If you’re a regular in these parts, or a follower of my social media channels, it may be no surprise to you that lately I’ve been somewhat, well, absent. Who knows, maybe not. Maybe I hide it better than I think..
I’ve said it a lot over the past few months, so I’m sorry if this is getting somewhat repetitive, but things around here are pretty nuts. I know. Such is life ….
Getting used to the new routine of full-time career life, while also trying to balance my blog, traveling and having some sort of social life, has been no easy task for me. As a teacher working only 4 days a week for the past 3 years, I had a ton more time to dedicate to my, let’s call them “out-of-work” needs.
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my new job. I got so lucky with this one and couldn’t be more grateful. Still, there’s always an adjustment period with big changes. I guess I just didn’t expect it to be this difficult.
Ramble aside and long story short, when it comes to blogging, I’ve been seriously lacking in inspiration, motivation and time. I’ve been straight up overwhelmed trying to keep up with this side-blogging-life of mine.
To be completely honest, I’ve started questioning if it is all worth it. You know, to keep my blog and all the hard work that comes along with it. If you have a blog, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Posts don’t write themselves. Writing, taking pictures, interacting with others and trying to manage sponsor, affiliate and advertising relationships is extremely time consuming. It’s like a full-time job in itself. I give serious props to bloggers who make a living from their sites and even more props to those who make a decent penny part-time.
But anyway, this brings me to the main question I’ve been pondering lately ….. “Is it time for a blogging break?”
Then last week, as if the universe had sensed my silent struggle, I received an email.
And no, this wasn’t just any email.
It was an email from a young girl, finishing up her junior year at university, who some time ago had come across my Instagram. After following me for a while, my Instagram eventually led her to my blog and then my blog, straight to me. She had followed my journey to Spain and then to Chile and now that her time at school was coming to an end, she wanted to follow in my footsteps. To do it and see it for herself. She was asking for some advice, but mostly just wanted to reach out and say “thanks.” Seeing that I did it, let her know that she could do it too.
Cue my mid-week exhaustion water works…
And no, believe it or not, the point of me telling you this is not to brag. So please try not to take it that way. And in full disclosure, I’ve only received a handful of these types of emails over the years. The point is, that this handful of meaningful messages, make all the work that goes into blogging more than worth it.
Receiving this email made me think back to why I started blogging in the first place. Sure, I started for a lot of other reasons as well, like wanting a creative outlet, updating my friends and family on my life abroad and keeping a record of my journeys. But, for me, the true satisfaction and what I really wanted to accomplish, was to tell my story and inspire people to follow in my footsteps. I wanted to encourage others like me to take the leap, to take a risk and actively pursue their dreams, whatever they were.
Getting that email, right at a time where I felt ready to give up and throw in the towel, I remembered that it’s not about the fame or the fortune, or whatever the heck else can come out of blogging. If I wanted my blog to be my full-time career (which for the record I don’t) I would have made that choice a long time ago.
Blogging is my creative outlet. It’s my way to look back on my travels. To connect with others. To share my thoughts and dreams and inspirations. Blogging has changed me and become such a part of who I am. It’s something I once loved and something I really want to love again.
I don’t want to dread writing my weekly post. And I don’t want to feel stressed out about something that used to be a beloved hobby.
And so, I’ve decided instead of taking a blogging break, to make a blogging change. I want to get back to the part of blogging that made me happy, that helped me feel inspired. I want to give others a more honest, inside look at my life abroad and let them know, that if they want, they can do it too!
I’m not sure exactly what this means yet, or what exact changes I’m going to be making or when, but something has to change. And I’m pretty excited to figure it all out.
Welcome to Wanderful Wednesdays!
Consider yourself a wanderer?! Well then, this Blog Hop is for you!
Meet your hosts: ME, Lauren of Lauren on Location, Van of Snow in Tromso, Isabel of The Sunny Side of This and Marcella of What a Wonderful World.
Here on Wanderful Wednesday we hope to promote an open and supportive community for like-minded bloggers- expats, travelers and all kinds of wanderers!
The linkup will take place every Wednesday at 8AM GMT.
Wanderful Wednesday Guidelines:
- Link up a wanderful travel related post below! One per blogger per week please!
- Spread the LOVE! Blog Hops are all about hopping around & getting to know others within the community! At the very least please try to comment on one other post before you go!
