Image by Yves Lorson on permanent vacation’s photostream
When I first started blogging, I thought it a mere obsession. I tried to blog every day, developing a ritual by chronicling my personal style. Once it became a habit, and the more involved I became with my blog, the more time it took, and the more I demanded of myself. I love the growth, and it’s opened the door to many other opportunities, but at what cost?
Once I asked a fellow blogger how much time she spends blogging, she replied, “oh, about 2 hours a day” She has a pretty successful blog, so I thought I was doing something wrong because I was spending nearly every night researching, getting linked into various social networks, looking for new blogs….etc. Juggling everything in my life started to get pretty intense. Then I realized, it was stress.
This Sunday, the New York Times wrote a compelling article about the role of stress in a bloggers life. The 24/7, round-the-clock nature of the web has bloggers latched onto the ether struggling to be the first, the best, whatever, and it’s having grave consequences. One blogger gained 30lbs since he started his blog. (I’ve gained 10). Two leading bloggers have actually died of heart attacks in the past few months.
Blogging can be loads of fun. Heck, I wouldn’t do it, if it weren’t. It can be stressful, hard, intense.
It’s also very important to take care, be healthy.
What kinds of things to do you do to stay happy, healthy and well rested as a blogger?
That is amazing and tragic about the two bloggers that died but it may not have had anything to do with the stress of blogging. With the revolution of the web it means that readers expect instant access to stories so hence the stress for bloggers to beat everyone to the punch. However it depends on what your goals and aims are for bloggging. Mine is for pure pleasure; when I want and when I feel I have something interesting to say. This ends up to being around once a week which can be a lot less than other bloggers. However this means that I never get to the stage where I am thinking, ‘Damm I have to blog’ because that takes away the essence of it. The best blogs are the ones that are written with zest and passion because the blogger has taken as much pleasure into writing the blog as you did reading it. So whether that is once a week or twice a day – it is all irrelevant as long as it is a good blog.
Amazingly, your post came right before this post from Pro Blogger. It’s really interesting, because it’s been something I’ve been dealing with in my own life– stress because I haven’t been blogging much, trying to wade through the real life things, trying to do the “fun” thing, worrying about redesigning, etc.
It does really get stressful! And I’m not even working on it professionally.
I agree with Ondo Lady about what people are blogging for — I don’t feel the need to “break news” on my blog, but I try to write at least two posts a week and have reoccuring themes/posts (weekly link round-ups, etc.) so that there’s always that to, I suppose, “fall back on”.
I also purposefully chose to go in with friends on blogging instead of going alone, so that we (attempt to) balance it among us than if it was just me alone.
But honestly, what I do is I go out and do things: I visit shops and go to events and get out there with a camera and a notebook (and, uh, my wallet). I can only do so much when I’m sitting at my office desk — I get out of the house and do things “for the blog” and wind up having a great time.
A way to stay healthy and well rested as a blogger is not to be stressed over it. It’s just a blog. There’s a whole life waiting for me out there. I would say to stop reading too many blogs about blogging, SEO and all that because that would seriously freak you out as to what you should and should not be doing. I had a bit of a blog breakdown a while back because I was so worried that I was doing it wrong, that I’m not optimising my site well enough, etc. In the end, it took away the fun in blogging, and I started to not want to write.
At the end of the day, the number of subscribers will go up or down. If it’s the former, great for you. If it’s the latter, so what? Humans are fickle creatures. Don’t stress over it, and move on. If you don’t let it bother you, you’d write better
Hi from Paris !
I eat cheese and drink red burgundy wine !
But you know I am French … (Sorry).
Thankx for the link
I just put the banner on Easy fashion in Paris …
I am happy to join IFB.
@+
Fred the MOle
I’m glad this conversation came up on IFB. Being a new blogger is intimidating. Yes, I was stressed. I wasn’t sure which platform to use, I’m a Photoshop novice, and spelling is my weak spot. What if I embarrass myself?? I found a lot of answers on IFB which all helped me to relax and build confidence.
