I was just about to do a round of speed reviews when I thought I’d rather talk about what’s on my mind. A few days ago I had an email from the fabulous Blog Herald, who talks so sensibly about all things bloggy, from technical information through to the general blogging zeitgeist. Basically, he was saying that blogging is like a relationship. At first, you can’t get enough of each other – every moment apart feels like a torture and all you want to do is rush back into each other’s arms. Then time passes, and the initial rush to the head stage is over. You start to think you’d like a weekend to yourself; to deal with all the things that have fallen by the wayside while you’ve been so besotted. After a while, you feel that actually, you’d like even more time to yourself but then feel guilty for feeling like that so end up resenting the amount of time you’re spending together while life carries on without you. Then, there’s the settling down period; you’re getting used to each other’s foibles and starting to realise that this is something that could work – it just needs a little tweaking. And, now here we are – a full-on relationship that at times feels like a rock round your neck and other times feels like sheer bliss.
Like anything in life, blogging has to be about balance. At times for me, blogging feels like hard, hard work for something that is a pastime, and yet I’m drawn back time after time because when it’s good, it’s absolutely bloody fantastic! Tell me I’m not the only one who has a love/hate relationship with their blog.
Transparency Disclosure
All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
15 comments
Snap! Over a year on and we are still together, we did some relationship tweaking!
It definitely take effort. I know I’d start feeling frustrated if I didn’t have an outlet for writing though. I think because there are two of us, we have it a little easier, partly because there’s less workload and partly because we spur each other on.
I’ve only just started my blog so I’m very aware I’m in that first flush stage. However, I’m also aware that I need to pace myself a bit, so (for me) posting two or three times a day would only set an unsustainable precedent, however much I might want to.
On the flipside, as a prolific reader of blogs, I do find myself getting irrationally irritated when my favourite posters suddenly and obviously lose interest. How dare they! 🙂 I think therefore that a bit of balance is good for all concerned.
I lost interest in my blog for quite a long time…for me it was all about timing, but we are back together now 🙂
Picture editing sucks though 🙁
I think the post is spot on! If I’d known when I started blogging just how much was involved (don’t even get me started on picture editing!) “behind the scenes” then I’m not sure I’d have taken it up at all!
I do love it though, blogging has made me meet – literally – some wonderful people, and I’m learning new things all the time, so that can never be a bad thing.
When it’s bad though – it’s awful 😉
We have been together for nearly five years now. And sometimes it is tough, but hey, we move on.
I can relate! I love blogging but there are times when I feel overwhelmed at how much upkeep it really is, from coming up with ideas, taking photos, writing and then reading and responding to comments. I would never give it up though — love it too much!!
Michelle
I can relate! I love blogging but there are times when I feel overwhelmed at how much upkeep it really is, from coming up with ideas, taking photos, writing and then reading and responding to comments. I would never give it up though — love it too much!!
Michelle
Hee hee, I’m so glad that you did this post. I started my blog about two months ago and have been full on ever since. The only time I haven’t been thinking about it is when I’m at work. This week though, I have found it much more of an effort and overwhelmed by the obsession it has become. I did think about forgetting it altogether but I think that i will carry on. I’ve got to have a bit more balance though!
Hi – I agree whole-heartedly. I have the same relationship with blogging. It’s hard work! But at the same time it’s supposed to be fun. I have to step back sometimes and tell myself “it’s just a blog, don’t take it so seriously.”
I’m always try to improve but it’s impossible to please everyone. I try not to let the comments get to me, but women are sometimes impossibly difficult. What does a blogger do when 1/2 of your readers ask for more swatches and the other 1/2 say please stop swatching I hate your swatches?
I have no idea, lol.
But you described it perfectly. It’s like a roller-coaster for me. Luckily my relationship is less of a roller-coaster now.
The love/hate relationship sums it up spot on.
Thank you — I’m getting more and more out of your blog every week. I’m in the first few months of mine and I’ve learned more than I could have imagined–abut on-line communication, inter-relationships and taking risks. Thank you for this post–it’s really helping me to think about balance.
I couldn’t agree with you more 🙂 Blogging is fun and some times it takes most of your time away that you hate it sometimes 🙂
OMG!!! You are so right. We’re in full time jobs so it’s so difficult to find the time to write about what we love.
It’s really bad but I find myself wanting to go home and concentrate on the blog that pushing paper and answering emails at the office!
Oh my goodness does a blog mimick the highs and lows of a real-life relationship. And it’s rather funny that those on the outside don’t usually understand the time that goes into a blog.
But, worth it if it is the medium (or one of them) that suits you. Just don’t let it get all-consuming or dysfunctional. No relationship of those ilks is every good for one!
xxx BWM
My husband thinks there are three people in our marriage. Him, me and blog. Do you think you get a 7-year itch? Blimey what an awful thought.