I’m A Half-Arsed Blogger And That’s Okay

I’ve felt a bit lost in the blogging world recently. I’ve seen people getting some incredible opportunities and going to amazing events* while I’m sitting at home wondering why it’s not me. Why I’m not good enough or pretty enough or engaging enough to get all those fab blogger emails you hear about.

Then I went even further down the blogger’s blackhole and thought that maybe it’s because my hair isn’t pastel or rainbow coloured, or because I can’t draw or sing or have a talent that might actually be profitable. Maybe, I thought, it’s because I’m not funny enough or I’m not young enough (although I’m not quite old enough to be an “older blogger”).  Maybe the way I smile annoys people or my accent gets on people’s nerves.

But then, because I do have *some* sense of rationality after all, I slowly came to the realisation that although it is because of me; it’s more specifically because of my attitude towards blogging. Because I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m a half-arsed blogger.

If you’re following me on social media, you might have noticed I’ve had a name change recently. If you’ve not noticed (where the hell have you been?), I’ve gone from being Closingwinter to Golly Miss Holly. This is to coincide with a re-brand that’ll be happening sometime soon.

Except that recently, I haven’t been able to find the motivation to be excited about it. I wanted it to look amazing and have a sleek new exciting feel to it, but I couldn’t help but wonder if just having a shiny new website and a name change would actually make any difference to my stats or my email inbox.

Until I came to the realisation that I’m only going to get out what I put into it. If I want to reap the rewards of blogging, then I have to work at it. Hard. I’d have writing amazing content, taking stunning photos and being super engaging on social media. I’d have to up my Insta game and create the most beautiful flatlays known to man, buy flowers just for photos and drive J bonkers with props galore.

But you know what? I’m okay with not doing any of that, because right now I’m okay with not putting my all into blogging. And it’s totally okay if you feel like that too. There’s nothing wrong with taking a step back for a while, evaluating what you’re doing, why you’re doing it and what you want actually want to achieve from it. Blogging is meant to be my happy space, somewhere I can come to chat or share something new, something exciting or to share a recipe or a product I think you’ll love.  It was never meant to be about earning money or going to events and product launches. It was meant to be chilled and relaxed.

The bottom line is this; the whole time I thought I was being jealous of other blogger’s successes and opportunities, but it actually it turns out I’m just jealous of their sheer determination to succeed, to write that amazing content and to make a difference in the (blogging) world.

But for now? I’m Holly, a half-arsed blogger and that’s okay.

Have you ever felt like you’re being a bit half-arsed in the blogging world? Let me know in the comments below 🙂 x

*P.S. I’d like to point out that I’m extremely grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had whilst blogging, please don’t think I’m not. I’m hoping you guys get what I’m trying to say!!

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43 Comments

  1. I like to call myself a “wannabe blogger” for this reason. It’s really refreshing to read this because I’ve been having the same thoughts and feelings. My motivation has slipped and my personal life has taken over the majority of my time. So I haven’t been able to put in as much work as I’d like. Then I see others and always wonder why I don’t get chosen to work with certain brands etc.. But then on the flip side I have been very lucky to do what I have so far.

    I think the key is not comparing yourself to others and remembering why you started blogging in the first place ☺

    Laura × http://www.laurahasablog.co.uk

  2. I think we’re all half arsed. Yes I do want to make money on my blog but I don’t want to turn my blog full of something that is not me but I think my only complain is I don’t live in Europe like many blogger *mostly* (especially England) and unfortunately I don’t travel since travelling to Europe is pretty expensive and I’m still in college.
    xo
    Michelle| http://www.brokebutflawless.com

    1. I think some of us (like me) are more half-arsed than others though lol. Perhaps when college is finished, you’ll get to travel? 🙂 x

  3. Meeeee! I’m definitely a half-arsed blogger. Most of the time, I don’t want to have to do everything else (taking pictures, promoting on different social media) that comes with it. I just want to write. And I write what I want to write, not what I think other people want to read. That’s the way to stay happy as a blogger, I think.

