In April I announced a blogging break. It was more like a 40 day fast from blogging, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest……any kind of social media that would distract me from my family and my priorities at home. If you missed that post you can find it HERE.
During that time I found myself faced with a whole range of feelings and emotions. It went anywhere from never wanting to blog again to wanting to blog but feeling like God wanted me to surrender it completely; to starting a whole new blog with a completely different direction to wanting to continue this blog but the way I wanted to. Not the way I thought I “should” but the way that I (me) wanted to. And while I’m still not sure what I’m going to do or what direction I will officially take, I do know this: I’m blogging the way that I want. And that statement doesn’t mean that I’m not going *try* to let God lead me and give me direction but just that I’m not going to succumb to the pressure of blog etiquette and the do’s and don’ts of blogging. Let me explain why.
A few weeks before I took my break I had read a series on blogging etiquette, etc. (I’m purposely not providing a link to the series I’m referring to just because I don’t want any negative thoughts going towards that particular blogger). While the posts were great and had so many valid points I found myself unsettled with the whole idea of blog etiquette. Now, in the past I have written a post or 2 on this very topic. Since then, my focus and my thoughts on the matter have changed. I was starting to take issue within myself about the blogger I had become. While I would NEVER call any of the bloggers I have come to know or admire snooty (because they are not – they are so sweet!) I found the whole idea of blog etiquette, well, kind of snooty. And I found myself feeling a bit snooty too! Does that make sense? I don’t want to tell someone how they should run their blog, what they should blog about, what they should or shouldn’t say in a comment, how they should host a party, what kind of emails they should or shouldn’t send another blogger, know what I mean? It’s not my job. The blogging world is HUGE. And everyone has an opinion. And there is plenty of room in it for all sorts of bloggers. Be the blogger that you want to be!
- I’m going to blog about whatever I want. If I feel like blogging about my family, I will. If I feel like sharing a project, I will. If I feel like talking about my faith in Jesus, I will.
- I’m going to blog whenever I want. If I want to blog everyday, I will. If a week or 2 goes by without a blog post or a party, then so be it. I’m not going to get wrapped up in a schedule or put undue pressure on myself and family for the sake of this blog.
- I’m taking this blog back. From now on, all blog posts will be from me. I will no longer be having contributors or guest posts. And until further notice, I will not be adding any new sponsors. I will continue my affiliate relationships though so there will still be ads here.
- I’m not going to not share something I’ve worked on just because I’ve seen it a hundred times somewhere else. If I create something that I’m really proud of and want to share it, I will.
- I may or may not share tutorials of my projects. Sometimes the whole idea of that is tedious and daunting so I may just show you the end result. 🙂
- I removed my followers gadget. I don’t want to get hung up on numbers. You can still subscribe via email and follow me on Facebook and Twitter using the links in the sidebar.
That’s basically it. I just really want to enjoy blogging again and I think these are the steps to getting me there.
I should probably add a little disclaimer: This post is definitely NOT about growing your blog. If you want to grow your blog or turn it into a business then by all means follow all of the rules of blogging and blog etiquette that you have found online. And I’m definitely NOT discouraging anyone from wanting those things. I just know from my own personal experience that I just don’t want to go in that direction anymore. And I’m not saying that I will never want those things again but for now, my family needs me and “blogging for me” is the approach I’m taking. 🙂
XOXO
Diana
www.thegirlcreative.com
Katie says
Gail @ Sophisticated Steps says
I've never had an over-the-top blog because I've done exactly what you're starting right now. I'm a wife, mom of 3 and running two businesses from home. I LOVE my blog, but blog what I want, when I want and am completely "Faceless" and "Twitterless". Not the recipe for a huge following, right? Lol. And I'm okay with that. (Besides, it's slightly creepy that I keep getting visitors from a giant European country which I won't even name. Lots of hits after I posted something about wisdom tooth surgery and taking Vicodin. ??? Seriously weird.)
