3.04.2014

Blogger Breakdown--The Follow Up



Hey you! I recently posted about Having a Blogger Breakdown, and I'm here to report that all is well! I truly appreciate the concern, as well as those of you who took the time to read and leave such thorough comments (over 70!). I thank you for taking the time out of your day to write your responses, share your experiences, and interpretations of what I wrote. I shared this because I feel there are plenty of posts on being burnout, but not really that feeling of being overwhelmed from blogging, and I wanted to share that moment of complete honesty and vulnerability. I wanted validation for my feelings. One of my goals this year is to be more personal with you, and so I've been sharing more of myself on here--not an easy thing to do! After reading the comments, I figured a follow-up post was needed to some of the common responses, so here we go:

You're just burnout--stop blogging, take a break, just quit, etc.

To me, being burnout means you dread blogging, think of it as a chore, don't want to do it, it's not fun, and you're out of ideas. It happens to many, but I feel I was just overwhelmed, not burnout. I absolutely love planning and creating posts--everything that goes into that is still fun to me. I've got at least 3 years worth (!!!) of ideas and over 30 years (!!!) of experience being a beauty fanatic that I can't wait to share with you, so I'm not out of things to write about. 

If there ever comes a time when I dread blogging, I'll stop. I do take breaks here and there though! But with anything creative, you have the fun creative side, and then you have the promotional side. And the promotional side just isn't as fun sometimes, but it's part of the job (more on that later). Sometimes I feel like I put more into the promotional side than I get out if it.

I also had a bunch of circumstances that happened at once, including losing most of my data for past, present, and future (up to 3 months future) posts. If that isn't a test as to whether you want to blog or not, I don't know what is. And I never once threw up my hands wanting to quit. I was also dealing with a period of negativity. You can call me ugly, but to accuse me of not being authentic with my reviews or ideas is an attack on my integrity and that hurts! This brings me to my next comment:

Stop taking it so personally

Most brands know their demographics, but most don't know their actual consumers by name and personality. And that's one of the best things about blogging: the community. I feel like I "know" you and many of you I feel are my friends. But when I get unfollowed, lose a long-time reader, get mean comments, etc, I do take it personally. I want to make the situation better, and even better myself as I continue to grow and change. The longer I blog, the thicker skin I get, and it gets easier. That's all I want to say on that.

It's just a hobby--don't take it so seriously

This one was like a dagger into my heart! Yikes! I take blogging SO seriously. There is nothing wrong with blogging once a week or whenever the mood strikes--there are no rules. There's nothing wrong with blogging being a hobby. It certainly started out that way for me. I never sat down with a plan to start a blog just to make money--I personally don't see that as a good idea, but anyway. I had this idea to make a beauty blog, not just for beauty fanatics like myself, but for everyone. I wanted to show that everyone can incorporate a beauty routine into their lives regardless of budget, time, and skill level to help them look and feel just as beautiful as they are on the inside. That's my mission statement and that's why I blog.

I am fortunate to earn an income from blogging (from lots of hard work), so it's no longer just a hobby for me. It's a job (state and federal taxes included)--but the word "job" has such a negative connotation, right? Not for me. I get paid to do what I love. I love blogging and having this creative platform. I love helping people and am constantly still coming up with ideas. It is something I have always done and will continue to do, blog or no blog. But I've got big dreams that I take very seriously. Good things are going to happen. 

And I'm forever thankful to you for reading, commenting, emailing, entering a giveaway, watching my videos, purchasing a product I reviewed, trying a DIY, tip, or tutorial I shared, liking and responding to my social media, sharing my blog with others (especially this!), but most of all being the awesome support system that you all are. I've changed so much since I started blogging on here (nearly 4 years ago) and it's all for the better, and some of that definitely comes from you, so thank you. I will make this blog bigger and better, and I can't wait for you to come along on this journey! Let's have some fun! :)

31 comments:

  1. thanks for keeping us updated! i'm glad that things are starting to look up for you, blogging wise.

    -kathy | Vodka and Soda

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  2. You are awesome! I am new to your blog, and appreciate your brutal honesty! Keep doin what you're doin girl!!

    xoxo- becky from www.becksbabyy.blogspot.com

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  3. Great and insightful post! Will read the first one now:) Good luck with everything! xo Caroline

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  4. Thank you for this update, Elle. We all go through phases like this, not just in blogging, but also in other aspects of our lives, may it be with friends, families, jobs, etc. Thank you for your honesty. It's a breath of fresh air.

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  5. It seems like the worst of it has passed and I'm glad! :) You work so hard for your blog and readers and anyone who takes a second can see that. You do deserve breaks to breath when you feel overwhelmed and recharge and seems like you did just that! You deserve amazing things lady.

