“Writing is a lonely job. Even if a writer socializes regularly, when he gets down to the real business of his life, it is he and his type writer or word processor. No one else is or can be involved in the matter.”
– Isaac Asimov, I, Asimov: A Memoir
If you have actively and professionally blogged for at least several months, chances are you’ve encountered blogger’s blues: the creeping sense of isolation and loneliness that generally comes with regular blogging. Whether you blog full-time, as a freelancer, or as a hobby, sooner or later you are bound to ask yourself: what am I missing out on out there?
Dealing with this is a tad easier if you already have a solid and active following that you interact with on a daily basis. But for many bloggers without extensive online networks, the vast silence that meets their blog posts can eventually dampen momentum, and later, self-esteem.
Even full-time professional bloggers and diehard blogging enthusiasts encounter this social dead end. You begin to wonder whether all the trouble you take into crafting and perfecting your blog is worth it, and you end up questioning your own capabilities as a blogger, and more importantly, as a writer. So how do you handle this?
Consider the following angles:
You are blogging for the wrong niche.
Although you can’t always choose what topic you can blog about – and this is particularly true for professional and freelance bloggers – you can still make some adjustments to a certain extent. Thorough research can fill up the information gap, and you can tweak your style accordingly.
There are limits to how far you can stretch, however. Perhaps the subject at hand disagrees with your personal preferences or values, your current subject matter requires more time than you can allot, or maybe your client’s work ethics makes you question yours. Either way, perhaps a niche switch could be the answer to this, especially if you enjoy blogging per se.
Blogging is simply not for you.
Hobbyists have fewer problems with this, because most of them start off with the clear understanding that they do want to blog, and that they are fairly equipped to communicate their information via their platform of choice. Should they decide that blogging isn’t working for them, moving on to another avenue is relatively easy.
When it comes to earning money online, though, blogging begins to demand more and more of your skill, time, and commitment to the craft. If you see yourself faltering in any of these in the long run, then you could consider other online money-making choices – maybe you’ll fare better posting in social networking sites, where returns are quicker, and community-building is easier.
The truth is, blogging isn’t for everyone, so if you aren’t happy with it, try to explore your options.
You are experiencing mental fatigue.
Perhaps you enjoy blogging, but lately you feel less and less motivated about it. Even with ample source material, a niche that you love, a great boss or client, and a growing audience, you seem to be on the verge of burnout, and you can’t understand why this is happening.
Most likely this is caused by the mental fatigue that stems from hyperfocusing on your blog. When you do something repeatedly and constantly, even if it’s something you absolutely love, it will tire you out. Since blogging is a solitary activity, you won’t just feel tired, but also alienated from the rest of the world.
The solution? Break your routine. Go out, make arrangements to be with friends, take 24 hours off the Internet, or indulge in a fun activity that you miss. The point is to refresh your mind with new information so you can return to your blog, energized about posting again.
You’re still learning the ropes.
You don’t have an audience yet, and you’re required to keep plugging away at your work blog. Or you don’t have an audience yet, and you feel compelled to keep your personal blog alive with regular posts. You’re still quite new to the craft, and quitting now just wouldn’t be right. So on top of learning the ins and outs of blogging, you’re also wrestling with low to nonexistent activity on your blog. What to do?
Accept that the initial months of blogging will yield little to no returns. Don’t take it as an affront to your skills; this happens to all startup bloggers. Rather, take this quiet time as an opportunity to research on blog design, blogging styles, and social media strategies that would work well for you. This is also the perfect time to hone your writing skills. And as far as your audience is concerned, this is your chance to start building an online network to which you can promote your blog later on.
Almost all bloggers undergo some sort of downtime that leaves them a little lost, confused, and lonely. But remember, you aren’t alone.
Crafting a good blog takes time, and a case of blogger’s blues is simply one of the challenges you’ll face. Once you prove that you have the commitment, dedication, and skills to overcome this, more impressed readers will come flocking to you — and you’ll finally have your own active and interested community to interact with.
Image credits: 4wesomness.blogspot.com, www.marketingprofessor.com, www.schoox.com
The Discussion
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Every part of life has a “honeymoon”, “dessert”, “twilight”, etc. If you have a lot of things going on then you can rotate projects to keep life exciting. Spend more time on the “honeymoon” projects, while just maintaining the “twilight” projects until they get spicy again. Its all in scheduling your time. I find the best ways to keep life exciting are to keep people you love in your life every day. Make sure you have face time instead of all screen time.
Lolz. I like that “Spend more time on honeymoon projects” Really? in that situation the only solution is refresh your mind none of other method can work I think.
Thankfully I have yet to suffer from the bloggers blues. I am new to this and only really blog about stuff that I love. I think if you treat it more of a hobby than a job, you should be okay.
I have a couple of blogs and I need to go through them and clear some of them out. I found one of my posts had so many comments…mostly from spammers.. so that will be where I start. Great advice!
As an earlier poster pointed out, there are seasons in life. Still work on the blog even if it is
not hot and exciting anymore. Focus on other projects. Sooner or later the creative juices will be flowing again. Productivity and creativity with go up.
Spot on! No one likes to hear it, but I think if you have to psych yourself out to blog, you should be doing something else entirely. I usually can’t wait to get to the keyboard!
Luckily I still suffer from the blues blogger. I am new to this blog and really what I love. I think that if you treat more a hobby than a job, you should be fine.
Often I think about quitting a blog and doubting whether I still enjoy doing it or not. It usually happens about once a year when I am just completely sick of writing. That’s the time of the year when I am off to a holiday. By the time I come back I rush back to the laptop to start writing as I missed it so much. + There is always stuff to write about the holiday I just went on. So my advice is that whenever you get sick of blogging, take a week or 2 holiday
The Internet is quickly growing into a world-wide marketplace, which provides a unique opportunity for everyday people like you and me to cash in on it and start making money online! keep writing ,,thanks good information…
I’m just getting started so I don’t have the blogger blues! Wish I had a site that required more of my time!
It happens to me as I really can’t wait to get on to my computer table and switch it on, and whenever I can’t jst because I am out or because of some reason. I feel the time has slow down
Great post, ‘blogger blues’….I love it. Glad to hear even die hard bloggers get this once in a while….
Yes I suffer from Blogging Blues
Nice writeup
I know the feeling, sometimes you just have to give yourself time to unclutter, and have a good designated worplace with no distractions.
Oh, I’ve definitely got the logging blues now. I feel burned out and very tired. I think it’s mental fatigue, and I’ve got the perfect plan – spend the weekend away from the computer.
In the past I have struggled with bloggers blues, in that case I changed niche and now I’m flying!
congratulations for this wonderful blog, really good job from Come Combattere L’ Ansia Italy
I got quite interesting tips from blog tips
It happens that there are ups and downs for any blogger.I Redefine success for myself. I foster gratitude in my life, that helps me hone my craft, organize my thoughts.I remind myself that i am writing for for the audience. I write sticker that says “I heart authenticity.” I make up my mind that i need to reach out to other bloggers who feel that they are discouraged.
I have to agree that this posts is among the best blogs that I have read so far. Firstly, your blog is very enticing from the Title alone. After reading through the article, I have learned that I do experience the Blogger’s Blues, (I guess no blogger is exempted on these). After every day’s work, I please myself by going to theme parks so as to refresh my mind thus storing new ideas from day-to-day leisure. Lastly, it is also advisable to take a break and relax your mind in order to keep your mind working the usual way:)
Congratulations on a beautiful article..
i think i will become a great follower. just want to say your article is striking. the clarity in your post is simply striking and i can take for granted you are an expert on this subject.
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