This is going to be a bit of a blogging rant and not my normal kind of post but maybe it will make sense to (or even help) some of you. I’ve had so many different thoughts and feelings about my little digital space recently, and thought it might help to write them all down. So here we go, blogging in 2019 and how I’m feeling right now…
I started this blog almost five years ago, back when I was a full time working mum of two little toddlers. When I first started it was something I did as a hobby, to journal our time as a family, our weekend adventures and favourite things. I took photos on my iPhone and just posted whatever I wanted without too much thought or pressure.
In that five years, so much has changed. When I first started blogging, I had no idea where it was going to go. Back then I posted more and definitely didn’t care as much – it was less about likes and followers and more about posting for the love of it.
In the past couple of years I’ve found that I’ve put more and more pressure on myself – and even the smallest task can grow into an overwhelming chore (that I then put-off doing). I get an idea to start a blog post or style a photo, then feel the need to “make it better”. Unfortunately, this results in me not posting while I rewrite or reshoot content that were/ are absolutely fine.
Without question I need to find a balance between meeting my expectations and just getting on with it. After all this is what I used to do, so I should be able to do it again. I love the realness and spontaneity of blogs and blogging in general, so it’s time to go back to basics and make blogging fun again!
I want to post more about how I’m feeling, what I’m enjoying – and do more photo diaries, which I used to love. I’m also going to continue posting content on beauty, as well as more on our new home and its renovation. I don’t have any clear aims or goals, I just want to go back to posting consistently and improving on my content. Pretty pictures, more personal posts and collaborations with brands I love and want to shoutout.
I definitely want to give this blog a little more TLC this year. For too long I’ve been spreading myself thin trying to do everything and obsessing over Instagram followers and likes – but this blog is my passion, and without it I’m lost.
Thank you for all your support over the years, I hope you still enjoy my blog and continue to follow my adventures and reviews.
Ah I totally get you and have taken the same attitude this year hence why I am posting more craft and cocktails, I think instagram has managed to such the joy out of everything and for me that is on the back burner and I am concentrating on the space I love. You are amazing H, so just do what makes you happy xx
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Thank you Sarah, right back at ‘ya!! It’s so easy to get sucked into all the negativity of IG but my blog is my personal space and I’m definitely going to focus my energy here from now on xxx
Oh, I know EXACTLY how you feel. I think it’s all the advice about making every post count, and making each one the best it can possibly be, and don’t forget that it has to be both entertaining and informative for the reader, with a word choice to rival Shakespeare and photos so beautiful that they make people weep, and, and, and. It paralyses you and makes you feel like no post can ever be good enough. But it’s often those spur of the moment, heartfelt ones or simple, sweet memories that mean the most and that people genuinely like to read, too. I think it’s nice to take a step back from feeling like we have to rival magazines. We don’t. And we’re more interesting for a personal touch.
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Thank you Rachel, I really needed to read that!! Why do we do it to ourselves, honestly I get so cross with myself but I’m just getting on with it now – and hopefully the joy will come back xxx
I’ve always loved your blog so don’t be too hard on yourself trying to create the “perfect” post. Just do what you love. Jemma x Ps please bring back My Captured Moment it was my favourite linky 🙂
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Maybe I should!!! I wasn’t sure if link’s were still around, I haven’t joined-in with any for such a long time. Thank you Jemma, I feel the same about you and yours xxxx
Oh I think we are all in this very boat. It was passion, a documentary of our family lives and it turned into a job we could do with our families but the states, followers, competition and pressure turned it into something that we all need to find balance from now. IT’s one of those jobs you could work 24/7 and never catch up or be done. It could consume you. I need this this year. It’s about working to pay bills but getting back to sharing what I love the most and that’s photos and adventures of my family.
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Exactly Jenny!!! I definitely want to do more of ‘my’ posts and posts that I enjoy, while hopefully earning some money in the process. Thank you for your support xx
I think it’s so easy to get distracted or over think what we do post. I have tried to change the direction of my blog over the past 12 months to be more about the content I love. Like you I have a million posts in drafts questioning whether I should press publish. And with your IG definitely focus on what makes you smile, I know that’s tough when the reciprocation isn’t there but if it makes you smile x
My blog is and always has been a space for me to document our family life and I see Instagram as an extension of that. I only ever post content that means something to me, is something I want to remember, or is a journal-type post that helps me sort out my messy thoughts and feelings. I can see how easy it can be to get pulled away from that – I hope you find your way back to doing what you love Heledd 🙂