Recently, I’ve been feeling a little down in the dumps. Emotionally exhausted and rather frazzled. I always say that I write because I need to write. However, lately I’ve been struggling to find the words. I just feel a little hollow. That is to be expected, I’ve had a hard month and I have been putting myself under pressure to carry on as normal. Sometimes we have to accept that we can’t carry on as normal. That sometimes life can overwhelm us, smothering the words that we are trying to get out.
When I started blogging in January I thought that you wrote a post and hit publish. Simples. Only it isn’t simple. There are so many other tasks you have to do behind the scenes. It’s not just the writing you have to think about, there are a whole host of other tasks that you have to do:
- Tweeting
- Alt tags on your photos
- SEO Keywords
- Linking
- Pinning
- Stumbling
- Commenting
The list is never ending. Blogging is a journey where I am constantly learning. If you aren’t careful you can become lost in the blogging corridors. You become so wrapped up in the mechanics of it all that you forget why you started - to write.
The other week I had another very timely reminder of why I blog. I was surprised by the most stunning bunch of flowers from some amazing blogging friends. Friends that recognised I needed a little cheer me up. The flowers reminded me that one of the most important thing that blogging has brought me is support.
The blogging community is a fantastic one. I chat with ladies over twitter, in DM and in Whatsapp. Sometimes we even chat on the phone. We meet up at conferences and it feels like we have known each other for years. In fact Aby from You Baby Me Mummy wrote a post about this. Blogging has given me a sense of community and that is more important than any award, ranking or score. Never before have I been part of a group that is so open. A group that is happy to celebrate your success when everything is going right, and a group that offers you a shoulder to cry on when you need support. I am part of an industry that is dominated by females. However, there is no bitchiness, we are all equal, and we all share our opinions and ideas. In past workplaces I have witnessed females tearing each other down, all over jealousy and ambition. However, in blogging I have not come across that. Perhaps I have been lucky but I can say that every single blogger I interact with is lovely.
Blogging is built on community. If we don’t interact then our blog won’t do well. It won’t succeed. For me blogging is about sharing and empowering others. There will be the big bloggers who are reaching for the stars and that is brilliant. However, we shouldn’t compare ourselves to them. There are plenty more stars to be had. At the end of the day I started this blog because I wanted to write. I started this blog to express myself, to have a voice again. My blog is authentic because it reflects me. I don’t write because I have a grand plan, I don’t filter what I write to appeal to a certain audience. I write from the heart.
To be part of an amazing community that likes me for being me is amazing.
What is the number one thing that blogging has given you?
You are quite right on all counts - both the never-ending things to do that keep you up and night and the awesomest community of like-minded bloggers in the world! It’s all good, but we just need more time for both 🙂 x x
Yep, it can be hard finding the balance at times. Thank you for your lovely comment xx
how lovely that the tribe sent you flowers, just shows what an amazing group of people blog and how much you have all impacted on each other’s journey. You do write from the heart, that comes across so clear, there will be despondent days but keep your awesomeness going!
Awww thank you lovely xx
You are so right - there space for all of us in this blogging world and it’s good to remind ourselves why we staffed blogging. You’ve had such a tough month and I always admire your positivity with everything - thank you for your kind words about the tribe too 🙂 I’ve been blown away by everyone’s support too xx
Bridie By The Sea recently posted…Feeling Daunted: Travelling with a Toddler
Everyone is so supportive. It’s brilliant! I’m so lucky to have met some fab people (yourself included) through blogging!
I am so glad that you feel you have support no matter what happens. For me its wonderful to know that someone is there. You and your blog are amazing and I look forward to being your friend for a long time xx
#triballove
Mummy in a Tutu recently posted…Where’s That Memo Gone?!
Awww thank you. That is lovely!
The flowers were such a lovely gesture. I’m happy they helped cheer you up. The Tribe are a great bunch and I’m happy and proud to be part of them.
Blogging has given me an outlet for my thoughts and feelings. It has allowed me to grow my social media and most importantly, gain new acquaintances. I would like to meet people in person, but being abroad can make that difficult. Blogging gives me purpose. I don’t just feel like “mum”. I have something else to keep me going also. #triballove
Sarah - Mum & Mor recently posted…7 Ways I’m Cutting Costs For My Wedding
I think it is great that the blog has given you an outlet.Blogging is a bit like therapy at times 🙂
The community of support is overwhelming isn’t it? I’ve been blown away by what a wonderful inclusive and engaging group mummy (and daddy) bloggers are. There is never a lonely moment - there always seems to be someone awake! I’m glad you feel the same lovely and you really are more than welcome for the flowers - I am just sad that you have been through such an experience xx
justsayingmum recently posted…What really happens when you remove a teen from Wi-Fi
Awww thank you lovely, they were lovely! Yep, we are part of a wonderful community 🙂
Thanks for mentioning my post. I hope you’re feeling stronger now hun xxx
I am! Thank you xx
Such a lovely post and something I’m just finding out about. I also naively though that blogging was easy, how wrong was I but I love it.
I’ve only just come across your blog but will definitely be back 🙂
It is a lot of work but so worth it!
