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Hey there, I know you probably feel like you’ve had it and don’t feel cut out for this blogging thing.
It sounded like a fun adventure when you started, but the more you do it, the more you realize how little you know.
Between choosing a specific topic and blog name to the right blogging platform, web hosting, blog theme, plugins, updates, malware, pageviews, and learning SEO, social media, how to edit pictures, website design… there’s a lot more involved than you ever dreamed, and it’s a lot to juggle.
The first year can be completely overwhelming, and you might wonder if you can see better results by downloading an app to play games for money.
It seems so effortless for other bloggers. That one’s making $30,000 a month, and you barely have two Adsense pennies to rub together.
Another blogger started when you did (or after!), and her blog has skyrocketed in popularity. You wonder what she has that you don’t. You think people must not like what you’re sharing, you’re wasting your time, you’ll never make any money, and you should move on to something else.
I can totally relate. I’ve had these same thoughts too (sometimes on a daily basis!). There’s so much more to blogging than I ever anticipated, and it can be overwhelming, but I have a secret for you… you know that blogger who seems to have it all together? The one who started her facebook page and immediately had a ton of followers? The one who gets comments on every post and seems to be a natural? I bet she’s had these thoughts too.
It’s completely normal (and almost unavoidable) to have these thoughts when we’re feeling overwhelmed and our blogs aren’t growing like we thought they would so I wanted to share some of the things I do to help myself when I’m feeling discouraged:
1. Stop obsessing over stats
Constantly checking your stats will drive you crazy.
It’s really no different than deciding to lose weight and then hopping on the scale 20 times a day. It will make your progress as a new blogger feel slow and small, and you’ll probably end up discouraged that you aren’t getting where you want to be faster.
This is easier said than done sometimes, I know. Google analytics feels like immediate gratification, but ultimately this is an aspect of blogging that we can’t really control.
Instead, focus on creating high-quality content and new blog posts because they are the backbone of a successful blog. As you consistently publish, the amount of visitors, clicks, and rankings in the search results will improve over time.
2. Stop comparing
If following another blogger leaves you feeling discouraged and inadequate, stop reading them for a while. Give yourself a break from the comparison trap. Your time is too valuable to do things that make you feel bad about yourself or your progress.
Instead, ask yourself or your readers what resources you could create for them. What kind of content and blog topics do they find most helpful?
The more you’re able to see how your hard work is positively affecting others, the less you’ll care what other bloggers are doing.
3. Education
If there’s an area where you’re feeling particularly inadequate, learn more about it.
As a blogger, you’re required to wear many hats. The good news is increasing your knowledge and understanding of how blogging works will help to alleviate your insecurities and only improve your blog over time.
Try searching for a “step-by-step guide” for the topic in question.
If it’s a topic you don’t really want to waste time learning about…
4. Get help
If there’s a certain part of blogging that you hate, and you don’t have the interest or time to learn how to do it yourself, please don’t hesitate to get some help.
Hiring someone who is more knowledgable than you are to handle a task you don’t enjoy frees you up to do more of what you love.
If you need help with search engine optimization or updating your sidebar, hiring someone to help you can be a great investment! A little bit of money can save you hours of frustration and lost time.
For example, I don’t know anything about coding or creating a blog design. I tried to design my own blog with free resources for over a year, but I never loved what I came up with. Eventually, I accepted that it would be best to pay someone else to do it for me. My designer was able to create what I had in mind much faster than I ever could have, and I was able to focus on other things that helped to move my business forward.
The truth is if I can create a successful money-making blog, you can too. No two bloggers will have the exact same experience, and that’s okay. Honestly, that’s one of the great things about blogging! We can craft our own journeys and still be successful.
It’s not always easy, but I promise it’s worth it.
I blogged for about a year then completely stopped for a few months. I felt like my blog was just a copy of everyone elses & I didn’t like it. I have started up again and this time I am doing it for me instead of the views and comments.
I think that’s the best way to do it, Melanie. Focusing too much on views and comments over content can really suck the joy out of the entire experience.
