Keeping Up with Your Blog and Staying Inspired When Life Gets Real
Keeping Up with Your Blog and Staying Inspired When Life Gets Real
Allow me to state the obvious! Keeping up with your blog and staying inspired isn’t always as simple as checking a box on your to-do list. It is especially challenging when real life steps in like an uninvited guest, arms full of laundry, deadlines, unexpected chaos, and even tragedy. If you’ve ever stared at a blinking cursor with a brain full of nothing or felt like your creative outlet was becoming just another thing you’re behind on, you’re in the right place.
I am speaking from personal experience. In fact, in my next email newsletter, I go deep into my recent personal experience that had me thinking of throwing up my hands in defeat.
Friend, I see you. Life has its seasons, and sometimes they feel like a full-blown hurricane. But, please trust me, that doesn’t mean you have to give up on your blog, your voice, or your goals. Let’s talk about how to keep going when your blogging dreams are up against real-life pressures.
Wanna read about it this coming Wednesday?
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After you are all signed up as a VIP Member, keep reading to learn my 11 tips for keeping up with your blog during tough times.
When Things Get Tough, Give Yourself a Break
Let’s get something out of the way right now: You are not a robot. You are a creative blogger, a small business owner, a content creator with heart and hustle. But even the most passionate among us hit a wall. Whether it’s a lack of time, lack of inspiration, or just a good old-fashioned bad day, it’s okay to slow down.
The most important thing? Don’t let the pursuit of perfection steal your joy. Sometimes you need to skip a post, ignore the to-do list, and just breathe. That’s not failure—that’s resilience!
Shelley Marmor, a successful travel blogger, shares practical strategies to overcome writer’s block and burnout— “Aim for progress (not perfection). There is no such thing as perfection, so instead of expecting the world, just expect yourself to get something done while blogging.”
And yes, it’s more than okay to take a detour on your way to those long-term blogging goals.
11 Tips for Keeping Up with Your Blog During Tough Times
Even when life is downright out of control, there are simple tips and creative strategies that can help you keep your blog alive without draining your spirit. These aren’t about doing more—they’re about doing what matters most.
1 | Take a Day Off (or More)
This might sound counterintuitive, but one of the easiest ways to reignite your spark is to actually step away. When you’re burned out, forcing blog content out of an empty tank won’t do you—or your readers—any good. Give yourself permission to rest. A fresh perspective often follows a little bit of distance.
2 | Prioritize Your Tasks
Grab a notebook (or your favorite project management tool) and brain-dump everything you think you need to do for your blog. Then? Cross out what can wait. Focus on the tasks that truly keep your own blog moving—maybe that’s publishing one great post or updating old blog posts instead of creating brand-new content every week.
3 | Be flexible
Not every day is a productivity party: man, I wish it was. On the days that feel especially heavy, lean into flexibility. Allow yourself to work from the couch, shift your schedule, or simply write a short update instead of a full product review or keyword-researched article.
4 | Stop Saying Yes to Everything
Your time and energy are limited (gasp)—especially when real life feels extra real. If a collaboration, Facebook group challenge, or affiliate link program isn’t lighting you up, it’s okay to say no. Focus your attention on the right people and the best ways to connect with your readers.
5 | Just Start Typing
When writer’s block hits, sometimes the only way through is… typing. Start with a sentence—any sentence. Write like you’re texting a friend. You might not have the best ideas right away, but showing up is the good start that leads to real progress.
6 | Focus on the Fun Stuff
Put the analytics, keyword research, and social media strategy on pause. Revisit what made you fall in love with blogging in the first place. Maybe that means sharing your own personal experiences, your latest book haul, or a list of new places you want to visit. Let it be fun again.
7 | Prioritize Self-Care and Comfort
I love this one! It is one of the best reasons to become a blogger. Here is my thought. Blogging doesn’t have to feel like a full-time job every single day. Whether you’re publishing a new post or brainstorming new content ideas, set the scene for comfort:
While working:
- Sip a sweet drink or something warm and cozy
- Light a candle or diffuse calming essential oils
- Work from the couch with your favorite feel-good show in the background
- Let a good playlist lift your spirits
While not working:
- Treat yourself to a relaxing bath
- Get your nails done
- Play your favorite sport with a friend
- Order your favorite takeout
- Spend time with friends who fill your cup
Remember, your blog thrives when you do.
Jesse Israel, the Founder of The Big Quiet, recommends meditation for getting through stressful times:
“Meditation is recommended for turning off the fight-or-flight response and fostering relaxation.”
8 | Get Out of the Office
A change of scenery can work wonders. Head to a coffee shop, a park, or a new workspace. Even a corner of your home you don’t usually work in can spark new ideas. Sometimes the best ideas come when you’re just outside your comfort zone.
“Blogging can be pretty lonely if you don’t spend lots of time engaging with others and networking. It can feel like you are all alone in the vast world of the internet, and as with most things, when we feel alone with things, we often lose our passion and feel like things aren’t worth it.”
9 | Outsource when Needed
If you’re in a season of much work and not enough time, consider hiring help—even temporarily. Whether it’s a virtual assistant, freelance editor, or a blogging buddy who can co-write a post with you, outsourcing is not defeat. It’s a smart, sustainable strategy for the long haul.
10 | Celebrate the Small Things
Published a post after a long break? Repurposed some old posts into a fresh listicle? That’s a win. Shared a quick update on social media about your blogging strategy? Another win. Celebrate them all. Real difference comes from consistency, not perfection.
11 | Get Some Sunshine
Seriously, go outside. Let the sun warm your face. Take a walk. Breathe deeply. Nature has a sneaky way of resetting your mind and stirring up that creative pride again. (The beach is my happy place.)
Fresh air = fresh perspective.
Keeping Up with Your Blog and Staying Inspired = Don't Give Up!
As one of my valuable readers, you probably know or have heard me say that I see you. I really have no idea the intimate details of your life, though. I mean, maybe you’re juggling a full-time job, a personal life full of surprises, or just the mental clutter that comes from living in people’s lives every single day. And I realize it could be much much worse. My family has been through its share of heartache and pain in the last 30 days. But, whatever your situation, don’t let temporary overwhelm derail your long-term dreams.
“This too shall pass!”
Blogging is hard work, but it’s also one of the most rewarding, creative, and connective things you can do for yourself and others! Your voice matters. Your content creation efforts matter. And your blog? It’s still a great place to share your truth—even if it looks a little different right now.
Take a breath, refocus, and remember why you started in the first place. The best thing you can do is keep going, one word at a time.
