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When Blogging Gets Hard

November 12, 2015 by Lindsay 120 Comments

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Hi friends –

Every couple of years, I feel the need to write a post for my fellow bloggers. In 2012 I wrote this one after I’d been blogging for a year and a half – Things Blogging Has Taught Me – Part 1. A little over a year later, I wrote this one – Things Blogging Has Taught Me – Part 2. Now here we are in 2015. I’ve been blogging for over five years. My blog has continued to grow and evolve and now I’m lucky enough to call it a job.

Like any job, it has its ups and downs and after a tough couple of weeks in a bit of a blogging rut, I felt inspired to share a few more blogging truths, along with some of the tips, tricks and lessons I’ve learned on my blogging journey.

When blogging gets hard and you find yourself in a rut, here's what to do.

Because, in the spirit of keeping it real….no matter where you are in your blogging journey, you WILL end up in a blogging rut at some point.

Blogging is hard. It takes work – both on the front and back end.  It takes time – probably more than most people imagine. And it’s not always fun.

Here are some blogging truths:

There will be fails. You will have weeks where you make 10 recipes and every.single. one will end up in the trashcan. There will be a post that you spends hours crafting and writing, that you think it’s the best thing you’ve ever written and when you publish it – no one will like it.

You’ll let your stats dictate your mood. Your pageviews will reach an all time high and you’ll be on cloud nine…and then they will nosedive, for no apparent reason, and you’ll spend a ridiculous amount of time thinking WTF did I do wrong?

You’ll get jealous. Someone else will publish a recipe that’s so brilliant that it immediately goes viral that you’ll spend the rest of the day wondering “why didn’t I think of that”. You’ll read a post about how someone makes thousands of dollars for a single sponsored post when you’ve never made any money off your blog. You’ll see someone taking an amazing trip without having to pay for any of it and you’ll think – why can’t I be that lucky?

You’ll fall behind. No matter how organized you are, or how far ahead you plan, there will be weeks when you don’t publish as many posts as you planned to. There will be emails that don’t get answered in a timely manner. There will be nights you stay up until 2am trying to finish a post because you forgot about a deadline.

You will feel overwhelmed. The sea of social media can drown even the strongest swimmer. And just when you think you’ve figured out some sort of schedule, the next big thing will ignite like wildfire and you’ll find yourself wondering how the hell you could possibly have time to do one more blog-related thing.

You’ll be criticized and judged. There will always be people out there who live to rob others of their joy. There are mean-spirited people who have nothing but negative things to say about you, your blog, your recipes, the way you dress, what you eat, etc. Blogs are, for the most part, a public forum. You’re putting yourself and a part, sometimes a large part, of your life out there for the world to see. And people won’t be shy about sharing their positive and negative opinions about the choices you make.


So when all of that stuff happens, here’s what you need to do:

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Take a deep breath and re-center yourself. No matter how great your job is or how much you love it, there will be days when it sucks. And that’s ok. Remember that every day is a new day and a new chance to start over with a positive mindset and work on changing the things that didn’t go well yesterday.

  • Inhale determination, exhale stress.
  • Let go of the negatives and focus on the positives.
  • Take a break if you need to. A day off, a week off, whatever it takes to allow you to come back excited and refreshed!

Keep trying. Not every recipe will fail. Not all your photos will have weird lighting. Not every post will be your most popular, but they won’t all be your least popular either.

  • Don’t force it. Feeling like you HAVE to post a recipe that includes xyz ingredients just because everyone else is doing it might not turn out so well. Instead, get back to having fun and cooking or writing about what YOU are passionate about.
  • Take a photography course or buy in ebook. There’s always something new to learn and good photography is so critical to blogging.
  • Focus on finding your niche and defining your ideal reader. Learn everything you can about your readers and then think about what kinds of posts you can create that will help them solve a problem. That’s what will keep them coming back

Redirect your focus. Numbers aren’t everything. Instead of spending your time worrying about your stats, STOP CHECKING THEM. And don’t worry about how much money or how many pageviews anyone else is getting either. Shift your mindset toward doing whatever you can to make yourself better!

