The other day another blogger brought to my attention that some people think blogging is a dying art.
I disagree.
Yes, I know I don’t write as often as I used to. But really, it was insufferable writing, or at least that’s what I think sometimes when I look through my archives. Am I the only one? How many consecutive posts full of GIFs can I write and have people stick around? (For the record, I love GIFs. Have a whole post with more GIFs than words? I will love you forever). I digress.
Blogging is a lot like high school…
Freshman year
For the first six months, you blog five or more times per week, which is just like to going to class every single day. You don’t miss blog hops cut class. You include annoying links to your blog / blog hop / giveaway with every comment turn in extra credit. You comment on 15 or more blogs per day to get more exposure. You don’t even know what a niche is, but you try to tackle as many different niches as you possibly can, because more is more. Not that I’m talking from experience or anything.
And just like the awkward kid with braces and acne, you load up on as many ad swaps as you can. If you’re anything like me, you asked much bigger bloggers for an ad swap. No, no, no.
#facepalm.
Sophomore year
Months six through 12 make you a little more experienced, and you start getting a little cocky. You’re leaving your awkward Freshman stage behind and you’ve made some friends. You decide cutting class not blogging once a week isn’t the end of the world.
For the record, I never cut class in high school. Ok. I lied. I did once. It was junior year after Grease dress rehearsals ended, and I felt entitled to because I was serving the school. Let’s ignore the fact that it was during the last 5 days of school anyway. #rebel.
Junior year
There are new “freshmen” entering the blogging world each day and you can’t keep up with the ever-increasing new faces. Also, the stress of being an established blogger (giveaways, sponsored posts, sponsor duties, social media, blog branding, blogging PR, and continuing to pump out great content) starts taking a toll on you. Big time.
You start wondering if you can really do it all and you start wondering if “high school” is for you.
Senior year
You’ve been at this forever.
Calm down, it’s only been a year. two if you were left behind.
People are dropping out left and right. Those that haven’t dropped out are dropping Blogger like it’s hot and moving to WordPress.
Some weeks you don’t show up for class at all. You are officially burnt out. You think “high school” is a waste of time. And then Memorial Day happens and nobody shows up for school anymore.
ERMAGERD! HIGH SCHOOL IS DYING.
Snap. out. of. it.
Blogging isn’t dying. You’re just bored with it, and it’s okay. Memorial Day was last week and summertime is here to stay. You can’t fathom being stuck inside when the sun’s shining, and the beach beckons you with her Siren Songs. Go on and get your vitamin D. It’s okay.
Promise. I’ll join you (if hand-holding makes you feel better).
Blogging has its ebbs and flows. New bloggers enter the scene all the time, and because you have learned how to balance your time better are busy as shit, you don’t pick up on it as quickly. However, all of these newer bloggers know who you are. They’re learning from you. They look up to you.
They read your blog.
So while your feed may look a little sparser now that the livin’ is easy, don’t despair. Blogging will pick up again.
Pack your sunscreen and a notebook and head to the beach. You’ll have spectacular new posts just in time for the next freshman class.
Enjoy your summer break!