I’m almost two years into My Healthyish Life and I still don’t know what I’m doing.
There, I said it.
But do any of us? I’m guessing/hoping no. For example, I feel blogger’s guilt for the most random things: not posting every day, for starters, still not having a concise niche, not seeing rapid success despite hard effort, writing weekend recaps or sillier posts instead of photographing beautiful recipes. Different day, different problem, I’m telling ya. Last year I wrote a post titled “Blogging Differently” and it still holds true.
However, all of this boils down to me, my perspective and my confidence. I’m not a food blogger. I’m not solely a fitness blogger. I’m most definitely not a polished lifestyle blogger. So what am I? Is this confusion why I’m not seeing growth? Don’t answer that…
I enjoy sharing parts of my life. The highs and lows, the filters and non-filters, the everyday and the exciting, the marathons and the injuries. My life doesn’t fit into a niche, and I like it that way.
I want to redefine blogging success.
Success is subjective, I understand that. For some is means making money, for others it means interacting with readers. Neither is better than the other, because some people make enough money to live off blogging and can have it both ways. Kind of #goals and dream life, kind of not for me. I’m still stuck on that, but that’s a different topic.
However, my (current) idea of blogging success is three-fold.
First and foremost, I blog for the community and the relationships.
Second, I blog for the creative expression.
Third, I blog to share my life, and hopefully, in some way, provide entertainment, suggestions or thought-provoking discussion for the readers. Even if it’s just something to read during your lunch break or think about during your run.
As for money, yes, I have made some, but pretty much enough to cover the cost of running the site. Money is not what keeps me coming back every day three times a week. That’s not to say I will stop doing the (very) occasional sponsored post if the right opportunities come along, but it’s not at the forefront of my mind at the moment. Plus, making money as a blogger is not an instant process, especially if you want to do it the “right” way (by only supporting brands, campaigns that truly matter to you, which I firmly believe in). Hard work and hustle don’t automatically guarantee a paycheck (or page view), but I guess that’s true in a lot of careers/hobbies.
I know what I “should” do to get more page views (evergreen content, more “tips,” more recipes, fewer pictures like the one above) but I feel like I would be doing a disservice to you, my readers, and to myself if I suddenly and completely changed the way I blog. I like the old-school blogging, conversational aspect of this space. (Read here and here for similar posts on this topic. Love both girls!).
As the first two years of My Healthyish Life have been about establishment and laying the foundation, maybe the next two years will be about refining and defining.
I don’t (and am not) changing anything at the moment, but I think as my life evolves, this blog will evolve too. I get inspired at random times and about random things, sometimes life-related, other times more “content” related. I admire many bloggers but I don’t want to fall in the trap of “not doing enough.” When blogging isn’t fun, I’ll know to reevaluate.
I’m just a few years into this world and I have so much more to learn, which is both overwhelming and exciting. I’m choosing to see it as the latter and proudly soldiering on into year number three.
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On a different note, check back next Wednesday for a giveaway to celebrate my two year blogiversary :)
Linking up to Thinking Out Loud! Thanks, Amanda :)
I don’t know if you remember, but I had a similar moment last year and then a few months ago at that blogging conference where I was surround by people who had the types of blogs that were all about pageviews and such. I am proud of my blog, my space. Would I like it if I could be a wizard at pinterest? Sure. But I’m not and I only get middling results from it. As long as my blog brings people like you into my life, I’ll count it as a success.
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Living with Anxiety Disorder: Beyond Your Control
YES YES YES YES YES YESYSYESYYE TO ALL OF THIS. You are so wise and I could not agree more with everything here <3
Christina @ The Blissful Balance recently posted…3 Ways Instagram Transformed My Blog
Happy 2 years blogging! you’ve been doing an awesome job and can’t wait to see what the future holds for you :)
rachel @ athleticavocado recently posted…Superfood Fruit Crisp Greek Yogurt Bark
Blogging is a crazy thing because I think the reasons we start aren’t always the same one’s that keep us going…or doing all the extras like Pinterest, social media etc :)
I resonate with this post because I feel the same way about my blog. I recently changed a lot by going self hosted, but essentially, I blog about the same stuff and it doesn’t really fit a category. I also don’t really feel qualified to give advice, so I talk about my own experience.
