Breaking Up with Blogging

 

I can’t do this anymore.

This blogging thing.

For two years I have tried to make something out of it. I’ve worked tirelessly for endless nap times and late nights.

I’ve joined Facebook groups and Instagram groups with other bloggers.

I’ve learned so much about this blogging world from these groups.

And honestly? I’m done with it.

 

Here is just a glimpse at what it looks like to put a blog post out there:

  • Come up with an idea
  • Pitch the idea to a company who will sponsor it
  • Write the idea
  • Create catchy, pinterest-worthy graphics
  • Publish blog post at the right time of day
  • Publish social media posts alongside the blog post, but all at different times because each social media performs better at different times of the day
  • Post in engagement groups in order to get more views. In return, like and comment on (at least) 15 other people’s blog posts
  • Post in blog groups and ask beg for shares/views. In return, do the same for several other bloggers
  • Post on personal social media asking for shares/views

Is all that worth it?

Not for me.

I’m so burnt out from all this. I’m burnt out from contacting companies and hearing rejection after rejection.

I’m burnt out from reading and commenting on so many other bloggers, just in the hopes that one or two will come back to my site and leave a comment.

I’m burnt out looking at all my stats and telling myself that they just don’t measure up.

I’m burnt out because I want to post a picture, but all the “rules” say it’s not a good time of day.

I’m burnt out from focusing so much on making money. In the blogging community, it seems like if I don’t make $$ from a post, it wasn’t a good post.

So I’m done with this blogging thing.

Don’t get me wrong. This blog is sticking around.

But I’m going back to the old ways of blogging, where blogging was a journal/scrapbook and people read it because they wanted to. I want my blogging routine to look a little more like this:

  • Come up with an idea
  • Write about said idea
  • Share it on my social media when and how I want to, and not worry about doing it wrong or not getting enough feedback

Wouldn’t it be fabulous if I did this, and the people flocked to my site anyways? Yes, it would. Is that going to happen? Not likely. And I’m slowly learning to be ok with that. As much as this is a creative outlet for me, doing all the “right” things to get my blog out there is just burning me out and taking way too much time away from my family.

Do I still want to make a side income for my family? Yes. I’m desperate to try to contribute to our income, because God knows we need it. However, I’m not focusing on that as the primary goal for my blog. It’s tiring and exhausting and I have absolutely no interest in doing sponsored posts.

Do I still want to gain followers and see my numbers go up? Of course I do. However, I’m not going to waste my time working to gain followers. If you want to read this blog, you are more than welcome to. If youdon’t want to read it, that’s fine, too.

I’m going back to just writing from the heart and posting whenever the heck I want. I refuse to worry about whether or not my lighting is correct and my pictures are perfect and my posting time is ideal. Do I need to work on those things? Yes, I do. I’m not going to be a lazy blogger. But I refuse to let those tiny, inconsequential details run my blogging life.

Here at The Glorious Mundane, you will get real life. You will get posts written from the heart. If I ever mention a product it’s because I think it’s fabulous, not because someone is paying me to do (I might be getting paid, but I will only mention it if I do truly love it!).

 

I recently read an article that said that blogging was a dying art. I had to disagree because it seems to me that everybody and their aunt has a blog nowadays. However, as I continued reading, I realized that she had a point: It seems that the majority of blogs are for bloggers (link ups, blogging tips, etc). Hmmmm. So, out of curiosity, I would love to know….

Are you a blogger or a non-blogger? Why do you stick around? You know I LOVE to hear from you all!

 

**WOW, you guys have been responding like crazy to this post!!! I just wanted to add one added clarification: I am NOT against the bloggers who are hustling and making money from their gig!!! In fact, I am SO thoroughly impressed by these ladies and I read and support a number of these blogs frequently!!

 

 

 

 

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60 comments

  1. Rachael Kolker says:

    I’ve been reading your blog since May-ish. Not a blogger, but I enjoy reading about the things your family does and I make mental notes of the cool things here in Dayton to do once my baby is older. Like the Learning Tree Farm! And I love the birth stories, please do more!

    • sdevalve@cedarville.edu says:

      Thank you so much for reading along! I am so grateful that you have stuck around! I hope to do more posts about things around Dayton- I have not been doing them as often because I have been trying to contact businesses and get something out of promoting them. So I may still work at contacting them, but either way…I’ll be sharing them! I really want to do more birth stories…I need more submissions!!! I’ll put out another post soon asking for more. I’ve heard a lot of people say that they love birth story Friday around here!