  • Focus on things that are more easily within your control. Have you made it as easy as possible for people to share your content with share buttons, plug-ins, etc?
  • Have you optimized your bests posts for SEO to help improve the chances they’ll come up in google searches?
  • Are you taking high-quality photos that will encourage people to pin and share your content?
  • Have you thought about other ways to diversify your income such as company collaborations, ebooks, etc so you aren’t as reliant on pageviews as a source of income?

Stay humble. When success does come, remember that pageviews don’t equal entitlement. Having 500,000 pageviews a month doesn’t mean you’re any better than the blogger with 1,000 pageviews.

  • Continue to prove yourself by creating great content.
  • Don’t lose your moral compass for money. Stay true to yourself and what you believe in even if it means turning down money.
  • Remember that while you control some of your success, so do your readers, the people who feature your work, etc. Respect them and thank them.

Produce good content. If you build it, they will come. Invest your time in building your blog brand, creating posts that are helpful and well written with great images.

  • Find a balance of evergreen content that is always relevant and seasonal content that fits the here and now, but can be re-promoted every year at a certain time.
  • Choose quality over quantity. Posting 2 amazing posts a week is better than 5 haphazard, unorganized posts.
  • Be smart. Good content is whatever content YOUR readers find most valuable. Don’t worry about anyone else’s readers.

Seek inspiration. You can find it everywhere.

  • Step away from the computer and just LIVE.
  • Revisit old posts and think about how you can repurpose them into something new.
  • Browse Pinterest, cookbooks, etc and think about how you can put your own spin on something.
  • Just ask. Post a question on social media or send a survey to your readers asking what they’d like to see from you.

Be flexible. Because, life. You’re living it. And sometimes it gets in the way.

  • Have a tentative schedule but don’t be afraid to change things around if needed.
  • Leave room in your calendar to throw in a great idea if something pops up.
  • Give yourself a loose schedule and then let creativity take over and see what you come up with.
  • Don’t be too hard on yourself if things don’t go as planned.

Prioritize. Repeat after me – you CANNOT do it all. And if you try, you’re setting yourself up for failure. You’ll get so overwhelmed that you’ll end up not doing anything well.

  • Pick a few social media platforms you enjoy and do them well. Don’t worry about everything else.
  • Get help if you need it. Hiring an assistant can free up your time to focus on other things that require your skills.

Give back. Karma is real, my friends. And believe me when I say that what goes around, comes around…in both a positive and negative way. Take the time to promote others, help others, answer questions, pay compliments, show respect etc and it will come back to you twofold. Celebrating someone else’s success does nothing to diminish your own.

  • Read a great post? Share it. Pin it. Tweet it. Link to it.
  • Love someone’s photos? Tell them! And ask them for a tip or two.
  • Love the way someone worked with a brand or wrote a sponsored post? Tell them! And then take notes and learn from what they’re doing well.

That’s all I’ve got for you today. Let’s chat:

What’s your best tip or piece of advice for when blogging gets hard?

[Tweet “When blogging gets hard, here’s what to do! via @leangrnbeanblog”]

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

 

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About Lindsay

Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heather || Heather's Dish says

    November 12, 2015 at 12:54 AM

    Isn’t it funny how blogging as a job seems like the ultimate dream…and then you do it and realize that it’s not exactly the vacation you thought it’d be? We are really lucky and blessed to call it a job – but I’m always thankful to hear that I’m not alone in the difficult times too!

    Reply
  2. Courtney Bentley says

    November 12, 2015 at 5:58 AM

    So true, I go through periods of loving my blog, disliking my blog and wanting to shut it down! It has been tough for me because I have been blogging for 5 years and while I never became a blogging sensation I learned that it didn’t matter and what mattered was that my content was helping the right people at the right time. I used to always compare compare compare but I realized nothing gets done comparing myself and I just need to focus on sharing my message! Thanks for this blog post, it really hit on a few notes for me! Lots of love xo C

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:41 AM

      keep it up! you’re doing a great job!