    1. Yeah, all the other bits suck!! When I write what I think people want to read, no one reads it, so I write for myself 🙂 x

  4. I can relate to this so much. I have phases where I feel like I don’t have direction or don’t feel like blogging but find it’s best to take a step back during those times and not force it. It’s supposed to be fun after all 🙂

    http://amyevans.blog – Amy x

    1. I think that’s the thing, isn’t it? Blogging is supposed to be a fun hobby but it’s so easy to take it really seriously and stress about it! It’s definitely good to take a step back xx

    1. I think I’m in that weird space where I’m starting to make a bit of money, but not enough. If I pushed myself I could probably do more, but I’m not sure if I want to at the moment. Oooh, a rebrand? Very exciting, can’t wait to see it!! xxx

  5. Omg thank-you so much for writing this!!! I have been feeling this way recently and thing myself for it cause I envy those who put their all in! I work full time and my weekends are so full I barely find time to catch up on my sleep! You have just put into words everything I have been feeling! I need to realise that I’m okay with being half-arsed too! Totally l loved this 🙂 xoxoxo

    Rach | http://caninesandcosmetics.blogspot.co.uk

  6. I feel exactly the same, especially these last few weeks, I’ve felt under pressure to do more and sit up until late at night writing more blog posts and taking photos, but that’s when all the fun starts to go, it’s a hobby for me and I never want it to feel like a chore, I’d need to completely think everything im doing for my blog.
    I love reading your posts, half-arsed or not 🙂

    Sharon xx

    rosieloveslife.co.uk

    1. It’s hard isn’t it? Trying to juggle life and blogging when it’s supposed to be fun! I love reading yours too 🙂 xx

  7. I can soooooo relate to this. More often than not do I end up missing a day of Instagram or a month of blogging and think “where are all my views” and I KNOW it’s solely my fault that I haven’t created the content. I’m totally with you though – I’m all about the balance in life. If I had more time and energy I’d loooove to put more into my blog, but friends, family and my career have gotta come first!! Loved this post Holly!! ❤️✨🙋🏼
    http://www.wingitwithjade.com

    1. I love how you went from missing a day of Instagram and going to a whole month of blogging lol!! I love having balance but I still need to remember this is meant to be an enjoyable hobby!! xx

  8. This is most definitely me. I blog when I am in the mood to write, not when I SHOULD be writing. I have so many half-written drafts that just don’t feel relevant one, two, or six months on… Oops.

    I’ve been making more of an effort to post more regularly but still don’t feel like a “proper” blogger.

    Glad I’m not alone in my half-arsed…ness. 🙂

    1. OMG yes, all the half-written drafts that I go back to months on and think “what was I on about?!?” I’ve been blogging regularly for months and I still don’t feel like a “proper” blogger lol.

  9. I hear ya! However my blog hasn’t even taken off. With my rebrand etc I just can’t find the content to reflect it. It’s taken me a while to write my latest post because I just don’t want to write for the sake of it. I love putting my heart and soul into my posts so it maybe that I’m half-arsed but hey ho- that’s just me!

  10. I’ve definitely felt like this before! But the old saying of you get what you put in is so true. I firmly believe blogging shouldn’t feel like a chore though, and if you’re starting to not feel it that’s okay. Take some time, reevaluate, and come back full of motivation!

    1. Yeah, sometimes I seem to forget that it’s still actually just a hobby and I need to remember to actually enjoy doing it!! xx

  11. But it’s all perspective! Because I’m also a half-assed blogger, and every time YOU’RE at an event I feel the same way like “why am I never invited to Brighton things” etc etc. Now I’ve decided to put blogging on the back burner and focus on other things, but yeah I totally get it. I think it’s the same as being a celebrity though: there’s a certain amount of hard work involved, but also there IS a lot of luck needed. Sometimes you DO need to be what the people want and know someone with more influence. But I suppose to make those connections, you have to work hard so you have the opportunity to meet the “right” people.

    It’s tricky, but just yaaaas to half-assed bloggers, because I DO just want it to be my hobby. And I don’t really want my hobby to be competitive when everything else in my life is. 🙂

    1. It definitely is, I feel like that when I see events with PR companies I’ve worked loads with and I didn’t get an invite, but I don’t put the effort in to be noticed.

