6.19.2012

Healthy Blogging by Ana.

I don't think there is any way I can truly express how honored I feel to have Ana from the elegant and stunning Blog Milk write a guest post for me today. I stumbled onto her blog while I was traveling earlier this year, and have not let it out of my sight since! Her blog covers design, inspiration, fashion, photography and all that is inspirational to the eye and soul.Without further ado, here is the lovely Ana.
Photobucket
I cannot begin to express how honored I am to be guest posting today in this wonderful haven, Ms. Cathy has created. I've said this many times but Cathy's bubbly personality and outlook is a true inspiration. 

I'm not an expert when it comes to blogging but I've made many mistakes I've learned from and since my daily life is now surrounded by wonderful, empowering bloggers I have now a few tricks up my sleeve I like to share once in a while.

The blogging life is incredibly inspiring, satisfying and at times takes us out of our shells and into the most amazing challenges one can face. I know we all worry about the small print and want to make our blogs a reflection of our passions and as wonderful as this job can be it can also take its toll on you.

After 3 years of blogging publicly and openly I decided that this year I wanted to take a clean and new outlook. I started writing down the most important things I found in my blog and realized some of those habits were not healthy. Checking analytics, worrying a little too much about comment counts and traffic reports were taking the magical part of the experience away early January I determined that to me the most important things I needed to focus on were:

1. Prioritizing - I used to write 3 posts a day no matter what and that truly crushes all intentions and the beautiful human part of blogging. I now share only those things I find interesting, beautiful or helpful, missing a day shouldn't be a worry but being unsatisfied with the result of a post should.

2. Finding catharsis - Blogging provides an enormous sense of freedom and the line between sharing and over-sharing is sometimes blurred. I personally like having such freedom and even though I didn't quite appreciate it at first I now treasure it and I open up about things that can have a positive effect in people's life. Catharsis is important both for the writer and the reader, it forms a bond that constantly inspires us to continue blogging and sharing.

3. Change - Once you feel like you are hitting a brick wall change can work wonders for your spirit and for the way others see your blog. I believe a blog should be in constant developing, just like you strive to bring new and original content to the table you should grow at your own pace and with your own personality.

4.  Inspire - This is what fills my glass every day. If I can inspire one person every day I feel like every minute, every effort and strive has worth it all. I have though realized you can only inspired someone once you have been inspired by others. It's one of those beautiful gifts that keep on giving. 

5. Rest - I truly admire people who blog 24/7 and who are happy and able to do it but I also believe in "living, then blogging" - Making your personal life the top priority can work wonders in your blogging life, it inspires you, gives you things to talk about and surrounds you with unique experiences that can make a difference in the way you open up to those who read your blog.

In a nutshell, I've learned that in order to blog happily I have to live happily. Concentrating in every single area of my blog is important but more so those who read my blog, trust my taste and engage in the littlest things  that I write about.  Working hard for them is important to me just as is to recharge my strength to keep offering something honest and true.

How do you encourage yourself? What is the biggest worry you have about your blog?

33 comments:

  1. Just before reading this, I finished watching a Richard Linklater talk. He's a big rolemodel of mine, travelers might know him for 'Before Sunrise'

    In the 18 minute mark he gives a stirring call to artists to find peace in what you do and not to fret about the externals so much. Most of the people I've looked up to never got the recognition they deserved but I always loved their soul. It almost made them cooler.

    Watch the vid for yourself
    LINKLATER: (18m 30s) You've got to make your peace with it... just be thankful you were able to do it... and incorporate it into your life..."
    http://youtu.be/GaseTLtYjx4

    That vid and posts like this encourage me that one day my art's "real life can emerge"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will definitely watch. It sounds very interesting, thank you!

      Delete
    2. Thanks for sharing that link! I will absolutely check it out and happy this post has inspired you :) It's all about making this one life of ours bloom and merge with our passions :)

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. Yes, Ana always has the best advice about blogging! If you haven't seen hers yet, check it out at blogmilk.com ; it's gorgeous!!

      Delete
  3. Ahh!! I absolutely adore Ana! I was so excited to see her guest blogging over here! :) I'm just getting over being sick, and it bothered me so much at first that I was missing my days to post. I also try not to freak out about analytics, but it's still a process for me. Ana's so right to advise to post when you're inspired and only share content you're proud of.

    I stay encouraged by optimism of others and everyday occurrences. Sometimes I worry that my blog will dissolve before reaching its full potential (that goes hand in hand with my art), but I just try to take it one day at a time.