      Reply
  3. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says

    November 12, 2015 at 6:22 AM

    Thank you for this! I think it’s a good reminder for all bloggers at all stages. Blogging can be deceiving and is not what it seems all the time.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:41 AM

      for sure. it’s a complex beast 🙂

      Reply
  4. nicole says

    November 12, 2015 at 6:58 AM

    SUCH a GREAT post! thank you for sharing your insights!

    Reply
  5. Katie @ Mom to Mom Nutrition says

    November 12, 2015 at 7:30 AM

    Just what I needed to start a busy Thursday filled with blogging and life deadlines 🙂 I love how you keep it real and offer suggestions as to how to overcome some of these hurdles. I’m not sure I have a tip since I’m someone in a rut… but I agree with you about turning off and taking a break. I did that recently and felt revived!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:40 AM

      yay! so glad the break helped!

      Reply
  6. Elizabeth says

    November 12, 2015 at 7:44 AM

    Great post!!! I really needed this today, so I appreciate your advice and love your honesty. You are a great inspiration to us all! Yay for throwing out page view obsession!!!! Hahah

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:40 AM

      yes! just say no to stat checking 😉

      Reply
  7. Natalie @ The Ravenous Mommy says

    November 12, 2015 at 7:48 AM

    Thanks for this! I’m definitely in a rut right now 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:40 AM

      hang in there! they don’t last forever!

      Reply
  8. lindsay Cotter says

    November 12, 2015 at 8:09 AM

    i adore you. You know this. And i can relate. and I appreciate all your giving back and hard work. Hugs. <3

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:40 AM

      xo

      Reply
  9. Erica @ Erica Finds says

    November 12, 2015 at 8:14 AM

    Thank you for the great post and a reminder that we are all human about our blogs 😉

    My advice is to write content that gets you excited to share. If/when it doesn’t get the attention you think it deserves, remember why you shared it and why it feels right to you. And like you said mix it with a variety of other content that grabs readers. Also, learn from mistakes and successes.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:37 AM

      such great advice!!

      Reply
  10. Annmarie says

    November 12, 2015 at 8:18 AM

    Such a great post! I have been very overwhelmed lately trying to “do it all” and have been guilty of letting the success of my blog and posts dictate my mood. Blogging is a lot harder than most people imagine but in the end, it’s so worth it- just need to reassess at times and forge ahead!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:37 AM

      exactly! hang in there!! and prioritize 😉

      Reply
  11. Bre says

    November 12, 2015 at 8:28 AM

    Great post! I find the quality posts happen for me when I write about what interests me the most rather than worrying about the stats and/or writing about what’s popular. Thanks for all the helpful tips!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:37 AM

      for sure. passion makes everything easier!

      Reply
  12. JIll Castle says

    November 12, 2015 at 8:44 AM

    As someone who has been blogging for a long time (2009), I can relate with the ups and downs! I have always considered myself a “part-time” blogger–and certainly don’t consider it my job (not yet anyway!). You reminded me to repurpose old content–which is really important, I think, especially when old content can be forgotten–and to promote old content! Two really great tips and reminders for me–thank you!!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:36 AM

      yes! you’ve already done the work to make so much great content. so important to reshare for people who may have missed it the first time!

      Reply
  13. Jen @ Pretty Little Grub says

    November 12, 2015 at 9:14 AM

    Great advice Lindsay. Lately blogging has felt hard to me. I’ve fallen into that slump and this advice really helps me figure out how to get out of it.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:36 AM

      You’re welcome! Hope it helps. Take a deep breath and make a plan of attack…you’ll get through it!

      Reply
  14. Fiona says

    November 12, 2015 at 9:31 AM

    It’s so funny because over the last few weeks I noticed I hadn’t been getting as many blog posts from you and I was like ‘weird maybe it’s my computer!’ and I missed them! You were one of the first blogs I started following and now with a young baby I am more interested in blogs that also show a balance of life , work and motherhood. Just know what we love reading your blog and no matter how long a break you take, we are all still here waiting for the next recipe, or look at your crossfit gym (which is such a huge accomplishment by the way) so don’t ever feel like you have to be someone you’re not because we don’t see those things through your blog, we see you!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:35 AM

      thank you so much Fiona. That means a lot!

