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  1. Olivia says

    When I first started back to blogging in July I really didn’t set my expectations that my blog would grow or i’d get anything out of it. And I think thats what helped me. Once we start putting pressure on ourselves and becoming obsessive with where our blog is going to go, thats where we start trying too hard.
    With anything, things should happen organically. And people forget that things take time.

    We spend so much time comparing ourselves to others that we forget that we are not them. Our journeys are different. Everything takes time and alot of hard work.

    My advice would be to not give up! Keep going even when you dont feel like it. You’ll see results when the time is right

  2. Helen says

    Awesome post. I definitely needed this. I picked up blogging again this past summer and have been slowly growing it, with the emphasis on ‘slow.’ I know that many bloggers do give up after a certain point because it does take time. But as you say we shouldn’t give up and keep at it. We’ll get there eventually 🙂

  3. Happy Panda says

    Love the post – love how you’ve tried to simplify it especially for newbies (including me!).

    Honestly, my goal has never been to monetize my blog. I started writing here as a space to vent and hopefully find likeminded people who’d resonate with my thoughts. I’ll admit the growing followers did get me obsessed with the stats and for a short time I did feel frustrated about the fact that I wasn’t growing as fast as other bloggers. But to grow faster I started putting out content that wasn’t fun to me. So I shut off all notifications from WordPress and realized I actually like just writing for me. I obviously look forward to engaging with other bloggers. To me that is success – being able to write what makes me happy and have a blogging fam that enjoys my content. So I think your last point, defining what you think is success is THE most important. 🙂

    • Shelly DS says

      Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts!
      I’m stuck in that rut at the moment, so it’s great to see others who’ve been there and pulled away. Your blog is amazing as it is, so I can’t imagine you writing generic stuff just to please the general public. Keep doing you girl! 💖 your true supporters will stick with you that way!

  4. Manisha Reddy says

    Awesome post Shelly.
    Genuinely posted your experiences.
    Coming to my blog, I started my blog just for hobby but I spend more time on my blog.
    It took me almost four years to gain 500 plus followers.
    I don’t get disappointed because initially I was not so consistent and gradually I improved my skills and learnt a lot of things.
    As time passed I learnt new things, I can relate seeing stats in WordPress mobile app.
    But I enjoy being here in WordPress sharing my thoughts and learning new things from my fellow bloggers.
    I love your posts Shelly.
    You will definitely going to achieve the things which you dream.
    Happy Blogging 🙂

  5. khadijasweetk says

    I need this information as new blogger. I have no clue how everything works,I am learning as I go Thank you

  6. Blogs by J says

    Great post Shelly!! This was very well-written and on a great topic as well. I truly believe that all great things take time 🙂 and of course motivation and persistence 😊 I really do love your blog ❤

  7. m11bna says

    This was much needed. I started blogging as a hobby. I’ve always loved writing, but what to write?! So blogging was my escapism. I always find loads of people don’t understand the blogging concept. I always get asked- why blog- just Instagram…. My answer- why not both? We are in a ‘double click’ to like a picture generation and I feel that makes it harder to blog…

    • Shelly DS says

      Yay, I’m glad you can relate! I totally get you… people don’t care so much about words anymore as they do about videos and pictures. Isn’t that more of a reason to keep at it though? And yes – do both 😉

  8. Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader) says

    I agree with you 100% Shelly. While I admit it feels good when I see the numbers going up, that’s not my focus. My blogging goals are about things I control – how many posts I write, how many pins I create – rather than things I don’t control.

    I also write about what I want to, and select topics where I feel I have something of value or interest to say. Yes, I think about other people and whether anyone would actually want to read what I write, but that’s secondary.

    • Shelly DS says

      Michelle that’s brilliant! It’s great to see that you are already where most bloggers need to be – myself included. I know your blog is your hobby right now but what are your plans for it?

      • Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader) says

        At some point, it would be nice to generate some income from my blog but not if it would limit the things I can write about.

        When I started my blog, I thought it would be cool when I had enough content to take some of my best posts and publish them in a book. Maybe I will do that one day!

  9. C a t a r i n a 🌺 ☕ says

    I completely agree with you💯 I blog as a hobby, haven’t gotten any sponsor but I’ okay with that I try not to focus on other bloggers getting paid. Because I know someday or eventually I will generate money from blogging but I love blogging and writing about products and just love interacting with bloggers. Thank you for this post made me think all over again why I love blogging!

  10. Markus + Micah says

    I laughed at the intro of the conclusion. But you know that is not true. And like you said, mental health and fun are so much better! I agree with you, with the definition of success and writing for yourself. We all come into this with different motivations and there will be unique ways to realize our goals. For me, making lovely blogfriends is definitely enough.

  11. Shahrin says

    I can 100% relate to this. Checking the stats and becoming obsessed with how to grow this blog. I have started my blog years ago and it’s only recently I have gotten attention. I have come to realise as you have said “not to put pressure on yourself” and enjoy the blogging journey.

    We start our blog for a reason. Stick to that reason and not let the numbers bring you down.

    Since starting my blog, it truly made me fall in love with writing and that’s something.

    Great post✨🤗 xx

    • Shelly DS says

      Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
      I’m glad you didn’t give up and just stuck to your guns. I enjoy reading your blog and I’m sure there are others who do too!

  12. LoseWeightWithAng says

    I’ve been blogging for 3 months now and I’m definitely not seeing the growth that I was expecting for the amount of work I put in. I only post once a week and I think that has a lot to do with it. I keep telling myself that it’s a slow process and it will be worth it in the end 🙂

  13. Anonymous says

    My advise would also be to define what a successful blog is to you! We all are different and we all blog for different reasons. Some do it for income whereas others do it to express their feelings..hence the definition of a successful blog will just not be the same for everyone!