I’m lucky to have stumbled on this post. I’m seriously thinking about quitting my blog after 5 years of blood, sweat and tears. I don’t think it’s worth it anymore and it’s consuming my time and leaving me so exhausted. But, I’ll keep going…
Hi Jennifer, Burn out is a real thing, isn’t it! I have been there, and I know it isn’t fun. If you’d like to email me with some of the specific things you’re struggling with I’d be happy to try to offer some suggestions to help. Sending lots of hugs, support, and encouragement your way <3 Emily
Thank you for a great post. I have only been blogging a little over a year and I am interested in learning everything I can. It’s my personality to understand how things work. 🙂 Hope you have a great day!
That’s totally my personality too, Debbie! 🙂
I am SO excited to learn more from your blogging series. This was such a good read – and so true! Blogging can be so lonely – but then you meet wonderful people like you and then things look quite a bit brighter!
Aw, you’re too sweet! It really can be lonely, but it’s so fun to meet people (like you!) that I probably would’ve never met otherwise.
Hi Emily, I found this tonight while looking for encouragement. Thank you for writing it. I know it’s been awhile and I hope you’re still doing well. My 1 year anniversary is on 2 weeks and it’s easy to get down. This helped me so thank you!
Great advice, Emily! I’m pretty laid back about blogging. From the beginning of my comfort food blog 5 1/2 years ago, I’ve posted just once a week (Thursdays). I can’t imagine how anyone posts more frequently than that, but they do!
I can’t imagine either! Some people post every.single.day. Where do they get the time?!
It’s very easy to burn out while blogging – It’s definitely worth creating a blogging schedules and sticking to a routine…
Rather than knocking out 10 articles in a week and not posting again for 2 months!
Very true, Sarah! Consistency is the hardest part for me.
These are great tips, Emily, and I have come to embrace all of them.
I also think it is very important that we remember why we started blogging in the first place. We need to cling to the passion that we have for the subject that we blog about. If that is our drive, we will have the desire to continue.
We also need to remember that success looks different to each of us. I don’t know that I will ever be a super-blogger, but I know that I love to encourage others. Even if the numbers I encourage are less than I would like, I find joy in encouraging the few that I do.
Thanks for the encouragement! Blessings to you and yours.
You’re so right, Heather! Clinging to passion is sometimes the only thing that gets me through the rough moments, and success definitely looks different for everyone. I’d much rather have a small, active audience than a large, disconnected one.
Thanks for this article, as a newbie blogger, I am finding all the new things to learn overwhelming at times. Especially as I didn’t really use social media before blogging so I am having to learn all that stuff as well. Saying that I am really enjoying it and feel I’ve learnt a lot but still have a long way to go..
It can be totally overwhelming! I’m realizing one big secret is just not giving up. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this! I can’t tell you how often I get discouraged with this. This post gives me some hope. 🙂
You’re so welcome! Thanks for letting me know. I love hearing that a post resonates with someone and people understand. It’s a great reminder that I’m not alone in these feelings 🙂
I needed this post today! Thank you for the encouragement and I can’t wait to read your tips and tricks blogging series!
Thanks, Michele!
Found you on the busy monday blog hop & I’m glad I did!
I’m excited to see what you write about doubling your page views! I am fairly new to blogging (a 3-4 months in) and am struggling to get page views up. I mean, they’ve increased a little, but we’re talking 10 views/day to around 50 per day so I still have a long ways to go and trying hard not to get discouraged!
Don’t be discouraged, Alexis! That’s totally normal for a new blog. I remember those days well. I swear the first time I broke triple digits in one day I was dancing around the house! You can do this, and I promise it’ll get easier as you go along.
Thank you for sharing this, the tips are always a useful reminder. Thank you for sharing : )
Kathryn | nimblenote.blogspot.com
Thank you for sharing your inspiration! I’m always amazed at the number of blog posts I happen upon that are exactly what I need!
Hi, thanks for this wonderful post. I have been blogging for about 3 months now & it is definitely more complicated than I ever dreamed. Sometimes I get completely overwhelmed by all that I need to do and I am struggling with balancing my work with my home life. I have signed up for your newsletter and am looking forward to reading more tips & advice!
Congratulations on your new venture! You’re already made it farther than many others! 🙂 I feel like balancing home and work is a constant struggle, but I’m trying some new thing and hoping they’ll work well so I can share them soon.
