I’ve been writing Crazy with Twins for almost six years now and South West Reviews for three years. Blogging has changed my life in so many ways. It’s been not just a hobby, but a passion of mine. I’ve bared my soul in dark times, I’ve shared my positivity in good times, I’ve taken my readers on journeys with me. I’ve written some awful posts. I’ve written some amazing posts. I’ve inspired people. I’ve helped people. I’ve probably bored people too! I’ve raised awareness of Thyroid Cancer, Pre Eclampsia and HELLP Syndrome. I’ve fundraised for charities through my blog, walking, running and a prison stay. My blog readers have seen me through a twin pregnancy, a single pregnancy, an ectopic pregnancy. A cancer, a divorce, an engagement and a marriage. Countless birthdays, holidays and four Christenings.
Writing this blog has given my family and I opportunities that we would never otherwise have had. From horseback riding in Menorca, to soaking up the luxury of a cruise liner or facing my fears in a helicopter above the town where I live. From testing Stevia in a lab or learning about cervical cancer in a hospital, to the politics of the Saatchi bill inside the houses of parliament. From testing toys and making my first video for YouTube, to collecting not one, not two, but three trophies at glamourous awards ceremonies. From sipping tea or champagne with other bloggers, to sitting in an isolation unit in hospital reading tweets of support from other bloggers. Blogging has changed me and lifted me, so many times.
When I think about my time as a blogger, I think, WOW! What a journey!
And I’ve learnt so much – about running a website, SEO, photography, working with brands and what it means to be a “social influencer”. About being controversial, not being controversial, learning to be less judgemental, dealing with trolls, learning about politics and ironing and how to be a better cook. How to be a better wife, mother, friend and about the sort of person I want to be. I think that blogging has made me a better person.
Yet here I am, debating whether I should give up blogging, or blog more?!
So where is this all coming from?
This past year, I’ve found it hard to keep up, with being a working mum, a wife, trying to maintain a social life and being a blogger too. The social life and the blogging have slipped. Being a mum, a wife and working have taken priority. And rightly so. But I’m the sort of person that wants to do everything and I’ve come to realise that I simply can’t do it all. Something’s got to give.
In the past few months I have pondered giving up this blog, to focus on my travel blog. But this blog holds a little piece of my soul and I’m just not sure I can give it up.
I’ve pondered giving up both blogs altogether. I’m so far behind on posts and videos I was making, that I have the beginnings of over 100 drafts. Sometimes it can really get me down that I’ve not written everything that I wanted to.
And who really cares right? There are thousands of blogs out there. I’m pretty sure nobody would notice if I stopped.
But then the other day, an idea struck me.
I could give up my “real job” instead, and become a full time blogger. Turn my blog into my career. But can I? Am I good enough? Am I brave enough? Can I really make that leap? Many of the bloggers who started their blogs the same year that I did, are now freelance writers, social media managers, authors, working in PR or marketing or quite simply just blogging full time. Many have been on TV ad’s or in magazines. And here I am, working in a cafe, blogging randomly, feeling like I’m not where I should be. I didn’t up my game in the same way that they did. Maybe it’s time?
Now I am stuck in conundrum-land whilst I deliberate my worth and my talents as a blogger. To friends of mine who write blogs – have you ever wondered if it might be time to give up blogging? What did you do? I’ve always seen my blog as a success, but perhaps it could be even more successful?
What do you think?
Should I give up blogging? Or blog more?
For me it was about stepping back into the real world. The online world is so fast paced and such an amazing lifestyle, but where is it going?
I’d started to build my vlogging channel and it suddenly hit me. What am I doing? What does this mean for my kids? What affect will it have on them?
We see more and more people’s past life on social media rears its ugly head and comes back to bite them on the ass. We don’t know what the internet will mean for our kids job wise in 10 years time. Will they want my posts about their embarrassing stories or bad times we might sooner forgot. Why should I be the one to decide whether or not to immortalise their lives online forever for everyone to see?
I don’t get that choice. That’s their choice. So I stopped. And I stopped talking about me. And I have enjoyed being in the moment so much more than being behind the camera or the laptop.
With technology taking over, we are in danger of forgetting to live whilst we can.
For me it was a no brainer.
Privacy is something no amount of money can buy. And seeing what some YouTubers have been going through, I’m glad we have ours x
Chelsea williams recently posted..Getting Ready For Summer With Education Quizzes!?
Wow! Blogging really has given you a lot. Your readers have been on an amazing journey with you over those years, so much has happened to you. I would miss your blog if it disappeared, but like you I always put family and work before blogging. Blogging is something I do if I have any time left. It would be fantastic if you could make it work as a career and, knowing you, I’m sure you could make it work!
Good luck with whatever you decide. x
(Brummy Mummy posted about how she makes money from blogging over the last few days, it’s probably worth a read. It’s a reminder of how much work has to go into some things, but also of how many different ways there of making money.)
Sarah MumofThree World recently posted..The Child by Fiona Barton
See I make enough money by blogging as and when I want but not as much as a lot of bloggers who treat it as their full time job. I think if it’s what you want to do then go for it – but then would it feel the same?
Pinkoddy recently posted..10 Things to know Before Visiting Tuscany
I have read your blog for the past 6 years – I started blogging around the same time i think, I also feel alot like you, I love(d) my blog and everything it brought me – it gave me something to focus on when I was having a tough time, yet i have basically stopped blogging all together now. I have also sat and watched other bloggers be so amazingly successful and I aoppreciate the amount of hard work that takes. I do miss blogging but family and working has to come first and the time that blogging takes I simply do not have at the moment. I may return to it and give it a proper shot one day as it is a real passion of mine and I love the way you can learn so much and keep upto date with things when blogging – plus it gives you a real reason to take photos – a place to save memories and a possibility to earn money – what is there not to like? I wish you success if you do decided to give up the day job – but do remmeber how much dedication it takes to actually turn a good hobby blog into a money maker.
I enjoyed reading your blog. I think you should continue blogging and bring more value to your readers.
Emma recently posted..Why Does Your Newborn Wake Up Screaming? How To Prevent It Happened
Great post, I have had similar feelings about my blog in the past. You should carry on, if you love doing it go for it full time! Of course there are worries, I gave up my job and became a freelance writer. Very scary, but if you want to do something you sometimes have to take the leap. I hope you keep going 🙂
I gave up my blog as my girls got older, tge pressures of being a working sungle parent grew, plus there was heslth stuff, tge death of a blig friend abd some serious trolling.
Like you blogging gave me some pretty amazing experiences and I learned so much. Sometimes I really miss it, but I din’t miss that 109 draft pressure, tge trolls or the politics, and I still have my blog friends.
If there was a way I could have given up work and blogged full time and guarenteed being able to support us immediately I might have done it, but there wasn’t.
I suppose what I’m saying is, if you have the chance to give up your job and give it a go, and you and your family will manage, then go for it.
But only if you want to. If not, then relish the memories. I love mine Xx