I love reading your blog because you do the same :-)
Ellie recently posted…Training Talk [Running A Relay With A Team]
I love this so much Emily and it’s why I will keep coming back and back again to your blog (even if I suck at commenting at times) because you aren’t a cookie cutter blogger and it shows. I read blogs to feel something and you always always make me think or step back or question or smile or all of the above. There is really right way to blog if you’re doing it for your own reasons and when you start from the best intentions sometimes it takes longer to build something to last (not just to fit a trend.)
Georgie Morley recently posted…Influence with Instagram – Why We Made an E-Course
Emily, this is perfect! As individuals who share personal life moments with others, we get wrapped up in trying to make these moments “good enough” for others to enjoy, just as much as we enjoy sharing them. It makes it so easy to feel lost and unsuccessful when we don’t fit into “typical” blog niches or produce posts that don’t fit into the expectations of every post being audience directed. Kudos to you for breaking down these barriers, taking steps to find the freedom in blogging and bringing other ladies on this journey with you!
YUPPPPP. You nailed it. My blog has changed so much in the past 3 1/2 years. But if we want our blogs to be a reflection of who we are, that’s bound to happen. I’d like to get back to the deeper posts that I got away from for awhile, but I also don’t want to do anything that doesn’t feel natural. So if it means random thoughts for months on end, fine. I rarely do sponsored posts anymore because I only want to work with a company that I would also pay for a product. Your blog (and IG) has grown so much in the past few months and I’m so excited to see where you take things next!
Sarah @pickyrunner recently posted…TOL: Going Home and All the Running
You’re so wise.
I feel the same about my blog. I know I could do more to monetize and grow, but since my blog is a creative (& therapeutic) outlet, I just don’t want that burden.
I enjoy blogs like yours because they offer a bit of everything.
So, I say you should just keep doing what you’re doing! ;)
Catherine @ foodiecology recently posted…Would You Change Your Personality If You Could?
Just a little behind you in terms of time spent on my blog, but I’m starting to think, after seeing all the same tips about needing to put your blog in a niche to see growth, I have the same goals as you rather than ones that I thought at first might be mine. I like sharing my life, running, some recipes, travel, and random thoughts, and the connection with other bloggers is the best. But I can’t see a switch to solely recipes, even if my dream of one day opening a GF bakery comes true, because then blogging wouldn’t be my fun escape anymore. Blogging is work but I always want it to be work I WANT to do.
YES Emily!!! I love this so much. Your blog is absolutely one of my favorites. I get so excited when you pop up on my bloglovin feed and it’s always one of the first I click on. I love how relatable, conversational, and down to earth you are. And you know what? Those personal post with random chats and weekend recaps are my favorite kind to read! It’s also the kind of blogger I strive to be. All this to say, keep doing what you’re doing and know you have succeeded in brightening my (and many others’) day on many occasions. You’re the best. :)
Bailee recently posted…Buzzed Chunky Monkey Smoothie
Oh my gosh this post is exactly what I needed to read! I’ve been struggling lately because I don’t fall into one niche and everyone keeps telling me the only way to make your blog work is to find your niche!
Love your attitude about it all!
