Throughout my blogging journey I’ve always been open and honest, sharing my experiences and what I’ve encountered as a blogger for nearly three years. Well, today is no different. I am sharing again.
And I’m calling it the evolution of blogging – part II, if you will.
What I noticed about that blogging post I wrote a couple of weeks ago is the fact that I appeared to strike a chord with many of YOU. Apparently, I am not alone in feeling the wave of change in this bloggy space. Between my own words and the comments received on that post, I observed some interesting points that add to this dialogue about the evolution of blogging…
1. Many of us started blogging when our children were babies, but many of us have left the baby stage. I have to be honest and tell you that when I began Theta Mom® I did not see past the “baby” stage because when you’re in it, it feels like an eternity. Your life is SO consumed with sleepless nights and spit-up that it’s hard to think about anything else. Blogging became my outlet at that time in my life and I certainly was not thinking about when my kid turned ten considering I was just trying to get through the damn day.
Three years ago, my life consisted of raising a toddler and an infant, so I was VERY interested in conversing and following mom blogs that were going through a similar stage – we were in it together. But now, as my kids are older, I am far beyond the baby stage so I am not as interested in sippy cups or diaper bags – so this is a huge part of the evolution.
2. As our children get older, our interests change. And so do our blogs. Time, it’s such a precious commodity and it’s harder and harder to come by these days. When we had little babies we were pretty much chained to the house, so we were a community connected online – all of the time. But, as our children are growing up, so are our blogs. We are spending more time offline than online and it’s become increasingly harder to maintain a consistent readership through this change. Does it mean I have to stop blogging or not follow some of these other mom blogs? Of course not. But, it does mean that my interests have changed and my blog is taking on a new direction and from what I gather, many of you are experiencing the same kind of transition – which is another part of this evolution.
3. As our blogs change and our priorities shift, so does our love affair with social media. For me, Pinterest did me in. It was that final social media platform that put me over the edge. Trying to keep up with it all AND maintain a blog, business and raise a family was just too much. And of course I blogged about that shift, too. Again, it comes down to how much time you have to put into this and where you need to be most productive when you are online. Social Media was beginning to run my life and although I’ve built a business and have thrived in this space, I definitely reached a point where I needed to realign my priorities.
So, what added value did I just bring to the table in part II of this conversation? The idea that I am NOT alone in this journey because so many of you are in the exact same blogging boat.
Does it mean we have to give it all up? HELL NO.
But, it does mean that we should stop and smell the roses from time to time and continue to write because it makes us happy. End of story.
And all of this evolution stuff? Well, that’s just another script in this crazy blog journey waiting to unfold and only time will tell what happens.
So with that, cheers Theta Moms – here’s to another new chapter…
If you are a blogger, I would love to know your thoughts on this topic of “blog evolution.” Have you thought about it at all? Are you experiencing this blog shift? What are your plans moving forward in the blog world?
I just want to say I’m glad that you’re evolving, both as a mom and a blogger. I think it’s great. I can’t wait to see how things will work out both for Theta Mom and for your family. I just wish you all the best, Heather.
I’ve thought about how my blog might look like down the road. It started off as an outlet, and it has evolved into a small business. I’m enjoying it right now, and loving the fact that I have a little community on Facebook, Twitter, and even offline. Blogging has made me many new friends, and I am grateful for that. So, I’m letting things unfold as they go. When my kid starts school, maybe I’ll re-think things over… but right now, I’m just enjoying the friendships and new connections.
Very well said. I can totally relate and agree to the blog shift, as I too, am experiencing it. And just like you, Pinterest was the final straw for me.
You’ve said this so eloquently.
I feel the need to evolve but haven’t yet figured out the right way to do it.
My blogging has definitely changed. But not because my children have grown, because I started blogging when my boys were already past babyhood. But my life changes, the demands on me change, my interests and my value on my time changes. My life is a constant flux, and thus my blog. But like you, I’m going to keep writing what makes me happy, even if it is infrequently and doesn’t amount in a large amount of followers. I’m going to try to keep with what had me writing at the very beginning, before the first reader.
Good for you… as a woman and a mother you will change, as such so will your writing and what matters to you. Follow your heart and continue to explore what tickles your fancy and gives you pleasure. That’s my motto.
I work in technology (building social media solutions, oh joy), which means I have an account everywhere. However, that doesn’t me I use it for personal use. I barely have enough time to write as it is. I love the idea of Pinterest, but it’s not seductive enough to pull me away from my writing. I work outside the home and have started the second novel. The writing has to happen somewhere after dinner. I am writer shopping my first book, the blog is an extension of the writing.
There is definitely and ebb and flow to blogging. My children are older and this spring has been completely overwhelming for me in terms of scheduled overload so I feel like my blogging has suffered. I have had to sit back and remember that it is not that quantity of posts that I put out, but the quality.
And like you I have had to draw the line at some forms of social media. I don’t try as hard at Twitter (can’t keep up because of all my offline time). I pretty much gave up on Pinterest. I do what I enjoy, facebook, blogging, and instagram. And whether it makes my blog a national sensation doesn’t matter, but I am not stressed out by it!
Good luck with your evolution.
Without change, things get boring. My blog has shifted several time, always with the ebb and flow of my child. I think that is just what it is, like life itself, it’s an evolution and I think in the end blogging is really about sharing, meeting new people and broadening perspective.
~M
I experience it with my family changes, yes! When mr kiss was traveling for the past year, I barely had time to sleep alone, forget about blogging. But I know those who love me will stick around to read that random Tuesday post I put out. Unless they’re too busy themselves 😉
Great post. My kids are still super little and your post made me think about what’s coming: less hand wringing about sippy cups and McDonalds and…well, I don’t exactly know. I hope my blog grows with me. I wonder if I will always read mom blogs even when my kids aren’t babies. I think I will always be drawn to good writing, no matter what the subject. Glad you evolved and are talking about it.
I agree with and can relate to everything you’ve said here. These days I can literally feel the shift in my blogging priorities as they’re happening. At first I felt like it was maybe just a phase, like I was in a blogging funk. But now it feels more like a slow metamorphoses. And rather than try to analyze it or attempt to figure it out, I’m just letting it happen. Until I eventually emerge from my chrysalis and figure out where I am.
I’m at the baby and toddler stage now, and though I’m chained to the house, I find myself spending less time online because I’m just so busy with both kids. BUT, I also do need to blog because it’s my sanity saver (other than sleep!). So it’s a fine balance right now.
I love this, Heather.
I think one of the main added values here it that you wrote out “permission” to evolve. We all need to hear that – we’re not letting anyone down in moving forward. In fact, we’re taking many of these steps forward together.
To be honest, that is a big reason why I stepped away completely from blogging a year ago. I could not give it what it demanded and I had some important family issues that I really needed to focus on.
A year later, I’m back blogging with a friend. It helps so much to have someone to carry the load, to be inspired and creative with. I don’t feel so overwhelmed.
Blogging mirrors life … it changes and we have to adapt.