Welcome Claudia to The Life of a Blogger Series! Claudia is a versatile blogger who has been inspired to start not one not two but four blogs! That’s an inspired blogger! See links to these blogs in the post! Take it away Claudia!
True confession…I have always loved writing. In my naïve youth, I wrote poetry, songs and stories. I kept a journal, lost many years ago, into which I unabashedly poured my feelings.
But time moved on and I became a responsible grown up.
I got a job, got married, had children, went back to school, started a new career, upgraded my life partner, got a farm and built a new business. Writing? Hah! I didn’t even have time for reading, let alone writing.
And then I found blogging.
Blogging set my passion for writing free. I was able to blog about life’s journey, about my dental practice and about my social media coaching business. I even started a photography blog to share my latest passion. When I first started blogging, I was unstoppable. I was glued to my computer and anxious to not only expound on the topic of the day but, I wanted to visit and comment on every blog that I could possibly find that appealed to me. Eating became an annoying interruption…coffee my savior. In-real-life activities were sidelined. Relationships were put on hold. I was addicted to the world of blogging. I was living the dream…I was living the life of a blogger.
Until it sucked me dry.
And now? Now I blog when I want to blog. I’ve gone from stressing over unrealistic posting schedules to posting only when I feel drawn to share a message. On occasion I still have to tame that loud nagging voice in my head reminding me that search engines need me to provide fresh content or I’m never going to be found. In fact, ironically, I coach others about the importance of generating fresh content on their websites. I still struggle. But, I’m happier now blogging when I want to blog. Typically, you can tell when I have been bitten by the writing bug because I will be posting in both of my business blogs on the same day. And recently, I’ve even resurrected that “life’s journey” blog with the intent to “journal” about the reinvention of life once again.
My take away?
Blog responsibly. Seriously. If you have a business or if you just want to write, blog what you love and love what you blog. Blogging should enhance your online experience, not make it more stressful. Try not to compare your blog to others. Try not to count on comments as a measure of your blogging worth. Find your voice and blog your passion.
Does blogging stress you out? Or do you love to blog? Is time management an issue in your life as a blogger?
Would you like to tell your story? Email me and I’ll send you the Guidelines for submitting your contribution.
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This is just what I needed to hear right now. Thank you for that. :-)))
Thank you, Claudia! I posted on my blog five times in December, but only once in January. Common advice is to post daily or at least consistently, but I tend to blog when I have something to say. Thank you for your reminder that "Blogging should enhance your online experience, not make it more stressful." Much appreciated.
@sdekins Susan, how nice to see you here! Thank you for your kind comment! I think that my feeling regarding blogging enhancing and not stressing applies to life as well. We should all be striving to enhance rather than stress our lives and finding joy in blogging is just one component of that philosophy...do you agree? Shouldn't the enhancing experiences in our lives bring us joy and not stress....and if they DO bring us stress, perhaps a reevaluation is necessary. I love that you listened to your instincts and posted only when you had something that you wanted to say/share.
BTW...it's nice to see someone in @Lori 's community here that is actually local to my IRL community...thank you my Chicago-land neighbor!!
@SocialMediaDDS @Lori Good to hear from you, Claudia. I agree it's generally best to make choices that enhance rather than stress our lives, but not always. If we choose to do a ministry like caring for a loved one, that is potentially stressful but it is admirable. We need to take extra care of ourselves when we do go through a stressful time.
Claudia, I meant to mention how much I like your "view" behind your monitor. At first glance it looks like a painting!
@Lori Haha...thank you...it does lend itself to a little bit of daydreaming...I like to think that those daydreams bring inspiration! ;-)
Yes, I can definitely relate to what you say about making the shift from pushing yourself to keep a schedule to writing when you want -- I made that shift myself, and I also moved from posting on topics that I thought people would be interested in, and giving advice, to writing whatever I want. That's much more in keeping with why I write, which is to improve my own understanding of myself, and hopefully do the same for others as a positive side effect. :)
@acordaamor Hi Chris....thanks for stopping by and joining in on the conversation! I really respect you for listening to your instincts and writing about what speaks to you! And, I think inherent in that decision is the probability that your post will be truer to you and therefore speak more authentically to your audience! Are you happier and less stressed doing it this way? Do you have issues with finding time to read other people's blogs like @Lori @Late_Bloomers @bdorman264 and I do lately?
Hey, why don't you do a teefus upgrade blog? Imagine that.......
I really like the writing but hate the fact I can't (or won't) devote the time to giving back and sharing right now. It makes me feel selfish so the dilemma is, do I even keep blogging? I've put so much into it I would hate to see it go away, but my day job is cookin' w/ gas right now so I need to strike while the iron is hot I suppose.
Good to see you Claudia, I hope all is well with you.
