Posts
I am going to go off topic a bit to give you a break from my outfit post attack episode. Let’s get your mind off lace, harem pants and leather skirt, and talk about life and blog.
Fellow bloggers, is there such things as blogging too much? Do you feel that you live your life around your blog “sometimes”? Can you go without blogging for a week or even a day? Do you feel obligated to blog? Have you lost motivations? How do you keep blogging?
Strange but true, blogging has become a part of my life more than I ever imagined or wanted it to be. Each one of us started up our blog journey for many different reasons. Some use it as a fashion runway to fulfill their fashionista side. Some use it to showcase their talents in makeup, cooking, DIY projects. Some use it as a dairy. I started out this blog as an outlet or an escape from a 24 hours mommy life after my daughter turned 18 months. Now my little blog has turned into..(I had to think about this for a few seconds as what words would best describe my blog)…a channel of my thoughts and expressions. That’s it!! Voila!! My channel of thoughts and expressions.
I love expressing myself thought writing/typing. I am not a great speaker if that makes sense. With writing, I am able to put and organize my thoughts and emotions into words. In today’s world, let's admit it that life is hectic - work, work, work, social activities, family activities and that leaves us very little time to slow down, sit down and think profoundly and soundly. I found that blogging is a wonderful channel to translate your ideas....express our thoughts and release positive creativities while interacting with like minded people. Blogging continues to amaze me as I continue to discover many forgotten / surprising / likes / dislikes / facts about myself, things and people around me.
{Photo from last year}
Blogging is so much fun and can be extremely addictive. The most posts I have ever done in one week might be 6 at one time but that is quite rare. My post frequency used to be very sporadic and I posted as little as one or two times a week in the past. Last year was quite a rollercoaster because I was so busy with mommy duties and couldn't spend as much time for this blog as I wish. Until recently that I have more time and thoughts to share, I get to blogt 4 – 5 times a week. My blogging activities are strictly at night after I put my daughter in bed. I know there are bloggers who blog 6-7 days on most weeks, how can you do that?!
One big question popped in my head awhile back. When you blog so frequently, how can you separate blogging from interfering your real life activities? How can you "not" think about blog when you do not blog?
Fellow bloggers, is there such things as blogging too much? Do you feel that you live your life around your blog “sometimes”? Can you go without blogging for a week or even a day? Do you feel obligated to blog? Have you lost motivations? How do you keep blogging?
Strange but true, blogging has become a part of my life more than I ever imagined or wanted it to be. Each one of us started up our blog journey for many different reasons. Some use it as a fashion runway to fulfill their fashionista side. Some use it to showcase their talents in makeup, cooking, DIY projects. Some use it as a dairy. I started out this blog as an outlet or an escape from a 24 hours mommy life after my daughter turned 18 months. Now my little blog has turned into..(I had to think about this for a few seconds as what words would best describe my blog)…a channel of my thoughts and expressions. That’s it!! Voila!! My channel of thoughts and expressions.
I love expressing myself thought writing/typing. I am not a great speaker if that makes sense. With writing, I am able to put and organize my thoughts and emotions into words. In today’s world, let's admit it that life is hectic - work, work, work, social activities, family activities and that leaves us very little time to slow down, sit down and think profoundly and soundly. I found that blogging is a wonderful channel to translate your ideas....express our thoughts and release positive creativities while interacting with like minded people. Blogging continues to amaze me as I continue to discover many forgotten / surprising / likes / dislikes / facts about myself, things and people around me.
{Photo from last year}
Blogging is so much fun and can be extremely addictive. The most posts I have ever done in one week might be 6 at one time but that is quite rare. My post frequency used to be very sporadic and I posted as little as one or two times a week in the past. Last year was quite a rollercoaster because I was so busy with mommy duties and couldn't spend as much time for this blog as I wish. Until recently that I have more time and thoughts to share, I get to blogt 4 – 5 times a week. My blogging activities are strictly at night after I put my daughter in bed. I know there are bloggers who blog 6-7 days on most weeks, how can you do that?!