I loved reading this post of yours! I’ve been feeling discourage about my blog and your article has inspired me to keep going! Thank You! Dropping in from the Brag about It linky party so happy that I click your link!
Gina from Always Savory
I’m so happy to hear that, Gina Marie! I’ve had quite a few moments where I wanted to quit (and I even did once), but I’m so happy I’ve stuck with it.
I’m at that point right now. I was getting about 40 views on a good day, then it peaked at over 600 then tapered off down to zero. It’s been only a couple months and I need to remind myself of all these things you are saying. Thanks for the encouragement!
Hi Susan, There’s so much more to starting a blog than people realize so I completely understand feeling discouraged. Have you started using Pinterest for your blog yet? I’m actually working on a course all about how to use Pinterest for your blog that could probably help a lot. IF you’re interested, you can see more info about that here –> https://www.happyorganizedlife.com/pintentional-success
If I can do this, you can do this. Don’t give up!!
Enjoyed your post and just like everyone out there I often discouraged. Looking forward to your series!
Thank you for sharing with us at the Brag About It Link Party!
~Laurie
Thanks, Laurie!
This post was super encouraging. Looking forward to learning more blogging tips from you!
Thanks, Claire!
This is such an encouraging post. There are so many bloggers that feel discouraged at times including myself. I try not to compare…because I don’t really know what other bloggers have done to get where they are. I try to encourage myself as much as possible. I have many days when I ask myself why am I doing this. Then I realize I like to inspire people and I like being inspired. So, I keep doing it…hoping that it is not in vain. Thanks so much for the encouragement. You are so sweet to do this.
You’re so right! We never really do know what someone else has done to get to where they are.
Great tips! I can definitely relate to having these feelings at times. I love how you discussed about focusing on what you can control is a better use of time. Thinking on what I can control is what helps me get through these times. Subscribing to your newsletter and I am looking forward to your series 🙂
Thanks, JcCee!
Wonderful tips for discouraged bloggers! Thanks for sharing at The Living with Style Linky Party! Be sure to come back next week! 🙂
I look forward to reading this series.
Thanks, Lisa!
To each person to their own. Blogging can be a hard job .
Yes, it can be! There’s a lot more to it than I ever imagined.
Found you on HomeMatters. Thanks for sharing your tips to remind us to keep on going!
Thank you for this Emily. It obviously caught my eye for a reason :). We’re just a few months in also second-guessing whether we’re on the right track. It’s helpful to know others out there relate!
Thank you for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty! Looking forward to seeing you back next week.
I definitely know what that’s like! Thanks for reading, Jane 🙂
Thank you so much for this! Your encouragement could not have come at a better time. I just had a mini-meltdown this morning, feeling inadequate, I don’t have what it takes like these other woman, yada, yada, yada. I’ve only been doing this for 3-4 months. I know, it takes time but hard to get rid of those feelings. Can’t help what you feel. Anyways, that happens about once or twice a week! 😉 Trying to learn patience and I have to stop checking the stats. Love how you put that, can’t control the stats, worry about what you can control! Thank you again, sorry for rambling. Saw your post at This is How We Roll.
Kristine 🙂
If you figure out how to get rid of those thoughts and feelings please let me know! 😉 You definitely aren’t alone in feeling that way, but sometimes just sticking with it is the trick. It really does get easier.
Thank you so much for this! I was just struggling with this yesterday lol A blogger who’s only been blogging a 1/4 of the time i have posted her stats and because her views are 5x mine, I felt like a loser because I have no pinterest strategy lol 😉 I love learning and am hopeful, but its SO easy to get stuck and feel like you’re just scratching the surface of the huge amount to learn.
I love writing and would love it to be as simple as “If you write it, they will come.” 😀 But, our blogs aren’t movies and needless to say, I signed up and am really looking forward to your newsletter 😉
Thanks again!
I’m all too familiar with that feeling, Megan! It’s not a fun one. So excited to have you on board! 🙂
This sounds so encouraging! Can’t wait to read more.Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty – we hope to see you again next week. 🙂 ~Lorelai Life With Lorelai
Thanks, Lorelai!
