Kiss and Makeup mmmkay?
All week long I’ve been having anxiety about the fact I haven’t posted one single thing on the blog this week. And last week I think it was nothing but sponsored stuff. You guys, I just have to apologize for that. I am not sure who of you is a loyal reader or not but I know many of you are and you are probably sick of visiting my site and seeing what’s on here and being like, “what the crap, Heidi?!”
Well here’s the truth of it: I’m am SO. BURNED. OUT. I have been fighting Blogging Burnout for almost a year, starting last…oh, November. I can’t seem to find that joy that I once had for it and I find myself putting off getting on the computer more and more. Life just seems to be getting more and more busy, exhausting, and complicated, and not to mention–getting older really kinda sucks! At the ripe old age of 29, I feel like Mr. Fredrickson from UP getting out of bed. Crack, Pop, Crack.
That’s the funny thing about blogging…you start out writing about various random things with the occasional project thrown in for good measure, and then as the blog morphs into a business, you realize “Hey I can make money doing this!” and as you start to depend on the money, you need to produce more of the money making type posts (aka NOT random thoughts) and the whole personal aspect of it gets kind of erased. I feel like at some point in my life I actually was a decent writer. I have always enjoyed writing which is half of the reason I blog. You never know…maybe someday I’ll write a novel in blog post installments.
Being a Craft/DIY blogger is THE perfect career for me. I’m my own boss, and I’m constantly doing what I love. I remember those days of feeling nearly euphoric because I loved my job so much. I mean seriously, who gets to be as fortunate as I do? I still feel that way sometimes, but the euphoria has fizzled. So I ask you…how can I recover my euphoria?
The only solution I can think of is to go back to my roots. I used to write about little daily thoughts and I actually conjured up a sort of discussion with you, my readers. That was fun. Except when I got mean comments…less fun. But seriously, aside from confessing that I am HANDS DOWN the worst comment responder, it was such a rewarding thing for me. Can I talk to you all? Are blogs still a place for discussion? Social Media experts all say NO–that’s Facebook. But I’ve always thought of my blog as my HOME and Facebook as like the local coffee shop/hangout place. And I kinda just want to stay home.
Do you think we could possibly go back two years and start being more than Pinterest Click-Overs again? How about Pinterest Click-Overs with Benefits? Nope–that’s creepy. I promise, I do have a personality. And it’s a lot more than “Buy this product cuz it’s awesome!” I just want permission to write freely on my blog. Because I don’t ALWAYS have a cool project to share. Sometimes I just wanna chat.
I am a real person on the other end of this computer…just a tired mom who thinks about such things like What should I wear today? Hooray my son finally poops in the toilet! Do I really have to force myself to workout? Why are my kids so whiny today? Why don’t carbs make you skinny? Is there a better way to be more patient? My legs hurt!
Guaranteed those are all thoughts you have thought within the last week. So therefore we should be BFFs again. Let’s get back together…what do you think?
I’ve been reading your blog for several years since you ‘hit it big’ with a guest post on another big crafty blog. I keep coming back not just for the great tutorials, pretty puff quilts etc but because you are a good writer. Your voice is unique and I would love to see more life and random thought posts. You are a busy mom like me and most of your readers. I don’t expect you to use every single naptime to work on something for us. It’s okay to sit down and take time just to be happy you caught a break 🙂 So long story short – I follow your blog because of YOU and I’m happy to read whatever you share!
I love little daily thoughts from bloggers! Makes you seem like a real person rather than just a website with writing on it. You totally have my permission 🙂
I say go for it! I, for one, don’t expect a project every week. I follow bloggers (like you) for their personality as well as their mad skills. This is your corner of the internet to use as you see fit. Don’t feel like you have to live up to a certain formula. All you owe your readers is to be yourself! 🙂
Heidi, I love your blog. And I check it regularly because I feel a connection with you. You DO seem real. You are another mommy, like me, tired, happy, grumpy, ecstatic, and depressed — all within a couple of hours. 😉 I have two little boys, and a little girl, who we named Heidi Alice. That was before your sad, sad news about your sweet sister-in-law, who I still think about regularly, and remind myself to enjoy these beautiful children every day. We just had our 4th baby – a boy, and I keep thinking it’s your turn to have a boy now, so we’re still twins. 😉 You do amazing projects. I’ve even copied some. Like, I made a white canvas slipcover for my couch! I love it! I never could have done it without your tutorial. I also painted my dining room chairs. And your nursery is aDORable. Aside from all your amazing-ness, though, I love it when you “chat”. So let’s keep being BFFs. Thanks for your post. 🙂
I love your blog so much. Keep doing whatever feels good for you. Just keep being you and everything will fall into place.
Marsha
Dear Heidi,
I have been following your blog for several months and enjoyed all of your posts, whether they apply to me personally or are just of general interest. With all of your many responsibilities and hats to wear, be sure to take time for yourself and ultimately, enjoy your posts as you see fit. You are clearly a dedicated, talented, smart, kind and creative person! Your sewing abilities are so impressive too – I think I drool every time I see one of your pretty quilt patterns! Thank you for all that you have shared and I look forward to reading more in the future.
