Are you ready for one tip that will help you blog better? Here it is:
Stop blogging and create some real world experiences
Stop blogging? Did I say that?
What I’m saying is that sometimes in order to improve your blogging, you need to take a break from it and give yourself time to experience things.
Last weekend I finally got a chance to watch the movie Surrogates – as futuristic as that movie is, I can’t help but see the parallels in my own life. These people locked themselves in their rooms all day while they logged in to a computer to operate robot-bodies complete their daily activities.Even, they were home all day with their families, there was absolutely no interaction between husbands and wives. In fact, while they were logged into their computers, it really was as if they weren’t home at all.
Sometimes as bloggers we tend to totally immerse ourselves in our craft. I’m super guilty. As much as I try to get up early to get my writing out of the away, I often find myself attempting to write while kids are bouncing around and waiting for me to entertain them with my presence. I’m physically in the room, but my brain is gone as I type away at the computer.
Just like the characters in the movie, physically I’m in my home, yet my mind is out visiting blogs from all over the world. One moment I’m in Texas, and split second later I’m in the UK, or somewhere in Canada. All the while, life in my home is going on without me.
Even when I pause for a few moments to listen to what one of my loved ones want to tell me, my brain is only half there because I’m trying to hold on to the ideas that are swirling around in my head before I loose them. It really is awful and I’m not proud of it, so sometimes I have to just stop what I’m doing, move away from the computer and log in to my life.
Often when I come back to the computer, I’m refreshed and the ideas flow even more abundantly. I realize that some event has happened that I can relate to blogging and I use that to create a cool analogy. When I log off the computer and hang out with my family, I finally get a rare opportunity to watch some great movies that could end up being the focus of a good blog post… You never really know.
So I encourage you to stop blogging for a day or so – just take a break. This week Ms. Freeman @Baby Steps of an Internet Entrepreneur is taking a media fast – this is something I feel we all need to do from time to time. Get out and away from the computer and go do things with your family and friends. Meet and talk to new people. Socialize and network offline. While you’re out, don’t give in to the urge to constantly check your email, stats, Facebook or Twitter. But really, take some time off, for real, and let yourself enjoy your time with your loved ones.
You may only take this one essential item with you wherever you go: a very small notepad with you, so that you may jot down ideas that come to you for future blog posts, but that’s it.
While you’re out, take lots of pictures. Take pictures of your loved ones, take pictures of the landscape and scenery, animals you see and be sure to have someone take pictures of you. You can even take pictures of the food you eat. Whatever captures your attention, take a picture.
In other words, take some time live and be present in your family’s lives. You’ll discover that you really have lots of things you can blog about and share with others.
Don’t worry, your blog is not going to shrivel up and disappear without you. If you’ve just got to post something, you can post some relevant videos or showcase a guest post or republish a related article from an article directory such as ezinearticles.com . You can also write your posts ahead of time and use a plug-in to schedule posts you’d like to publish later. You have options.
So take some time off, gather some life experience and then return to blogging with a fresh perspective. This tip will help you build a better blog in the long. Your readers and your family will thank you.
Image: luigi diamanti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image: Dino De Luca / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
About Kiesha Easley
I recently read this article and I found this to be the most inspirational of them all. Most of the tips that I read online tell me to focus on blogging and spend a lot of time on link exchange, online marketing and promotions that I tend to forget that life itself is more important that what we do online. So, detaching ourselves from blogging and living in reality should always go first.
Jonathan Quiogue recently posted..Cat Laine: Local Innovations Solve Local Problems
Awesome tips. I totally agree, you have to live your life to have what to write about, to let inspiration came to you.
Good point,
That’s why today I only did one post early in the morning, and with the warm Sunny weather went outside for a ride, having a big adventure today watching a dog in the water fetch a stick.(Jumping out of the way not to get totally wet myself)
So, you don’t have to worry about that because on my (many)Blog(s) I don’t really write many posts that frequent.(only when I am really inspired, and than I can usually write them with lightning speed!)
That’s why I call my Posts
- Exclusive –
ain’t that clever? :)
Only when visitors are going to start writing more Comments on my posts, it could take up some time because I enjoy writing Comments on Commenters.
All the Best,
To your Happy Inspiration,
HP
HP van Duuren recently posted..Are You Creating a – Success Journal – for Your Home Business
Twitter: allierambles
says:
Kiesha,
I find the best topics and unique ideas when I step away from my computer and leave the house. There is something about leaving the usual routine and frame of mind that refreshes the thought process.
Staying online, reading, writing and researching can get me into a rut. I tend to start thinking of the same topics over and over because that is what I am reading over and over. Going outside, interacting with my family and friends helps me think more vibrantly.
Great advice.
~Allie
Allie recently posted..Bloggers- What REALLY is Good Content
I often find that some of my best ideas come to me when I am doing something else. Washing up, mowing the lawn etc. ideas just… come to me :-)
Nice article, very useful tip ;-)
Thanks!
