You may have noticed that I haven’t updated Woman Tribune in a little over a week, and you may have been starting to wonder where I’ve been. To put it simply, I’ve been busy doing other things; but I’ve never been one for putting something simply.
When you blog for so long, especially when it’s on the same space and a community develops around you, it’s easy to feel as if your blog has transformed into its own, ridiculously needy entity. Suddenly you have a to-do list a mile long to get through and your blog develops its own special to-do list. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, burnt out, and fall behind. I am guilty of them all. Sometimes you just need a break or a hiatus, a chance to switch gears and focus on something else for a little while and then come back refreshed and with a clear head. This past week was that time for me.
During my time away here, I worked on finally getting a portfolio up that showcases what I do on the internet. I have been meaning to get this site up for years. Really, years. I first registered the domain in 2008, and then all of the different projects I was working on at the time took over, and then Woman Tribune really took over. Over the past five years, I have focused on this blog and little else. That is a lot of work and a lot of energy, and when you’re a creative person who does a few different things, I can now confidently state that focusing on just one thing all the time can drive you a little out of your mind.
My new portfolio launched today, and in addition to showcasing the writing, web design, and blogging work I have been doing, I will be blogging over there from time to time. You can expect to find some behind the scenes looks at whatever I happen to be working on, along with fun inspiration images and tips, blogging and design resources, and general techy know-how. It’s going to be fun, so you should join me.
This has also been a really great time for reflection for me. I was able to take a step back from the day-to-day and focus on the bigger picture of what I have been doing, and what I hope to accomplish both in the near and distant future.
I want to run Woman Tribune for as long as I am able to. This blog has been such an asset to my life and to my career, and it has come to mean a lot to me. But is Woman Tribune the only thing I want to be doing, and the only creative outlet I have for myself? No, it isn’t the only thing, and when I made this realization I had a truly bizarre experience. It was as if my blog brain had jumped up and started making declarations of neediness and expressing abandonment issues. Just like I said before, when you blog in the same space for so long, it takes on a life force of its own.
When this happens, it’s important to remind yourself that you are the boss of your blog. You’re the boss. When your blog has begun to take on its own life while taking over yours, it’s time to take a step back, reevaluate what your goals looked like when you made them, and switch gears in an effort to make your goals look a little more like you intended.
Get re-inspired, get motivated, and get moving.
Wow your portfolio is amazing!
What a wonderful portfolio! This is something I need to get together. I just can’t seem to find the time sometimes! Thanks for sharing!
What a nice reminder. Blogging can and will take up as much time as you let it. I’m a fairly new blogger (1 1/2 yrs in) and I see it clear as a bell. I don’t always adjust my time right either, because I like to blog. Balance is key to most things though, and that’s true w/blogging too. 🙂
Great post. As a blogger myself, I totally get it. Thanks for sharing.
I feel the same about my blog, there are so many things I never thought about it needing and still I find myself working on improving it, much more than I would like. Simply because I don’t have the time. But at the moment, my blog is the only thing I want to do, I feel so much better working on and for it than on any other job I had.
It’s best when what you do is totally rewarding. I got into blogging for exactly that reason, over 10 years ago. It has been a long journey over here!
Sometimes we all need a break from all of this crazyness!! Portfolio looks very good!
It is so easy to get caught up in your blog. You are right, we are each the boss, and we need to realize that!
Such a nice reconstruction and good portfolio. Mine is still on construction, lol
I have stumbled here twice and I find this site neat and beautiful. great job 😀
yes I agree. I am a one gal show and it gets crazy with deadlines but I love it. I have learned to say no too!
Saying no is super important regardless of where you work, I think. Recognizing your abilities and your own limits is the only thing that is going to help you better juggle everything you’ve got going on. I think I’m still learning that.
It has definitely been difficult for me to balance blogging with my family and other aspects of my life. I think it’s always going to be a struggle and balancing act!
Wow this is exactly what I needed to read right now! mine has totally started taking over my life the last few weeks and ive began to feel overwhelmed. Thank you so much for sharing this! I loved reading it!
I’m so glad that my experiences have resonated in you, though the subject matter and what has us going through these experiences can kind of suck. Here’s to resetting our goals and getting motivated again for the sake of getting motivated.
I’ve only been blogging for 7 months and it definitely takes up a lot of time! Your portfolio looks amazing though 🙂
This is a really good reminder. I am definitely in need of re-inspiration these days.
I am a relatively new blogger but I experience similar feelings. Sometimes life is just too busy and family and my work just take too much time to blog. Then I feel blog-guilt and my blog gets very needy, at least in my head.