This is a lovely post Emma. I started blogging because I wanted to write too, and I never even knew this community existed, so it has been a lovely surprise. #tribe
Single Mum Speaks recently posted…Extended Breastfeeding and Parenting Judgement
Thank you lovely. We are very lucky to be a part of this amazing community 🙂 x
Same same same
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Thank you :- )xx
Blogging has given me lots of things. My favorite though is learning an appreciation for amazing bloggers and gorgeous sites like yours. I think I stumbled upon it through one of my late night Pinterest and Merlot pinning sessions. This has been a year of bummers. From the divorce to my dad passing to taking on tie twins full time. Isolation has been my only friend and writing is the only voice I can use anymore
Oh thank you for your lovely comment. I am sorry to hear that you have been through some challenging times and I hope that things start to get easier for you.
I can really relate to how you’ve been feeling. I love to write but I find the other side of it with the SEO etc complicated and so time consuming. This is such a great post and in answer to your question blogging has given me a voice. #bigpinklink
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Thank you! Yaaay to blogging giving you a voice. That is amazing.
What a lovely post! I totally agree that the community is such an important part of blogging. I have gotten to know such a lovely group of talented, smart and interesting women, and I’m so happy to be part of it. #triballove
Squirmy Popple recently posted…Little girls aren’t princesses
It is an amazing community 🙂
That’s lovely. It is an amazingly open and supportive community. I’m sorry you’ve been having a hard time., strength to you. I’m still finding my way in this world, but for me I would have to say its given me a voice and a reclaiming of self.
themotherhub.ie recently posted…How to ‘enjoy’ a family ‘holiday.’
Oh that is brilliant. I love how it is enabling you reclaim yourself 🙂
Beautiful post! Such a nice way to say thank you! I know what you mean. I started for the same reason as you and then I got all into it. Maybe too much sometimes? It’s so so nice from the girls of tribal chat to have sent you flowers! They are fab.
I know that sometimes I am obsessed with my blog. You know the feeling, you do something in your day life and you can’t stop thinking ‘Oh I’ll write about that! You are excited, the idea popped up. But by the time you do all the stuff around blogging that you mentioned, you are knackered. You don’t want to write anymore. You even doubt yourself. Is it good enough? Is it worth being written, yet being read? Right, you got it. I must stop, otherwise, I will be writing a post right here on your page!!! Lol. Hope you feel better, thinking of you xxx #bigpinklink
the frenchie mummy recently posted…12 stereotypes (or not?) about Frenchie women
Haha, thank you. We have to be really careful that we don’t let our blogs take over our life. But blogging is fab 🙂
Ah that’s so lovely Emma. I’m not sure anyone likes me enough to send me flowers haha but I’m definitely getting to know people and seeing how lovely the blogging community is x #bigpinklink
Emma Plus Three recently posted…BAKED: Amazing Bakes to Create With Your Child
Hello and this has made me both sad and happy to read. I’m sorry you’ve had a hard time and I hope you’re ok. I wholeheartedly agree there is SO much more to do than just writing… and also that the community rocks. I always ALWAYS feel guilty I’m not ‘doing enough’ in the bloggosphere (would love to join the tribe chat, par example, but just NEVER am free on a Tuesday eve) and I see so many people doing such brilliant things - yourself included, obvs. - that sometimes it’s hard not to feel a bit down in the dumps. I’ve had a pretty crappy three or four weeks but you’re right: everyone is so kind and lovely and you just have to remember why you started: to write. #bigpinklink
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Ah gorgeous sentiments and gorgeous flowers. I love that the tribe has got your back. Looking forward to returning to it soon! Hope you are doing ok lovely, take your time with everything… xxxx
I’m really sorry that you’ve been feeling a little low, but I think you’re so right-to find friends who will celebrate your success, and be on the end of a message/phone call no matter what, is just so hugely important, and priceless. The flowers are beautiful, and that kind of gesture must’ve picked you up enormously. I’m on a little blog ‘step back’ at the moment, just because I’ve got other things that need to be a priority for a while. Tbh I’m quite enjoying the headspace! I was the same as you, I just thought I could write a post and hit publish, but I’ve been finding all the self promotion-comment threads, SEO, stumbling, algorithms, just exhausting!! So while I’m stepping back, apart from this linky, I’m taking an ‘if people find my posts they do, if they don’t, they don’t’ approach!! I think it’s reminded me that blogging is for me, just writing when I have something to say, and not stressing if I don’t, or just don’t want to.
#bigpinklink
This Mum’s Life recently posted…The Big Pink Link Week 27
I’m sorry to hear you’ve had a tough time, I hope you are coming through the other side. I love blogging and had no clue about all the ‘stuff’ that goes with it, but I am enjoying learning more about it. I just wish my to do list was a bit smaller, as there is always things that need doing. I have been taking a back seat over the summer holidays and it has given me time to reflect on my blog and everything that comes with it. I think I need to find a way to feel more part of the blogging community, I am not every good at putting myself out there. But then I read lovely posts like this and think how wonderful it is that people care so much to send you flowers and what a lovely group of friends you have made. That is my new goal, just need to get my big girl pants on and do it! x
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Ah that’s really lovely how very thoughtful. It’s so nice that with writing a post comes so much more. So much you never expected! #bigpinklink
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This is such a true post! half the things on your list I don’t even do but I love the posts I read and the people I have met! I even had one to stay this week 😉 It’s brill and I’m so glad I started blogging xx #bigpinklink ps hope you ok now x