Kindly 🙂
Hello, ive never written on a blog, but i follow yours faithfully. I know it is because you are real. I love many of your projects but honestly i follow YOU. Truly you are appreciated by this 61 year old grandma, Heidi, thank you for sharing your life, the ups and downs,the great and the sad. How is your brother and his children doing? I really kinda relive raising children and that busy time of my life through your blog. As Elizabeth Elliott says you are cradled in the loving arms of God. May He continue to bless you! Sherry
Hi Heidi! I pretty much read all your blog posts. I don’t mind when you write about products, because you gotta pay the bills. 🙂 Thank you for inviting me into your “home”.
yours was one of the first craft/sewing blogs i ever found, read and loved. between you and cottage mama (lindsey) i was inspired to start one myself (that i also ignore, ironically for the same reasons you haven’t written this week… i got a LOT of advice about being *nice* -aka fake so you don’t offend anyone, and blah blah blah… and really? all i want to do is sew and write and share what i do and how awful a homeschool mom i am… but i don’t feel free… *shrug*)
so please… go back to who YOU are… i love hearing about others lives… and would LOVE to feel like i’m more than a customer… and i’m starting to REALLY get tired of blogs that just want me to like 37 people on pinterest, fb, twitter, and IG… so i can NOT win whatever they’re getting paid to convince me i can’t live with out…
please… just be YOU… you’re why we’re here.
When I first started following your blog it was because of the craft posts. I really enjoy when you write these, not only because I am learning something and getting new ideas but because they are all about you. I appreciae you have to pay bills and sponsored posts are a part of that but i am not a fan of blogs that become all sponsored and less personal. It would be wonderful to see you returning to who you are, and random thoughts and discussions are as much a part of that as anything. I follow so many blogs that are part craft, part personal and yes alos part sponsored but it’s all balanced and they are a joy to read. The most important thing about a blog is that the blogger enjoys writing it. Be you and enjoy this!
I like blog stalking you. I like your projects. I get the burnout thing. I have a non-committal relationship with my blogs. I am okay with blogging and with taking a break, but I’m not making any dough off of them either. You have inspired me, and I like checking in on your projects.
Enjoy your family – cause that’s first.
The rest of whatever is out here is just a filler. 🙂
I have to admit I tend to glaze over the sponsored posts- and even with my small little blog, that I would hope to make money with some day, I have to constantly remind myself why I do it- and not constantly be thinking about what my readers are thinking. So you do not need permission from us to be yourself- but thanks for asking. And by the way, no you don’t have to work out today either 😉
And I absolutely adore the metaphor that fb is the coffee shop! Perfect. I may steal that one…
Thank you for being so honest. I’ve been reading a lot about the “business” of blogging lately and really needed to read this. From you. Today.
Glad to have read this today 🙂
Glad to have read this today 🙂
I came across your blog a few years back when looking for a puff quilt tutorial. I love reading your posts and was really excited when I found out you are LDS, too. I visit your blog nearly everyday because you are so real, and you talk about the things that a lot of people try to hide in life but that we all go through. My favorite subject besides your crafts was when you shared your breastfeeding struggles. I had always thought breastfeeding would be so easy and was sadly mistaken when I actually had a baby. I struggled with little to no milk supply after about two weeks, and had to turn to formula with both of my boys. Right as I was going through the emotional struggles of feeling like a bad mom and a failure because I couldn’t give my baby’s my milk, you started blogging about your struggles. It made me relialize that I am still a good mom despite my struggles, and both of my boys thrived on formula so it wasn’t as big of a deal as I made it. So thanks for being so real, and sharing with us your trials as well as the good things.
You do not have to ask for permission to make your blog what you want it to be, because its yours! And it’s awesome! You for sure need to get back to that place where you feel excited and fulfilled by what you’re doing and not stressed out or anxious about it! I love discussions and personal aspects on blogs, they make the blog so much better! You go girl!
29?!?! Try 49 (which is me)! LOL. I finally just stopped stressing about posting this and that and just post when I feel like I can and/or am interested in doing so. But, I got to tell you that I’m thankful that I’ve decided to not turn my blog into a business. I had the opportunity some time back; but, I turned it down mostly because I wanted to keep it personal. Anyway, I think real life including family comes first. Blogging should be the last thing we prioritize. Just my two cents for what it is worth.
By the way, I am a regular reader and rarely comment!
I blog, not really for money, but I haven’t posted much this summer. And I feel anxious over it but for what reason? I guess just because I started something and I feel obligated tO keep you with it. I guess it is a blogger thing. But keep writing. I’ll read it even if it is only once a week!
Yay! This is why I like your site so much to begin with–your thoughts about things. Of course I love your creativity, projects, and even your thoughts on a product, but my favorite blogs are really about what’s going on w/ the blogger’s personal life. Not for creepy reasons, but to make me feel less crazy about what’s going on in my own life. I also have kids (two boys under 4) and I struggle w/ a lot of the same things. Sometimes your posts about your kids (like potty training) were a godsend to me. I’m also tired, trying to lose weight, trying to find time to be creative, having to budget, keep house, work, be a good wife, trying to figure out how to be stylish with spit up on me….When you talk about those things too I can totally relate. So I’m completely excited for you to just “chat.”
I also give you major props for even being able to keep up w/ all your projects and posts with 3 kids at home. I don’t know how you and other bloggers do it!
Hi from France Heidi! I discovered your blog last year. As you can imagine, sponsored posts don’t concern me. I love your blog because of YOU! Your personality, your writing, what you do all day, your creativity, your tutorials … Just be you! I think this is what interests the vast majority of your readers! 🙂 (I hope my english is not too bad)
What a bunch of nice comments from other readers. I agree with what appears to be the consensus, that it’s your blog and you should do whatever it is you feel like. You may not keep as many readers and may not get as much money, so that’s something you’ll have to decide.
Personally, I prefer the more personal entries but that’s undoubtedly connected to the fact that I’m your brother and have about as much interest in crafting as you have in football. I’ll skim over the business stuff but it doesn’t bother me because of course there’s nothing wrong with making a bit of extra cash.
I still love your blog 🙂 Always have, always will.
write about whatever makes you smile! Smile- isn’t that why we do all the things we do?