Five Home Truths About Blogging


I've been blogging for a little over two years now, and it's taught me a lot. As well as learn new skills it's taught me that I have the ability to stick with something, and have the motivation to continue without having to be asked or forced. Most of all it's taught me that I'm passionate and quite capable when I put my mind to something, although there has of course been ups and downs and moments of doubt. This is in no way intended to be a negative post, just a few things I've experienced throughout my time blogging. No doubt you'll relate to some of these if you're a blogger yourself!

1.  Running a blog takes a lot of time and effort
How hard can it be to sit in front of a computer screen typing away about beauty products, right? Wrong. So much goes on behind the scenes of running a blog it's crazy, and probably isn't something you'd give much thought to unless you create content yourself. It's easy to click on a blog, see a nicely written post and assume that it's something that the blogger typed up in about half an hour one evening. But there's so much more to it than that, and it all takes an insane amount of time. Writing up what you want to say, wording it in a way that people might actually find interesting to read and taking photos is the tip of the iceberg. Along with things like formatting the post so it looks nice on the page, proofreading, editing photos and promoting the post takes hours. Then there's replying to emails, replying to comments, connecting on social media and things like blog design and advertising to think about. You're pretty much a one man blogging band, and need to have bucket loads of self motivation in order to get everything done and keep it up. I'm in no way complaining and absolutely love spending time on my blog, challenging myself and pouring my efforts into it- but it's definitely not something I was aware of before I started!

2. You'll have highs and lows in regards to how you feel about your blog
Sometimes you'll feel on top of the world; it will seem as though your blog is progressing nicely and you'll be happy with all of the content you're putting out. Other times insecurity will rear it's ugly head. Whether you're guilty of comparing yourself to others, are unhappy with certain aspects of your blog or have noticed a bit of a drop in followers- it's easy to feel inadequate or become uninspired with your blog. For me, bloggers block is usually followed by periods of extreme motivation where I feel like I'm ready to give it my all again, and so it's important to work through the low points rather than just giving up.

3. Not everyone will 'get it'
As bloggers we all know the success stories, the amazing opportunities that blogging can bring. Whether it's going on to achieve your dream job as becoming a full time blogger, working with companies, connecting with new people or simply having a hobby that you really enjoy. But there are a lot of people out there who simply don't get it, and will see blogging as nothing but wasting time or even a bit 'silly'. It's a sad fact but don't let it put you off, and whatever it is you hope to gain from blogging, go ahead and do it anyway. If someone was writing a book, creating art or making music that wouldn't been seen as silly or wasting time so why should blogging? Essentially creating content is all about the same thing- self expression and producing something for other people to enjoy.

4. Your words and thoughts are openly available on the internet
 This seems like an obvious one, of course your words are openly available on the internet you write a public blog- duh! But it's easy to fall into a trap of feeling as though you're just writing for your followers- lovely harmless people who share a common interest with you. But your thoughts and words are out there for anyone to see, and so it's important to find the balance between saying what you want to say and protecting your privacy. It's pretty difficult (if not impossible) for people you know to randomly stumble across your blog unless they're searching for the kinds of things you're blogging about- however if you've got any creepy internet stalkers out there then they'll more than likely find your blog by searching you. I'm a reasonably private person and so tend to keep a lot of personal details off my blog, but if you treat your blog a bit like an online diary its worth bearing in mind that your words can be read by anyone.

5. Blogging will become a huge part of your life
It's strange how blogging can take over a huge part of your life, it happened to me without me even realising. Even on the days that I'm not posting content I'm still adding bits to draft posts, taking photos ready to be edited or replying to emails. Planning as much as you can in advance is a major help for the times that you're busy, ill or just dont have the brain power to write. I suppose the same applies to anyone who creates content, you never really 'switch off' from it. I find that even when I'm out living my life I'll be thinking for ideas for blog posts, I'll be replying to emails while I'm getting ready to go out and and will have random ideas that I need to write down at 3am. It's become so integrated into my life that I do it without even thinking about it- I check Bloglovin in the mornings like most people check the daily paper!

What has blogging taught you? Do you relate to any of these?