One thousand and forty-one. At the time of writing that’s how many blog posts I’ve written in my lifetime – or 1,042 if you count this one too.
It’s been six years since I first hit publish on Confessions of a Crummy Mummy and as another anniversary comes and goes, I’ve realised I’ve learnt rather a lot in that time.
I don’t just mean about html code (although I know more about that than I could ever have dreamed, and still don’t completely ‘get’ it) I mean important things, things that can be applied to life in general.
So, in no particular order, here are 6 life lessons I’ve learnt in 6 years blogging.
6 life lessons I’ve learnt in 6 years blogging
1. Nothing in life is free. There’s a misconception that bloggers get lots of things ‘for free’. It’s true we have been gifted some wonderful products and experiences over the years, but after using that product or enjoying that holiday comes hours – sometimes days – of capturing footage, editing images, crafting copy and curating video. There’s so much more to it than meets the eye.
2. Writing is a labour of love. I know I’ve written 1,042 blog posts, but what my stat counter doesn’t tell me is how many hours I’ve spent writing those posts. I shudder to think. I sometimes (half-jokingly) refer to my blog as the monster I created because in a way it is – it’s like an engine that needs constant feeding otherwise everything will grind to a halt.
3. Know your worth. It never fails to amaze me how many emails I get from PRs asking me to do or share x, y or z but there is ‘no budget available’ or any offer of compensation for my time. Would they work for free? I’ve learnt to trust my instincts and know my worth – if it feels like you’re being taken advantage of, you probably are.
4. Some people always have to have the last word – and letting them makes you the better person. I’m talking about trolls and keyboard warriors who for whatever (often inexplicable) reason take exception to something you’ve said/posted/shared. What I’ve learnt from this is there’s no point being sucked into an argument with someone who is convinced they and only they are right – it’s best to simply be polite and walk away.
5. Quality is better than quantity. I currently publish four blog posts a week. I could publish every day, but doing so would mean I have less time to spend on each post and quality would inevitably be compromised. I’ve seen so many bloggers go for the ‘holy grail’ of posting seven days a week only to see them – and their blog – crash and burn at some point in the not-too-distant future afterwards. Less is more.
6. Bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better. As with so many things in life it’s easy to compare yourself with others, but when it comes to blogging I’ve learnt it’s not all about the numbers and the followers and the shares. It’s about doing something you believe in, enjoying it and remembering why you started doing it in the first place.
Are you a blogger and are there any life lessons you’ve learnt since you started blogging? I’d love to know what they are!
Very useful and something I’ll keep in mind as a new blogger! Thanks for sharing.
As a relatively new blogger, I enjoyed this post. I still have lots to learn and I can’t wait. I also keep telling myself about quantity over quality.
Yes, yes and yes! Blogging is a full-time job and a lot of hard work and dedication goes into growing a blog. I think one of the things I have learned over the years is to say ‘no’ more often and as you mentioned, know your worth!
Happy 6th year blogging anniversary and here’s to many more! x
Thanks for sharing with #MMBC.
Love this post and In particular point six totally spot on remember why you started and stay true Thanks for linking to #Thatfridaylinky hope to see you next week
I’m coming up for 6 years of blogging and I have learned pretty much the same as you. This year I’m hoping to take a much more relaxed pace and drop the things that are not really of any value to me or my audience. Here’s to another successful 6 years ! #MMBC
I have to agree with all of these, especially the last two, the more you blog, the more you realise this.
#mmbc
I have been blogging for 7 years now and it’s my full time job. I hate it when people think I am getting things for ‘free’ and often say to me ‘Oh, I should take up blogging’ . it’s really not that easy. #MMBC
Had a few interesting conversations with journalists about using my photos for free over the years. Somehow they think a credit check is enough for world rights to the photo. Never going to pay the bills. You are so right about knowing your worth and remembering why you blog. Here’s to the next 6 years. #MMBC
Wow! 6 years -good job! I’m at 2 and sometimes it’s a chore, I won’t lie. However, I do enjoy writing and so I will carry on. I think full time bloggers deserve a medal! It’s a hard job for sure and no one outside blogging realises that. I do wonder if recently, the influencer has taken many of the blogging jobs -do you find that? With the changes with Instagram this may change back. We shall see. Good luck for the future. You have done amazingly well. #dreamteam
Congrats! wow, that’s something else! Thank you for sharing this, will think back to it when I’m doubting it all 😉 #dreamteam
I think we have had a similar blogging journey so i totally agree with your 6 lessons. I’ve recently cut back from my 4 posts a week, I’m finding that was just too much for me to maintain the quality. 10 out of 10 to you. #DreamTeam
I agree with the points you have written here. I think it is disgusting that people think they can take advantage. #MMBC
Wow yes, I’ve been blogging in earnest for around 3 years now. By ‘earnest’ I mean that I’ve actually paid attention to SEO, created decent (to my mind!) images and promoted across my socials. Every single thing you say is true. Self-worth, walking away from a negotiation from a brand or PR and not posting everyday are definitely up there. #kcacols
I am a relatively new blogger so will be taking all these on board – thank you! #KCACOLS
1042 posts – Wow! These are all good lessons, I agree with them all! Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time
Wow, that is an achievement! Congratulations to you on another blog birthday! I’m just coming up to my first year mark and my blog has already evolved and taken a slightly different direction to the path I thought it would take. I have to remember to stop once in a while though and remember why I started in the first place, and post accordingly! I’ve learnt to be kind to myself, not to worry about numbers/stats and to celebrate my own personal milestones whilst not comparing myself to others. Write from the heart, write about what you believe in and enjoy the journey! #KCACOLS
Thanks for sharing this one with the #DreamTeam and happy blog birthday! There are some great lessons there and I really enjoyed reading it. 4 posts a week is good going. I struggle with finding the time I must admit, but that is my aim.
Great post! Very important to remember some of these. Happy Birthday to your blog. #KCACOLS
Fantastic post! You are so right about Trolls, there’s no way to win.
Happy Blogiversary! 6 years is amazing xxx #KCACOLS
I absolutely agree with all of your points. I am 5 years in this month and only now am I finding what works for me instead of doing what I think I should be doing based on other peoples blogs! 1 thing I would say to anyone thinking of blogging is to just do you. We are all different and you should never write what you think you should write but what you feel you should write #kcacols
Wow! This is great! Congrats on 6 years! August will be a year for me. #KCACOLS
Wow, that’s a whole lot of posts, very impressive! And you make some very good points here. The one about trolls etc strikes me as particularly important, as it can really make you want to give up if you get sucked into debates of that nature… And it’s quite depressing sometimes how much that’s expected to be done for free, or in exchange for products of low financial value. You’re of course right about quality over quantity as well x
#KCACOLS
Congrats on 6 years! That’s amazing. Totally agree with number 1, and number 3 is constantly winding me up! I would add to not worry too much about the numbers. I got really bogged down with growing on Instagram last year and found it so frustrating. It’s better to enjoy it rather than be stressed out by an algorithm all of the time! xx #kcacols
Report and block the trolls. I rarely engage. Good post. The ‘no budget’ things really bugs me on behalf of bloggers that do sponsored posts. #kcacols
Congrats on 6 years, and on sharing this great post with us all! I always look forward to reading your posts. Mazel Tov, love! #kcacols xoxo Keep on going, and going!