Kristin recently posted…Erin Condren LifePlanner Review – 4 Months In
I’m about a year and a half into blogging and I feel exactly how you do! I couldn’t have said it better! Thanks for sharing this! xo, Kristina
Kristina @Ms.Modify recently posted…Zucchini Noodles with Pesto
Aaah!!! Can I just thank you so much for this blog? And this statement, I’m almost two years into My Healthyish Life and I still don’t know what I’m doing,’ made me feel as if I’m not alone. I love sharing thoughts, and I want to help others, but I can’t try to ‘be a different blogger’ in order to be successful. My absolute favorite part is meeting other bloggers like you Em, and listening to your stories. I learn from every post you write, and please keep sharing. I don’t know what I’m doing really at all with blogging, but I do love it, so I’m going to keep going and writing and growing. :)
Emily recently posted…Best Nut Butters (II) & A Giveaway
Emily, this is brilliant. I completely agree with all of this and admire you and your blog so much! I also don’t consider myself in one specific niche. I write about what I want to write about, and sometimes it isn’t always 1 particular thing. Your blog is one of the first ones that I started reading and it’s one of my favorites! Similar to you, I think success to me is connecting with other bloggers. Love this post so much!
Amanda @ ExploringLifeAndThings recently posted…Things I would tell my recent post-grad self
I totally get it! I have no idea what direction I’m going either and it’s been 3 years!
Carmy recently posted…Why I’m Not Signing Up
You definitely hit the nail on the head, Emily! At the end of the day, I consider myself a successful blogger if I enjoy what I’m doing… which I do. My blog has definitely changed since I first started, but that’s because it provided me with an outlet to explore passions that I didn’t even know I had when I started. The best part has definitely been connecting with a tonne of awesome people, though!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…unicorn snot, too close for comfort, and obsessions galore (ToL#182)
A-flipping-men girl. I couldn’t agree more with every word that you wrote. It’s so easy to write a blog and compare it to someone else’s wondering, “Why am I not *insert some amazing adjective, like “popular,” “viral,” “consistent,” “pin-able,” etc, here* as him/her?” Honestly, though, I don’t want to just blog for “stats.” I blog because I need to write, I need to connect with others and I love how much I learn along the way. Thanks for the reminder.
So i am probably the only person commenting here that is not a blogger just a reader of several different blogs. And yes, often at my lunch (right now!) i originally found you via some search at some point related to celiac or eating/traveling GF. when i was a fresh new celiac i was totally looking for all that especially food. at first i was slightly and really only slightly disappointed that you really didnt blog just about being celiac, but you know what….i stuck around and LOVE your blog. i love that you dont only blog about that. Because (duh) you are way more than a “celiac”. i see that now 4 years after my diagnosis but at the time thats sorta how i thought of myself. You helped me to realize that there was light at the end of the tunnel that after a while being celiac was not going run my life like it did when i first found out. I have found that after years and year of lunchtime blog reading the ones i have stuck with the most are the ones like yours that offer variety. i love reading what other people do in their lives with food, work, etc. When i read a fun conversational blog like yours its almost like we are having lunch together and its such a great escape from my accounting day job !!!! Take care and let the blog be whatever you feel like it should be.
I love and relate to this so much, Emily. I started blogging to share my life, and I keep doing it because I love the relationships it’s built and the creativity it inspires (and releases) for me. It’s taught me some (mostly basic) computer stuff, strengthened my voice, and introduced me to some fantastic people. Would I love to grow my blog? Absolutely – I love blogging so much more that I expected to. But, like you, I won’t sacrifice authenticity, because that’s what makes it enjoyable, even if it’s hard. Basically, you’re great and you always manage to say things I didn’t know I was thinking. :)
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday recently posted…Thinking Out Loud #51
I love your blog because it is so real and relatable! Keep doing what you’re doing girl!
sarah recently posted…Dear Sweet Baby Girl
I found myself nodding my head up and down saying yes to everything you mentioned here. I love this. While I feel like I fall under the food and fitness niche, I don’t want to leave behind other aspects of my life that may not fall in that niche, like sharing a recap of a family vacation or sharing an experience of something non-fitness or non-food. I found when I tried to go strict with food and fitness, I began to sit down and blog and just not feel it. Having that creativity to some days just share whatever is what I need to keep blogging. Blogging success to me is similar to you — forming that community and creating relationships. I never would have thought I would have formed the relationships I have from blogging (flashback to the days I blogged and knew no one) and now it is what keeps me blogging every day.
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…Race Training with the Nike Plus Run Club Plan