Blogging: Is It Worth It?


Blogging sure is a time commitment, isn't it?

Those of you who are merely readers perhaps don't realise just how much effort goes in to running this domain. I don't use merely as an insult, I adore you all, but you understand the need to distinguish. Those of you with blogs will surely know that when you're posting three times a week it requires ideas, writing, editing, pictures, promotion, monitoring of comments, and all the little details that makes a blog worth reading. When this is a side hobby, albeit a loved one, it can become a little exhausting. I write this over breakfast, before class which will be followed by my internship, then the gym, then dinner, and then sleep. Making time for writing can be hard.

Which sometimes leads me to wonder: is it really worth it? Growth around here has been slow, which is possibly because it isn't my priority. I love it, and some days I feel overwhelmed with inspiration and ideas that I want to share with you, but it's not my priority. So then when my readership is crawling upwards I sometimes despair and wonder why I devote so much energy towards this space.

But then I remember why I do it.

 I do it because I need my advice as much as you do, perhaps more so, and so when it becomes published I can look back and remind myself. I can't tell you how many times I ended up searching on my own site for what to do when I was feeling guilty, because the woman you read on here is infinitely wiser than the scared little girl who feels awful about not being able to help someone.

I do it because it has improved my writing dramatically. It is practise, practise that occurs with alarming frequency, and practise is the only way to improve. When I look back on old posts I cringe at how little the words flow, how clunky it all feels, and then I remember that it is simply a sign of how far I've come. That's not to say that my writing is anything special, I have a long way to go in that regard, but it is undoubtedly better.

I do it because I can look back over my travel posts and videos, and it it makes me smile: it is like a snapshot of trips gone by. I do it because my grandma can see where I've been. She once told me that it was like she was travelling from her armchair and I nearly cried with happiness.

I do it because I want to work in the non-profit digital world, and more than one internship has been impressed with what I've written. It shows commitment, writing ability, time management, and creativity, and it exists right here for anyone to see.

And mostly I do it because it's become a part of my life that I cherish. Of course I want readers, and I am so grateful to everyone who takes the time to comment or share my posts. The words you write about me are held within my heart, and comfort me when I wonder what the point of it all is. Knowing just one person can relate to what I've shared through vulnerability is a gift. But even without readers I would still feel this compulsion to write, it may just have to be confined to a journal instead.

So yes, it is very much worth it.


19 comments:

  1. I loved this & I definitely agree! Blogging really is a time commitment but like you said too - for me it's worth it as well just because it's what I love to do. I like being able to share my thoughts and write whatever I feel like writing down & if it helps someone that's even better. Looking back at my own posts is something I do too because sometimes it can be hard to follow your own advice. Thank you for this little reminder of why it's totally worth it :) x

    Sara / AboutLittleThiings

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you agree Sara! I think it's great that you think it's worth it, and we all need a reminder of that from time to time :) xx

      Delete
  2. This is a great post Liza. I completely know where you're coming from - I know it's not all about numbers but it is disheartening when the growth is slow. After blogging for 6 years now there are plenty of times when I've wanted to give up and it's not worth the time and effort. But you are SO right. It's so important to remind ourselves of WHY we're doing it. We didn't start our blogs to get recognition or fame or fortune, we started because we love to write, because it's therapeutic and because we want to have something physical to look back on.
    It's ok to have moments of self doubt, and also to remember that there are readers who adore your writing - even if the numbers aren't increasing, you are still helping those that are still there. I love your advice posts and your honesty and writing always inspires me. Keep going Liza xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Katie you are quickly becoming one of my all time favourite people! I can't believe you've been blogging for six years - that's such a huge commitment and so admirable :) Thank you for your kind words about my writing, you're such an inspiration to me so to hear that from you means the world xxx

      Delete
  3. Great post. With the title I was wondering what you were going to say but so glad you turned it round and made it positive! :-)


    moremindfulyou.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always like to keep things positive! But in all seriousness I needed to write the post in order for me to feel positive about it :) thank you for your comment xx

      Delete
  4. I totally agree with everything in this post! It's so true - so many great things about it. To me, the feedback I get from people outweighs the (few) negatives.

    Meg | A Little Twist Of…

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're right, it definitely does outweigh the negatives :) So thank you for your feedback! xx

      Delete
  5. I love this post so much, and man does it resonate with me. I think for most bloggers, blogging is something that isn't a priority, it can be tough getting your blogging to a place where it can be your full time priority, so I think you are definitely not alone in all these feelings. I resonate also with the reasons you listed about why you continue to blog anyway, and I will definitely be saving this post so I have it to come back to for inspiration and motivation in those times that I lack the drive to keep going. Great post and keep doing what you're doing :)

    Amy
    thenoiseinwonderland.blogspot.com.au

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy, I can't tell you how happy it makes me that this resonates with you. In fact knowing that I'm connecting with people is one of the reasons I love to blog! It definitely helps to know that I'm not alone in not treating this as my priority, so thank you for reminding me of that xx

      Delete
  6. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this! You are so right - I think blogging is an EXTREME commitment! But it is so worth it. I have never started something, a hobby so to speak, that gave me back so much and helped me grow as a person in a way that I never expected it to!

    Love, Kerstin
    http://www.missgetaway.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kerstin it's so great that you're getting so much back from blogging! Stick with it, it's definitely worth the commitment :) xxx

      Delete
  7. When reading this it felt like I was reading my own words, sometimes it would be so easy to give up blogging but then I remember how much I enjoy talking about the things I love with like minded people
    The Lipstick, The Girl and Her Wardrobe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you love it then keep at it Eleanor! That's the most important thing :) xxx

      Delete
  8. Completely agree it's a place to put things you can look back on in the future. Where if you lose something precious you'll know it's backed up so you can capture it again . It is time consuming but it's great seeing the world you can create !
    Www.glitzandglamourmakeup.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your comment Kathy, I'm so glad you agree :) xxx

      Delete
  9. Love this and definitely can relate! xx

    www.laynefable.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your comment, I love hearing when people relate to my posts! xx

      Delete
  10. I recently started my own blog, and blooming heck and I certainly didn't realize the workload I was taking on, but I have to say I've been thoroughly enjoying writing, and snapping - I just can't seem to get the hang of promotion and connecting with other bloggers as well as I'd like to. x

    www.sheintheknow.co.uk

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and share your thoughts with me. I read and reply to each and every one.