@bdorman264 Hi Bill....I miss you! I really can relate to your dilemma...it's what I was saying to @Late_Bloomers that I have such guilt not "chatting" with the friends that I've made online at their "homes". My "day job" has become very (happily) time consuming as well and it's hard to find time. I just hope that the friends that I have made understand that I still care and think of them....you included! Thanks for stopping by today!
@SocialMediaDDS @bdorman264 @Late_Bloomers It's an interesting dilemma! I'm noticing too that I need to spend more time with my business. When we all started blogging we all had a lot more time to traverse the blogosphere. I do the best I can, and usually find time to get to my favourite porches but I don't porch-hop day and night like I used to. I wonder what this says about us that #1/ we started blogging #2/ our businesses grew ;-)
@Lori @bdorman264 @Late_Bloomers I think that you have hit the nail on the proverbial head Lori...that first pendulum swing is almost always over zealous...once it settles, the rhythm starts to flow naturally and easily. We just have to pay attention to that rhythm!
@SocialMediaDDS @bdorman264 @Late_Bloomers Or maybe we just got happy!? Maybe the balance between business and blogging gave us something that balanced us and if that's the case, it's worth finding our way back to a balance that works. Maybe, as is usually the case, the pendulum initially swung too far and now it is settling.
@Lori @bdorman264 @Late_Bloomers I wonder too. I know for me, my porch hopping time is greatly diminished since I relocated my office...I am MUCH more involved in my new place and am there 4-6 days a week plus teaching one day a week so my available "free" time is so small now. The great news is that I LOVE what I am doing but I do miss my online communities very much. I think that there may be a correlation to the growth of our businesses and the onset of our blogging experiences in that I personally have learned so so much from the different blog friends I have made and those lessons have translated into better understanding of the entrepreneurial experience.
Claudia, you are amazing, what a wonderful post! I knew you have a great sense of humour but "upgrading my life partner" threw me! And you keep your jewel blogs well hidden ...
Wonderful photography of your working space, I love it, it reminds me to work with something more sophisticated than my iPhone apps!
I think we all went through similar phases, yet I have to admit I still feel guilty about not posting regularly, do you not? But why should I post anything when I do not feel I have anything to say? And the whole social media circus (which is already proof that I am somewhat feeling guilty about not having a 24/7 online presence) ...
I have to admit it is a straight yes - yes - yes to your three questions! Three cheers to you, Claudia, dear friend!
Latest blog post: YOUR TURN! Lori’s Winter Tabbouleh!
@Late_Bloomers Sweet Barbara! You always make my day and cause me to smile! I am feeling less guilty about blogging only when I feel inspired...but I REALLY struggle with the guilt I have in not regularly visiting the wonderful and welcoming "homes" of the many friends that I have grown to love...
Thank you for your kind and supportive words my wonderful friend. Someday, we will have wine in Switzerland ;-)
@SocialMediaDDS @Lori @bdorman264 Good evening, dear Claudia, Lori and Bill! Today was a good day: we ventured out to celebrate a local custom, Vogel Gryff, (http://www.vogel-gryff.ch/brauchtum/kurz/gryff_en.php) it was freezing cold but sunny, you would have loved it and taken your beautiful pictures!
Why am I mentioning this when we talk about inspired blogging (and growing businesses)? Maybe because it is a very intensely lived event IRL and made me think of living in two parallel worlds, each demanding a lot from us not only time wise. We have a saying in German "Du kannst nicht auf zwei Hochzeiten tanzen" (you cannot dance at two weddings at the same time) and we cannot burn the candle at both ends. I have done both and now it is time to settle into this naturally flowing rhythm as you said.
You are welcome in my home anytime, Claudia, and we will share more than a glass of wine ;-)
Latest blog post: YOUR TURN! Lori’s Winter Tabbouleh!
My favorite takeway from this post: I’ve gone from stressing over unrealistic posting schedules to posting only when I feel drawn to share a message.
Hi @CoachKimH ! Thank you so much for stopping by and for sharing your favorite take away! Are you able to keep the blogging stress level to a manageable roar and post only when inspired? Do you have any tips to share?
Hi Claudia,
I'm glad you are pouring the tea today because I'm still way under the weather (too sick to blog :o!?!?!)
But I wanted to respond to your inspiring blogger path before I go try to sleep again.
It seems everyone resonates with your discovery that blogging needs to be fun and flowy! It's a learning curve, I guess, one that you have to travel yourself!
When I started I was blogging three times a week. I soon realized that it was too much so I backed down to two times a week until very recently. I do like to keep a schedule - I love it actually, but for me it's not a problem since I prepare my posts, usually, well in advance of publication. For instance, right now I'm good until mid February. :-) That's the only way I'm not stressed out. I need to be ahead of the deadlines, yes MY deadlines! I need a lot of time for editing and re-thinking. But I love love love it!
