3 things I love about blogging and 3 things I don’t

I’ve had my blog just over two years now and over those two years I feel I’ve come to know a fair amount about the blogging world. Like with everything in life, it has its good and bad qualities. Of course the following are just my opinion and my experience and I know they won’t be the same for everyone – and that’s a good thing! Otherwise we’d live in a very boring world if we were all the same. And I’d love to hear if you agree – or if you don’t – and also any tips you could offer. After all, the blogging community is a supportive space. Right?

So here are three things I love about blogging

I can write what I like

In my professional life, copywriting is one of the services I offer and I write according to the client’s brief. What Kirsty did next is my space to be creative and to write about anything I like – with no word count limit. I can’t tell you how liberating that is!

I have gained new skills

Any blogger will tell you just how much hard work it is having a blog – even more so if you work full time. Not only do you have to be a skilled writer, you have to be a great photographer, editor, designer, social media master and SEO whizz. I was already adept at social media but I have learnt how to design graphics for my blog that people actually want to share and pin. I have learnt what DA is (and how to increase it), gained SEO skills, how to find and fix broken links and how to boost traffic to my site. And all of these skills are incredibly useful in my professional life.

I have to give a shout-out here to two wonderful, useful, awesome and supportive Facebook groups: the Official UK Bloggers group and The Aspiring Travel Writer group. It’s really through these groups that I have learnt so much about blogging as well as found opportunities.

The opportunities I’ve had

I started my blog as a creative outlet, without any expectations that anyone apart from my mother and husband would actually read it. But guess what? People do read it! (This still surprises me). I’ve been very lucky to have been invited to review restaurants, attend launches and food festivals, review products as well as go to some really special ‘money can’t buy’ experiences. I’ve still not had a hotel review or press trip opportunity but I live in hope that my time will come…. (if any hotel PRs are reading this, my email’s in the About Me section!).

And here are the things about blogging that I don’t like…

FOMO is very real

The problem, when you follow lots of food and travel bloggers on Twitter and Instagram or are friends with them on Facebook, is that there is ALWAYS something you’re missing out on – whether you were invited or not! When you’re scrolling through tweets of fabulous, mouth-watering dishes, watching Insta stories of all the courses or looking at boomerangs of champagne glasses clinking, whilst sitting in your PJs watching shit TV… FOMO is real my friend.

When this happens, I usually wish I was there but then am also quite grateful for a relaxing night in. Lots of bloggers will tell you that having a blog means sometimes forgetting to take care of yourself. Self care is ultra important. It’s ok to not always be out at some event. In is the new out! Right…?

The green-eyed monster

Some bloggers are invited to amazing dinners or trips of a lifetime (and even get paid for it to boot). Now, OF COURSE I’m not immune to jealousy – I’d have to be made of stone not to be. The green-eyed monster rears its ugly head at least once a week but the rational me knows that these bloggers have worked bloody hard to get that opportunity. The green-eyed monster will appear often but learn to deal with it. Swear out loud (or in your head if you’re in public) and then just be happy for them. If you’re not, then unfollow them. No one needs negativity in their life. And you know what? You’re in control of your own destiny so if you want something really bad, then only YOU are standing in your way.

Bitchiness is very real

Yup, I said it. There is bitchiness in the blogging community. I personally haven’t experienced any yet (I’m guessing my time will come) but I have seen it happen. I know a lot of it stems from the green-eyed monster (see above) but I don’t think being rude or mean is ever ok. Like I said, if you can’t be happy for someone, just unfollow them. Believe me, they’ll be happy for it too because no one wants to be the recipient of someone’s catty remarks – whether those remarks are made publicly or not. But it also works both ways. There is a lot of competition in the bloggersphere and with that comes insecurity. I’ve seen bloggers moan that other bloggers are covering topics ‘outside of their niche’ and that they should ‘stick to what they know’. Sigh. Surely they have the right to write about whatever they like on their own blog? Let’s just all be nice. There are plenty of opportunities for everyone.

I’d love to know what you love or hate about blogging! Let me know in the comments (if you disagree with anything I said, that’s cool. Just please don’t be rude. I’m really sensitive).

Clarisse Meyer