To blog or not to blog, thats the statement thats been circling around my mind for the last few months. I have ran this blog now for nearly 2 years. July is my 2nd blogging anniversary. It’s crazy to think how this blog helped me during the pandemic and really gave me such a great focus during that time. I look back on my blogging journey and remember all of the amazing opportunities I have had during the last 2 years. The friends I’ve met, the companies I’ve worked with and the amazing reader/follower base I have grown. I’m truly so grateful for this platform I have built.
Deciding to create a blog and share parts of your life with the world isn’t something that comes easy. Some weeks you don’t want to write, and some weeks you don’t write. But for alot of us bloggers, success in this industry is something we strive for. So, not writing and not getting content out can sometimes feel like a backwards move. Thats basically where I am at with my blogging career. The love and the passion I had for blogging has wilted alot in the last 6 months, and thats okay. I like to see hobbies and interests are sometimes just here for a season. A time in life where you needed them, and now maybe you don’t.
SO NOW WHAT?
To blog or not to blog, that is the question. The renewal for my WordPress premium account is coming up in September. I’m deciding from that point if I want to continue blogging from then or not. It’s not an easy decision to make, but one I am considering.
If you’re a blogger, you know how hard it is to run a blog. Not enough people talk about the maintenance it takes, the dedication and not to mention the expenses. This hobby doesn’t come cheap. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being part of the blogging community, and as I mentioned in the first part of this post. I think blogging for me was for a season, not for the long run.
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GOOD THINGS DON’T LAST FOREVER
One thing I have learnt over the last 2 years is that good things don’t last forever, and sometimes it’s better that way. We learn to appreciate the good things in life because we know they’re temporary. Like going on vacation, or being able to see your favourite artist in concert. They are good for a short while, and when you’re in it, you appreciate it. But, I wouldn’t ever want to take that happy moment for granted by overstaying my time there. The same, for me works with blogging.
Blogging played such a huge role in me getting through covid and constant lockdowns. I dove into this hobby head first and saw such great success from it. Now that life has resumed and gone back to normal, it almost feels like it’s served its purpose for me. So, to blog or not to blog is something I really need to think about. If I leave, I don’t know when I’ll be back.
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THE NEXT 3 MONTHS
Over the course of the next 3 months until September, I’ll be thinking and praying about what’s best for me and my blog going forward. I’m not considering leaving for any reason other than what I’ve shared. I feel like my work here is done. Of course I’m leaving this open to the fact that I might change my mind and stay. But as you, my reader have been here with me for a long time, I felt the need to share what was going on.
I hope you appreciate and understand that if I do decide to leave, that this is my decision. I don’t need comments of reassurance and people telling me I’m making a mistake. Although, I know they will come from a loving place. You have been such a big part of Olivia Lucie Blake growing and becoming what it is today, and I appreciate you more than you will ever know.
In the mean time, I will continue to press along and put out content whenever I can. And I will of course keep you updated on what I decide to do. If I do decide to leave, I will make the next 3 months the best 3 months on here! I will share all of my blogging knowledge and leave it for the future bloggers to pass along!
Olivia x
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Don’t worry too much. You’ll make the right decision. If blogging was a temporary thing, so be it. The last thing you should try is to force yourself to blog because then it’s just a job, and not a pleasure.
You’re so right. You never want to cross the fine line between doing something for fun and because you want to, and having to do something because you feel like you have to.
Thank you for the encouragement 🙂
This post of mine might help http://dreamer9177.com/2022/06/14/kindness-journey-day-33/
You have taught me so much about blogging and I am very thankful for you. I will be praying for you and that you make the decision that is best for you ❤️
Thank you so much. Your kind words mean alot!
You will make the right decision. We all have seasons in our lives and sometimes we need to make changes.
Yep, you’re so right. Thank you!
I’ll.miss you if you go but I understand the reasons for your potential decision. Xoxo
Thank you friend 🙂
“Good things don’t last forever.” This absolutely, 100% speaks to my soul. I have been having similar thoughts about blogging and I am much, much less engaged than I used to be. I still love blogging but it’s lost that spark…. I used to spend hours on WP and now I briefly check it. I’m questioning whether to renew my premium account in the fall too. Blogging ain’t cheap! If you don’t want to pay for a premium account again this year, is it possible to go back to using the free WordPress plan? Idk if you started off with the free plan, but I did. This might be another option for you.