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  6. I have totally felt overwhelmed not burned out from blogging. Glad you are feeling better about everything. Always appreciate your honesty and openness.

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  7. You are so right! I love your outlook on things.
    Beautetude

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  8. Hi we all feel like that at some point, I know I have and it just makes me feel more motivated to keep going, Opening up about your feelings just shows the rest of us that we are not alone when we feel like that. I love blogging and sometimes it’s a bit hard for me to post when I want to do to that fact that I have a full time Job, blog full time, plus life itself. I take the time to do what I love and share it with all of you because it’s what I love and I enjoy it. So keep at it, I love your blog and you are doing an amazing job.

    Leslie xoxo

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  9. I have the opposite problem: my tendency is to overshare! But I think by being authentic and showing followers you are a real person with real problems and real concerns, you connect with them on a deeper level.

    I love getting to know more about you!

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  10. i'm so happy you are feeling better about this. it is a lot of work and it shows...keep it up because i love reading your reviews!

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  11. That is so awesome that you've reached the point where you can earn a decent income from blogging. I certainly haven't got that far, yet!

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  12. Great follow-up post, Elle! I'm glad you're feeling better and still have tons of ideas to share with us all for years to come! I can't wait to read! :)

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  13. I am glad to hear you are doing better. Everyone needs a break from time to time. Cannot wait to read your future posts.

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  14. I'm glad you're doing all right and that your blog (and you) aren't going anywhere for awhile!

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  15. I'm so glad you're doing better! And your post is so true!

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  16. so glad you are feeling better! i dont think a lot of people realize how much work blogging takes (especially when you post more than once a day!) i am continually impressed with your posts and i love your positive attitude! you set a great example for other bloggers! xo jillian - cornflake dreams

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  17. I really like your responses to these comments, as I can agree with what you have said. I have some periods where I just need to get away from everything for a few days and then that also means no blogging, but I couldn't see myself just completely giving up on my blog. I love the creative outlet and making new friends and visiting the blogs of the friends that I have already made. I too take blogging seriously. I love it and have fun creating posts, but I am also serious about it. I have a blogging notebook that I carry everywhere so I can take down ideas when they come to me for new posts and so that I can work on future posts.

    Jessica @ Sunny Days and Starry Nights

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  18. Girl, I am glad that you have found such a passion for what you do! That is such a blessing! That's how I feel about photography. It's so cool to get paid to do what you love. I'm glad that you are in a good place after your blogger breakdown. And even though my blog is just a small little thing, I would take negative comments and criticisms really personally too. So I hear you there!

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  19. This was such a great post! Thanks for sharing this! :)

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  20. Hope you're feeling less bogged down- you sound like you have your old pep in your blogging step. :)

    Happy Tuesday!

    -Ashley
    http://lestylorouge.com

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  21. Blogging is so diverse. For one person, maybe it IS just a hobby. But it ranges from that to the sole source of income for some people. There's no black and white. It's all gray and everyone's shade is different... you just have to find what works BEST for YOU through trial and error. :)

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  22. I've always said - do it if you love it! I'm glad you're still having fun!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  23. I'm glad you're feeling better. I truly enjoy your blog!

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  24. Always good to read your candid thoughts, Elle! I've found in the last few months that I've felt a bit overwhelmed, myself. There was a time when I blogged seven days a week. Now, I'm blogging three days a week. It simply feels like what I need to do to keep a balance. It seems to be working pretty well for me, too! T. http://tickledpinkwoman.blogspot.com

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  25. Thanks for writing this follow up. It can be easy to get overwhelmed with life especially when 'it rains, it pours.' I will say though, I truly enjoy your posts and pin your DIYs a lot. Yours is the only beauty blog I read! I feel like you are honest and thorough and can count on your reviews!

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  26. I'm glad your honest and speak openly. Reviews are always personal opinion, and I find it funny when people get offended by them. You are allowed breakdowns. In fact, it shows that you are being real. By the way, you have such a lovely blog. I will definitely continue reading.

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  27. I am really glad that you are feeling better hun! Hugs!

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  28. Glad things are looking up for you! I would hate it if you ever stopped blogging. :) I think people who toss off remarks like "don't take it personally, it's just a blog" don't understand how much hard work we put into our blogs!

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  29. Still making it back to the original post, but I hope you know that you're one of the most authentic people I know (virtually, obviously). :) Your blog always seems very real and friendly, and I know how much hard work you put into it because you are ALWAYS working on it and making it better! I can tell from how much I've neglected mine lately that my heart just isn't in it, but I've never thought that you seemed burned out. Everyone needs and deserves a break. You deserve all the success you have coming to you!

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