      Reply
  15. Shashi at RunninSrilankan says

    November 12, 2015 at 9:35 AM

    Lindsay I LOVE this post! I needed this post! Thank you so much! I have been trying to work on dairy free version of a traditional Sri Lankan potato toffee dish and I am on my 12th try – each one has been a miserable fail and I was just about ready to give up till I read this! Funny how, from time to time, we happen on posts that speak to us on such a personal level – and that’s a blogging success on your part 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:35 AM

      i’ve definitely been there with the recipe testing. but then when you finally nail it, it just makes it that much sweeter!

      Reply
  16. Heather@hungryforbalance says

    November 12, 2015 at 9:36 AM

    Thank you for this.

    Reply
  17. Chelsey says

    November 12, 2015 at 9:38 AM

    I loved every bit of this post!! I don’t blog full time (although I wish I did!), and sometimes it’s SO overwhelming getting the posts on my calendar done while in my dietetic internship and working 2 other part-time jobs! Life gets crazy and in the way and we all need a good reminder every now and then…so thank you!!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:35 AM

      i hear ya. It’s definitely a balancing act but being flexible and taking a little pressure off yourself is key! you’re doing great!

      Reply
  18. Michele @ paleorunningmomma says

    November 12, 2015 at 10:03 AM

    Love, love, love this Lindsay! You hit every nail right on the head.

    Reply
  19. Anne @fANNEtasticfood says

    November 12, 2015 at 10:03 AM

    Absolutely love this post. Blogging is amazing and I am fortunate that it is now a big part of my business/workday – but like any other job, it’s not always all roses and sunshine. Thank you for reminding me I’m not alone on those tough days. xo

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:34 AM

      always here for you 🙂 xo

      Reply
  20. rebecca says

    November 12, 2015 at 10:05 AM

    LOVE THIS! Here’s to a forum of positivity and relatedness 🙂 Melanie & I appreciate your shares SO SO MUCH! I can’t even begin to express our gratitude. Luckily we’ve got fantastic support groups who know just what it’s like and can be supportive just when we need it 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:34 AM

      having a support system is so key!!

      Reply
  21. Arman @ thebigmansworld says

    November 12, 2015 at 10:18 AM

    You are amazing, Linds. You’ve absolutely nailed it completely- Especially the comparison and stats one. Letting those things dictate your mood- No dice. So glad the no stat checking antics are happening- Best thing ever deleting that app lol!

    Cheers 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:33 AM

      yes. so proud of you for doing that!

      Reply
  22. Rachel says

    November 12, 2015 at 10:53 AM

    wow, i REALLY needed this today. this week, i’ve been feeling uninspired to write, create content, or take photos. i’ve been questioning why i blog at all. i’ve been feeling down about comments and traffic. thanks for always being so inspiring 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:33 AM

      hang in there girl. happens to the best of us.

      Reply
  23. Sally at Real Mom Nutrition says

    November 12, 2015 at 11:14 AM

    I just love this post, Lindsay. I’ve often said that checking my analytics is like stepping on the scale–the number can, too often, dictate how I feel about myself. Which is why I don’t weigh myself and I try not to look at my analytics too much! Something that helps me is that if I’m in a very bad rut, I will schedule a bunch of social media stuff for the next day and then try to take that day off almost completely from my blog and social media. That definitely helps energize me again.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:32 AM

      great tip! and yes to the scale analogy. just say no 🙂

      Reply
  24. Hannah @CleanEatingVeggieGirl says

    November 12, 2015 at 11:19 AM

    Yes to every single one of these! I was in a major blogging rut in August and September (and also just super busy with work and my personal life). The thing that I have found to be the most helpful is to take the pressure off of having a posting schedule. Now I have the mentality of writing when I WANT to write and when I feel inspired to do so. Trying to force something is just NOT fun. Of course this is also not my full-time job, so I guess I have the luxury to be able to do so.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:31 AM

      taking the pressure off helps so much!