One big question popped in my head awhile back. When you blog so frequently, how can you separate blogging from interfering your real life activities? How can you "not" think about blog when you do not blog?
This got me thinking in the past few weeks that perhaps I needed to take a step back from blogging and find a good balance. Blogging is like work in many ways depending on your blogging purposes. At first, you blog just for the fun of it and at some point you feel obligated to blog because you assume people await to read your posts. Once your blog gains more traffic, it drives you to grow more and more readership. If you want your blog to be successful, it equals more time and effort. It is important to interact and comment on other blogs which equals more sleepless hours / less time for real life activities.
A fellow blogger once shared with me that she wishes to blog more often but doesn't want people to feel that she blogs all the time. To me, I feel that it is my blog and I can blog as often as I desire. Readers can say or think however they want. We should go by our feelins and guts, not how others would feel. My blog is purely random and I choose what I want to share, I do not go by what will please the crowd. If people like my blog the way it is, I am very happy. If they don't like, they don't have to read.
Back to work vs blog. Obviously blogging can interfere your real life activities if not managed or balanced properly. Recently I asked myself - "Can I just live my life without thinking about taking pictures of my outfits / food / trips for the blog?" Or "What content to write next?"
A fellow blogger once shared with me that she wishes to blog more often but doesn't want people to feel that she blogs all the time. To me, I feel that it is my blog and I can blog as often as I desire. Readers can say or think however they want. We should go by our feelins and guts, not how others would feel. My blog is purely random and I choose what I want to share, I do not go by what will please the crowd. If people like my blog the way it is, I am very happy. If they don't like, they don't have to read.
Back to work vs blog. Obviously blogging can interfere your real life activities if not managed or balanced properly. Recently I asked myself - "Can I just live my life without thinking about taking pictures of my outfits / food / trips for the blog?" Or "What content to write next?"
Do any of these questions ever come across your mind?
This past Friday, I took a very small step. No blogging related activities (no blog reading, commenting, checking, thinking about blog, no pictures taking) starting from 5pm on Friday through 12pm on Sunday. Living a blog free /social media free / internet free lifestyle is a must for everyone. What do you think?
This past Friday, I took a very small step. No blogging related activities (no blog reading, commenting, checking, thinking about blog, no pictures taking) starting from 5pm on Friday through 12pm on Sunday. Living a blog free /social media free / internet free lifestyle is a must for everyone. What do you think?
"All in My Mind" by Pete Belasco
I have been wondering the same thing...is Bravoe consuming my life? The answer is yes, and it is taking over my mom's life too, lol. My mom reads every post, takes stats daily 2x a day, and reads EVERY comment and you know how many comments I get! I blog 7 days a week, and since April 1, 2011 I have not missed 1 day. I thoroughly enjoy it, and now that I feel like I am starting to build a community where readers are willing to comment and put in their 2 cents...it's hard NOT to post! LOL! I enjoy it, I feel like I am offering something of value to my readers and they're also teaching me new things. I do feel guilty on weekends where people are still coming by to read my posts and comment and I am not responding ASAP...I am working on that! Thank you for sharing Nelah and you are doing a fantastic job!