I think it’s awesome that you were able to work with brands and gain traction with your blog. Most bloggers don’t even make it that far, so this is something to celebrate!! Tbh I have made $0 from blogging but have found another way earn commissions for my writing, which seems like a much better use of my time. If I can find a way to make this writing hobby sustainable (and pay for the blogging fees through passive income) then I’ll keep blogging for years to come. If not, I’ll be making similar cuts – might have to close up shop but I really don’t want to retire blogging just yet.
I think alot of us that joined during the pandemic and before are now realising that blogging served its purpose for us. It was a welcomed distraction during lockdowns and covid and it allowed alot of us to connect with people and find our passion for writing but its not something thats sustainable. I joined when I had alot of down time, and now things are back to normal I want to resume my life and see the world and connect with people in real life again. Which means I have less time to blog.
Its sad, but its true.
I joined with a free plan yes, but for me to continue id need to have a business plan. My theme is one I paid for and installed myself. And you have to have WordPress premium to be able to use it. I also made money from Google ads and used plug-ins and you need premium for that too. So, if I do continue it will have to be with a premium plan which is so expensive.
I currently have a Premium plan and I still can’t add plug-ins without a business plan. I’ve been on the fence thinking I would need to now upgrade to Pro Plan if I ever want access to these bells and whistles. Prior to this I had a free plan but upgraded so my site would be more credible, plus I needed a domain. .com and .ca were already taken because I was too slow upgrading so .net was born. So far I’ve made $0 from blogging. That’s cool that you were able to make money from ads and plug-ins! But I totally get weighing pros and cons only to realize that there’s more cons for sinking money into a blog. I still plan to keep my blog just for the archives and having everything in one place. I’m very ADD and my blog helps me stay organized. But is it worth the money? Probably not. If it wasn’t for my current job I wouldn’t be able to afford this expensive hobby.
I hear ya! If you feel it’s time to close something down, it’s good to listen to your intuition. It’s been that way with my book writing – after 11 years it feels like it’s time to stop. I see myself continuing the blog for another year, but not sure how far it will go beyond that. I really enjoy it for the time being. 2 years is a solid go for blogging and it looks like yours has really grown well! I do hope you continue, but if not, there’s another lovely hobby you can do that will make you happy. 🙂
Thank you Sara. I think sometimes you just know when its time don’t you.
That’s so true, Olivia. <3
Thanks for posting…. What a great idea
I’m so glad we connected through blogging these few years. I actually have felt the same way with blogging. I think it was a wonderful hobby during quarantine & now I’m like – now what? I’m looking to focus on other a career paths. I feel like we are so similar because as I read this I was like, “dang, this is how I feel too.”
Me too! And even if we stop blogging, I know we will keep in touch!
We both joined around the same time didn’t we? I feel like blogging filled a void for us during the pandemic, and we both saw such great success from it. And now lives have resumed we almost don’t need blogging anymore. We have our lives to live. And transitioning and fitting blogging into our lives post pandemic isn’t easy.
oh for sure! 🙂 i know we would!
i think we did actually! it def was the right choice at the time. i don’t regret it. you are so right, i don’t think we need it. i’m trying to see how i can still incorporate it in my life. i still enjoy it but i think i def need to cut back and change a few things.
I think seeing your blog as something that was there when you needed it is such a healthy way to look at it. If something doesn’t last forever or doesn’t have the expected outcome, it’s just a season in your life. That’s a beautiful mindset to have.
Agreed, and honestly thats how I saw it. It was a nice chapter for me.
exactly……I’ve been at mine for almost a year, and have no idea where it’s going, or what it’s supposed to be….
It can be really tough trying to figure it out
Keep blogging Olivia. I know everybody else says that you have to come to your own conclusion, and they’re not wrong, but I suspect that you wouldn’t mind somebody to encourage you to keep going. I’ll tell you what I think and then you can throw my advice in the bin afterwards if you like. I’ll be honest with you, I don’t read too many of your posts, but only because the subject matter isn’t geared towards my interests, but having said that, you have a great talent for writing and communicating with people.