    Thanks Ana for the guest post, and thank you Cathy for asking her to show her lovely presence on your happy blog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are so wonderful, friend! I hope you're feeling better. I think the blogging world is so wonderful that even when you think you're fried and done you can change things up and start all over again. I didn't realize how many people actually read my posts until I shut down my previous blog. It felt good to see people come back and take the new image, new content and feel at home.
      You are doing a wonderful job, Danie... The end is nowhere to be seen ;) - So thrilled Ms. Cathy invited me over!

      Delete
    2. Hey Danie! We all adore Ana!! I remember the first time reading her blog and was like, wow - - she must have been doing this for at least 8 years! I feel you, Danie - - I go through the same feelings and worries. I worry I might run out of things to blog about and wonder if there are things interesting enough to talk about - - I have even worried if I was posting enough times. The truth of the matter is, continue doing this because of how much joy it brings you whether or not your daily views are high or not. As always, when we do things with passion, success will meet you there!! Stay positive, your blog is lovely!!!

      Delete
  4. Thanks so much for sharing this!! I sometimes focus too much on the analytics or feel like I have to be posting more often, which really does take the fun out of it. Luckily for me there's a few people who read my blog who will always tell me off when they've figured out I'm blogging to keep up appearances :P but this will definitely help me to take a better approach to blogging! Thanks again Cathy and Ana! Rhi xx

    The Wildest of Dreams

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you* Rhianna! I cannot cope with the thought of making everything about money or recognition. This is is time-consuming and tiring at best. I think you've done a great job in creating bonds with your readers, that's also what keeps me from falling into auto-mode and just giving people something because I feel like I have to rather than because i enjoy it. Thank you for the reminder. Can't wait to hop over and see your blog! xo

      Delete
    2. Hey Rhi! I do the same thing sometimes - - checking the analytics WAY too much and letting that discourage me sometimes. Ana is right, you've done an excellent job creating those relationships in the blogging world and that's just one of the few ways to stay motivated, rather than the numbers itself. Good luck with the steak and sauce girl!!! :)

      Delete
  5. I literally relate to all of these tips on every level. They are so true when it comes to blogging! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you do! Isn't Ana amazing and so personable? I always enjoy reading her blogging tips. She's over at blogmilk.com and has tons more to check out from a month ago or so. :) Have a great week!

      Delete
  6. A really lovely post to read and inspire! I discovered Cathy's blog via you Ana and I think it's so great that blogs can bring people together from across our wonderful would like this and share creativity, inspiration and love! :) Yey to blogging from the heart! xo Angie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's honestly just one of the many many things I love about blogging, connecting friends from ALL over the world!! Not only that, but we can continue to motivate and inspire one another! If we don't blog from our heart, I honestly don't think we can be successful or happy and eventually, it will be a chore rather than a passion :)

      Delete
  7. Your comments about blogging only things that you found relevant or that you loved hits the nail on the head for me. I think it's quality over quantity any day and couldn't agree more. After all, it's not a reflection of yourself or taste if there isn't a little conscious curation going on. Great statements!

    www.sayhellomax.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with you! Quality over quantity, always. To me, it always seems to show when one is motivated through quality rather than quantity and vice versa. Thanks for the comment!!

      Delete
  8. A wonderful post i must say and very true too. i like the part which says "living, then blogging" coz this is what i realized and experienced today. Thankyou so much for sharing the wonderful thoughts. It's been a pleasure going through this blog every time :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm happy you enjoyed Ana's post! She is very authentic and so wise when it comes to the blogging world. The true art of blogging lies in finding inspiration through day-to-day living :) Hope all is well, Savvy!!

      Delete
    2. yes cathy all is very well now. visit my blog n u will know :)

      Delete
  9. Nice guest post. I especially like the reminder that blogging should be done when we the writer are inspired to share something - not because we feel obligated. Inspired posts are what drive traffic, not posts written solely for your analytic measurements.
    Thanks.
    AfricaInside

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely. It's easy to tell when blogs are written solely for numbers rather than true sharing. Thanks for the comment :)

      Delete
  10. So glad I ran into this post today. I am a newbie here but I have started to realize all the points you just put down here in this very informative post. Thanks for the tips. :)

    xx
    Heel in Mint
    www.heelinmint.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm a newbie as well and so glad Ana posted an inspirational piece for new bloggers like us! :)

      Delete
  11. love what you wrote! x

    natalieoffduty.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have really enjoyed reading this :) thanks so much for sharing such useful (and true!) content!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so thrilled you enjoyed this piece Ester! Thank Ana from blogmilk.com, she is a blessing!! :)

      Delete
  13. This was a great read. Thanks for sharing!

    xo
    Quiet Luxury


    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...