      Reply
  25. Sam @ Grapefruit & Granola says

    November 12, 2015 at 11:22 AM

    Thanks for sharing such an honest post, Lindsay. I’m not a huge blogger or anything but I definitely have good intentions sometimes and then just get stuck in a rut. Glad to hear you experience something similar and can find your way out of it 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:31 AM

      you can definitely make your way out. might take time but it can be done! good luck!

      Reply
  26. Christina says

    November 12, 2015 at 11:25 AM

    I swear to God every time I am dealing with something that’s on my mind 24/7, one of my favorite bloggers comes out with a post that feels like it was meant for me haha! (You’re one of my favorites ;D) Currently trying to get over #2. womp womp… this post totally helped. Thanks Lindsay <3 xo

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:31 AM

      hang in there girl. stat checking is a hard habit to break but try. i promise it will help!

      Reply
  27. Gretchen | Gretchruns says

    November 12, 2015 at 11:25 AM

    Such a great post that I think we can all relate to! Thank you for putting into words what I’ve been thinking, and for offering solutions 🙂 Love this post!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:28 AM

      You’re welcome! hope it helps you power through!

      Reply
  28. Erin @ The Almond Eater says

    November 12, 2015 at 11:28 AM

    I love this Lindsay! Thanks for reminding everyone that we are all in this together–the good, the bad and the ugly.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:38 AM

      for sure! xo

      Reply
  29. Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says

    November 12, 2015 at 11:33 AM

    Awesome post Lindsay – it speaks to me so much. Your tips are spot on (I need to put them into action more than I do!). So easy to compare to others and get into a slump, but we all need to look at our own successes and every success should be celebrated, even if it’s not as big a success as someone else’s. I really want to take a week off to rejuvenate, but I fear if I take a week off I’ll have a hard time getting back into it. Need to think through that!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:39 AM

      i think you’d be surprised how excited you are to come back after taking a week off! it can be so helpful!

      Reply
  30. Jill @ RunEatSnap says

    November 12, 2015 at 11:35 AM

    Great post! I am new to blogging so I feel like I’m still in the “honeymoon” phase and I love writing posts but it can definitely be overwhelming that there is so much to learn and improve on!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 11:39 AM

      there’s always something to learn! just take it one step at a time!

      Reply
  31. Liz @The Clean Eating Couple says

    November 12, 2015 at 11:35 AM

    LOVE this!! So perfectly written. Blogging is a lot harder than most people think…this is such a perfect insight into it!

    Reply
  32. rachel @ Athletic Avocado says

    November 12, 2015 at 11:50 AM

    This could not be more perfect! I must admit that I can get pretty obsessed with the numbers part of blogging and I feel sad when Im trying everything to promote and my stats just won’t budge. Thanks for reminding me to move on and focus on what else needs to be done. Love this <3

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 9:27 PM

      yes! ignore those numbers for a while. it’ll help!

      Reply
  33. Lisa @ RunWiki says

    November 12, 2015 at 11:53 AM

    Thank you for the affirmation this morning. We all have felt these things over and over. Just as life is ever changing, so is the blogging world. We evolve and sometimes we question if those changes are a positive or not. I still struggle to understand what I’m, “supposed” to be doing after all these years, but recently it has become crystal clear that I should be doing what, “sets my soul on fire,” and do very little of anything else. There is no right or wrong answer in this crazy world of blogging as long as you are enjoying the process. This is what allows me to keep going– that and friends like you. Love, love, love you Linds. xoxo

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 9:26 PM

      so so true. xo

      Reply
  34. Brittany says

    November 12, 2015 at 12:44 PM

    Great post! I still consider myself a new blogger (been going just over 1 year) because there is SO much to learn and do with blogging – to the point where it can be overwhelming. I work full time and blog on the side, so it is definitely hard for me and I feel bad when I only post 2-3 times a week and I see others posting every day. Thanks for reminding me not to compare myself to others!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 9:26 PM

      for sure. focusing on yourself is so important. you’re doing what works for you and you’re doing a great job!

