You guys, I am having a serious identity crisis.
As you can tell, the crickets and tumble weeds have taken over Lizzie in Progress. Some of it has come from general life stuff taking up my time, but a lot of it is coming from I have no idea what I want this blog to be anymore.
I read this fantastic post from Rambling Renovators that basically talks about the shift in the blog world in the past year or so. When I started blogging in 2009, it was all about commenting on other blogs and creating friendships through following/followers. Now its all about Pins, Tweets and Instagram. A lot of my favorite bloggers have turned their blog into a business, and while I think that is fantastic for them, I find myself weary of reading nearly every post is sponsored by so-and-so. Give aways have become work too: it used to be a comment on the post. Now I have to follow this person on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest , Twitter along with the eight other blogs they've joined up with. Truth gun to my head, I just don't have that kind of time! But I see these blogs and I start to feel like I can't compete with their amazing renovations or perfectly planned parties. In the back of my mind, I start to think... why bother? I'm never going to be a powerhouse on Pinterest. I'll never have 15K followers on Instagram. If no one is commenting, then is anyone out there?
So consider this my mission statement: I am never going to make money from this blog. I realize that. This is basically my personal diary of what is going on in my life. If I don't get any blog traffic, that's fine- I enjoy looking back in my archives and remembering what I was thinking at a certain point in my life. That's why I started this.
As far as topics go, I am going to keep the same variety it's always been: sometimes JEGs and I will renovate a room. Sometimes Hunter will say something cute and I need to share it with the world (it happens a lot, let's be honest). If a friend has a beautiful wedding, I want to share it with everyone. I will probably break out the glue gun and get all crafty up in this bish. Sometimes I just want to talk about this amazing pair of shoes I found at Target. I am a suburban mom who loves pretty things, and I don't want to be pigeon holed into one specific topic.
My plan is to revamp this blog. Lizzie has progressed as far as she's going to go, and I am coming back as Amy. I am going to give the whole blog a face lift, and I am going to really try to not succumb to the pressure of Pinterest and just do what I love- write about the shit that's going on in my little corner of the world.
I'll see you on the flip side.
Always & Forever,
ME.
#truth #ditto
ReplyDeleteAMEN.
I'm in the same place you are, only I can't even commit to getting around to being back to blogging. But, good luck with your personal rebranding!
How I love this post. I'm glad my words resonated with you. I feel the same way... that we've all become focused on 'making it big' somehow, even if that wasn't our intent with our blogs. I think we were all much happier in the days when blogging was less of a business and more of an outlet, a passion, and something you did for you. Glad to hear you're getting back to that. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteI love Jen & her sentiments. And I love you & agree with everything you wrote. I always intended for my blog to chronicle our life but was swept up with the money making aspect for a bit before Quinn was born....my priorities have shifted now with motherhood, Instagram, etc. Somewhere along the way I realized I didn't feel genuine so I reverted back to my blogging roots.
ReplyDeleteI've turned down sponsorship posts, giveaway opps, collaborations. It might seem my blog's not successful due to this but it's successful in documenting MY life. And I'm so much happier when I do blog because I feel honest.
Excited to see where you take it from here, friend!
xoxo
PS. I def have less time to comment on blogs these days! I scroll thru blog posts on my phone whilst Q throws food at me then get on with our day, HA!
I"m happy to see your blog in my reader and will always try to come over and connect. My favorite part of blogging is meeting such amazing people like you.
ReplyDeleteBlogging can become work, and that's when it loses the fun. I think you have to find the right path for you, and this sounds like a great path. I can't wait to follow along.
So funny, I was just thinking the other day I hadn't seen any updates from you in a while, and here you are! I totally agree with your thoughts on blogging right now. I'm pretty active on other social media as well, but I am still trying to keep my blog going (at least a monthly recap post) as a diary for myself, which was what I originally intended when I started blogging 15+ years ago (before blogs were even a thing!). It's not a job, it's for me. I like reading about what other normal people are doing too, though!
ReplyDeleteyes! YES!!
ReplyDeletei've felt exactly the same way. and clearly, it's a thing, since so many people have expressed similar sentiments.
i too feel happy for those moms who can make money blogging, but i don't really care about random brand they wrote a post for. i want so support them, but i just have trouble caring sometimes.
and too, i feel like my posts are so measly compared to that. it's too much effort to try to compete. i'm glad you're still going on! i always love reading your posts, even if i don't comment (stupid phone making it hard to do so!). my fave blogs aren't the big famous ones, but the ones like yours who talk about real life. i know what you say is genuine. it's not paid for or created so as to be pinnable.
keep up the good work, AMY! (ps-that threw me for such a loop a few years ago when shannon or someone mentioned you by name - i was like, who's amy???)