- Let’s get Social! Really liked a post you read? Don’t be shy! Share your favorites on Social Media! You can use the hashtag: #wanderfulwednesday
- Don’t forget to grab the button and link back to your wanderful hosts! Help us spread the word and let’s get others involved!
You can also pin your post to our new Pinterest Board! Let me know if you’d like the invite.
This week I’m highlighting Desert Glamping in Oman by Ashley at Born Explorer! I love how she describes the desert as a giant sandbox and honestly are there any cuter animals than camels?! There’s just something about the desert that speaks to me …. If you haven’t already, be sure to go check out her post and spread the love! Thanks for linking up with us Ashley! ?
Happy Hopping Friends!! 😀
I feel ya sister! I’m headed on my honeymoon on Friday for two weeks, and during this time I will not be blogging or doing a lot of social media. I feel a bit burnt out and need a bit of a break, and a honeymoon seems to be the right time to do it! Looking forward to seeing how to change things up! #WanderfulWednesday
It’s now or never! Take this time to enjoy your honeymoon to the fullest! Have a blast 😀
I’m glad you’ve decided to do what’s right for you! Hopefully you’ll feel re-energized with your blogging soon enough 🙂
Hope so! Just need to find a healthy balance 😀
you should do how you feel, write less if you want, change the focus, whatever, it’s your blog:)
Exactly! Trying to figure it all out now! 😀
The same thing happened to me at the beginning of this year. With the pregnancy, the baby and the new move, it became pretty apparent that travel was going to get quite tricky. I guess that when “you let things go”, things somehow get back together again. I really love your writing, and positive fun attitude, so I know that you will have so many more stories to share with us that might not involve traveling. I know that I will keep reading!
Thanks so much Isabel! And yes, life sure does get in the way sometimes. It’s all about staying true to ourselves and doing what’s best for us 😀 Glad you feel things are coming back together again and glad to see you back in the blog-o-sphere 😀
I feel emails like that one come at the right times. I enjoy your writing and following your journey, but this is your blog, do what feels right girl! The ones who like to follow you will continue to do so with whatever form you choose!
xo
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
Thanks so much Amanda! You’re too sweet 😀
Lauren, I LOVE this post! I love the honesty in it and the truth behind it. I can’t wait to see what this shift brings out in future posts!!
Thanks Melanie! I’m hoping it means a lot more honest and truthful posts to come.. going to try to start opening up more! 😀
That’s such a beautiful story Lauren. And what great words to hear when you really needed them. 🙂
Definitely needed them right about then! The universe can be good 😛
I have recently been trying to switch up my blogging content because after 5+ years of blogging I was starting to feel uninspired. I totally relate to this blog post!
Sometimes we just need to recharge and find what’s best for us in the current moment! Hoping to figure that out for myself soon, and hope you will as well! 😀
Yay to this! Blogging should never feel about something you have to do, and that’s the great thing about it being a hobby! I always think it should just flow, and when it doesn’t, then there is a sign something has to change 🙂 love!!
Exactly! I know I’ve talked to you about this before, but it’s all about loving what you’re doing. And it you’re not loving it, change it. It’s that simple [or that complicated hahah]
What a wonderful letter to receive! I hear ya though, blogging is hard yakka and I’ve been feeling exactly the same. Blogging has always brought me so much joy but when it becomes more of a hindrance than feeling happy, then I agree, it’s time to mix things up. See you on the other side!
Definitely time to mix things up over here! Blogging has started to feel more like a chore than a hobby for me, so something needs to change in the near future! Can’t wait to see what that is 😀
How special to get that note. Looking forward to whatever changes are next for you, Lauren! I definitely have stretches of time when I feel uninspired, it’s difficult to balance something that is both a hobby and simultaneously feels like a responsibility. Best of luck to you!!
Thanks Sarah! And yes, what was once a hobby quickly turned into what feels like a responsibility! But that will be changing VERY soon! 😀
I feel ya so much on this! I feel like a lot of bloggers I loved to read aren’t really blogging so much anymore and I myself, after 4+ years in the same city abroad don’t have many (if any) of those new expat moments to share anymore! I say we start a blogging revolution…. go back to WHY we started blogging and ignore what blogging has become today. Reclaim blogging! 🙂 Gad to hear all is going well for you in Chile!
hahaha yes! PERFEFCT. A blogging revolution. I’m so down. Let’s get back to what made us love this crazy online world in the first place.