    • Amethyst says

      Thank you for sharing. I absolutely know that feeling and struggle of checking your blog for likes and comments but seeing little to no engagement. I am grateful and excited for every show of support.
      You’re right that it’s important to define what success means to you , set realistic goals and write for yourself.

  14. Hilary Tan says

    I have a different take on Point #3: Write for yourself.

    I write for an audience which has worked well for me. When I write, I imagine that I am talking to a large audience of people! Chances are, the things you write down for yourself, many others can relate to as well. 😊 My tone (yes, writers have a tone of voice) is more one-one-one, but I try to make it so that people can relate to it and that it’s less of a diary-style blog post.

    • Shelly DS says

      That’s fair! I like that actually. When I think of writing for others, I’m thinking about the “how to wake up in the morning” kind of posts not the “here’s how waking up worked for me”. Your style is more of the second and is definitely relatable!
      As always, thanks for reading and commenting, Hilary 💖

      • Hilary Tan says

        It’s definitely possible to incorporate both styles into one blog post. Lists for instance, I use when writing for an audience, but I also include first-person I and me in these posts. “How to Wake Up in the Morning” would make a great title, with some anecdotal examples added to the body of the blog post for relatability, if that makes sense 😊

  15. Suzanne- Happily Decluttered says

    When I decided to start my blog at the end of October I didn’t have any expectations. I never really read blogs before or have known anyone to write a blog so the whole experience was new to me (and still is!). I’m not on any social media so even though I was hoping someone would read my blog I didn’t have any expectations about how many followers or likes I wanted. Having zero expectations has really made each follow and like I receive super exciting. Compared to other bloggers I’m not sure how I’m doing but I’m really happy with how my blog has turned out! I’m writing about things I enjoy, I’m connecting with people who I never would have met before, and I’m learning something new.

    I enjoyed reading through the comments that your post inspired, it is really interesting how everyone views blogging in so many different ways.

    • Shelly DS says

      Wow that’s really great! I was quite similar to you but then the stats took over my life! Lol funny enough, when I started caringC things started slowing down!
      Your blog is cool, it’s so different to what everyone else posts! Maybe it’s a good thing you didn’t read other blogs 😉
      Thanks so much for reading and also giving other bloggers an experience to read about! 😊💖

  16. Eromonsele Emmanuel says

    When I started out blogging in 2018, I was very ambitious about having an income and even possible sponsorships like you mentioned Shelly. I was addicted to my stats and it affected my thought process so much in those days.

    Now, I blog for fun. First to please myself and then, to be of help to others.

    Thanks for your excellent article.

  17. alexfaithwrites says

    This is a great post! I think writing for yourself is the most important one. If you started making content just because you think it’ll be successful but you don’t enjoy it, the fun is completely gone!

  18. Kemi says

    As a newbie, I found this really helpful! I definitely agree with writing for yourself as it’s easy to get sidetracked and blogging may start to feel like a chore. You can’t please everyone and there are many people who will embrace the authentic you.

  19. crystalsandcurls says

    Shelly, I love this post! I think the tips you shared are really realistic – success doesn’t happen overnight ESPECIALLY not with blogging! We tend to focus on the small minority that achieve instant success as our rolemodels and in doing so sometimes set ourselves up to fail … slow and steady growth is what I like to aim for 🙂 xx

  20. manitobamomblog says

    I think your blog is doing amazing! Mine is a hobby, and I definitely don’t follow a lot of the advice that’s out there. But writing a post makes my day better. So I keep doing it! ✌️

    • Shelly DS says

      That’s very kind of you 😊 I’ll keep reminding myself of that!
      It’s great that you’ve found your own rhythm and are jamming to your own beat! Keep at it!
      Thanks for stopping by!💖

  21. ink impressions says

    I definitely agree with your advice. I often struggle with the idea of making my blog more specific, for a certain niche, but the truth is I like writing for me. Thanks for your gentle reminders. I needed to be read them today.

  22. Renard Moreau says

    🙂 When you write for yourself, you end up attracting an audience that resonates well with your ideology and your unique style of writing.

    Do enjoy the rest of your day, Shelly!

  23. Lady B says

    It has been a journey and I don’t see a lot of growth as I would like to see. I definitely know that I need to take more time to write my actual goals and expectations and engaging more with others. Once I get my systems in order and manage my time better, I believe those things alone will catapult me higher. Great post, Shelly! Thanks for the tips! 🤗

  24. Deetheory says

    Blogging is a rollercoaster journey. It pays to be consistent and patient. I’m loving the journey and I look forward to growth. Thanks for sharing Shelly 😊

  25. Delicate and brutal says

    Success looks different to everyone. Comparing ourselves or our progress is not a good measurement of success because it can leave us with negative feelings. I believe that as long as you are doing your best you are successful no matter how many followers, likes, comments, or sponsors you may have. I personally think YOU and your blog are awesome!!!

  26. Bolaji Gelax says

    It’s the conclusion for me! Like we underrate mental health in most things that we do. I blog for me too, with some consideration of what my audience like.

    For instance, the music and movies section of my blog is the least popular but it’s perhaps one of the top three sections I’m most passionate about. And that’s why I keep at it.

    Thank you for this. ♥️✨

  27. Meina Ibr says

    ‘Determine what a successful blog looks like to you’ – I haven’t really given this a thought in a really long time. But when I think back just now I think I did have a successful blog. Even though I haven’t hit the hundred dollars yet, I did earn a few dollars. I did have a few post rank on page 1 of Google. At the end of the day, I guess I need to remind myself to be thankful and just have patience and that I’m in the right direction. Love the content! =)

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