State of the Blog: time for an 18-month check-up
I started this blog 18 months ago with three goals in mind. The 18-month mark seems like an appropriate time for a checkup. Am I meeting those goals? Is this blog healthy, developing as expected?
The original goals
- I was looking for an outlet to express myself, a form of creative writing that would impose some discipline, but not over-commit me while I still have a day job. I had just finished writing a novel, and I wanted to continue the practice of regular writing, but I wasn’t up to the commitment required to author another book.
- I anticipated the blog would be a way for me to work through this transitional period of my life and help me discover what the next phase will look like. How do I want to spend my time in retirement? Perhaps blogging itself might play a role in my next career.
- I hoped the blog would be a means of engaging. I envisioned connecting with the people in my life on a new level and also that the blog might spread and become an avenue for meeting new people.
The 18-month results
An honest assessment reveals mixed results:
- Goal 1, success! Blogging has given me the structure I need to write every day—and it’s fun. My early-morning writing time is the perfect creative start for my day.
- Goal 2, not so much. I don’t know that I’m any closer to figuring out what I want to be when I grow up. I’m still searching for my passion—for something to grab me and say, “This is it! This is how you should spend your golden years.” (Beyond spending more time with my family, traveling, and sleeping in of course.) Whatever it is, I know I want this blog to play a role, so that’s something.
- Goal 3, even less. I haven’t achieved the level of engagement I had hoped. (Here’s the part where I allow myself to be vulnerable, so if you’re uncomfortable with that kind of stuff, feel free to skip this bullet.) It’s disheartening that after 18 months, I have so few subscribers, comments, shares, or likes. I really appreciate those of you who do engage, and I’ve made a couple of new friends, which is amazing. I’m not downplaying that at all, but if I’m honest, the limited interaction bruises my ego and makes me question whether what I’m writing is of interest to anyone but me (and my family—they’re stuck with me; they have to at least feign interest).
So there you have it. After 18 months, the blog is still breathing, but not flourishing. In true “So what? Now what?” fashion, I have to ask myself what it all means and what to do next.
One thing that jumps out at me is that all of my blog goals are, if not entirely selfish, at best self-indulgent: I need a creative outlet. I am making a transition. I want more friends. At this point, I can either accept this blog as being for me and my immediate circle of friends and family (which is a legitimate purpose) or I can look further into what I have to offer a broader audience. What need is out there in the wider world that I can help fill with my writing?
I don’t know the answer to that yet, but I’ll definitely give it some thought. In the meantime, I’ll keep doing what I’ve been doing. You’ll still find me here every Tuesday and Friday.
To those of you that have stayed tuned, thank you. I’d sincerely love to hear what you want from this blog. Share in the comments or send me an email at chhawkes@aol.com.
Love you, Christie! I have enjoyed reading your blog over the last 18 months because it has made me feel more connected to you.
I don’t read a lot of blogs, but the ones I find myself drawn to regularly are parenting ones (surprise, surprise). They seem to validate my daily life and make me feel ok about my struggles.
So, for whatever that’s worth…
Keep on keeping on! I’m very impressed by your dedication to your blog and writing.
Thank you Liz. I love you too!
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I guess I should chime in more ? Although I feel I’m repeating myself because what I write you already have heard before! Being what I hope is your “better half” I enjoy reading your blog twice a week, I find out things that I miss at home at times. (Selective hearing?)
You know I’ve supported everything you do, want to do, and plan to do, and your blog is certainly something that is you, and you continue to amaze me everyday .
❌⭕️❌⭕️
Thank you dear husband. Your support means a lot to me, making it possible for me to experiment with all my crazy hobbies and goals. Love you!
I’ll admit I’m part of your immediate circle, but I for one will really miss your blog if you chose to stop writing it. I’ve said it before, but I have something a little extra to look forward to on Tuesdays and Fridays! How’s that for self indulgent? “Do it for me!”?
Thank you, Cindy, for those kind words. I definitely plan to keep blogging–if only for you and me! 🙂 If there’s anything particular you’d like to read about, please let me know. Love you!
Christie… I appreciate the honest reflection….. evaluation is important, yet difficult… I admire honesty/vulnerability/being “real”. I have been blogging for about 3 years and took on too much, too fast which led to burn out on several levels…. had to re-evaluate and find what works for me and doesn’t detract from my family, other responsibilities, and my health. I think it is a learning process over the years… like life! 🙂 I enjoyed reading your post and I am your newest follower. I found you on Wed. AIM Link Party. Keep on… and what a blessing to have affirmation from your husband… keep going.
Thank you for the kind words of encouragement. It is definitely a learning process. I appreciate you visiting and will be stopping by Gentle Joy Homemaker soon!
I found this post interesting! I’ve been blogging for a year and I can relate. Although, I do not tend to analyze things, so you brought something to my mind that I wouldn’t have thought about otherwise. Thanks for that!
🙂 gwingal
Thanks for stopping by. I just took a quick peek at your blog and loved the photos! I definitely be back.
I enjoy your blogs very much! I have noticed though they don’t pop up in my feed super regularly, even though I have you marked as see first! I wonder if facebook’s weird algorithm has something to do with maybe a lack of viability? I bet there are probably additional forums you can share them on to get them out to more people! They are certainly enjoyable blogs and I’d miss them if they went away! ♡
Thanks for that feedback Jessi. I am starting to do more research on SEO and ways to get my blog out there. If you want to be sure to receive notice each time a blog posts, enter your email address in the “Subscribe” box found in the right-hand column. Love you!
Thank you for attending the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty. I shared your post on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Hi Christie,
I came across your blog when I read your guest post on Donna’s site this weekend. That got me visiting your site and finding this post. Tomorrow night I’ll be putting up a post on my
site, celebrating Profound Journey’s first birthday. I just had to write you, since what I have to say parallels your experiences so strongly. I’m enjoying the writing, the blog is still meeting my needs, but the small number of subscribers and limited commenting is wearing me out a bit.
I appreciate your openness and honesty, Christie. I’ll look forward to reading, and commenting on, your posts in the future.
Welcome Karen. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. It is quite a journey, this blogging stuff. I’ll stop by tomorrow to help you celebrate your one year milestone.