  2. Teej says:

    I’m not a blogger. I started reading your blog last spring because I was interested in foster care. I stuck around because I liked your writing style and blog voice. You sound kind and sincere. I never got the feeling from your blog that you were just shilling, shilling, shilling and hustling, hustling, hustling to make a buck…like I get the feel from some other blogs. I will continue reading, and I have a feeling I won’t be able to tell the difference in your new outlooks vs. before.

    You’re doing a great job! Keep up the good work!

    • sdevalve@cedarville.edu says:

      I’m so thankful that you have stuck around! I hope that I have been able to answer any questions about foster care that originally brought you here! Stick around, and I’m sure you will get a lot more about it in the next few months!
      I am so grateful for your comment, and it is such a HUGE compliment to me. I truly desire to be sincere and although I have tried to get into the competitive aspect of it, and it just doesn’t ring true to myself. I will keep on hustling to bring content and share about my life, but I won’t do it by other people’s standards. Thanks SO MUCH for reading along and leaving this comment!!!

  3. Amanda Bumgarner says:

    Hi! I’m a blogger, but I don’t think I’ve ever been here before. Another blogger I followed liked this post on Bloglovin and I happened to see it. I totally agree with you about the amount of time and energy it takes to blog for income these days and gain followers. I honestly blog for fun and for me! I do sponsored posts occasionally but only if it’s about something I really like and want to share about. It can be discouraging when people don’t flock to your blog just because you are awesome, but I think having an engaged following (even if it’s small) is fun too, especially when you are writing about things you enjoy 🙂

    • sdevalve@cedarville.edu says:

      Hello there! I’m so glad you decided to stop by and leave this comment! It means SO much to me! It sounds like we have really similar philosophies on blogging! And I completely agree with you about the engaged following- I find that I have so many wonderful, genuine women who are always engaging with me because of this blog! I’m so thankful for that! I’m heading over to check out your blog right now.

  4. Heather says:

    I read your blog and am not a blogger. I read your posts partly because we’ve prayed for your family for years and years and it’s neat to hear your grown-up thoughts, beliefs, and family happenings. I appreciate your honesty. So, yeah, you’re stuck with me. 🙂

    • sdevalve@cedarville.edu says:

      Wow, thank you so much for letting me know that you have been praying for my family for years AND that you read my blog! It means so much to me!

  5. Nikki Crump says:

    I found this post through Facebook. At the start of the year a adopted your philosophy. I was tired of all of that. I still do sponsored post every now and then, but my focus has changed to producing quality content. If it brings money great, if it doesn’t that is okay too. I want to connect and encourage people. Great post.

  6. Lisa Robertson says:

    I read your blog from time-to-time and am also a “break up with blogging” blogger. I found you through Instagram and our shared hearts for foster care. I have found that the effort put towards blogging for any other reason besides wanting to share my heart and what Jesus is doing in and through our lives is just not worth it. I haven’t posted a new blog since last fall and…I’m okay with that. Life goes on. I’ve posted shorter tidbits and musings on my Instagram and Facebook page and that suffices for me for now. Maybe one day I will pick back up, but Jesus has me too busy pouring into the lives he’s marching through our door! Wish you continued success in WHATEVER fills your heart!!

  7. Ali says:

    I loved this post & agree 100%! I just started blogging in October/November and had NO idea the pressure & stress that came with it! I’ve been struggling myself lately and have decided to continue what I’m doing, at MY pace. I came across your blog via Natalies’s Blogging e-course (and so glad I did!), I felt “connected” instantly & think your family is absolutely adorable. Keep doing you, I’m excited to follow along! 💜

  8. Ali says:

    I loved this post and agree 100%! I just started blogging in October/November and had NO idea about the stress & pressure that came along with it to post perfect pictures, posts, timing, etc.! (I have been struggling myself lately with the pressure but have told myself to continue at MY pace and posting about the things I enjoy)

    I came across your blog via Natalie’s Blogging e-Course (and am so glad I did). I felt “connected” immediately and think your family is absolutely adorable. I am excited to follow along on your “new” blogging journey and hope you find peace again with your blog! <3

    • sdevalve@cedarville.edu says:

      Thank you so much for following along! I love how you said to go at your own pace. That’s exactly right! And while it’s SO good to have goals, it’s also important to keep everything in perspective and be content even if the blog doesn’t take off right away (or ever!)