      Reply
  35. Erin @ Erin's Inside Job says

    November 12, 2015 at 1:16 PM

    Great tips! It really is a tough job, especially when you are in the early stages. It can be hard to keep devoting so much time to building something that isn’t giving much in return. Sometimes the benefits are more than monetary and it’s because I truly love writing and helping others that I keep going!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 9:26 PM

      yes! love hearing that. keep it up girl. you’re doing great!

      Reply
  36. Dani @ Dani California Cooks says

    November 12, 2015 at 1:42 PM

    Love love love this post! Definitely the “give back” note at the end really resonated with me. When I’m feeling “meh” about my blog, it always makes me feel better to promote someone else’s work. The blogosphere has awesome content, every day!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 9:25 PM

      yes! so much good stuff out there!

      Reply
  37. Emily says

    November 12, 2015 at 1:43 PM

    Thank you for sharing your wisdom Linsdsay! As a relatively new blogger it is so nice to have inspirational colleagues who share what they’ve learned and to know that other people are going through the same things.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 9:25 PM

      absolutely! always happy to share what i’ve learned over time!

      Reply
  38. Heather Mason @NuttyNutrition says

    November 12, 2015 at 2:25 PM

    ahh yes, everything about this post is spot on! I have felt all of these emotions and stresses too, it’s so good to know you are not the only one. Thanks for the tips on how to stay positive Lindsay!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 9:25 PM

      you’re definitely not alone!

      Reply
  39. Sonali- The Foodie Physician says

    November 12, 2015 at 2:25 PM

    Simply put- Thank you 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 9:24 PM

      xo!

      Reply
  40. Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life says

    November 12, 2015 at 2:48 PM

    Great post! Yes to all of them!! I’m currently in a minor rut myself, haha! One thing I really need to work on is spreading the love…so often I see something great and think, I need to share that! But I’m typically on the go, etc., and never get back to doing it.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 9:24 PM

      i hear ya! i’ve resorted to not ready things i “think” are gonna be good until i’m sitting at my computer so i can share otherwise my mom brain kicks in and there’s no way i’ll remember!

      Reply
  41. Emilie @ Emilie Eats says

    November 12, 2015 at 2:58 PM

    Thanks so much for this Lindsay!! I’m only starting it out but it’s comforting to know that everyone gets stuck in a rut sometimes. And that numbers are not always the most important thing! I think it’s important to always give back and support other bloggers. Finding a community has made this so much easier for me!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 9:23 PM

      the community is the best part for sure!

      Reply
  42. Emily says

    November 12, 2015 at 3:34 PM

    Man, this is just so real and so perfect for a new blogger like myself and even old bloggers! <3 The discouragement can come, but it shouldn't get us down.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 9:23 PM

      for sure. chin up!!

      Reply
  43. Charlotte says

    November 12, 2015 at 3:38 PM

    YES YES YES. It’s SO easy to get discouraged while blogging. Someone is doing it better, more frequently, with more fans and well, comparison IS the thief of joy.

    I always find it amusing when I think “WOAH. Like, THIS RIGHT HERE is my life’s greatest work.” And then crickets. But then I’ll spend five minutes on a post and just publish without thinking and BAM! In roll the comments. The hell? LOL

    I love this: “Inhale determination, exhale stress.” Thank you for sharing this today. I needed it 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 9:23 PM

      so glad it helped!

      Reply
  44. Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says

    November 12, 2015 at 4:47 PM

    I LOVE this post, Lindsay. It is so true. Blogging really isn’t as glamorous as everyone may think. And I think the comparison game is the hardest — there will always be people achieving, and it’s important for us to know that there is room for everyone to achieve! Thanks for the tips. I definitely think being out in real life and realizing you don’t have to be a pro at all the social media help a lot. Thanks for the honesty!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 9:23 PM

      there is DEFINITELY room for everyone!

      Reply
  45. Kelly says

    November 12, 2015 at 7:09 PM

    Thank you for the encouragement! We are just finishing our first month of blogging and there is so much I want to do! It can be so overwhelming, your perspective lets me just sit back and relax.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 9:22 PM

      there’s pretty much always a never ending to-do list…but just tackle things one at a time!