Thanks for being real. Transparent. A good example. Here's to a little more peace and joy for your sake (no one else's...except your family.) ;)
shawkl says
Kathy
[email protected] By Sessa says
Katie @ the terpblog says
Tesiah says
I'm glad you've decided you want to be more true to yourself.
Tess at The Framed Lady
www.theframedlady.com
Victoria says
I don't Tweet but I opened a Twitter acct. so I could join Pinterest, I grew incredibly bored of Pinterest within about 2 months and never go on there anymore. I joined Facebook a month ago and don't really care for it that much. My heart is with my modest little blog, all the blogs I enjoy and my ENORMOUS Etsy addiction:)
Kei says
Evie says
Evie
mrs. tabb says
Janny says
Moe says
I think you should post whenever you want, about whatever you want, however you want. The only blog rule I follow is to set out for yourself your own "blogging rules", if you will. Decide when YOU will post, what YOU will post about, how often YOU will post..& don't worry about what others are doing. If you decide you want a really big blog with loads of followers then set out guidelines for yourself to reach that. If you just want a place to be you, then set out guidelines for yourself to do that! That's why it's called a 'personal blog' lol. Too many people get caught up in the 'fame game' and don't remember that blogging is about yourself & developing & documenting.
We all start blogs for different reasons & we all have different guidelines for ourselves. You're right about snooty-ness...and any time I try to give blog tips & try to come from the heart & just share what I've done, whats worked for me, etc. I believe in encouragement & not comparisson.
Anyway, I love that you've decided to find YOUR blogging voice. I wish you all the best!
Angela says
To be honest, my favorite blogs are NOT the ones that share their craft projects but, instead write openly about their life.
There are 1000+ blogs out there that are all doing the same projects, recipes and tutorials but, there is only one YOU. Share YOUR heart and your find success and peace in that!
[email protected] says
Kathryn says
Jacki O. says
Jennifer says
kudos to you!
Jennifer
Katherine says
Lisa @ Flour Me With Love says
Sherry says
You may be one of the best blog role models I have experienced lately. I don't have a large blog, but I started it to satisfy my creative needs and it really did that. As I started to grow it was so easy to get caught up in the numbers and all the attention.
Then I started reading all of the "Growing Your Blog", "Do's and Don'ts of Blogging", and "Blog Etiquette" articles that are out there and it was overwhelming. So much pressure to do certain things...
So I also took a break. I needed time to step back and figure out what I was looking for in blogging. Of course I want people to be interested in what I'm posting or I wouldn't blog. But I agree that we should be blogging about what interests us and not trying to blog solely to satisfy or grow our audience. I want my readers to be following because they are interested in similar things as me. You go girl! I'm right there with you ~ in my own way! Lol.
[email protected] says
Elizabeth says
Abbey D. says
Toni @ SugarTart_Crafts says
Kali at The Vintage Milk House says
Smallgood says
Nicole {WonkyWonderful} says
Nicole {WonkyWonderful} says
Mary Ellen says
I think many of us like the affirmation we receive from our blogs which isn't bad in itself but am I going here for something that really only Jesus gives me?
bee blessed
mary
Allyson Butler says
Rita May says
Good for you!
Kari at A Grace Full Life says
Good luck and God Bless YOU!
lizy b says
Lolly Jane says
Sonya says
Nicole says
Danielle Hudson says
Beverly Pennington says
colorchic says
Pam says
Deidre says
Amy K says
Our Delightful Home says
Mrs. Delightful
www.ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com
Maury Kilgo says
As far as blogging etiquette, why is there a separate list of rules for blogging. Treat people as you want to be treated and it becomes a non-issue.
Good for you!
Suzi says
Cait Geddes says
I am totally intrigued by your blog now. I love 'getting to know' new people. Can't wait to see what you post next.
Mrs. Reimann says
Lorena
Fork says
-fork
Lee Ann L. says
Susannah says
Bianca says
You do what´s the best for you... But I will still come and read your blog...