It took me a couple weeks to buck-up and publish my first post, and with the first click of the “publish post” button, stress turned into excitement and pride. Maybe because that feeling is still fresh, I am able to shake off any anxiety related to posting. As I post true to my interests and instincts, I notice my confidence shines just as much when I’m not in front of the computer. I believe that is the greatest reward of blogging, more then the success of the blog.
I read that article and it focused mainly on tech bloggers, who really have to be on top of things 24/7 because of the nature of that industry (always changing). If I remember correctly, the two bloggers who died were both tech bloggers. I think that, while those of us who blog about other subjects are stressed, it’s not so bad that we have to worry about actually dying.
I have recently started a blog at the beginning of this year and have become somewhat of a blogoholic. I’m lucky to have a job that I love, but blogging still gives me that little escape from reality. It’s a hobby almost. I blog because I love it. If it got to the point where I was getting stressed out about it – I think I would stop.
I blog about my life, my loves and my take on fashion. If I have nothing to blog about one day … I won’t go looking for something just for sake of it. I think that would take the joy of writing your post. It would become like a job, something you feel obligated to do.
What I’m trying to say is that if your starting to feel stressed out about blogging, like you need to to get visitors. Then remember why you started your blog, blog for the love of it, enjoy every word you type.
I think some bloggers find success writing about what interests them the most. It’s not always about the newest information. There are many blogs out there that are very idiosyncratic, with the blogger focusing on exploring and developing their personal style. There might always be that pressure to always outdo oneself, but I doubt it’s as extreme as keeping up with technology, like tina topaz said.
I work and blog from home. Sometimes I feel like my whole life happens on this lap top. And I’m trying really hard to grow my blog right now so it’s very easy to sacrifice my “real life.” But when I start to freak out (usually at least once a week), I just remind myself that if I follow my instincts, take advantage of the opportunities that come to me naturally, and turn off my computer for an hour most evenings, it’s all going to work out.
Most entries will take me at least a couple of hours to put together, because of the amount of time I spend resizing & cleaning up images, and in some cases, researching and finding other images. I don’t force myself to blog every day, but I do aim for a minimum of two new posts a week. I guess it’s as stressful as anything that you put effort into, but ultimately, bloggers set their own hours and workloads.
I know aaaallll about this. As a fashion blogger, college student AND total obsessive perfectionist (I’m a Virgo…), I totally get stressed about blogging a lot: and it’s something I love to do more than anything!
I think the blogging world definitely has its pressures and the best way to deal is just stop comparing your blog to other blogs! Compare your own blog to your own blog. Is your blog better now than it was a month ago? Are you learning more about blogging or becoming a better writer or getting more comments on a regular basis? That’s the key for me right there.
Also, if you can’t blog because, oh yeah, you have a life, your readers will understand. It’s not the end of the world if you can’t post one day or something comes up!
Sometimes I write what I think is a great post but can’t come up with a good ending. That is really stressful, especially if it’s about something current that NEEDS TO GO UP NOW! In the end, sometimes i just have to put it up as is and get over it. Blogs are supposed to be informal and spontaneous, that’s their charm so I think you shouldn’t get yourself in a tizzy about them.
Totally agree with Ondolady, you should blog cos you enjoy it, not out of duty.
I really don’t see blogging as a “job” it’s another medium {one I adore} to share what inspires me + the discoveries I find with others.
I’ve been blogging this way for a while now. Most people find my blog by chance, so perhaps that’s why I don’t feel “pressure”.
I get a lot of e-mails from people asking me to blog more often, but I never make it a secret that this is pure fun for me. I think I’d stop the day it got too stressful. I try my best to post once or twice a week, but sometimes this isn’t possible.
I just keep it all in perspective and blog about what I love rather than try to keep-up with the “Jones” as my mum would say hehe.
PS: Very thought-provoking topic.
As I am not a natural writer I do struggle alot on writing, don’t know how to express myself. I use pictures as a form of visual communication. Gosh I hate writing and typing……….so stressful.