      Reply
  46. Kaila@HealthyHelperBlog says

    November 12, 2015 at 8:53 PM

    I am pretty sure the universe sent this post to me. Right now I am in the busiest part of my semester and I just so happen to be the busiest I’ve been with the blog in a long time too. Things seem to keep piling up and I am certainly getting overwhelmed. This post gave me so much perspective though. Not everything is going to be perfect. We do the best we can as bloggers and we can’t please everyone. It’s so important to cut yourself some slack and remind yourself why you started to begin with. Sometimes I feel like I put all this work into my blog and it’s not recognized…I don’t get a post featured in a link up, I don’t get a recipe excepted, I don’t get ‘x’ amount of RTs, I don’t get a certain amount of page views, etc. But if I choose to only focus on the negatives and the numbers than I am losing site of what blogging means to me! It’s my passion, my outlet, and something I am very proud of. At the end of the day, I have to blog for me. Thank you for the reminder!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 9:22 PM

      you’re welcome! glad it helped a bit!

      Reply
  47. Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says

    November 12, 2015 at 8:59 PM

    I absolutely love this post Lindsay. I’m definitely in a big blogging rut and I’ve been feeling it lately. I appreciate reading this and the reminder that we all go through these phases. xo

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 12, 2015 at 9:22 PM

      hang in there, lady! it’ll pass. You’ve had some amazing posts lately!

      Reply
  48. Amanda @ .running with spoons. says

    November 12, 2015 at 9:24 PM

    Thanks so much for keeping it real, Lindsay! I love blogging, but there are days… ohhh there are days… where I seriously want to throw in the towel because of how overwhelming and frustrating it can sometimes feel. I’ve definitely shed a few tears (and a fair amount of curse words) over failed recipes, and the comparison game is a hard one to avoid. But it’s definitely comforting to know that everyone experiences those kind of thoughts to some degree, so thank you for sharing <3

    Reply
  49. Megan A @ Life on Planet Marsz says

    November 12, 2015 at 9:52 PM

    Great post!! Thank you for always being so open and inspiring. I haven’t been able to blog as much due to other pressing things, and I’ve felt horrible about it. But it’s OK, I will make up for it at some near-future point.

    Reply
  50. GiGi Eats says

    November 12, 2015 at 10:28 PM

    I remember back when I first started blogging… I let stats dictate my mood and success. The second I stopped looking at numbers = the second I started to truly LOVE blogging! Numbers should NEVER EVER define who we are!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 15, 2015 at 7:51 AM

      exactly!!

      Reply
  51. Katie @ 24 Carrot Life says

    November 12, 2015 at 10:33 PM

    Such a great post, Lindsay! It’s comforting to know that someone with so much blogging under her belt and who is spending a lot of time blogging still gets behind and hits roadblocks. Thank you for being honest!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 15, 2015 at 7:51 AM

      absolutely. happens to the best of us!

      Reply
  52. CARLA says

    November 13, 2015 at 5:30 AM

    LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS.
    Im edging toward ending blogging for myriad reasons (none here. other stuffs :-)) and were it a passing feeling this pickmeup would have been perfection.
    <3 <3 <3

    Reply
  53. Laura says

    November 13, 2015 at 9:02 AM

    Yes to all of this! I have definitely found myself hitting these bumps, especially since having baby #2. It’s full of ups and downs, but I’ve learned to roll with it (and I so rarely check blog stats these days!) Great advice, Lindsay. Thanks for keeping it real!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 15, 2015 at 7:50 AM

      you’re doing great mama!

      Reply
  54. Jess @ Keeping It Real Food says

    November 13, 2015 at 10:10 AM

    Oh my gosh—THANK YOU for this post. I’ve been going through a lot of blog/social media-related soul-searching lately and feeling overwhelmed. This brought me back down to earth : )

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 15, 2015 at 7:50 AM

      glad to help!

