Most of us are so jazzed when we first start blogging that the thought of our blogging spirits ever sagging seems ludicrous.
Sooner or later though, life happens, and our attitude takes a hit.
Maybe our family or friends don’t support our blogging endeavors, or perhaps our traffic and subscriber numbers are still camped out in the basement despite months of hard work. Regardless of the reason, having a stuck-in-the-muck mood puts the brakes on our creativity and motivation. If we want to achieve our long-term goals and enjoy the journey, we need to take action to put the spring back in our blogging steps.
Here are some tips to boost your blogging mood:
- Be kind. Make someone else’s day by sending encouraging emails or uplifting tweets to other bloggers.
- Talk it out. Schedule a Skype chat with a blogging friend to share your blogging frustrations and gain new insights.
- Unplug. Take a digital sabbatical to recharge your spirit and reconnect with your offline world.
- Freshen up. Change out the ads in your sidebar or add a new plug-in or widget.
- Be creative. Brainstorm and mind-map new ideas for posts, projects, and products.
- Get help. Explore the idea of building a blogging team to grow your blog while easing your workload.
- Recharge. Nurture your body with plenty of fluids, exercise, plant-based foods, deep breathing,and sufficient sleep.
- Ramp up your writing. Break from routine by experimenting with the length, format, style, and frequency of your posts.
- Aim high. Set a big goal like writing two guest posts a week and take the first small step towards making it happen.
- Get smart. Decide what you need to learn to take your blog to the next level, and then purchase a book or course offered by someone who has achieved that goal and is sharing their knowledge.
- Minimize. Take some baby steps towards paring down your possessions, responsibilities, and activities.
- Step away from the stats. Go on a stat fast for a couple of weeks and focus on actions you control, such as linking to archived posts and promoting your new posts on social media.
- Celebrate. Treat yourself to a special dinner or other fun event to acknowledge the challenges you’ve already faced and overcome to get to this point on the blogging path.
- Expand your horizons. Join a free forum or paid membership program to network and learn new skills.
- Dress up your digs. Give your blogging environment a makeover with a fresh coat of paint, or just add a minor decorative touch to give things a new look and feel.
- Hit the road. Grab your laptop and blog from a coffee shop, restaurant, or mall food court.
- Face the music. If you’re clear on the reason for your low mood, then make a plan to improve things and take action.
- Get motivated. Watch some inspirational talks on YouTube or listen to some motivating music before writing a post.
- Clear your mind. Meditate for 20 minutes a day, and check in with yourself throughout the day to make sure your mind is focused on the here and now and not the past or future.
- Watch your mouth. Banish words like ‘should’ ‘have to’ and ‘ought to’ from your blogging vocabulary and blog from a place of passion instead.
- Be grateful. Reflect on the many blessings in your blogging life, like owning a computer, having an Internet connection, and possessing the physical capabilities to read or listen to this post.
Feeling blue now and then is a fact of life, so when it happens to you, don’t panic. Your love affair with blogging isn’t over, by any means. You may be in a rough patch right now, but if you treat yourself well and keep on moving, you’ll be back on the blogging high road in no time at all.
Your turn: How do you boost your blogging mood?
Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
About Jean
Twitter: seommotips
says:
Hi Jean
That’s a basket full of great tips. Banish words like ‘should’ ‘have to’ and ‘ought to’ from your blogging vocabulary – how true. Sooner or later you need to grow authority.
Suresh Khanal recently posted..How to Change WordPress Comment Author for Deleted User
This is a great post with really helpful advices who I need to follow. Thanks, I learned a lot from this post.
Despite the nature of my blog being one that allows for some space, I still fall so easily into I ‘should’ language. This has been a helpful & refreshing article at a time when I feel my next post is ‘well overdue’ (by my own definition!). These are all great tips to get back going & also to not reprimand myself too severely for apparent ‘rough patches’! Thank you!
Ruthie D recently posted..Fancy dress
Love this post. Some excellent tips and tricks that can benefit us all.
Personally I find I’m most creative at night and write my best material then, I can’t be the only nightowl can I? Thank god for coffee!
Nice post, thanks Jean, I have learned a lot from this, I want to read more your article about blogging tips :)
ccna2 recently posted..Accessing the WAN Final Exam Answers
Thanks for the great tips, I love your site! :)
PicsWalls recently posted..Girl Pics
very useful tips, thanks a lot
ccna exam answers recently posted..CCNA Exploration 4 Final Exam Answers
thanks Jean, I have learned many things in this article, keep it up :)
I love it! Thanks for posting, I have been looking for something like this because of some block or obstacles when blogging. I seriously need to recharge.
We all need a recharge now and again. Hope some of these tips will help give you a boost!
Jean Sarauer recently posted..The 5-Minute-a-Day Twitter Strategy
Well, for me, I am singing while blogging but of course it is done along with a music. I get an inspiration from it especially if I am writing a creative article for my blog.
Singing is definitely uplifting! Good tip.
