Okay, I fucked up, again. I allowed myself to get down in the dumps because my lil’ blog over here wasn’t get enough attention as I wanted it to. It got so bad that I was stressing myself out and just piling lots of things onto my to-do list, and my searches were filled with stuff like ‘how to grow your blog’ and ‘how to get more pageviews’. It was triggered when someone posted in a group “can you please help me grow my blog because I only get 200-300 pageviews a day?”.
Only.
People are right – comparison is the thief of joy and it stole all of my happiness right then. Gosh, I was so far away from that! What is wrong with my blog? Is it worth even blogging any more? I know I shouldn’t be moaning because people have different measurements of success, but it really got to me. I was lost focus of what I wanted to do because I was feeling so upset that I wasn’t good enough. Again.
skirt: DaTuRa
top: stolen from my sister (oops)
accessories: new look + forever21
bag: primark
rilakkuma: san-x store in shinjuku station
sunglasses: accessorize
shoes: new look
That’s until I read ‘The One Thing’ by Gary Keller. I’m not really one for self-help books, but after finding it harder and harder to be multi-passionate, I decided to give this book a go. My mind was blown. My goals were back in focus and my dream future was becoming clearer.
After this I realised that I wasn’t ever going to become a full-time blogger. There were so many signs that I dismissed earlier that suddenly became crystal clear. Firstly, I never really had the time for blog events and attending blogger meet-ups weren’t really my thing unless I knew someone there. Secondly, I was secretly thankful that my inbox wasn’t flooded with sponsored emails. I just couldn’t write a sponsored/gifted post with the same enthusiasm as I would have if it was just a normal outfit post unless I truly believed in them. And thirdly, I couldn’t be bothered to learn about SEO. At the end of the day, I write posts because I wanted to, not to boost my rating or whatever.
What I do know, however, is that I do love blogging but only because it provides me a creative outlook to write down my thoughts. The more I tried to pressure myself to promote my blog and get it in front of people, the more stressed out I was. And that reflected badly on my writing. I even had to take a break from this blog (and this is my first post after said break) because I found myself crying to sleep as I lost sense of purpose. But I don’t really need a reasoning for blogging – doing it because I love it is a good enough reason.
I’m going to take it easy so that I can focus more my ‘One Thing’, which I know to be my art. It’s something that I’ve done my whole life and it’s been in the dark for too long. I want it to grow. I want to be known as a hand-letterer and be damn good at it.
So, I’m happy with just being a hobbyist blogger.
Love,
Lizzie xx
P.S. Are you a hobbyist blogger or do you do it full-time? Or are you somewhat in-between?
Ryan
April 12, 2019To the german Gyaru-Scene (and I’m sure to many others too) your page is THE Gyaru-Blog. You and your blog and the things you do are very well liked here and it was just yesterday when we talked about it in the Gyarusa.
When Gyaru had been the sleeping beauty of the last years, your blog has been the only thing keeping Gyaru alive and I am really thankful for your work <3.
Don't be too harsh with yourself. Be proud of what you've reached! Because it's a lot and every new post is a delight at least for me, keep going lil bee, you do great!
Greetings from Ryan (^o^_
LizzieBee
April 12, 2019Oh my gosh Ryan! Thank you so so much ?? I’ve always wanted to help other gyaru out and I’m so happy that you think I do! And you’re right – I am way too hard on myself. Thank you for your sweet comment <3
candyflossoverkill
April 12, 2019omg I needed this post! I’m a fellow hobbyist blogger, and I’ve been feeling much the same way about my blog too! But I think blogging is worthwhile even (especially?) if you’re ‘only’ doing it as a hobby. I love love your blog, so I hope you carry on sharing your gorgeous style! (I’m living vicariously through you bc gyaru fashion doesn’t suit me at all haha) Much love, and I hope you can take the pressure off yourself <3 <3
Hedgefairy
April 12, 2019Thank you so much for this post, it’s so good to know I’m not alone in this!
LizzieBee
April 12, 2019Awh you’re welcome!
Isobel Thomas
April 12, 2019I completely get this! This is where you defo need to take a step back and think so I want to do this. I wouldn’t be me without my blog and YouTube! So if I broke away from it it’d be a bit like a part of me was gone. I’m In between when it comes to blogging full time as I want to do it but I’d rather have a monthly wage coming through rather than never knowing what’s coming each month when it comes to money! So I’m More of a hobbyist really! Love the photos girl!
Isobel x
New post: http://fashionistachic14.blogspot.com/2018/09/lifestyle-light-bites-chips-review.html?m=1
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/isobelceline/
New video: https://youtu.be/DWUSJPpjyaU
LizzieBee
April 12, 2019You are so right, that’s exactly how I feel, too! Although I don’t think I could ever blog full time. But I can’t wait to see you grow your blog! <3
Natalee
April 12, 2019Oh sweet pea I know EXACTLTY what you mean as well as how you feel! I used to feel awful if I didn’t get loads of blog views daily, now I couldn’t give a shit. It’s not my job at the end of the day, it’s just my hobby, like you said too.
I love doing gifted posts, purely because it’s nice to be made to feel like someone enjoys what I write so much that they want me to help promote their product. 😀
I’ve recently discovered your blog through the Coventry Bloggers and I definitely like what I see! 😀 I can’t wait to read your content. ^_^
https://theremightbecoffee.wordpress.com/
huda
April 12, 2019I can totally relate! There have been so many times when I’ve become demotivated because I read a comment like that. I’m so glad you got yourself back up though! Thanks for sharing! xx
https://beaulife.org
Cynthia Crosby
April 12, 2019The scene and backdrop really brings your photo shoot into the moment. It makes me miss travelling.
Leanne Wong
April 12, 2019Me too, blogging is my creative outlet and loving what you do is reason enough to keeping writing. Love your beautiful blog!
Emily Harrison
April 12, 2019I totally agree, putting to much pressure can make you fall out of love with it. I’m glad you’re back and feeling better about it all xx
gemma Turley
April 12, 2019loved this post! I always felt the pressure to be like everyone with my blog, especially when people who started around the same time i did have over a million followers etc, it made me lose faith in my own blog until quite recently tbh. Welcome back 🙂
Gem
http://www.justgem.co.uk
Jacqueline Ines
April 12, 2019I’m so glad that I came across your blog! This post means so much to me because literally yesterday I deleted my old blog after feeling the pressures of being a full-time blogger, or at least trying to become one. I realized that I don’t want to be a full-time blogger like I thought. I love blogging for the fun of it and the expression, like you said!
Kimchi Cakes
April 12, 2019I blog for fun but shocked that Im actually making money from my hobby.
Kieli Heart
April 12, 2019I def feel like I’m in between. I want to succeed mostly cause I feel writing is the one thing I am proud of and my reg jobs just depress me. But I don’t have much of a life so it becomes difficult to write about fun gal things. And I’m not an expert so I can’t write tips xD so I only write what I can when I can.