I’m going to whine a little bit here on the blog today, something I usually reserve for my poor Twitter followers (snicker) but something is bothering me blog-related so I’m taking it to the blog.
Sometimes I wonder why I bother blogging anymore. It sounds like a harsh statement, but it’s the first that comes to mind. The only time my heart is really in it is when I talk about traveling but most of my readers probably read me not for my travel stories, but for more personal stuff. I used to be ridiculously personal, I used to write about everything and sometimes I think my life is just incredibly boring now so the stories just aren’t flowing as much as they used to. Plus, a ton of people I know in real life know about this blog and whether I acknowledge it consciously or not, it has affected the way I write tremendously. I’m not as candid as I used to be, I’m not as open.
Then there’s the whole deal that no one reads the blog, or at least comments, anymore. I know I should write for me but it’s really hard to motivate to actually write something when I get next to no comments. I ponder, why bother publishing this? No one will read it. It’s a horrible way to go about blogging, but I can’t lie–the thought has crossed my mind on numerous occasions.
Going from having a popular blog that got 40-50 comments a post at it’s height, 20-30 normally, to now having barely any comments is kind of an ego crusher, it kind of kills my desire to blog. Yes, I know I write the best quality stuff when I write about relationships or when I’m upset about something. Emotional writing is my forte. Except, I’m not upset about anything anymore and don’t really want to go into any details about my relationships. There’s a place for relationships and it is no longer on my blog. The risk is too high for it to be seen by the people I’m in relationships with.
Then I think about splitting my blog in half, having travel on a separate part and keeping this strictly personal. But then I wonder, will anyone actually read the travel one? Will I have ANYTHING to write about in the personal one? Should I just turn this into a travel site and forget the personal?
Or should I just close it down completely? Blogging is losing it’s luster for me. I love writing about travel, I wish I could do it for a living. Yet my blog is not a travel blog unless I really put energy into making it one. If I do that, will I alienate the people who currently read this blog?
I miss the interaction with bloggers and I know this is partially my fault, having completely fallen off the face of the blogosphere in regards to commenting on other people’s blogs. I try to keep up with everyone but it’s hard. So why should I expect anyone to keep up with me?
I’m really just whining and complaining and I need to make a decision one way or another about this blog. I like the outlet to write, but it’s not giving me what I used to get out of it. I hate to think about shutting it down but maybe that’s what I need to do.
Maybe I will take a break. Maybe I will give myself a month hiatus from blogging. Maybe then I will have a clearer view on what, if anything, I want to do here.
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I hope you don’t quit! I enjoy your writing, and I actually love your travel stories most of all
You know, a couple of years ago, I was getting 30ish comments a post, a few hundred visitors a day, and I was feeling pretty good about my blog. Then, all of a sudden, I just totally burned out. I retreated from the blog world, stopped writing regularly, and didn’t really miss it. Then one day I *did* miss it, so I came back.
My comments and visitors are way down from where they were at their peak, but I’m still happy about my little corner of the internet. I think I just had to remember that as much as I love the comments and interaction, I started blogging as a way to chronicle my life, so that some day I’d have my memories all laid out in black and white. And I don’t want to lose that. So, I think it’s just a matter of remembering why you’re doing this. Is it for you? Or is it for everyone else?
Hugs! Now, tell me more about Barcelona
I think your travel writing IS personal. There’s nothing more sacred to people like us than travel and discovering the world around us and how we fit into it.
That said, I’ve found the same thing happening to me: “Why don’t people comment anymore?” But it just takes one or two REALLY good posts, where you weave your heart and mind into words that resonate, that brings back the comments. Most of the time I feel like I’m writing fluff and no one cares to read fluff.
Also, blog reading goes down in the summer, or that’s how it seems to me. I’m less inclined to read and comment on the summer and I don’t think that’s unusual. The winter months lend themselves to curling up with the internet and hot cocoa. Not so much July and August, you know?
Don’t quit! I suppose I’m one of the people you can blame for feeling abandoned…I’ve been reading for months and this is my first comment!
I always thought that your travel posts WERE personal, one of the reasons why I like your blog actually….
“Plus, a ton of people I know in real life know about this blog and whether I acknowledge it consciously or not, it has affected the way I write tremendously. I’m not as candid as I used to be, I’m not as open.”
I feel the exact. same. way. I miss the blog I had two years ago, and I’m not sure how to get back there (or if I can.) I know I’ll always be writing, reading and commenting, but at the same volume as before? Probably not.
I’ll be honest, when I comment faithfully on someone’s blog and they never comment on mine… it starts to feel really one-sided. I’ll keep reading if I find it interesting, but I don’t comment so much. Blogging, for me, is all about community and give and take.