      I’m in the “blogging is my hobby” camp and I’m okay with that 🙂

  12. Oh yes!! I’m deffo a half arsed blogger and I’m ok with that too, I have a lot going on in my life and while I’d love to blog about it all I can’t as there are other people involved, I’m also not that great at taking photos but meh I’m ok with that too. keep it up hun your doing great x

    1. Yay, another half-arsed blogger!! We should start a club!! You just keep doing you and as long as you’re still having fun, it’s okay!! xx

  13. This post REALLY spoke to me.. we don’t have to schedule posts every hour and attend events to be a blogger!! If I’m honest I was sitting on my bed the other day watching Insta stories with major FOMO as I saw a number of people were attending an event- I asked one of the gals who is super lovely and she just said it’s because she was in touch with a certain PR.. that’s literally all it is.

    I’ve been having an inner battle lately as to how I should move forward with my writing/ photography but I’ve decided, stuff it- I’m just gonna be me, and if I’m not mainstream enough then who caresss! This is a brilliant post will defo be sharing 🖤

    M x

    1. Yeah, sometimes it’s just being in the right place at the right time or getting a plus one with a friend! Yeah, I’m glad you feel that way, if you enjoy it then just keep doing what you’re doing, no need to change to try and “fit in” xx

  14. Literally me! I suffer from depression which makes it hard to be motivated to do anything at all, let alone put hours and hours into blogging. I also have nothing interesting to talk about, so nothing to post that anyone would actually care about. I hope I can change that because I’d love to have the hustle that ‘successful’ bloggers have!

    This was a brave post, I really enjoyed reading it. It was totally real and refreshing to have someone admit that blogging isn’t easy and not often profitable or glamorous. Great post! xx

    1. I can well imagine how hard it would be for you, although I’m sure people love reading your blog! I’m really glad you enjoyed the post, thank you 🙂

  15. Lol im a half arsed blogger. I only started blogging to help me with a business venture doing glitter tattoos. I get what you mean and i hope i get enough zeal to add pretty pics and gifs to my blog but for now im Cilla and im a half arsed blogger! Nice to meet you X

  16. I have read your blog for some time now and I totally get what you are saying. But you have been to some great events by the look of it and seem to be beating yourself up over something that doesnt seem to exist. You blog about a variety of things such as make up, fashion and food and have been to events to cater to all the things you have blogged about. If you blogged specifically about one subject maybe that would help improve your invites to that thing but then you would miss out on all the others.

    1. Oh I definitely have and I’m very grateful for the opportunities. Sometimes it’s hard when you see people who have been blogging for less time getting opportunities from massive brands. But like I said, I don’t put the effort in so I can’t exactly complain 🙂

  17. I did the same thing when I rebranded, but I always try to remember it’s a hobby rather than a business. After a month or so off I’ve definitely got my blogging mojo back. Enjoy being a ‘half arsed blogger’ better that than it being forced Xx

    1. Yeah, I think that’s a great way to look at it. I’m sort of in that half place of not knowing if it’s a hobby or something more, I think I need to do some sit down thinking lol xx

  18. I’m the same and I have no problem with it either. I feel like there’s an expectation nowadays that every blogger *should* want to be a full time blogger and *should* want to put the amount of time into it that that takes. But some of us still want to blog for fun, for a hobby, and our voices absolutely do have a place, since we can bring a fresh perspective that others can’t. So big up the half-arsed bloggers, more power to us.

    1. I think that’s definitely nailed it; not everyone wants to be a full-time blogger and that’s absolutely fine!! I’m definitely okay with keeping my blog as a hobby!!

  19. I feel the exact same way as you do! “Half-arsed blogger” totally sums it up. I think we all feel jealous of everyone else’s successes from time to time (I know I definitely do!) but I’m trying to be more happy for them whilst getting a game plan together for my own blog at the same time so that I feel more motivated to create more frequent, better content. Love this post! 🙂

    1. Yes!! It makes me more determined, but then I still can’t be bothered lol. I guess I need to decide what I want from my blog and go from there 🙂 xx

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