      Reply
  55. Nicole @ Fitful Focus says

    November 13, 2015 at 12:07 PM

    Thank you so much for this! It’s so nice knowing I’m not alone! Also… love the Field of Dreams reference 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 15, 2015 at 7:50 AM

      best movie 🙂

      Reply
  56. Michael Wyen says

    November 13, 2015 at 12:09 PM

    That’s a great post, thank you! My wife knew I was down about my blog and that I was thinking about throwing in the towel, so she sent me your link and maybe I’ll stick in there a little longer. Again thanks!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 15, 2015 at 7:50 AM

      good luck!!

      Reply
  57. Sandra Laflamme says

    November 13, 2015 at 12:59 PM

    Such great advice Lindsay! Thank you for writing this as this is how I often feel and sometimes I am ready to throw the towel in. There is always room to improve and room to breathe and we should not compare ourselves in a way that is damaging to our own self worth. Than you thank you thank you 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 15, 2015 at 7:49 AM

      so true! you’re welcome!

      Reply
  58. Jess @ run pink says

    November 13, 2015 at 9:05 PM

    LOVE everything about this post. Thank you so much for taking the time to put it together. I’m a “recreational” blogger. Meaning I make 0 dollars. Oh, I tried the affiliate link thing but let’s face it–I work full-time outside the home so blogging often takes a very far back seat. I do enjoy it and the community though! I share your goodies often 😉 you’re my “go-to” for healthy eats!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 15, 2015 at 7:49 AM

      thanks so much Jess!

      Reply
  59. Caitlin Howe says

    November 15, 2015 at 12:59 PM

    I feel this! Thanks for this post, Lindsay. I have been blogging for only a year, and it is inspiring to see that you have been blogging for five years, and still have challenges. Thanks for pointing to solutions as well.

    Reply
  60. Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says

    November 17, 2015 at 9:42 AM

    Love this, Lindsay! 🙂

    Reply
  61. Christen says

    November 17, 2015 at 9:44 AM

    Love this advice! I think everyone needs to hear that they aren’t the only one feeling this way. I think the biggest thing is to create your own personal blogging principles and stick to them!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 17, 2015 at 10:39 PM

      so important!

      Reply
  62. Stacie, RD says

    November 17, 2015 at 1:35 PM

    Lindsey, thank you so much for writing this! It really hit home. I was just telling myself the other day that the number of followers I have on social media or how many page view I have on my blog, does not signify my worth. They are just numbers. I’m now focusing on baby steps because baby steps are steps forward! xo

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 17, 2015 at 10:39 PM

      yes! that’s a great mindset! good luck!

      Reply
  63. Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says

    November 18, 2015 at 2:32 PM

    I can relate to this so much right now. Blogging has been so hard for me this year since becoming a mom. I feel like my whole blog changed since I had Claire and I’m not sure if my readers like all the mom posts. I think most of them do, but at times, I wonder if my blog stats went down because of this. I also have like no time these days to be part of the blogging community sometimes, so maybe that’s why.

    I’m glad you offered great tips on what to do instead. Lately, it’s so easy for me to focus on how blogging is hard that I don’t really do anything about it.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 18, 2015 at 8:51 PM

      I feel ya! Hope some of the suggestions help!

      Reply
  64. matilda says

    November 18, 2015 at 7:08 PM

    So Christine from Love Life Surf shared this on her high five friday post. I’m behind (like I always am), and how I could relate to this post (so much so I’m bookmarking it to read again in the future).
    Blogging is hard work, but I like it, so I keep doing it. I do it more for me than anyone else, and if I help just 1 person then my blogging is done.

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      November 18, 2015 at 8:50 PM

      so so true! keep up the great work!

      Reply
  65. Maddie says

    November 21, 2015 at 9:30 PM

    This is just what I needed to hear! Thank you for the amazing advice and words or wisom. ☺

    Reply
  66. Cassie Jahn says

    March 8, 2016 at 11:08 AM

    I just started blogging in October of 2015, it wasn’t that long ago. And well, it IS hard. It’s really hard. But I love it. I’m so glad to have tips and inspiration like this to follow 🙂

    Reply

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Lindsay Livingston The Lean Green Bean Healthy Living Tips and Tricks

I'm a Registered Dietitian and mom of three from Columbus, Ohio. I use this blog to share simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and an honest glimpse of motherhood!

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