Friend Friday #17: Goodbye to blogging?

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Katy's choice of topic for this week's Friend Friday seemed strangely apt as one of my favourite bloggers, The Glamorous Grad Student, decided it was time to close her blog. Katy's inspiration for the topic came from as another blogger decided to call it a day, Fashion Butter*. It seems that many bloggers are feeling the stress involved in keeping the creative juices flowing and are chosing to - or at the very least considering -taking a step back. If you're a blogger and struggling to find the time to blog regularly, have you thought about quitting altogether? How do you handling the stresses of juggling a full-time job and blogging?




1. How many hours a week do you spend blogging? Has that number changed since you started blogging?


Hmm. The time I spend blogging each week has definitely increased over the past year. But I like to schedule a lot of posts so that if something happens then there’s always something new each day – or nearly every day. As for numbers? I’d say two or three hours in an evening but not necessarily every evening.


2. There is always more you can do, write, read, comment on... how do you limit your time spent on these tasks?


I tend to do whatever I “need” to do while there is some good TV on and once that’s over then so is internet time and I get on with other things. Sometimes there’s good TV all night…!!


3. Have you experienced Blogger burnout yet? How have you dealt with that?


There are weekends when I feel like I need a break from my computer and writing. This is when having scheduled posts helps – a lot. I always keep a notebook with me though – wherever I am and whatever I’m doing – in case inspiration strikes.


4. This time of the year is always a lot busier than any other time. Will your blogging change as a result?


There will probably be less “other” posts than the usual series that I have on as these can be written in advance. Over the Christmas period I tend to take two weeks off from my “regular” job and head home to spend some down time with my family. I plan this year to schedule posts for the two week period which will remove the pressure to blog every day. If inspiration hits or there is something that I just have to blog about then, of course, I will. IFB have provided another excellent article for anyone who needs more tips and advice on How To Blog Your Way Through The Holidays.


5. Could you foresee a moment in which you are not blogging anymore? How would you identify that it's time to walk away?


I wouldn’t ever say never to stopping blogging but at the moment, and for as long as it feels right, I plan to keep it going. As long as people are still reading the blog and enjoying it and I am enjoying writing it then I will keep it going. If ever it seems like a chore then that would probably be the right time to walk away. For now, I still love the experience more and more each week.

As always, remember to check out the other responses to these questions and to join in the conversation by visiting Katy's blog, Modly Chic. You can find out how to get involved in the Frien Friday discussions each week here.


* Katy added in her "brief" for this week's questions: As a disclaimer, I don't know all the reasons behind why she's closing her blog and this week's questions aren't about Fashion Butter's decision specifically