In a way, you’re probably too good at it because so many people follow you and love whet you do, but therein lies part of the problem I reckon. You feel committed to your blogging friends even though you might have lost interest in what you sometimes write about. Perhaps you need a change of direction in your blogging subjects, something that might bring that ‘buzz’ back. We don’t have to continue in the same direction as we started from necessarily do we? Don’t worry, I’ve been in the same state of mind as you have several times, but I’ve reassessed the situation each time and carried on. I also know people who have stopped and started up again with a new approach.
I think I’ve said enough now, but I’m sure you get the gist. I just wanted to give you a bit of encouragement to keep going – you’re too good at it to pack it all in completely.
Thank you so much for the encouragement. I think you’re right. Over the next couple months I’ll focus on different content, content that excites me and makes me happy. And then I’ll see if my feelings have changed.
I have got bored with the content I have been creating, and I feel like sometimes I write to please my audience. When really, I should be pleasing myself first.
You’ve got it in one. You have to do it for yourself. Anything else is a bonus. It’s nice to have a good group of followers but they should be secondary to what your aim is. I hope you get your mojo back soon 🙂
👏
It’s hard. I stopped blogging for a while and now I’m trying to do it more often, but with limited success. But I also got the free WordPress blog so no financial investment.
I think without the financial investment its such an easier decision.
If you choose to go, be sure to export your content. I’ve been where you are and have shut down a blog – so grateful I saved all of my work! Clearly, I missed it and came back again. 🙂
Good luck with your decision. You have to do what is best for you.
Thats such a good idea! Thank you so much! I didn’t even think to do that
You’ll know what is the best decision for you in due time.
For sure 🙂
I go through this all of the time, hence why my blog is called, ‘The Reluctant Blogger’. However after doing this for 9 years, I have realised that I always come back to it!
Danielle | thereluctantblogger.co.uk
I think I will probably be the same. I cant decide what to do, so I may end up going for a while and coming back. Who knows!
I don’t know what is the best for you… I won’t advise you to stay or not… However, I’m sure that blogging world won’t be beautiful without you around <3
Thank you for your kind words friend 🥺
Great post!
Thanks alot!
Blogging for me is like a diary. I keep some of my hand-written poems more private, but sometimes I wrote a poem in the moment for myself and end up blogging it. Also, a really great book for some creative inspiration is Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear”. Highly recommend 🥰
Blogging is helping me right now deal with some life issues. I truly love it
I am so glad to hear this!
i feel this most of the time. im struggling but still going on
You and me both!
I absolutely understand, that’s why I stick with the free version. In the past I’e paid for premium/upgrade version of WordPress. As you said blogging comes with expenses but not to say the least many of us love it.
Maybe a good thing is to cut back on some expenses with it comes to blogging, if you switch over to the free version we still are gonna ready your blog. Best wished and hope everything works out for the good.
If I switch, then I have to change my whole look of my blog and I cant use the plugins I use currently either. So having a free plan isn’t something I can or want to do. If I stay, I want to continue to make money through my blog aswell.
Awee
I loved this post!!! Blogging is more authentic and fun when it’s not forced, so don’t force yourself to do anything related to it instead just let things naturally be decided upon based on how you really feel about them. Wishing you the best ^^
Thank you so much!
Good post😄✨️
Thank you!
My pleasure 😄
Have a beautiful day!!🤠✌️
Butterfly 🦋
Hey um im a beginner and I thought maybe u could helpp me..how should a start a blogg
Welcome! If you click onto my blog, there is a category called ‘blogging tips’, you should find all the information you would ever need on being a beginner blogger. 🙂
Reading this post, gave me hundred and one reasons why you should continue blogging ❤️
You are really a great writer ❤️
Thank you!!
If you get to the point of thinking you HAVE to post something rather than you WANT to post something, then blogging isn’t going to be enjoyable for you. It’ll actually cause you more stress.
I post because I want to. Especially my Rants. I love to rant on my blog. And sometimes my rants will piss people off, but I don’t care about that stuff, LOL!
Keep going. It takes 2 years just for a blog to gain traction, you could see it blossom over the next few years. In the end, do what makes you happy. Thanks for the share.