Tuesday 9 August 2016

What To Do When Blogging Gets Difficult

Tuesday 9 August 2016

We all go through phases in our blogging lives, sometimes we have so many new and creative ideas that we're passionate about, but no time to write them. And other times it's the complete opposite. It feels like we have all the time in the world to put out fresh, quality content but nothing is inspiring us.

Most of my issues come from when I'm not reading as much. If I find myself being busier or focused on TV Shows a bit more and I'm not reading, then I'll find it harder to get inspired for posts that I want to write. This should encourage me to pick up books, or finish the book that I'm stuck on but sometimes it's the complete opposite and I try to churn out content that doesn't make any sense, or that I end up hating anyway. So, I put together a few tips for myself that have really ended up helping to make sure that I'm able to post even when I'm not having the best reading week.

No Time? Make a note.
This probably seems like the simplest tip in the world, but it really makes a difference. If you find yourself in a place where you have so many ideas just flowing out of you, but no time to actually post them, just jot them down in a notebook so that you can go back to them when you actually do have time or are lacking for ideas. Believe me, it's a lifesaver. This also gives you the chance to read back on your ideas and see if they'll actually work - I can't count the amount of ideas I've vetoed because they just won't make for a very entertaining or comprehensive post.

Take part in a tag/meme.
Chances are you've seen a tag floating around lately, these are the best things in the world to do when you're feeling uninspired. Not only are they easy and quick to write up, but they're also great fun and a simple way to get content out there. Everyone loves tags, don't deny it. And memes are a part of this too, my favourite one to revert back to when I'm struggling is the Top Ten Tuesday meme because they constantly have such good prompts for posts and they're also a lot of fun to talk about with everyone.

Get personal.
I know a lot of your blogs aren't personal, and are purely for talking about books but whenever I'm struggling for ideas my favourite thing to do is get personal with you guys. I'll write about feminism, my life, my friends, something I've done, anything and it almost always gets the ball rolling in my head again. This is my favourite thing to do because writing about something I'm passionate about is always certain to knock me back into shape and start creating better content.

Read other blogs.
Sometimes reading what other people have posted is a surefire way to get yourself motivated and inspired again. Who knows? Maybe you'll read something that strikes a cord with you and you absolutely need to write a reply post. Maybe you'll see that someone has written about their favourite villain and it get's you thinking about villains you've loved and you absolutely, without a doubt have to write a post about it. But above all, reading other blogs will get you feeling connected to the blogging world again and everything will flow from there.

Take a break.
If you're feeling like you could scream, and that if you have to force another word to come out of your head and onto the screen your brain will explode then it's probably time for you to take a break. There's no shame in that at all, in fact, I don't think you'll find a blogger who hasn't had to take a little time away to recuperate and get their head back together again. Sometimes it's the only thing you can do and it'll be better in the long run. So take a break. Go and see your friends, learn to bake, watch a new TV Show, maybe catch up on some reading. Just relax and come back (when you're ready) feeling good as knew and ready to rock. 

8 comments :

  1. I LOVE THIS POST. It's all so true and such a great reminder. I have a note on my phone that's just all post ideas I think about and I have a notebook where I write them all down if i'm at home. Taking a break is important too. I think a lot of bloggers either feel guilty or are too scared about taking a full on break because they think their readers might not come back when they do return or because they think they have to continue with their blog at all times - but sometimes taking a break just means you feel even more inspired to blog again!
    Wonderful post and thank you for stopping by my blog!

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    1. Thank you for the comment! It's always great to hear that I'm giving good advice hahaha!

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  2. Love it! I always have so many ideas (although not a clue how to execute some of them) I always try to quickly write them down and if I'm home I'll try to make a quick draft of what I want so I can go back to it later. I also think breaks are always good for anything, at band, our director always tells us if we're feeling overwhelmed by the music to take a break for the day and look upon the next day with more positivity. I think that can apply to almost anything.
    Great post!

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    1. Thanks for the comment! That's great advice from your band director, usually teachers etc tell people to just work through it so to have someone telling you that it's okay to take a break must be really helpful!

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  3. I too get out of the blogging mindset sometimes. Most often it's when I'm tired and all I want to do is watch TV and not think much. Plus there's always so much good TV to catch up on.

    So this is a really good list! I always have so many notes that I jot down at my creative times that are life savers when I'm not so creative. I'm not a fan of the meme's at all, but I do acknowledge that TTT can inspire other ideas from their prompts! I think taking a break is important if you're burnt out, you don't want to give up blogging forever because you lost all interest in it etc.

    Jordon @ Simply Adrift

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    1. It's funny you say that because I'm in that pit of blogging slump now and yes about the TV! especially with just having moved to uni there is so much work to do and it's hard to even find time to shower let alone do anything else. Maybe I need to give the list another read-through and reinspire myself ;)

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  4. Great advice!

    I like to take blogging breaks when I'm just not into it, but it helps that I have a co-blogger who will still be posting content when I'm not. I also write down ideas for posts to draft later, which is definitely helpful when I'm feeling low on ideas.

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    1. Thanks for the comment! Ah the perks of a co-blogger. I'd love to get one on here but it's too much pressure - this blog is my baby now!

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