ReplyDeleteAnd Nelah, that's why I LIKE YOU...YOU ARE SO REAL!!! This is a GREAT post girl! I started blogging two years ago, but it was strictly personal posts, that allowed me to write down my thoughts and my feelings. No stress! No commitments! It was something that I was doing for ME! And though I'm very NEW to fashion blogging, I feel you must be TRUE to YOUrself and to your BLOG. Write about, talk about and ONLY support things you truly believe in and ENJOY (and you're already doing that). That eliminates some of the stress. You'll be happier. That makes it more enjoyable for YOU! It's PERSONAL! It's YOU! If you want to write 3 days out the week, 5 days out the week, 7 days out the week...YOU MUST DO WHAT YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH. I don't have a husband. I don't have children. So I have time to correspond more. Right now, I refuse to blog on the weekends. I feel during the week is enough...so I step away! I talk about what I want. I talked about Thrift shops yesterday! DIOR nail polish a week ago! I'm diversity at it's best! Whatever I believe in, that's what I talk about. I don't question fashion bloggers about how they handle their blogs, because each one of these ladies is here for a purpose (whether good or bad). It may be for personal growth, it may be a hobby, it may be to connect with others, gain popularity, get business deals. Each individual is going to tailor their fashion blog for them and has an agenda. Unfortunately, I don't like to see someone writing, suggesting something, or limiting themselves (to ONE particular product)without any regard for others (they're in it JUST for the money). Eventually those type of things are EXPOSED. Some people come across very nice on here, but don't give a damn about you. They're in it for the numbers. When I find that out! DELETE!!! I only "follow" blogs I ENJOY READING! I believe in sincerity. Those are just some of the reasons I was attracted to YOUR blog. You're a beautiful girl. You're talented. You have an awesome blog. My suggestion is to step away (for whatever amount of time YOU need)...take a breather...and redefine YOU and what YOU WANT. We're all constantly changing!!! The blog I had two years ago, doesn't work for me now. Change means GROWING! You are GROWING! Whatever you decide, your committed readers will always be there. ((HUG))
ReplyDeletehttp://sassyuptownchic.blogspot.com/
SassyUptownChic xoxo Kim
This is a fantastic post! Very well said and very well thought out. Blogging as I have found out can definitely be very consuming! I work a full time job, am a mother to 2 girls, married, etc etc. I have found that I try to not blog during the weekends. Those are the days when I try and decompress and be with the family and do errands, etc. My week days are very structured, yet hectic, but it's a good way for me to try and schedule blogging time into my schedule. You are very right, blogging is like a part time job! Very good post! Heather
ReplyDeleteGreat post Nelah :) I do often think about what I will be blogging about next but it hasn't yet "consumed" me - I agree that you should blog whenever you want and about whatever you want and it should in the end make you happy. ^^
ReplyDeleteHi Nelah, I like reading what you write because it always seems relevant and true to the heart. You know what, I have this constant dilemma of whether to stop blogging all together or not. It is quite addictive and in fact, many times I feel consumed with guilt when I find myself "thinking" or "planning" about blogging whilst at work. I just feel kind of unprofessional and potentially compromising the quality of my work life.
ReplyDeleteSince I started blogging, I probably had at least 5 serious considerations in stopping all together. But each time, just as I was about to click the button, some random kind soul drops a lovely comment or compliment. There are the dry days which I feel like I am talking to a huge black hole (with a bottomless pit) but there are also days where I feel elated. There are a few things that keep me going; kind words, meeting really lovely fellow bloggers who are really sincere and kind like yourself and blogging about the things that I am passionate about definitely takes away a lot of stress from work. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy my work but sometimes I feel I need some breathing space, something to channel my frustrations away and simply just escape.
I appeared to have cut down my blogging activities these days down to almost 1-2 posts per month (that includes writing, posting and commenting) but there are only a handful of blogs that I can't seem to stop coming back to (and yours is definitely one of them). I still haven't mastered the talent in replying to readers messages as soon as possible (which makes me feel guilty again because it looks like I am rude person, which I am not.....usually.)
p/s: I think you have a fantastic blog and your posts are so diverse.
pp/s:Thanks for answering the question... saw it in my inbox message.