Christopher – Technology Bloggers Admin Teanm
Christopher recently posted..AboutMe
When I go on my vacation in a few months, it will be 12 days where I have 0 internet connectivity, no blogging, no social media. It will just be my wife and I enjoying our vacation together. Sometimes you need to just step away to regain some sense of humanity in this digital world.
Justin Germino recently posted..make money online
Kiesha,
I so believe this. I can get so caught up in learning something new to learn, writing posts or guest posts that a life seems to interfere.
Taking a break is revitalizing. My husband loves to fish, we love to take some short jaunts down to the lake, but the trips away from it all are the best ones. Those are the times when there are no computers and no cellphones allowed….It is wonderful. And I a due about now.
Sheila Atwood recently posted..Speedlinking to Blog Challenges on The Weekend Web
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Sheila!
I’m glad you enjoyed this post! Those breaks are so necessary, even if for only a few hours, they make all the difference. Just today, the family and I got away to the lake again, and even though when didn’t fish as planned, being out and witnessing the activities and barbeques of others did wonders.
Hey-hey. I really liked this post. Is it okay if I share this with my friends too ?
But in a different language though. I’ll link back the post to you, of course :)
.-= Sakira´s last blog ..Why GengBlogger, Why ?! =-.
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Sakira!
Sure, I don’t mind. By all means, please share… :) Glad you enjoyed it.
Hey. Thanq :)
Do keep your great posts coming !
I’m subscribing :)
.-= Sakira´s last blog ..1 Tip Yang Akan Membantu Anda Blog Lebih Baik . =-.
This is a nice post Kiesha.
Many bloggers are especially too focused on making money from blogs. Its good to aim for the $$$, but we can’t forget about the soul feeding power of sharing and interaction with families and friends. These wonderful experiences give us life and further encouragement as to why we pursue blogging professionally and passionately.
Keep up the good work Kiesha.
.-= Sam’s Web Guide´s last blog ..23 Easy Ways to Guarantee More Links to your Site =-.
Good Post Keisha, always Take a small break but not long, it may hurt blog traffic.. :)
So true, we have to remember to live life if we want to write about it!
so in other words… get a life, then you’ll have something meaningful to blog about, great idea :)
Nice suggestion. Taking even a small break to walk around can be helpful. Though taking longer breaks to spend time with friends and family is probably the most rejuvenating activity. Sometimes it really tough to get away. I find that scheduling downtime in advance is the best/only way for me to pull myself away!
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Yeah, I have difficulties pulling away myself… been trying to do that for the last 10 minutes. Alright, alright…I’m going now… :)
Thanks for dropping in!
So true! Sometimes we try hard to create content when all we have to do is step out the door for inspiration and experiences to share. Thanks for the reminder :-)!
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Melzie, it’s so easy to forget. I do it all the time…
This is a great post, and I completely agree. Last year, one of my favorite bloggers, gave up blogging for Lent. This year, when considering what I would do for Lent, I felt like I should take a break from blogging. My husband said that he was concerned that I would lose all of my readers. I told him that if they really liked my blog they would remember and return.
Glad to be following you on twitter!
Time to go “log into my life” :)
.-= Sara Ross´s last blog ..Lent: a time for me to be silent … =-.
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Sara! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts…now I’m following you one Twitter! Be blessed!
Hi Keisha,
this is great advice. We do tend to get caught up with our blogging lives at times, and keeping the family and friends in the mix of life is extremely important.
Good reminder for us all.
.-= Jimi Jones´s last blog ..5 Reasons Why Branding May Not Be On Your Radar =-.
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Jimi!
Yeah, I have to remember to socialize with my offline family and friends. Who knew it would be this way back when Jumpin Jack Flash gave me my first glimpse of life online. (Yeah, I know that’s a throwback!) :)
Great post Kiesha! I took a “break” last Thursday and it was awesome for me. New and fresh ideas were coming so fast it was hard to write them all down! I plan to do this about once a month. It is good for me to unplug at least one day a month! :)
.-= Kevin M.´s last blog ..Favourite Links Friday 2/19/10 =-.
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Kevin!
Yeah, the brain just needs a rest sometimes. It’s kind of crazy, though. My mind is always going still, even when I’m supposed to be resting. I have to keep notebooks in my nightstand.
Nice hints and tips here, blogging can be hard to keep up with depending on your niche, but if you’re looking for perspectives then seeking out info from friends and family is a good way to keep ideas fresh.
.-= SEO Manchester´s last blog ..The importance of blogs, case studies and articles =-.
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi SEO!
I’ve learned to take in as much as I can around people, almost everybody has an interesting story…I try to use that to my advantage.
Great post! I address the exact same concept just yesterday when I challenged my readers that ‘they should stop blogging!’
We need to give our mind a chance to relax and allow creativity to flow.
.-= Tom | Build That List´s last blog ..The Aweber Code….And Why You Need To Promote It! =-.