I’ve had this exact same internal monologue with myself over and over again the past few months. The things that are interesting in my life (work, relationships, friendships) are things I cannot write about, and in a way, don’t want to write about, but then what does that leave my blog to be about? Right now, all I like about blogging is the occasional ability to have word vomit on the internet and the friends I’ve made through blogging, but is that enough for me to keep it going?
While I would be sad to lose your blog, if there is nothing in it for you anymore, then you have to figure out if it is worth your energy.
I would hate to see you stop blogging; however, you need to do what you need to do. Maybe taking some time off will help or at least help you make a decision. I think people should blog for themselves…write about what makes you happy and fulfills your needs. As I always say, “It is all about me!” And your blog needs to be all about YOU! Don’t write for others or for commenters…
I wish you luck and hope to see you around soon… Muah!
I think you should write when you feel like you have something to say. If it’s once a month, if it’s only about travel, whatever. Do it when you feel it, and don’t feel like you have to put any labels on it. My blog has never been “popular” like some of the 20sb heavyweights, and while I sometimes wonder why people don’t “like me” the way they seem to be obsessed with other bloggers, when it really comes down to it, I don’t mind. I have a very small group of people who I know are consistently reading and commenting, and that’s good enough for me. Plus, although they don’t comment, my family reads my blog and it’s important for me to have it as a way to stay connected with them on opposite sides of the country.
I find that I drive myself a little crazy when I start looking too much at stats and numbers, but would be lying if I said it didn’t matter to me at all. My favorite thing is the community around blogs, and I totally know what it’s like to go from anonymous to not-really anonymous, but kind of. I know it’s tough to hold back when you want to share things publicly and I know it’s not the same thing as an email, but there are some epic emails that get sent when I want to write about something and can’t hit publish. Here’s hoping you find your balance and the joy that started this for you in the first place. I also agree with the notion that when you write when you feel like writing, you write the best and most relatable content. Also? When I’m stuck blogging, I find something new or different to do or add to my life/routine and that almost always means new perspectives and fodder
Uber awesome blog. Semi lurker coming out of the closet but have really enjoyed the tales of places afar and the brave switch to Boulder. Keep up the super work. Euro reader
I so understand not wanting to blog when it feels like no one is reading. “Why bother?” I often ask myself – and, like you, I often can’t write about the things I most want to say because everyone from my grandma to my boss reads…
Take a break, see what works, and come back – in this format or a different one – when it feels right. Or don’t. <3
I went through the same thing with my blog. It was hard to write thinking that no one was reading it. The thought of giving mine up bummed me out but I ended up moving over to tumblr for a change. Maybe that’s an option for you too? And even though I don’t comment as much as I should, I’m still reading!
I know that I’m a bad commenter (the fact that I had to input my information before I commented proves just that), but I do still read! Whatever you choose to do, I’ll be here – whether it’s to read your tweets or your travel blogs or whatever. You’ve inspired me to do more traveling… SC just isn’t cutting it anymore (like it ever did). Love you, girl!
I’ve read many comments and they all seem to be in support of you sticking around. : )
I am one of those readers who has been clicking through here for months, yet rarely comment. I think you definitely have come to a crossroads and you should be proud of yourself for recognizing it. Furthermore, whatever direction you choose to go in, I’ll still see you in my Google Reader every day and I, for one, will still be following along.
B
It is true that people came to read your blog for the content, and yes, that content has changed BUT people will stay because we know you and we like you. An added bonus will be that if you start writing about a new subject, not only will your current readers stick around, but you will gain a whole new audience of readers. Its win win. Write about what you are passionate about. Regardless of the number of comments you get, know that people are reading.
I totally feel a similar way about blogging/my blog. I really enjoy both reading about your travels and your personal life, so I hope you stick around.
I notice my stats go way down in the summer. People are more apt to hit mark all as read and the summer doesn’t lend itself well to sitting inside on the computer. I know for myself, I don’t comment or read as much when its nice out. I always think your writing is personal and truly enjoy reading.
I understand where you’re coming from on the comment stuff. It’s not that you NEED it, but when you don’t get it, it’s tough to know if anyone is actually reading. Trust me, I am! Sometimes we all need a bloggy break to get our heads back on straight and see what’s coming up next.
Hey! You need to do what is right for you. Maybe a hiatus, maybe stopping altogether, maybe changing what you write about. It’s all about you.
I use my blog to let my family and friends back in the USA know what my husband and I are up to. So of course, we don’t blog about any fights or disagreements we may have and tend not to go into too many details. We post photos and adventures – big or small. We may go for a week or two without any posts at all because we didn’t have anything to share. So don’t feel like you need to post continually.
I hear you on the no commenting. I wonder sometimes if anyone is really reading because we barely get comments on the blog. But then people tell me periodically they really enjoy reading it or they really liked such and such a post. So, you can’t let comments be a barometer. I am a guilty reader without commenting. =)
I think that relationship details can be left off the blog if that is what you want. Mr. Wonderful may not enjoy reading everything about him on your blog. You’re getting older and some things just are not for public consumption.