  9. Jacki says:

    You do you boo!! Joking aside, it is so frustrating. The rules. So many rules if I want my words read. There are so many times I want to quit. But I don’t because I really do like it. Keep journaling Suzanne! I love your honesty and perspective!

    • sdevalve@cedarville.edu says:

      Jacki, you are rocking this blog thing! Seriously, I look up to you so much and admire the hustle that you put into your blog! I also love how you do a lot of things that earn you money, but you ALWAYS put personal stuff in, too. I will always be a fan of your blog!

  10. Kelsey Janssen says:

    Non-blogger. I started reading because you are real, Christian, we share natural birthing in common, both of our children are practically the same age (Heidi 08/12/14 & Eric 11/03/16), I don’t know a thing about what it must be like to have parent’s halfway around the world or to grow up in another country so that’s fascinating, I used to live in Indiana and have friends that live in Dayton, I find you and yours interesting and I LOVE to read about other’s lives. Whew.
    Totally understand you’re choice tho. I’ve looked into blogging before and it’s appeal hasn’t really struck me. I am a stay-at-home mom and help supplement our income with nannying a couple days a week. It’s not much but it helps with projects, vacations and some emergencies. Best of luck to you. I’ll still be following you!

  11. Shay says:

    It’s like you read my mind! I also blog and one of my goals for 2016 was to do more sponsored posts. As time went on, I too, decided to just write from the heart and go back to the original purpose of my blog which was to write and connect with other mamas. If they came and read, great, but if not, that’s great too! Love this post of yours and can’t wait to read more!

    • sdevalve@cedarville.edu says:

      Yep, totally agree! I found myself writing a sponosored post a couple months ago and I felt like I was just making it all up!! I hated that post so much, even though the company loved it. I’ll probably still do some sponsored stuff here and there, but I’m VERY selective about what I advertise on here!

  12. Crystal says:

    I’m a blogger and think the only people who read my blog are other bloggers and a handful of real-life friends. I figured at my current rate of new FB likes, I will have enough to make a profit in 50 years. Haha. My trouble is I can’t justify keeping the blog if it doesn’t even earn enough to pay hosting fees and I am barely keeping up with that by working my butt off!

    • sdevalve@cedarville.edu says:

      I actually laughed out loud when I read your comment. HAHAHA. So true. Every year I tel myself that this will be the year that I make enough money to cover the hosting fees. Nope. And nope. And nope again. Finally, I just sat down with Theo and we agreed that since it’s such a creative outlet for me, we would be willing to pay hosting fees from our regular ol income. But seriously…it’s tough!

  13. Kay says:

    I can totally understand and relate!! A couple years ago I decided to “make money with this hobby”… yeah right. The blogger’s groups, etc were not my cup of tea!
    I toyed with quitting altogether, but finally I was like well, why not just go back to the way I started?! And that’s what I have been doing. Yes, I do sponsored posts – ONLY if they contact me and I like the company.
    I stopped trying to find my niche, my tribe, my anything. I got out of almost all groups. I write from my heart about what interests me, and I hope to earn money from my other writing endeavors. (magazine articles, books, etc)
    Hope you can start to breathe again! It’s peaceful for me with no deadlines! 😀

  14. Connie Gomez says:

    I’m a blogger!!! I LOVE THIS!!! SO much you have no idea!! I am ready to write my own breakup post for very different but VERY similar reasons!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR HEART. I can’t wait to keep reading about it all!!! <3

    • sdevalve@cedarville.edu says:

      It’s not creepy at all! I read so many other blogs and my favorites are the ones that just share their lives!

  15. Mitzi says:

    I’ve been blogging for two years also and I have taken 3-4 breaks because I burned myself out and not for sponsored posts either. Just for my own posts. I’ve decided to throw the schedule out the window and blog when I feel like it which lately has been once a week. During that time I just stay active on social media, talk about the post throughout the week and take weekends off from anything blog related. It is so much less stressful this way.

    • sdevalve@cedarville.edu says:

      Girl, I’m so glad that you have found something that works for you and you have stuck with it! I think this is a MUST to avoid burnout!!!