Jean Sarauer recently posted..The 5-Minute-a-Day Twitter Strategy
I absolutely agree with the tips. I feel some moods also while blogging. My technique in building my mood while blogging is through eating to build up my brain process for me an empty stomach is an empty brain :)
Oh, I’m going to remember that – an empty stomach is an empty brain. Stellar!
Jean Sarauer recently posted..Making Your Personality Shine Through Your Blog
Jean this is a comprehensive list to eliminate fatigue. Point#12 has major contribution. Because when we see the stats not touching our goal, we get upset.
So point number 12 is a must follow. After that, watching movies or dramas is also a way of entertainment with ultimate result in boosted mood for blogging.
Thanks for a great list.
Imran Yousaf recently posted..SEO Tips to Include Every Post in Search Engine Indexation
Hi Imran. Movies are great to take us out of obsession mode and help us relax. Blogging can take over our lives if we’re not careful!
Jean Sarauer recently posted..Making Your Personality Shine Through Your Blog
Another tactic I use is to always carry a notebook (or smart-phone with a memo’s application)around. It’s surprising how many blog ideas you have when not near the computer.
When I’m stuck, I’ll check my notebook to see what ideas I may have there.
Carolee recently posted..This is a test
Good idea, Carolee. Creativity seems to thrive when we unplug and get out and live a little!
Jean Sarauer recently posted..Making Your Personality Shine Through Your Blog
The blogging mood also gets better when you set yourself a fixed working schedule and follow it strictly, otherwise you’ll start your PC after waking up and shutting it down immediately before you are going to bed which will eventually burn you down.
I work with a schedule these days too, Andreas. And I sometimes have to force myself to step away from the keyboard when my scheduled time is over, but it’s better than getting burnt out.
Jean Sarauer recently posted..Making Your Personality Shine Through Your Blog
That happens to me! Not the burnout, though. Since my house is small, the pc’s left on while doing something else. When I’m not the one using the keyboard, my children are. I guess I have to impose a schedule also. My electric bill is too much!
c5 recently posted..Welcome!
I face this kind of situation of having a bad mood when my blogging expectations are not met. For example, if a post doesn’t get much recognition that I was expecting, I sometimes feel a but let down and then unplug myself from the digital world. Then when the situation passes away, I get back to blogging.
Sourav recently posted..How To Get 30 Comments On A New Blog
Sourav, I’ve had the same thing happen. I want things to be a certain way and when they aren’t, I get deflated. My weekend digital breaks have pretty much cured this and given me good perspective, so I’m glad you’re umplugging sessions work out well too.
Jean Sarauer recently posted..Making Your Personality Shine Through Your Blog
Hi Jean,
Nice post! I really needed this to read a post like this. I especially like the 2 blog posts a week. That is a goal I will shoot for very soon. It will certainly take my mind off my own little blogging blues and issues.
Thanks,
Evelyn
Evelyn recently posted..Detox Symptoms Are Normal
Hi Evelyn. Sorry you’ve been dealing with the blogging blues. But, the good thing about them is that they usually do lead us to make changes that are ultimately for our own good and the good of our blogs too. Hugs and blessings to you.
Jean Sarauer recently posted..Making Your Personality Shine Through Your Blog
I think these tips will work for anybody at any time — meaning they’re not only relevant for blogging and bloggers — good, practical advice; thank you Jean.
Sean – Wholesaler in Bali recently posted..Happy New Year 2011! you just missed Christmas
Thanks, Sean. You’re right – a lot of the tips here, and with many other blogging articles, can work well for other areas of our lives too.
Jean Sarauer recently posted..Making Your Personality Shine Through Your Blog
Hi Jean,
Fantastic tips. As someone who occasionally suffers from blogger burnout, I think taking a break and going offline to recharge yourself is a major tip. Blogging can consume your life, if you let it. So, before it gets so bad, one should go through these awesome tips before they become another statistic (bloggers who gave up).
Karen recently posted..The Five Keys To Happiness
I’ve been pretty hardcore with my digital breaks and with giving myself a few hours every day offline too. It’s really making a difference in the quality of my life and work. It goes a long way in helping me sort out the essential things and work on those, plus of course it’s great for my mood and health.
And you’re got an excellent point there about how we risk becoming one of the statistics if we don’t get proactive about things.
Hey Jean,
Not too long ago I had the blogger blues. I took a break for a couple of days from concentrating on my own blog and just started reading, commenting, and hanging out elsewhere. I just had to wait for the moment to pass. Time is a magical thing!
Tia Peterson recently posted..Two Cents Tuesday- Insecurities Will Kill Your Blog
I bet that did it for you too, I’m often stimulated by the energy of others … when I don’t have my own. ;-)
Thanks, Jean!
Evelyn recently posted..Modern Day Moses- Wyclef Jean
I get picked up by others’ energy too, Evelyn. It’s better than caffeine, and since I’m a coffee lover, that’s saying something!
Jean Sarauer recently posted..21 Essential Life Lessons
Taking a little break is just what we need sometimes, Tia. If only we could always remember that saying in tough times, ‘this too shall pass.’
