Why Is Blogging So Hard?

Why Is Blogging So Hard?

How many bloggers would still be blogging if they knew how hard it was going to be when they started? 

How many people would even consider blogging as a career or even a side hustle if they had any idea how challenging it would be?

On the surface, the answer is simple; the ones still doing it after months or years of struggling.

Blogging has been challenging the last few weeks. I mean, really hard. I haven’t been on top of publishing my weekly blog posts or engaging as much on Twitter, or commenting on blog posts.

Now, I don’t mean the writing has been challenging when I say hard. I have done a ton of writing this last month. I am not writing stuff appropriate for this space, but I can write when I want to write. Writing is not the issue.

Neither are any other multitudes of tasks that a blogger must regularly complete to keep a blog up and running. I am well past the point of learning the fundamental basics of publishing a blog post. Having been around for a while now, I like to think I know how blogging should be done, and I know where to go if I have any questions.

So what’s the problem?

Why is blogging so hard?

Discipline Is Hard

For many years I have shown up for work on time. I did what was expected of me, frequently a whole lot more. Sometimes even did jobs I didn’t want to do for people who didn’t care about me as much as their bottom line.

Yet, I showed up.

It’s called discipline.

Discipline: training people to obey rules or a code of behavior. 

I was doing exactly what I was taught. 

Show up, work hard – Show up, work hard – Show up, work hard. Over and over again.

One would think that after years of showing up and working hard for someone else, doing the same for ourselves would be a breeze.

After all, I walk across the hall from my bedroom to my office to show up for blogging. I don’t even have to get dressed to write a blog post if I don’t want to. I have even sat on my bed, laptop on my lap, and worked on lazy days.

So why is it so hard to show up?

Why can we readily sacrifice our time and, in extreme cases, our health and sanity for someone who doesn’t matter, but we can’t do that for ourselves?

It doesn’t make sense, does it?

How can we practice that same discipline to ensure the growth and success of our business that we so readily offer to others?

More importantly, how do we do this consistently?

Consistency Is Hard

To be disciplined is one thing, but quite another to be consistent.

Showing up for a week is easy.

A month might not be so bad.

A year?

That is a long time for some, and they have trouble looking that far ahead.

Beyond that, forget it.

Every blogger knows the importance of maintaining a consistent publishing schedule and networking.

It’s been a month since I published a weekly blog post.

I have stayed away from social media and the internet in general for the most part. I check-in and reply as needed, but that’s about it.

My brain keeps telling me, “you have to write a blog post,” I keep replying, “I will.”

There are no excuses.

I have learned that excuses are just a cover-up for a deeper issue.

I think discipline and consistency are the basic foundations of every successful person. Both can be learned, and to be effective must be practiced daily. Whenever we start on a new endeavor, we always begin strong regardless of whatever it is. We show up, do the work, and do it with enthusiasm. Then bam, excuses.

So, what is the issue?

The Resistance

I’m not exactly sure what your issue is? Why haven’t you been able to stay disciplined and consistent even though you say you want your blog to be successful more than anything.

Maybe it has to do with:

• fear of failure
• fear of success
• not fully understanding blogging
• you still make excuses
• you haven’t practiced discipline or consistency, so you don’t know what that looks like
• lack of support
• not happy with the path you have chosen
• you aren’t getting the results you want or expected
• I don’t have time

This list could be endless.

They are only excuses covering up a deeper issue.

“I’m not disciplined or consistent because I’m afraid I fail or succeed.” That fear keeps you from doing what you could do. 

“I didn’t have time to write a blog post because I had to work, my kid was sick, I was binge-watching Netflix.”

“I’ve been doing this for 6 months and haven’t made any money yet.”

At some point in my blogging (life) journey, every one of these thoughts has crossed my mind, along with countless others.

You are not alone, but you do have a choice to make.

Face It Or Don’t

I started diving into personal development about 2-3 years ago. I have read many great books covering everything from mindset, goal setting, changing the way we think, manifesting, and using affirmations and secrets to success.

Reading these books led to books on self-healing and overcoming trauma etc.

Which eventually led to the realization that I have a shit ton of work to do on myself.

Did you ever pick your scabs when you were a kid?

I did. It was a disgustingly fascinating process. I would pick a thick hard scab off a knee or elbow and watch it bleed until it slowly clotted and began the process of forming another scab. Sometimes it would ooze puss, so I would pour on peroxide and watch it bubble. Then a couple of days later, I would pick the scab off again. It would be considerably smaller than the first one and wouldn’t bleed or ooze as much. I would continue this process until my knee or elbow was healed. I would always thoroughly examine the scab and the wounded site. The thickness, texture, did I rip out tiny hairs when I pulled it off? Is that a little rock embedded in there? Wow, I didn’t expect it to bleed like that! How many layers of skin did that take off?

The last month has been me reliving this childhood experience of picking scabs.

Except these scabs aren’t on my knees and elbows, they are on my heart and soul, the essence of who I am.

The scabs are different.

They are the excuses, the fears, the long-held beliefs picked up from family, childhood experiences, and society that no longer serve me.

The process is essentially the same.

I pick the scab. I give it a thorough examination. Where did it come from? How does it feel? Anger? Shame? Guilt? What is hiding underneath? Does it bleed? A couple of days later, I pick the scab again and reexamine it.

Some scabs have healed. They weren’t too deep, nor did they bleed much.

Others hurt like hell and bleed like crazy, and need more time.

What does picking scabs have to do with blogging?

Successful Or Not

You have to pick the scabs to get to the root of the fear, excuses, and anything else holding you back. This will reveal the core belief of why you’re not disciplined and consistent. It will show you why you make excuses for not writing that blog post or anything else you are struggling with in life.

I believe that you must do this deep inner work before you can effectively apply any other positive personal development strategies. If you don’t pick the scabs and heal the wounds first, you will always have an excuse or underlining belief that will sabotage all your efforts and success.

Until then, blogging will be hard.

Being disciplined and consistent will be a challenge.

The work will also help you bring clarity if you are trying to figure out what you want to do with your life.

The direction I want to take my business has become much clearer, and I have had a hard time keeping track of all the ideas I have had over the last month. It has been inspiring, and I can hardly wait to implement some of them.

Now you know why I haven’t been blogging or online much.

Time & Grace

Even though it goes against the blogging rules, I decided to take this break. The result will outweigh any negative impact my stepping away for a bit will have.

I need time away from outside influences, opinions, and expectations to pick some scabs and heal some wounds.

Besides, rules are only someone else’s beliefs that may or may not serve you. Let them go if it fits you to do so.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, be kind to yourself. Give yourself the time and grace you need to go through the process.

You’re worth it.

The person showing up on the other side is worth it.

Final Thoughts

Wow.

This was not the post I expected when I sat down to write.

It is much too raw and vulnerable. Something I have always tried very hard not to be.

But, since I am learning to “give up control” and “trust that everything will work out,” this is what it is.

We all have our journeys, trials, and tribulations to endure and lessons to learn.

Remember that the universe has your back wherever you are on your journey.

Please Leave A Comment

Thoughts?

Experiences?

Anything else you would like to share?

Let me know in the comments below.