  16. Nicole says:

    I love this so much and I am so glad you shared your feelings about this topic. I started my blog last December almost January and I have been more discouraged than encouraged for almost all the same reasons. I have recently come to the conclusion that I have to keep giving this WHOLE blogging thing over to God otherwise it consumes me for all the wrong reasons. Thanks for sharing sweet heart.
    xo, Nicole

    • sdevalve@cedarville.edu says:

      Oh, Nicole! I wish that I could just meet you for a little cafe date and talk through these things! I have also faced so much discouragement. It seems that every other blogger I know has gotten their big break while I’m just over here piddling along, trying to be authentic with nothing to show for it. I totally get you. I cannot tell you how many times I have surrendered my blog over to the Lord, only to find myself worrying about it just a few hours later. Keep doing what you are doing, just make sure that it brings you joy and that it brings God glory. And the results are up to HIM!

  17. Ana says:

    I enjoyed reading this post! I wholeheartedly understand your perspective. As a new blogger on the scene, I became inundated with a ton of useful tips of dos and donts. In 2017, the Lord impressed upon my heart to just focus. Focus on blogging/writing. While I’m still apart of some amazing FB groups, I’m no longer fully engaged. I don’t stalk my social media following. I don’t get bummed out by growing email list. I still blog and this is my primary focus. Thank you for sharing your heart.

    • sdevalve@cedarville.edu says:

      Yes, yes, yes! I see the value in the groups and they have honestly been SO helpful to me. But I just found myself so burned out, so discouraged and stuck in the comparison trap. My word for 2017 is freedom, and I’m pursuing that wholeheartedly by letting go of all the rules and extras!

  18. Jodi says:

    This is so interesting! I don’t have my blog up just yet. I’m scared to do it because I barely have time to post to Instagram. I want to do it! I like sharing and connecting with women! Thanks for sharing your blogging world and from your heart!

    • sdevalve@cedarville.edu says:

      I know, it’s so hard to find the time, no matter what age your kids are! I say just go for it! If you can only post once a week at first, that’s fine! You have an amazing heart and so many things that you can share…I can’t wait to see your blog get started!

  19. Esther says:

    Blogger here. I wholeheartedly agree with your struggle and thoughts. I have wanted to keep my site honest and authentic, so it has meant I am not focusing on it bringing me any money. It’s hard not to get caught up with all the hubbub of the blogger community but I keep going back to that idea at influence conf – is it worth writing for 50? For 10? For 5? For 1? For my mother? And it is an important message to be asking.. What if it is just for me? To test out ideas? To have an outlet and to process? A memory of motherhood in the trenches and the struggle to live cross culturally in a monocultural setting, with needy small kids? For me it’s worth it. For the moment. 🙂 Can’t wait to see where you take this blog! I will still follow, obvs!

    • sdevalve@cedarville.edu says:

      YES, THIS!!! You are so right. It’s worth it for me to write and have a creative outlet. To spend all the time on other things, though? It’s just not worth it (for me!). Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

  20. Sarah Vieira says:

    I love this blog post Suzanne! How transparent and honest you are. I just barely started blogging (even having a IG account) in October. Social media was always scary. I started blogging as a way to connect with other mamas, believers, etc. I do see how it’s easy to get wrapped up on trying to “win it”, but having our feet grounded and heart in what’s true, like yourself, can really change outcome. I love your humbleness and transparency!

    • sdevalve@cedarville.edu says:

      Sarah, thank you SO MUCH for stopping by and leaving this comment! Girl, you got this. Seriously, it is so easy to get wrapped up in it….but stay true to yourself and your follows will engage so much more and be much more authentic. That’s not to say that people with 10k followers aren’t authentic, it just means that it’s going to be slow and you have to remember why you are doing it in the first place!

  21. Naya says:

    I’m a blogger but I also don’t have the time to do the hustle. More power to the people who make money off their blogs, but I don’t think it’s for me. I am with you 100% Suzanne!

    • sdevalve@cedarville.edu says:

      Oh, girl. I totally agree!! My theory is that we will have time for what we make time for. Saying yes to one thing means saying no to another. So I’m choosing to say no to all the extras in promoting my blog and saying yes to more time on something else!
      P.S. I totally read your blog, so there is that!

  22. Annabelle says:

    I’m not a blogger. I enjoy reading your blog though. We were friends at camp quite a while ago now! I love hearing how your doing and about your lovely family.

    • sdevalve@cedarville.edu says:

      Annabelle, thanks so much for stopping by to leave this comment!!! It means so much! I love following along with snippets of your life on Facebook and Instagram, too!

  23. Nancy says:

    I am a blogger, but I write mostly so family and friends back in the USA know what’s going on with me. I admire that you’ve tried to do this as an income, but I also admire that you know when to quit. And I’m SOOOOOO glad you aren’t completely giving up your blog!!!

