compare their layout & photos & just about everything else with mine.
http://gemziclesprinkles.blogspot.com
You have much blog wisdom
Couldn't have said it better myself. So bloody true. My blog is still very new and I already don't like a few of my posts and am thinking of deleting them… but in the meantime they are still content!
We definitely forget why we started the blog in the first place.
http://jess-may.com
Not forgetting to have fun really makes blogging much more difficult than it needs to be.
I mean so true! Especially the last one!
Great post!!! Thanks so much for sharing you thoughts with us! 🙂 have a great holiday weekend!
I'm definitely guilty of some, if not all, of these! Especially the comparison. jeez louise it's hard.
I was just thinking about this when I posted a recipe this morning. I saw another photo on pinterest and thought oh maybe I should have made it horizontal so it would pin better and then I slapped myself in the face and ate a waffle. Gotta be you!
Very true! Im guilty of the comparison thing though…so many talented bloggers around.
I am so guilty of some of these! There are so many great and fun bloggers around here:)
Awesome post!!! I was just having a moment of comparison the other day. I needed to read this!
I hung my head in shame as soon as I read number 1 and 2. I have so many drafts sitting on my dashboard that it isn't even funny. Most of them probably aren't a golden nugget or to the level of perfection I want, but I should just post them! Okay, off to do that now 🙂
Thanks for another fabulously honest post!
Great post! I absolutely love blogging but sometimes I feel like giving up when I can't think of a good post. Lately I've been missing days because I haven't had time to write or I've been busy. The fact that I miss a day really lowers my motivation, but I refuse to give up now after all this time and effort building up a fan base! I get kind of disappointed when I work on a post and see that it clearly isn't doing well in views or doesn't seem interesting, but I guess I shouldn't let a bad post ruin the fact that blogging to me is the most fun and awesome thing ever.
– Mel.
http://www.melissatee.com
Thanks for sharing this, I can totally relate to most of the points you mentioned. I even got to a point where I wanted to quit blogging because I thought there was no fun in it anymore. But guess what, I was the one sucking all the fun out of it… It's so important to not compare yourself to others, to let go of grudges and remember why you started blogging in the first place.
Number 1+2 are definitely me! Great post Taylor.
guesswhathollie.blogspot.co.uk
Great advice! Thanks for sharing!
I couldn't agree more with these!! Great post 😀
Even one of these points rang so true with me…!
Katie x
http://www.missenchanting.co.uk
Love this post!!!! These are def things I need to work on! Thanks Taylor!!
modmommymk.wordpress.com