Anyway. The point is – it’s *your* blog. You do what makes you happiest.
I hear you, and ultimately you have to do what’s right for you – I love your writing, but I also know the feeling of disappointment when you go from 50 or 60 comments to 10 yet you see the same faces who used to comment on your blog still out there in the blog world commenting on everyone else. I also feel disappointed when I write about things that are important to me and nobody comments, yet I write about something not as substantial and people are suddenly interested. I still keep writing though because I like to have something at the end of the year I can bind into a little book and say “this was my 2009″ etc. Just do whatever makes you happiest – it’s your space, and if it’s not bringing you joy, don’t feel you need to compromise what you’re passionate about to please people that may or may not have invested, and may or may not be reading this time next week. I think you’re a great writer and you should stay true to you.
I’ll start at the beginning:
1. I love the blog look/layout. I don’t even know you and it seems very “you.”
2. I am one of those offenders who is bad about commenting lately; I’m reading, I promise! Just not always commenting. Blame it on work being busier during the summer, meaning I can’t steal the hour a day I used to read/comment on blogs. And also, I’m bad and don’t open Google Reader because I know it’s exploding with numbers.
3. I know how you feel though… sometimes I reserve the really personal stuff for me and then the blog stats & comments go down. I blame summer for that too, like Renee said.
4. I’ve been a crappy blog friend lately and I am sincerely sorry for that; I’ll try do to better!
5. I’ll read your blog no matter what. as someone who hasn’t been able to travel to the places she’s wanted to go yet, reading about other’s experiences really does make me happy
I can definitely identify with this. I’ve moved blogs a few times and made a stupid move just as my first one was gaining a fair amount of readers/commenters. Now? I struggle with why I write as well. My blog has no direction (for the most part) and there are times I severely censor myself by not writing at all, because I dont think it’s fair to have a slew of passworded posts due to IRL readers. It’s not that I don’t want to share sometimes, but yeah nvm I really don’t want to share with specific people sometimes. Anyways, I get it. I think all bloggers do.
So…I still read! So I’d hate to see ya go. Maybe a break will be good, but I always fear bloggers will enjoy the time away and never come back. Soooo I hope you come back
Sometimes stepping away is the absolute best thing. If you find yourself missing your blog and wishing you had that outlet back to write within, then you’ll know blogging is worth continuing. But if you find yourself less-stressed, less-concerned with the blogosphere and generally uncaring about making a return, then you’ll know you made the right choice in stepping away.
I can honestly say I’m one of those people who regularly commented on your previous site, but perhaps don’t quite as a often here. Truth? Hearing about other people’s adventures isn’t always that exciting for me. In my own personal life, I just become jealous because I don’t have the means to do ANY of that. I still read some of those posts, but I have little to say. I’ve become more of a …hm, what’s that word?… lurker lately.
You need to write for you and write about things that you want to share. So maybe some of us, like myself, don’t have anything to say when we see those postings. But would you rather skew to your audience or stay true to yourself?
*sigh*
I totally wrote about this recently. I am struggling and I think a lot of other people are too. You know who we can blame? Google reader! I’ve been reading you since forever and then I added my blogroll to my reader and now I skim through tons of posts a day on my reader, via my iPhone …and clicking through to comment? Waaaaay too much work for my lazy ass.
So, the reader has caused a ton of people to have less comments. With all of that being said, I agree with others … blog when you really want to get it all out. When you feel inspired or angry or upset or share-sy; blog when you feel it’s right. And don’t worry about us, we’ll still be here!
Write what you want, not for others. The interaction is always a plus, but it’s not the reason you should blog.
Just because no one’s commenting doesn’t mean we’re not reading (or interested in what you have to say). You have to decide what’s right for you, but I’d hate to see you go.
Nice blog dude Thanks
I know this is already old news now, but I just wanted to comment that I understand how you feel about the comments. I have been absolutely horrible about blogging and commenting in the past month due to exams and whatnot. And I must admit that I just marked most blogs as read, and only saved the ones I actually exchange comments with frequently for later. The ones that I love reading but that never comment on my blog I simply read without commenting. Since some rarely ever react to my comments anyway, I figured they wouldn’t miss them. But now that I am a little less busy I am slowly catching up with all blogs and will also blog again soon. I hope people will still remember who I am. Hah!
Don’t go.. I absolutely love to read your blog even though I rarely comment..
Don’t quit! I just found you and I think you’re interesting. (By the way, HI! I’m Ashley)
But, I know how you feel. My blog is pretty much garbage, and most weeks it feels like I’m posting because I HAVE to, and not because I enjoy it. I keep it around, and keep plugging away at it because I’m optimistic that someday, something will click and it will become fun and easy. Maybe someday…