Jean Sarauer recently posted..21 Essential Life Lessons
Nice article, Jean. It’s certainly easy to get the blogging blues. When I first started blogging I got “writers block” often because I wasn’t sure I had anything to offer. But then something happened. I started reading a lot of other blogs and the typical comments left and realized something. Most comments I read were the bland author ass kiss and nothing more. This was a bit frustrating so I began to leave what I considered valuable comments and my own insights into the article topic. What I found has cured my writers block and given me a laundry list of blog topics. The key was this: reading blogs of creative and thought provoking people. I’ve created blogs from nothing more than expanding upon comments I’ve left on someone elses blog. Having something of value to add to the conversation or thinking in more innovative ways can simply be a biproduct of your environment. That’s why it’s crucial to surround yourself with only the best people, be in digitally or otherwise.
Brett Relander
http://TacticalMarketingLabs.com
@BrettRelander
Brett Relander recently posted..Customer Service in the Digital Age
Brett, that’s an excellent point. Some of my better posts have come from doing exactly what you said via expanding on comments, and also on forum replies. Engaging in conversation with creative, intelligent people opens up our own creative channels. And it feels like such a gift when we write a comment and then see that we’ve just planted the seed of a great future post!
Jean Sarauer recently posted..21 Essential Life Lessons
Thanks for the lift. I know patience is king, but it can get you down when you don’t see any results from months of hardwork, as you said. Thanks for the tips to perk back up and get re-energized.
Rebecca recently posted..What Are Your Social Media Goals
Hi Rebecca. I understand completely. The thing I remind myself of is that there will always be someone else doing better, having more, etc., so I really have to do this for the joy of it first and foremost. Also, I take my ‘P’ vitamins every day (patience, perseverance, productivity, perspective, passion, and purpose).
Jean Sarauer recently posted..21 Essential Life Lessons
Hey Jean,
You knock it out of the park with this one. I believe every blogger can relate to this post. You basically covered every single one. There is one thing I can add, take a break and hit the gym. :)
Chat with you later…
Josh
Josh Garcia recently posted..How Learning Copywriting Made Me Connect With My Audience
Hi Josh. I need to hit the gym more myself or engage in some other intense physical exercise. It’s great for the physical benefits and endorphin release, but seems to bring clarity and focus to writing too.
Jean Sarauer recently posted..21 Essential Life Lessons
Subscribers in the basement? Gosh you are fortunate. My subscribers got lost somewhere in blog world and still haven’t found my building never mind the street address.
My familiar subscribers procrastination, consternation and trepidation leave plenty of comments although they are usually disparaging to say the least. Thank heavens for the moderation widget.
Jokes aside, nice inspirational post.
Andre, your comment has all the foundations of a hilarious post :) I think I’ve got those same subscribers! If I see the rest of your subscribers roaming the streets, I’ll tell them to get back in your basement pronto!
Jean Sarauer recently posted..21 Essential Life Lessons
Some innovative ideas in there, really got me thinking about the blogging brick wall. Oddly enough for some reason yesterday I dug out a book by Baba Ram Dass that I haven’t read for 35 odd years and got some great ideas for lifting myself out of the blogging quicksand that I sometimes find myself wading through which why your number 7 hit a chord with me.
Kevin Tea recently posted..Google Revamps Calendar- Adds New Features
Kevin, I love the terms, ‘blogging brick wall’ and ‘blogging quicksand.’ I’ve hit that wall and been in that quicksand and it’s always because I’ve strayed so far from my ‘center’ of self care and living in alignment with my values. Ah well, there is hope for all of us :)
Jean Sarauer recently posted..21 Essential Life Lessons
Twitter: bbrian017
says:
Sometimes I find myself in a negative mood because I’m always looking for extraordinary growth and reaction from my blogging friends and when I don’t get it I think I’m doing something wrong which in return frustrates me.
Your tips and suggestions on how to stay positive are greatly appreciated from someone who actually really needs it.
Brian, I’ve been there too – looking for a sense of worth from things that are outside of myself rather than just focusing on the satisfaction and enjoyment of creating and connecting. Ah well, one day perhaps we’ll both simply stick to what’s important :)
Jean Sarauer recently posted..21 Essential Life Lessons
so true!! Reading posts like this are invaluable because they enable me to see that I am not alone on some of the things that I occasionally feel.
There were days that I put so many expectations on myself that I was angry, sad, dejected, frustrated for a variety of reasons.
I love the tip of worrying about what we can control (along with many of the others) and not worrying about the stats so much (which I do).
I will be sure to implement these tips the next time the blogging blues hits
caren gittleman recently posted..Cody- aka Wascally Wabbit Or Rabbit Boy
Hi Caren. Isn’t it something how we can tie ourselves up in knots with our own expectations and the comparathons we enter into? I still have to reel myself in on a regular basis because I start wandering down those roads to nowhere!
Jean Sarauer recently posted..21 Essential Life Lessons
Glad to hear that, Voitik. We all need a little help with mood-boosting in our blogging now and again.
Jean Sarauer recently posted..21 Essential Life Lessons
A great post, thank you, I will try some tips in here, hope it works
Thanks Jeffrey and good luck!
Jean Sarauer recently posted..21 Essential Life Lessons