    • sdevalve@cedarville.edu says:

      I’m pretty sure you are one of the only people who has ever read every blog post! Hahahahha! You are always my biggest fan and I am so thankful for that!

  24. Rebekah Ellis says:

    Hey Suzanne! I follow your blog because I love to keep updated with your family- but more than that- I love the rawness of life you bring. Sometimes life can be so dressed up on social media and you can feel like you’re the only one experiencing anything… real! But I find myself here in good company knowing that this life thing isn’t always perfect; but it’s beautiful. Your blog inspires me to write more myself, although I’m not so confident to post anything online yet! I think when you have such a good and beautiful heart, it’s hard for people not to be drawn to that. That’s why I’m still here since you basically started the blog! And I’m happy you’re not leaving! I also follow you on Instagram and although I may not like every photo (I think I’m just lazy!), it’s always a breath of fresh air in my news feed. So thank you. Thank you for allowing us to see the real you and in turn allow ourselves to be the real ‘me’.
    Rebekah xxx

    • sdevalve@cedarville.edu says:

      Bekah! This comment means SO, SO much to me!!!! Thank you for taking the time to stop by and say all of these words. I honestly had NO clue that you were encouraged by anything I had ever written! I always feel like my main audience is other Moms, so it’s SO encouraging to hear that I’ve even reached those beyond my little, tiny circle of influence.
      As far as your writing goes- I say GO FOR IT. You never know who your writing and your stories might encourage or challenge! I will be your biggest fan if you do decide to go public!

  25. Patricia says:

    Suzanne, one thing I’ve always admired about you is your honesty and the fact that your heart is always going to point you in the direction of what’s best for you and your family without being swayed by the opinions of others. I’m not saying that means it’s easy, but I truly respect that. I’m still giving it my all and I can’t wait to see where the Lord takes me but I’ve also struggled with all of the above! The rules and the pressure can be so hard! I still do you sponsored posts but I feel like I always miss a ton of great opportunities that it seems other people get. And then the Lord is taking me to some very deep and personal places in what I have an am going to be writing and those things make it hard to find my place sometimes. Regardless, I’m still gonna be doing me and reading your stuff and showing you all the love. Thanks again for sharing your heart! It’s important to guard it, whatever that looks like for you!! Definitely praying for the Lord to continue to be our guide in all of this. Love you!

    • sdevalve@cedarville.edu says:

      Patty, I’m a HUGE fan of yours. When I look at your blog and social media channels I see where I want to be down the road. I know that you do sponsored content, but I always feel like it’s genuine and helpful. That’s the kind of sponsored content I would do, too. I also love how you have such a genuine heart for the Lord and for the people around you. You are a voice for the voiceless and I have NEVER heard an unkind word spoken about you (just the opposite, in fact!). You are an incredible woman and I know that God is using your platform in amazing ways!
      Thanks so much for encouraging me, cheering me on and not being afraid to call me out when I’m way off the mark!

  26. Stephanie Gilbert says:

    Girl, I feel you!!! And I personally love your writing! It is real and raw and just plain genuine! You do you, and I just know God will grow this thing in his timing…heck, I think you’re already doing far greater than you realize!

  27. Amy Dummermuth says:

    I can totally relate with this. When I started blogging, which was only about 6 months ago, I just wanted it to be a hobby. But now that I’ve been at it for few months, I find myself getting discouraged when I don’t get the views, comments, or shares that other bloggers seem to get! I have to frequently step back and remember why I started blogging! I think you’re doing a great job and seem like you have plenty of engaged readers, that’s all that matters 🙂

    • sdevalve@cedarville.edu says:

      You are doing awesome! At six months in, I think I only had two readers- my Mom and my husband (because I asked him to)!! It’s so important to step back and reconsider often. If it’s a hobby, it should be bringing us joy. If it’s a job, of course there will be instances that we don’t find complete joy in it, but we should still enjoy it if it is a job of choice! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!

  28. Grace Anguiano says:

    I’m not a blogger. I found you through Instagram while you were fostering Little Miss and began reading your blog because I enjoyed the updates about you and your family. My husband and I are foster parents (currently on a break) who live in Indiana, and I love reading about your heart for foster care! I also love that you guys live in the Midwest. 🙂 ALSO. We’re expecting our first biological child this spring, and I’ve really enjoyed reading your birth stories.

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