Take care
Bianca
Kristin @ Simply Klassic Home says
Anyway, thanks for this post!!! :)
Bullfrogs and Bullfrogs says
Thank you SO SO SO much for sharing this!
Best,
Amanda
beth says
Michelle says
Love you for being YOU!
xo, Mich
Ayanna Castro says
Shoestring Elegance says
Your Sister in Christ,
~Theresa.
Traci says
I am looking forward to reading more of what you want to write about and I am thinking of following your lead.
Traci
Kelly Rowe says
JOY 2 JOURNEY says
Hugs,
Bj
The Crafted Sparrow says
Sundi says
[email protected] Made Me says
Tara says
Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust says
Warmly, Michelle
Angell @ Passionate and Creative Homemaking says
I decided to make my blog be more about me and things that really interest me. For example, I'm a Christmas nut and have Christmas stuff all month (this month). I love the funny pictures on facebook, so I post my favorites every Saturday. I love to look around blogland at crafts and recipes, so I share those on Fridays. I love the Psalms so I'm starting a praying psalms Sunday thing. With a linky party on Thursday, that just leaves me Mon-Wed to have "meat" on my blog. I have taken full advantage of the scheduling blog posts thing. I have about a month ahead of time and I plan on working on more so I don't put the computer ahead of everyone else.
I am so guilty of that and it's hard to break!
You definitely inspired me
Linda @ it all started with paint says
... but have come to the conclusion that I need to make blogging a reward system. For me, it's a drug. And sometimes I have a bad trip (like when I compare myself to other bloggers). The choice is rehab or moderation. I'm gonna try moderation first (yea, yea, words uttered from an addicts mouth) ...
Thanks for sharing and being so honest and raw. Scary, right? Inspiring? Absolutely ...
:)
Linda
Eclectically Vintage says
Kelly
Pamela says
Kelly says
Kelly at View ALong the Way
www.viewalongtheway.com
Brooke Gomhp says
But then I thought wait why am I following anyone's RULES for blogging?? its crazy since Blogging is your own voice its your view on the world and your everyday life so it should be about My RULES whats right for me and my blog ....
And since I got over that Bad moment in my blog history I have been really loving blogging again .
So proud of you for writing this post ..
Hugs
Brooke
Sconess says
I've been thinking about doing a food blog for over a year. I've been told I "really should" do this from many well meaning friends - some who have successful blogs of their own. I've even started taking pictures of the step-by-step process in making my own home meals and desserts. (OMG, what a lot of work! Stop everything and take a picture... wait, it's blurry... wait, the camera steamed up... etc.) I know God has spoken to me about the best use of my time and making sure HE doesn't get left out in my every day life. This is what's held me back from entering the wonderful world of blogging.
Thanks to you I feel like all of the time constraints and extra effort might not have to take over my entire life and every extra second that isn't taken by my job, family, gym (ZUMBA!), home and cat. Since God gets every second, regardless of what I'm doing, I figure He's not first on the list, but takes the whole thing. Thank you so much! I wish you much success and would like to be added to your followers list.
Gwen @ The Bold Abode says
I wasn't meaning to take any sort of break this summer, in fact, quite the opposite. I wanted to ramp it up, since the boys are on summer break (we home-school), but I'm tired. I haven't posted in two weeks, and I was getting ancy that I needed to post SOMETHING. And now, I just figure, I'll post again when I feel inspired.
Serendipity Refined says
Dawn says
Ange says
Leslie Bielas says
http://obsessedanalyst.blogspot.com/2011/11/gods-amazing-healing-power-really.html
It was for me, I didn't really care what others thought. Recently I have a new blog for my crafts. As I was learning to create my new blog and making it better, I found myself reading about blog etiquette. I read all the things to do to create a better blog. I kept editing. I was falling into the trap of making it appealing to others. Now reading your post, I feel convicted to stick to doing it for fun and myself. Thank you!
Leslie Bielas says
Serena says
Thanks for putting words to what I have been feeling lately!
Serena
Thrift Diving