Recently I have been wanting to incorporate more about myself into my blog.
You see when I started writing this blog I never dreamed people would be reading it and I simply just rambled on about what dinner I made (with a bad photo alongside) - often not even posting a recipe. Those were happy days.
Don't get me wrong - I wanted people to read my blog but I felt no pressure to make brilliantly written posts or take great photos, I simply just chatted and posted whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted.
Then over time and reading other blogs I started to see beautiful blogs with thousands of readers - and oh boy did I want that! (Bloggers who got paid!) So I upped my game to better photos and started posting more recipes and less about stuff I liked. I decided if it wasn't about food it didn't belong on here. Then after some time I was invited to my first press launch and also went to my first review - YAY! I loved it! I felt so glamorous and important.. But along with those feeling I also put pressure on myself to make my blog more professional so I tried harder at my photos and only posted recipes. (No more me at all). Im still not a hugs blogger but quite a bit of time has passed and now when I look back I realise that I am blogging for different goals and some are good but a little has been lost. I am grateful for striving to take better photos, really I want to be as great as I can be. I love photography so it is to my benefit. but along the course of writing - I never knew I would enjoy writing (i didn't like it at school) but I have found it can be a creative outlet and I miss just rambling.
In a nutshell blogging has been great and I have had so many opportunities come through this little blog but I am not as happy as I first was when I first realised non family members and people I didn't even know were reading my blog - WOW (it was my first blogging thrill)
Then when companies contacted me I was so flattered. I would have agreed to write anything then. (not any more) I have learnt so much about ethics and how to portray myself through this journey.
But most of all I have learnt that me being happy is best for me and this blog - otherwise its not fun and its not worth it.
So I have decided that if I loose invites to fancy events and followers that's tough... I should be happy. So more rambling, less seriousness but im sure there will always be FOOD!
Hope you'll still read ;)
Do you blog? do you put pressure on yourself?
I will definintly still read!
ReplyDeleteI think the main point of blogging is for it to be a reflection of the blogger - sometimes around a topic otherwise not - if you write authentically and be yourself and allow your personality to shine through I think you will get more readers that want to follow your blog because they identify something in you that they want to see more of..... exciting times for you B - can't wait!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathryn :) hugs
DeleteThank you Bernice for saying what I'm sure a lot of other bloggers are thinking too.
ReplyDeleteI have my days when I think, why I am doing this again?! It's usually after looking at another blog and thinking, 'her blog is sooo much better than mine.' Silly really but I think it's natural to compare.
Lately I've been reminding myself that 'Comparison is the thief of joy.' It's practically my motto now :) I have to remind myself that it's okay to let Oh Darling Bride grow at a pace I can handle. There are so many things I want to do to improve my blog but I'm only one woman and I still need to have a life ; )
So cheers to you and making sure blogging always reminds a 'fun-to-do' rather than a 'have-to-do.' Looking forward to your rambles :)
cheers to you too oh darling Monique :)
Deleteyou are doing a great job with your blog and thank you for this lovely long and nice comment
hugs
Betty Bake
I dont really feel much pressure, but thats because I never blog about anything I dont want to blog about (or accept invitations to things that dont really interest me). I will admit though that at times I do feel like I have to try harder not to lose my own "voice" because every now and then blogging feels less fun and more like work - but I guess its like any relationship (yes,my blog feels like my other boyfriend) somedays I love my blog more than others.
ReplyDeleteOh well, after 4 years of blogging all I know for sure is...that I have changed and so has my blog...and I dont doubt that in the years to come that me and my blog will change some more
:)
you are a laid back cat ;)
Deletethanks for this - you are right Brazen - we should only take on this we naturally like - that way it will be a natural progession of us
hugs
BB
Oh yes, I get you. I remember when I first realised that other people started reading mine, I started worrying about what to put on it. I have since realised that its mine, and I use it to remember stuff...and I cant always worry about what people think. Which is hard, I try my best to ignore it, and soemtime I cant.
ReplyDeleteDo it :-)
Thanks Hayley - great comment and thanks I will do it!
Deletehugs
BB
I adore comments but I really feel very little pressure. It was interting though to see howmhigh my pageviews went with the Big Blue competition though
ReplyDeletehey Cat thank you for this comment
Deleteits so cool that you dont feel pressure - good for you!
hugs
BB
standing up clapping...
ReplyDeleteThanks Elizabeth :)
DeleteI am touched - really! you have such a great website/blog!!!
hugs
Betty Bake x
You are your brand, so I think if you do what makes you happy, it will shine through. Hugs from DID!
ReplyDeletethank you Jennifer - that is sooo true!
Deletethat made me smile - thank you
hugs
Betty Bake x
Girlfriend - I know how you feel!!! I have had to remind myself on several occasions that the blogging thing should not be that serious. Thanks for sharing your thoughts (and yummy dishes). I agree there is pressure to turn blogging into something else, but at the end of the day we should all do what truly makes us happy and that is what will set us apart and make us unique and hopefully all the other stuff will just come along and add to our success!
ReplyDeleteThank you Keisha :) you totally get it!
