When I first started blogging back in 2011, I was a new blogger and looking for ideas on what I wanted my blog to be. Should it be a lifestyle blog? Style blog? Inspiration blog? Looking at the other blogs on my blog reader at the time, it was pretty hard not to look at their already established blogs and sigh. I was just starting out and it seemed like they were blogging moguls! Comparing my little place on the web to another blog really lowered my energy level a bit, and while I didn't realize it at the time -- hindered my work. Whenever I had a new post, in the back of mind I always thought "this has already been covered, why even try?" So basically, that day went without a post.
Lesson learned:
It won't help to look at that blog and come back to yours feeling down and uninspired, defeated looking at your own. Negative thoughts only bring you down! I know it's hard not to look at the next blogger and think that she has more comments than you do, takes better pictures, or has a more "camera-ready home" than you do. But keep in mind, those bloggers you admire just didn't make it big overnight. It took work, determination, and lots of time! Take it easy on yourself and let it go. Be creative and think of something even better for your blog! Friendly competition is never a bad thing.
How can this common dilemma of comparison be fixed? Don't dwell on the what-ifs, or whys. Your blog is special and one-of-a-kind - not like any other. Trust me, it will grow and you'll find your blogging niche! So instead of comparing, focus on making your blog better.
Now don't compare - it's just not fair.
xoxo
Nat
I can't be reminded of this enough... =)
ReplyDeleteLove it! Great tip and so true. I decided from the first day I started my Blog never to compare, it is fruitless. As it takes hard work and dedication, and I am not "there" yet - but one day, it will happen.
ReplyDeleteHowever that is how I live my life, I don't compare anything....just makes you live a happier life in general!
I love your Blog, so inspiring!
Jeanine
A Fabulous Life in Jamaica
great post and very true and relevant to me right now! I'm working hard on my blog and blog posts at the moment, and I always suffer from blog envy and have moments of "how the heck do you get as many follower as they have!"
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
http://www.luckyrainbowdesigns.blogpost.com
I feel like if I'm not actually comparing, I'm sub-consciously comparing, you know? It's hard, but I'm glad I'm not in this row boat alone, haha.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I definitely see where you're coming from, although I think maybe comparing helped me in the long run. When I first started off, I wanted my newbie blog to be the next Beautiful Mess, and that obviously didn't happen!! But after some experience, I began to compare my blog to more similar blogs, and I think that helped me figure out where I had room for improvement. For example, it's true that I don't have ModCloth paying me to put their ads up... but I never would have discovered the fun that is ad swapping without snooping on other blogs to see what they had that I don't!
ReplyDeleteI guess what I'm trying to say is, a little bit of educational comparing is okay, as long as you're always doing your own thing in the end :)
Mackenzie
www.heybirdfriend.com
I always used to compare myself. It took a long time to get to a point where I don't do it but I feel so much happier now.
ReplyDeleteBecky
xx
I agree. Finding inspiration from other blogs is good, but don't compare.
ReplyDeleteI believe it's so important to know WHY you're blogging. I see so many struggle so hard to get 'big', but is it really worth it? For me, blogging is for fun, and I try my best not to pressure myself. When I enjoy what I do, I do it better.
lyckoland.blogg.se
"this has already been covered, why even try?" <--- ah! too true. thanks for the morale boost. <3
ReplyDeletelove, x
blog | twitter
I wholeheartedly agree and love the quote 'comparison is a thief to joy'.This post is much needed, it is so easy especially in blogging--because it's so open and visual--to compare blogs or numbers. My blog is still young but i do at times get caught up in the numbers--pageviews, followers,etc.
ReplyDeleteAs a lifestyle blog, Making small goals that focus on my own unique talents and life (i.e. working on my art,taking more pictures,cooking a new recipe, etc.) have helped me compare less and create better. So ultimately I blog about what i'm doing and what I love (and making sure that my sharing it serves others in some way whether for inspiration, information, or in another way) instead of doing things for the purpose of blogging about them. This has helped me create unique content that I love and that I couldn't compare to anyone else' posts because our lives are so different from each other.
great post!
Haley
http://haleyhere.blogspot.com
I love this it is so inspiring! I had a lot of problems finding out what my blog was going to talk about. And still today, I look at other blogs and I found them so perfectly created. But I, just dont have the, I do it in spare times. One thing that I try to keep is to blog really about what I feel of blogging and improving myself to write better, write more and put better pictures.
ReplyDeleteWell thanks for this! I just love your blog and this post is pretty inspiring!
Olive xox
Great tips- I often feel uninspired or down hearted, and it's so easy to compare to others who have more followers/comments etc. but there really is no point! :) xx
ReplyDeletecoldknees.blogspot.co.uk