Loved this post because I feel very similarly sometimes - I actually do exactly what you are trying out - I typically don't do anything blog related during the weekend, it's a great time to "shut off" my brain and just enjoy life...:)
ReplyDeleteHas blogging taken over my life...YES! I go through phases. I'll get so into the blogs and web design that I have to force myself to close the laptop and go to bed. Then I have spans of time where the thought of even looking at the computer screen makes my eyes glaze over and I have to give it a rest for a few days. :P
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that even when we dont blog, we think about our blog or others..haha I first started blogging bc I was decorating my house and got into different home design blogs..flash forward to now..it seems like I blog about my life and motherhood :) My main purpose now is taking photos of my daughter so I can share it with my family and friends who are in different states..I dont blog everyday and I don't think I can either since I agree, it's a lot of work!!!
ReplyDeleteThere are only few blogs I like to visit and do write a comment. I dont comment just so they can go to my blog, but I comment bc I can relate or enjoy visiting them.
Nelah,
ReplyDeleteYou KNOW I would write a whole essay on this right? lol.... I decided not to unleash my verbal diarrhoea on this and try to shorten my comment. I hope I would.
I have to do something blog-related almost everyday. Firstly I check my emails everyday, unless I do not have net access. So while checking email everyday, I also happen to see comments. So that's already related to blogs. I also tend to think of stuff to blog about or think of images and info to share on my blog. So blogging has really become an appendage from me. I guess you would know what I mean if you've read my "about me" & my journey tabs before.
Actually you're doing very well with your blog. Having a job and a kid and still posting regularly about relevant stuff and things true to the heart, I really have to take my hat off you when I keep thinking of my own bz excuse. I wonder how you do it so well. Oh yes, and you also could comment and reply quite regularly too. Seriously, I suspect you cloned yourself in order to do all this or else than you're super Nelah.
"Obviously blogging can interfere your real life activities if not managed or balanced properly. Recently I asked myself - "Can I just live my life without thinking about taking pictures of my outfits / food / trips for the blog?" Or "What content to write next?"
Do any of these questions ever come across your mind?"
YES THEY DO. But I realise I can't stop.
K it isn't too long right? =)
I totally agree- blogging is very addictive! LOL I started blogging as an outlet to de-stress from my very intense and insane business. I just love shopping and sharing what I find and deals i come across.
ReplyDeleteI also blog every couple of days- I admire those that can blog everyday. I try to not let blogging interfere with my life but it's hard to NOT let it get in the way because I have so much fun doing it.
You know I have told you I have my share of haters out there- not sure why they continue to read my blog if they hate me so much...LOL But I blog because I love fashion and if I can inspire or help out one girl- then that makes me happy:)
And I have met via blogging and gotten to know some amazing women!!!
Hi Nelah, wow, such an inspiring post, i have so much to say, it's like I'm suffering from a case of verbal diarrhea - hehe. When I read your posts it's like you are reading my mind. Balance is a very tricky thing, especially with blogging, how do you find the time to post, comment, answer emails with having to take care of a household, friends, and work? It's so hard, but for me, the answer is simply setting rules. Like I will only work on the blog for a few nights a week, and I will only post once or twice a week. I'm realistic in that I blog simply for pleasure, and not looking to make a career out of it. The moment that the blog feels like a job then the joy is sucked right out of it. That said though, blogging is tons of fun, and I've met some fabulous people through it :) Thanks so much for the post Nelah, have a fantastic weekend!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Nelah! I'm going to say that blogging has become a part of my life rather than it taking over (though that kind of sound like an excuse LOL!) I try to post 3 times a week but more so because I feel the need to stay "relevant" if that makes sense. I try to catch up on blog posts at work (sshhhhhh) throughout the week since I'm usually not in the house in the evenings and on the weekends.
ReplyDeleteI used to feel like it was getting to be a chore - sometiems I still do but I realized that I'm the only one putting pressure on myself so if I don't feel like it then maybe I should just take a break. I recently got this advice from one of our fellow petite bloggers too since I felt like I was having writer's block and I was feeling kind of uninpired. When I have ideas in my mind I try to take advantage and go with it b/c there are times when I'm unexpectedly feeling burnt out and have no motivation which I've slowly learning is also ok too!