Deletethank you for this great comment
Betty Bake x
I hear you loud and clear Betty and it makes perfect sense. Do what makes you comfortable and happy.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandra Lee
Delete:)
great to have everyone's support
hugs
BB
Apparently you must have been doing something right - right from the beginning (with your no pressure posts) because that is what helped build your blog, right?? So, def do what feels right and true to you, because in the end that will be what sets you apart and not just make your blog look like all the others! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Rosemarie :)
Deletethat is such kindness in your words :) I am so encouraged by this and I am happy with my decision
have a fab week
Betty Bake x
Hi BB, love your blog, because your voice is what I hear in my head, and yes its great to read "professional" stuff, but I personally like from the heart stuff, whether its sloppy or professional.
ReplyDeleteI have tried to back off on my blog, more to just enjoy it, rather then daily read stats and think of new and interesting posts...
You know I'll always enjoy reading your blog...
Thanks Serene Motherhood
Deletegood to know
and your blog will grow : ) it is taking shape every post!
:)
hugs
Betty Bake x
Yay, you go girl... I am sure putting your true self out there will inject a whole lot of added brilliance and shine to your blog! xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Leonie - that is so kind!!! :)
Deletehave a fab week
Betty Bake
I completely agree and understand! I find myself comparing and have to tell myself to stop ... do what you love!
ReplyDeleteThanks modern frills - glad to know i am not alone!
Deletehugs
Betty Bake
Interesting article and how true. I blog so that I can record what I have done for myself (in case my memory fails me later) and for my children and family mainly. So I don't want to pressure myself if my pictures are no good and failures as well. Keep smiling
ReplyDeleteHi Elaine
Deleteyes we all blog for different reasons.
Thanks for the nice comment
Betty Bake
I agree wholeheartedly! I recently stopped blogging for many of the same reasons (and some different), I admire your will to just be yourself and be happy in that! I'll def. keep reading, ramblings ftw ;)
ReplyDeletethank you chocswirl - i appreciate your openess. hope you will blog one day again :) but you must enjoy it!
Deletehugs
Betty Bake
I enjoy blogging and started because family and friends wanted my recipes. I don't feel at pressure at all but there was a stage that I was spending way to much online and neglected "real" life!
ReplyDeletei know the feeling of negecting real life - and I aim to spend more time in the real world with purpose
Deletethanks
Betty Bake
Lovely post Betty! I actually had a very lengthy chat a couple of months back with a life coach about this very topic!! All I can say is blog for you and only you.. in my eyes, everything else is just a bonus :)
ReplyDeleteyou right everything else is just a bonus :)
Deletehave a fab week
Betty Bake
I really enjoy your blog. Reading different food blogs to me is fun because each one is different and it tells it's own story. I will definitely keep reading.
ReplyDeletethank you Kimberlee :) i so appreciate that!
Deletehugs
BB
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHi dear Betty Blog,
ReplyDeleteWe will meet soon and I bet you are a soulful, sensitive real-deal of a person.
Now listen to an ole mama ... the www is full of starved egos desperate for love and attention and many will do anything to get some emotional strokes. In my opinion, these poor ones often become the benchmark for us normal, happy and fulfilled souls to achieve the same. Don't go there, girl. In my opinion that is where the pressure comes from - but not from them, from us who want to do well ... well, just because we WANT to do well :-).
Please, do not compare yourself to anything or anybody in the world other than your very real beautiful sincere self. Yes, sincere is the word that comes up when I read your posts and see your pictures.
Sincerely,
Anne
Live at your pace, at your standards
THank you Anne
Deleteyou are a sweet sweet person for saying such lovely things :)
yes one day we will meet but for now thank you for reading this blog of mine and commenting - I agree I will live at my own pace and standards
thank you for your time to write out your long and sweet comment
Betty Bake
You took the words right out of my mouth. I am overwhelmed often over "her blog is soooo much better than mine" and her recipes get featured on food24 and mine don't. So I have to keep quiet for long enough to hear that little voice inside saying, "Blog for you...not to get featured or famous or get invitations to stuff...blog because you love it". It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks or how many comments they get. I just have to keep on keeping on and try to be better all the time. Hugs xx
ReplyDeleteso true - we should all blog for ourselves and if somedays we have good days and get featured then cool if not then be happy!
Deletethank you for your lovely comment
Betty Bake
Oh i love reading your blog and i loved reading this specific post on your blog. i have just started blogging (lifeisazoobiscuit) and spoke to a few people before i started ... all echoed your sentiments ... the advice that i got was that you need to blog from you heart and not to put too much pressure on yourself ... thanks again and keep blogging!! :-)
ReplyDeletethank you Anel
Deletegood luck with your new blog :) and thank you for commenting.
Well done for getting advice before you started
hugs
Betty Bake
Be yourself, stay true to who you are and never stop being creative and having fun in the kitchen. The rest is just the icing on the cake ... scrape it off and you should still have a delicious piece of cake! You can have your cake and .. eat it. Come and live in KZN where there is no "foodiemania" it's quiet and peaceful. We do our best and that about it!!! xxx
ReplyDeleteJanice
Deletethat is a great example - the cake with the icing.
hahaha I loved the comment anout KZN where there is no food mania - hahaha - brilliant
thank you for this great comment
Betty Bake