My Love Hate Relationship with Blogging

So I don't usually write posts like this, but this has been weighing on my mind for a while. Maybe putting it out there would help me figure out the best way for me to handle my blog in the future.

But before we get to what this post is really about, check out my new toy:

It's a Canon EOS Digital Rebel T3. I am still learning how to use it but I am having fun with it so far.  The pictures in this post are just me messing around with it in my living room.

Now for what I really wanted to talk about:

I guess I will start off with why I love my blog!

Motivation

I just love that blogging gives me motivation to finish projects that I have been wanting to do forever. It also give me the motivation to try new things, come up with new ideas and to share how to execute those ideas.  Simply put, without my blog I probably wouldn't get nearly as much done around my house (at least things other than cleaning and cooking dinner).

Connecting with others who share my interests

This is a big one for me. Prior to blogging I would normally share my projects with my husband (not always the most interested), my family, and a few friends. My sisters are interested in crafts and sewing, but they weren't always able to see my projects in person.  I love that I can share my projects with a whole group of people who get excited about them, because they love to do the same things I do! I also love to see others be inspired by my ideas and love getting comments on them.

It encourages me to learn new skills (and practice old ones)

When I was little I wanted to be a writer. I would write stories all the time and illustrate them. When I was in middle school I really thought I would grow up and be a writer like Stephen King. That's not exactly how my life turned out. But before I started blogging I hadn't written anything longer than an email since I got out of college! This has given me a chance to express myself through the written word. I have had to practice to get my writing skills back, but having to work at something like that is a good thing. Some other skills I have learned or improved since starting blogging- photography, html, sewing, refinishing furniture and graphic design.

And then there are the things I hate about blogging- these are the ones that have been hanging on my mind lately.

Pressure

Pressure is hard for me because the pressure I feel about blogging is pretty much all self imposed. I don't have sponsors that I have to keep traffic up for and I don't have a lot of money tied up in my blog.  

But I still feel it.

I feel pressure to come up with really popular ideas. I feel pressure to post frequently. I feel pressure to increase my followers. I feel pressure to not let my traffic drop, because if I do I am somehow failing myself.

When I see a blog that is growing really fast or that is huge and they have only been blogging a few months it makes me frustrated at the size of my own blog. 

I am trying to work out the best way to deal with this (and I believe writing the first half of this post helped a little, at least to remind of the actual reasons I blog).

If you have any suggestions please let me know!

Time

There is no way around it, blogging takes a lot of time. I work full time out of the house and the time I do get at home to spend with my husband (when he isn't working) is precious to me.  Between cooking, cleaning, trying to work out, spending time with my friends and family, and blogging there seems to be no extra time anywhere. 

So coming up with craft ideas, executing them, photographing them and posting about them is exhausting enough as it is. And that doesn't even take into account linking up to parties, corresponding with other bloggers, maintaining a Facebook page, etc.

Recently I have started using a blog organizing binder which has helped me be a little more efficient at my blogging, but sometimes I feel overwhelmed still.

So there it is- much like life it isn't all doom and gloom, but it isn't all rosy colored either.  I don't think I will stop blogging any time soon, but I may back off, not post as much, not link up as much. Who knows.

Am I the only one who feels this way? What do you love or hate about blogging?

Thanks for stopping by and listening to my thoughts :)

I will be linking up with some of these parties!

Have a great day!!