Lori
P.S. Now I'm off to find a comfy sofa!
@Lori I am so glad to hear that you are giving your body the rest it needs today (and perhaps tomorrow). And thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts about blogging! I, too, love to be organized...I live by lists! That said, I found that when I was posting on a "regular" schedule, blogging felt like a chore and IT began to control me. And, that was not a good feeling. So, my natural reaction was to step back completely ( this is what MY response was...not everyone would do the same) until I felt the desire to blog again. And then, I just listened to my instincts as to when a new idea for a post came to me. Like @MelanieAThomp , it happens in waves. In my everyday real life, however, I still live by the almighty list and I am always trying out new methods of organization. I let blogging, however, move me.
Sleep well!
xoxo
Hello Claudia,
I so agree with your point about only blogging when you want to. At first I was convinced that I should post every single day! That's what it said on all the 'How To Blog' sites at that time, and as a newcomer I did as I was told. But not anymore.
Blogging enhances my life, no doubt about it. It's hard not to compare my site with others but as I gain experience I realise that I can only do it my way. I love it and would be lost without my writing.
@LindaMHewett Hi Linda!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience with blogging. You are right...so many of the "how to's" out there told us to saturate our audience with a post every single day! Personally, I think that is overkill. And an assignment that is doomed to failure for most of us. Writing takes time. It has to come from within. You can't force it. If you force it, you won't be true to your "voice"...these are the lessons that I have learned with trial and error. As with most things in life, you really need to listen to your instincts and it sounds like that is exactly what you did! I love " Blogging enhances my life...but I realize that I can only do it my way"...that is perfect!! Did you start to dislike writing/blogging when you felt that you had to post every day? Did it become a chore?
I love this! Such an honest post. It's so easy to feel the pressure to blog frequently and make sure you are sticking to a strict schedule but when the stress overshadows the fun that made ou start in the first place I love that you re-evaluated and decided to blog when the bug bit! I too feel the same way. I blog in waves. Sometimes daily for a few weeks in a row and sometimes weekly for a month in a row. Have you ever thought about merging your blogs to make one that is just "you"? Or do you feel that the audiences are too different? Just curious! Thanks for the peek into your inspired life! :)
@MelanieAThomp Good morning Melanie! Thanks so much for your kind words! I actually HAVE thought about merging my blogs but, your supposition is exactly right...they are far too different in their message and intent and there really would never be a way to create a relevant and cohesive outcome. That is part of the reason that I just resurrected my "personal" blog because that is the kind of writing that I love the most and that I missed the most. It's what @CorinneRodrigues described as "blogging from within"...and that is my favorite kind of blogging. While I LOVE my businesses and their blogs, sometimes it just doesn't seem quite fulfilling enough to blog about teeth or social media for dentists. ;-) Here's to wave blogging! Do you find that blogging in waves allows you to find your "muse" more easily? Does she come to you and then you write?
Thanks for sharing your journey, Claudia. I can see echoes of it in my blogging story too. I have started and stopped various blogs. But now I'm down to three - including my dog's blog! We must never let the pundits and the 'big' bloggers fool us into trying to fit into a particular mould - but blog from within - that's when we will truly be heard.
@CorinneRodrigues I love this Corinne..."blog from within - that's when we will truly be heard", That is beautiful...and TRUE! I love that you have a a blog for your dog! I will have to visit this blog! Of your three blogs, do you find that one of them speaks more about you than the others? And, I agree...it is so important to not compare ourselves to big bloggers or really any other bloggers at all...our blogs are our voice and we should be proud of how that voice sounds!
@SocialMediaDDS Yes, one blog is very much me - it's called Everyday Gyaan. The other one is Pablo's (my boxer dog - does that ring a bell?;)) and the third I've just started with my husband - has book and travel reviews.
@CorinneRodrigues Hahaha...thank you for the boxer reference! I appreciate you taking a look around! I am certainly going to visit your sites...they sound very intriguing! And a blog on book and travel reviews...ambitious and FUN!!
Thanks again Corinne!!
This rings so true! Writing is a joy but also a commitment. We want to engage with our online friends, but that can clash with real-life responsibilities. Your post reminds us how important it is to find a middle way.
Thanks for your kind comment Jane! It is a conundrum at times. I found that in my "early days" (makes me feel so old) of online interaction, including blogging, I got swept up in the chaotic frenzy of wanting to be all things to all online friends at all times. It was almost addictive to build relationships through blogs and I wanted more. I don't remember what my "aha" moment was, but I realized that I couldn't keep burning the candle at both ends. I had to put more energy in my real life and go to blogging only when the spirit moved me....AND be okay with that! ;-)
Have you found that middle ground Jane?