Thank you for sharing this Emily. As a sometimes-discouraged blogger, it’s great to know I’m not the only one feeling this way. I love what what you said about the stats. Comparing it to getting on a scale multiple times a day just about sums up that habit, and it’s not something I want to get used to.
I’m working on getting my blog back to its basic roots. Lately, I’ve discovered that I was blogging more for the stats and the likes more than I was for me (or my one year old daughter, who is the reason I started the blog in the first place), and you’re right in saying to take a break from reading other blogs for a while. It can get overwhelming–with the social media, the ad sense, the comments, etc…
Again, thank you for this–for helping me feel less like giving up and more like trying harder. Have a great day!
Great article! I really needed to hear this and I’m so happy to know this process is kind of a bloggers ‘right of passage’. I totally feel like I’m spinning my wheels sometimes but I really love blogging and I’m not giving up! I subscribed and am really looking forward to learning more from someone who has been there! Thanks!
Oh Emily! You’re so darn right! I tell myself that looking at my stats every hour of every day is not going to make me a better blogger. Blogging starts in your heart, sharing your passions and true stories. What keeps me going when I’m discouraged is the thought of keep writing from the heart, because one day, one simple post could change my life forever.
Thanks! New to your blog and loving it, right up my alley!
Thanks, Flavia! It’s so hard to stay away from those stats, isn’t it, but you’re so right about blogging from the heart. Those are the posts that most resonate with people and change lives. Thanks so much for reading! I’m off to check out your blog now 🙂
Thanks so much for writing this post. Those first few paragraphs couldn’t be more true right now, it’s really motivating to see your success. I really appreciate your honesty and suggestions!
Thanks for reading, Marie! I’m sorry you can relate to it, but the good news is that it does get better. I’m off to check out your blog now 🙂
These are all very great tips! I am just getting started with my blog and felt like quitting a few days ago. After reading this, I feel much more encouraged to keep going! so thankful for people like you.
I’m so glad to hear that, Innana! Blogging is definitely not for the faint of heart. It takes a lot of hard work, but if I can do it, you can do it! 🙂
Hi!
I can relate to this post on so many levels. Currently, I am feeling discouraged about my blog. I am so glad I came across this post!
I would love it if you could check out my blog and give me some feedback. I need to know what I need to improve on!
http://www.paddlinginstilettos.com/
Congratulations on your blog, Ann! I’ll shoot you an email and see how I can help! 🙂
Thank you so much! These are just the words I needed to hear. I just launched my blog last month and it’s definitely an emotional, vulnerable experience. Plus I’m trying to grow it and design my own page, so challenges definitely arise!
I truly appreciate your encouragement!
Well first I want to say congratulations on your new blog!! You’re at the beginning of a wonderful adventure! I’m so glad you found some encouragement in my words. I know blogging can feel like quite the roller coaster ride, but it’s a great one!
Hi,
I’m glad I came across your post. It’s helping me tame the anxiety that comes on venturing to the blogging world. I’m still struggling to get out there,but I haven’t given up. Love to have your feedback if you ever get a chance. Anything will help. Thanks again for the post.
Hi Cristina, definitely don’t give up! I know it’s tempting sometimes (I’ve done it myself!), but if you can work through those moments it’ll be worth it. I promise! If you want to send me an email with a link to your blog, I’d be happy to take a look. 🙂 emily@happyorganizedlife.com
I have always wanted to own a blog. Never really know what subject/topic I like to focus on. I like different things and I like to blog about it. But most of the time I think it’s pointless to do so..:(
It’s definitely not pointless! I know it can feel overwhelming with the number of blogs already out there, but it’s still possible to be successful, and it’s the best job in the world (in my unbiased opinion) 😉 so if it’s something you’re still interested in I say give it a shot! You really don’t have anything to lose 🙂
Thanks so much for this post. I’m really just starting out and I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished so far. Honestly, I had no idea what I was getting into, but I find it so exciting to be learning new things everyday. I’m trying to take it one day at a time. I have a tendency to obsess over things, though, and I want to know everything now. Which is why I’m here. Lol! I’ll sign up for your tips. Looking forward to reading them.
Thanks again, for your calming voice. It’s much appreciated.