Thanks so much for the feature, Lauren! 🙂
No prob Ashley! Thanks for linking up! 😀
I started my first blog about moving from the US to New Zealand. When my encounters of ‘cultural differences’ eventually became less and less, I blogged about that, too, and announced that my posts would be less often. My followers didn’t seem to mind.
They still follow and comment. (I post much more on my photoblog)
So stop stressing and stop blogging for anyone but yourself!
We won’t mind. Those who need to read your blog will still find you!
Thanks so much Betty! That’s great advice and some I really need to take 😀 Blogging should be for me and not for anyone else 😀
Aww, talk about a pick me up!! I think you have to go with the ebbs and the flows and then come back to the inspiration of the things you love to share. We’ll still be here when you figure it out. 🙂
You’re so right Sara! All good things have ebbs and flows 😀 .. It’s what makes them worth it!
Blogging is a lot of work, Lauren, but I could never give it up completely as I do enjoy it and all the wonderful people I’ve met through blogging. I’ve reduced my blog to a once a week post which seems to work our better for me these days. I know some bloggers that only blog once a month–they do a monthly wrap up. I’m sure you will find a new rhythm that will work for you. Don’t stress–keep it fun! I always enjoy your posts–you amke me wish I was young again !
It’s really hard to find a balance isn’t it? That is such a lovely email to receive. I have had a few from people about to become expats, and being able to help makes it all worthwhile… 🙂 #wanderfulwedndesday
It’s so cool how easy it is to connect with people these days! Blogging is like one giant support group hehe
I know exactly what you mean, Lauren. When I first started freelancing, I felt SO overwhelmed with the new work that I just couldn’t make myself write for the blog anymore. I think I didn’t write for like 3 months or something. And I felt exactly the same way… that blogging isn’t worth it since I don’t make any money from it. And I can spend the time instead working and actually making the money I need to stay on the road. But like you, I have received some emails too telling me that they want to travel and find my story inspiring. And I have made such good friends through blogging too. So these are the reasons I continue to do it. Don’t worry! We all deserve a break now and then, and then we can come back to it more motivated. 🙂 You’ll figure it out! x
Thanks Anna! Seems like I’m going through a very similar situation to what you went through! And honestly, blogging is something I love and I’ve met so many amazing people (like you :P) through it! Sometimes we just need to take a break, rest and recharge! 😀
Believe me, I know the feeling so well!!! Since I pretty much have grown to hate my job though, blogging has become a safe haven for me so even though it’s time-consuming as hell and I feel chronically tired, there’s nothing that inspires me as much as writing and photography and I couldn’t live without it anymore. You figure out what works best for you and even if you go on a break, we’ll still be there afterwards!
That’s the thing over here, is I’m really liking my job, so I’m putting a lot into it. Which I don’t mind AT ALL, but the thing is blogging used to be my outlet, from jobs I didn’t like so much. Now it’s starting to feel like a chore and something extra to do, which I don’t want, since it’s something I love. I’ll find a balance soon! It’s all about the process 😀
I know the feeling. I’ve thought of that many times (especially since I have zero income from my blog). But i love sharing my travel guides and tips (which I then send to friends or share them in Facebook groups when needed) that it keeps me going. The last year my day job was so consuming and stressful so I didn’t blog much!
I also know the feeling. For me it was do I take a break, or focus more on making it into something. Now I a just overworked. It will be interesting to follow and see where the blogging change takes you.
Sometimes it is definitely really frustrating when you put so much time and research into writing good posts, but still have to be working another job in order to actually get an income! I love writing about travelling in Italy and I can see you love writing too, so I’d say defintiely go back to where it all began and find that love again!!
Love this post! I’ve struggled with the same doubts and questions…trying to figure out what your actual goals are and focusing on why you started in the first place…it can definitely be challenging! I think it’s easy to get a little lost and focus too much on the parts you never meant to care as much about – then it definitely starts to feel more like work! I totally agree that the best part is just having a creative outlet and a way to look back on your travels.
Also, loving this link-up…thanks so much for co-hosting! I’ve been meaning to ask for an invite to the Pinterest board as well whenever you have a chance. 🙂
Good luck with your refocusing ideas – I’m excited to see what form they take!
Have you ever excitedly shown up to a party you were so looking forward to… and everybody is leaving? 🙂 LOL! Seriously though… everyone has to pursue their own passion and passions shift over time. I have just begun blogging about my personal journey (for many of the same reasons… to inspire and connect with others, hence my blog name), and I come across so many great blogs but many are just not as ‘active’ as you once were in terms of content.