I started blogging because I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to have fun and do something interesting while at home raising my kids. Soon I became to realize the blogosphere (and I’m talking fashion/beauty/style) is parted between young women (even girls) and stay-at-home-mothers trying to blog their way out of their homes, out of their lives and reaching others via internet. It’s not always easy for not everyone’s after the same thing when blogging. Some are searching for financial retributions, some for company, some see it as a way to stay out of stress (I’m sure you’ll contribute to that list of “why do I blog”). Hence, like any other activity, blogging can be stressful if done the wrong way. (I’d be making longer-than-the-post-comment if I’ll start explaining that). I think the answer as the question come from one place only – where you focus (your blog). If you know that, then you should very well know how to balance things out so you don’t let yourself stuck into blogging.
What do I do to stay happy, healthy and well rested as a blogger? I live my life!
i couldnt agree more with u !! bloggin can be so stressfull
I find I have a lot of guilt when I can’t blog or can’t shoot images for my blog because my life takes over. I don’t know why, but it also leads into stress. I’m kind of glad it’s not just me and my obsessive nature.
right now i’m redoing my blog so i have a lot of work to do, it’s all i think about…psh forget about friends and family
but once i have everything figured out i’ll be back to posting once daily which will probably only take up to a few hours of my time daily
Blogging IS my stress relief. It is pure escapism for me. With my current life style (full time stay at home mum) , it is so easy to lose touch with many of the creative and cool things I really love. My blog is a great motivator to look at life differently, seek out the fun and push myself to do things that perhaps B.B (before Blogging), I may have been too tired / lazy to do. It also helps me to stay organised and plan my time, particularly to have the chance to get outfit shots before I get baby spit on me.
In a nutshell, Blogging keeps me attuned to myself.
oh my gosh!! DIED, thats sooo tragic and extreme.. but I dont think it’s the blogging that kills people… Poeple have stress about their jobs,schools,relationships too! so If the Times says that having a relationship can lead to stress and that stress will kill us, will we all break up with our lovers?
Well, the #1 thing I’m learning how to do is to TURN OFF the computer when it’s time. There are some days 5 hours can go by, and I realize that I’m still in my pjs on a beautiful Sunday (like today). But after about 2 hours checkihg out others, writing new posts, and researching…soaking in the tub with a chick lit works wonders for my soul. I’m gonna admit it, a cigarette here and there helps, but so does doing push-ups and running on the treadmill. Oh, and retail therapy (when I can afford it) keeps me sane and lovely.
i can honestly admit that my work out regimin has suffered immensely since i’ve started blogging. my first instinct when i get home is to check how many hits i’ve had, what others are doing, take care of some networking and then add to my own site. but i have to admit that i’ve always lived and breathed fashion so it’s not a crazy-big adjustment really.
I just started blogging and so far I’m addicted. I can’t stop thinking about it, or reading it.
I write posts in advance when I can. When the mood hits me I back up drafts so I don’t have to feel like “OMG I haven’t posted all week”. I have backups. Also, I write about my personal life AND fashion, so I usually have something to say about one or the other. When I’m too busy to come up with topics, chances are it’s because something in my life is happening – and then I can write about that.
I must say, my blog was down for maybe 12 hours and just came back, and it is SICK how naked I felt without it.
- J @ Hollow-Star.net
Good article. Got me thinking so much I even linked it to a post of mine and wrote one of my own about it.
Love your blog btw.
This is so funny! but also sad and real. As a relatively new blogger, I try to keep my sanity by only writing when I’m truly inspired or excited and always keeping a small bit of dark chocolate by my desk…
Music also helps, as does a fresh glass of Pellegrino or a Vermouth with a squeeze of Valencia Orange!
I don’t get stressed about my blog, but I do worry about whether what I post is good enough. When I started, I hadn’t written anything other than a CV since being at school, so my spelling and grammar is rubbish and I ramble!
I do find that I am constantly thinking about my blog and it is effecting my quality of sleep. Not good! There are times when I like what I have posted, but after a few hours the doubts set in… It’s very bizarre because in real life I am very confident. On-line is where I’m insecure. I always thought it was supposed to be the other way around!
I’m glad you brought attention to this challenge! Blogging is like running a business. I’m still trying to figure out the best way to balance it all.
Blogging actually helps me to de-stress. When I write I just tap into that stream of consciousness and let the words flow.