Do you ever feel like that as a blogger?

When you’re not posting, your blog tugs at you, sometimes with longing to have the time but sometimes with a little jab of guilt for not being there?

I’m trying to change that mindset for myself… as it’s kind of bogging me down.

So I’ve had to really sit back and think on what I want from my blog.

I’ve been reading lots of articles lately on how to have a ‘successful’ blog one should post every day… and I do get that to a point.  Post every day – your hits go up and people check back with you to see what’s new.  Simple as that.  And I love blogs that post every day, good quality, reliable content like my morning news.

But what makes me feel my blog is successful?

Is it the hits?  Well, kind of.  Seeing my hits go up is so much fun.  Not to mention getting new subscribers, and the all important comments.

But does X more hits one day vs. the next inspire me more creatively?

Nah not really.  So I don’t consider that a success.

Is it for money?  Hey’all No.

I don’t do ads on my site.  I tried it for awhile once but quickly realized I didn’t like at all the vibe it brought to my sacred space.    Please don’t get me wrong, if you have ads on your site to generate a little extra dough than more power to you.  And to those that can earn a living through ads I say bravo!

While I do blog sometimes due to products I’m endorsing ( I mean c’mon, crafters like free stuff to play with), I just don’t want detergent ads on my site.

Don’t make me preach about laundry again.

Is it for prestige?

Um, well, the hits… they are nice.  I can’t pretend they aren’t an ego boost.  But I don’t display anything that shows how many hits I have or subscribers or ‘Top’ what-have-you for a reason too.  It gets obsessive, and I know because I used to put those things up.  “Whoohoo! I’m up 10 places!” can quickly turn to “Argh no!  Why did I fall 20 places!  Wah!”, and too much self obsession.  I also don’t want anyone who stops by to have a preconceived notion of my blog due to the numbers game.  I know how many hits and subscribers I have and that’s enough.  And I have a rule to only check every so often.  (I am, after all, not completely immune to the rush of a new follower or two).

So if I’m not into making money, and I don’t go for the numbers… I’m not sure why I get that “Ugh I haven’t posted anything in a few days” feeling.

This is my creative space and where I want to share projects, ideas, and the occasional stream of thought.

I am not supercrafter and don’t necessarily have those every day. (Dear Marvel Comics… ‘Supercrafter’… you’re welcome)

I started off this year pretty good, posting 3-4 times a week, vlogs, a recipe a week… and my subscribers tripled.  So I know I was doing something right.  But I got burnt out way too quickly again and I don’t want to do another hiatus of not blogging for months.  That made me feel icky.

But the reality is I work at a sometimes stressful day job… I have long days that drain my creative juice like everyone.  And I don’t want to spend my entire Saturday prepping 5 posts for the next week.  Sometimes I just want the couch, M&M’s, and a kitty on my lap while I watch non-stop Law & Order: SVU.

So where am I going with this??  First as a tiny explanation to those new subscribers (thank you and I love you for wanting to see what I have to say) as to the sporadic posting these past 2-3 weeks.  And second as a recommitment not to my blog but to myself as a blogger.

Dear self….I promise to seek out enough inspiration and create enough to post at least twice a week*.  More if I’m totally inspired,  but no more forcing creativity to post every day.   I’m not into this for the work I’m into it for the fun and creative outlet.

*Usually.  If I’m not here for a week because I’m elbow deep in paint or out taking photos of trees on a beautiful day, that’s just the way it goes.  Pressure off.

So, if you enjoy my posts I’d love it if you subscribed so that you know when I’ve been inspired and posted about it, and I don’t feel like I might be letting you down by not posting every single day.  Let me be the one in your Reader who doesn’t necessarily post a lot, but really really means it when she does.

And comment or email me every once in awhile so I can get to know you too, because even if I’m not writing I can guarantee I’m blog surfing.  Sometimes I feel like we just comment back and forth to get a comment for a comment, (another “rule” of blog land) but I really want to see who you are and be inspired by you, so know I’ll stop by your space and book mark it.  And if we comment back and forth enough we’re destined to be friends.  

And I hope as I shift back a little from being a blogger who crafts to a crafter who blogs every so often, you continue to enjoy the journey with me.

That is what would make me feel like my blog is a success.

Thanks for stopping by  today, and see you again soon.

XOXO,