“Mom, I bet you have a LOT of people who read your blog!”, my son commented as we were cleaning up the dinner dishes one evening recently.
“Well, I have about fifty subscribers, but usually just about fifteen of those regularly read my posts”, I replied.
“Wow, that’s not very many!” A little blunt reality check from my boy, haha! And then his next question kind of caught me a little off guard.
“THEN IS IT EVEN WORTH IT?”
Being put on the spot, I gave a pretty generic response like, “Well, I enjoy it, so yes.”
But I have to admit that the question stayed in my mind for a bit after that exchange.
Is it worth it?
If you blog, you know a lot of time goes into a post, and for someone like me who is painfully slow with writing and editing photos, it’s takes even longer than it probably should. So there has to be good reason for doing it, right?
To check myself and my motives, I reflected on some decisions I made pretty early on in my blogging journey. I’ve been blogging since 2015 and while I’ve enjoyed the blog world SO much, the blog world didn’t exactly welcome me with open arms, LOL. In the beginning, my thought was, ‘This will be so much fun doing linkups with other ladies and featuring each other and having a whole bloggy community!’ The reality, however, was that it was much like being the new girl in a place where everyone has their set group of friends and not a single spot to spare. The blog world seemed to allow only so much room for bloggers and that was okay because I’m just not one to compete for space or attention, as evidenced by my stats–fifteen regular readers after eight years of blogging, ha! It has fluctuated here and there, with an occasional post or series taking my numbers into the twenties, woohoo! But fifteen seems to be the norm that it always falls back to, so I call them my “Faithful Fifteen”!
So, back to the question of whether or not it’s worth it. There had to be other reasons for me to blog, and because I determined my goals from the beginning, I can always look back on these as reminders when the stats look a little pathetic, heehee.
Ok, so here goes!
- Blogging is a creative outlet! I love taking pictures, writing little captions, and even telling stories. When I was in high school, I worked on our yearbook staff and learned photography, copy, and layout, and it was so much fun. I also got my college degree in the visual arts, so my mind is always creating. Blogging has given me a convenient way to play around artistically in a season of my life when pulling out art supplies hasn’t been very practical.
- Blogging is a family journal of sorts. I’ve found that I’ve been much more regular with blogging our family memories than putting them into a physical photo album, which is so ironic because I usually prefer constructing with my hands over doing anything techy. Blogging is the exception!
- Blogging is way to encourage women in their home, family, and spiritual lives. I get so much inspiration and motivation from other blogs and if anything I post here encourages another woman in her home or her walk with the Lord then I’m thrilled! My blog is the Lord’s to do with it what He sees fit. I don’t need a huge following. I definitely don’t need a big platform. My work is for the Lord, not for recognition from man (Col. 3:23). Someone could look at my viewer numbers and think that’s not many but usually I find myself thinking, ‘Wow, fifteen people are interested in what I have to share in this post!” And I always pray with each post that God helps me know what He wants me to share and that it will honor Him.
So, YES it’s worth it! I have a creative outlet which allows me to journal everyday happenings and (hopefully) encourage other ladies all from the comfort of my home!
Tuesday, I posted about our fun visit to the assisted living for Christmas Bingo–not something that I would expect to get huge ratings but a sweet part of our lives to document here. And by the end of the day, guess what my stats reported to me…. fifteen views! So, if YOU are a member of my “Faithful Fifteen”, thank you from the bottom of my heart for visiting me here and reading! And Merry Merry Christmas to you all!
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It is definitely worth it! I agree with all your points of why you do it. It’s definitely a labor of love. Thank you for inspiring me with each post!
I know that you also know the time commitment, Missy, and I’m very thankful you think it’s worth it for you too because I love your blog and get so much inspiration from YOU!!
I love your blog and look forward to reading it every time. Keep going friend!
Thank you for your encouragement, Cindy! You have the sweetest spirit. Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
I love reading your blogs! And what a blessing for you to have a family collection of all your memories, parties, and celebrations! I hope you keep at it!
Rivers, I’m just so happy that you and your family have been a part of so many of our memories and celebrations! A joy sharing life with y’all! Merry Christmas!!
I just love your blog! I take so much inspiration from your posts and think your content is the very best. I love the beauty, care and love you show in all you do. I’m so happy each time I see a new post. Please keep blogging! Merry Christmas from NC!
How thoughtful you are, Jenny! I’m just tickled that you drop by and visit here. And wow, I love your beautiful state of North Carolina!! Asheville in particular has been one of our family’s favorite vacation destinations for years now. I’m fact, my daughter and SIL were there this week. Merry Christmas from Alabama!!
I always enjoy your posts—not only are they aesthetically beautiful, but I get so many fantastic ideas from you and great encouragement as well. But even if you had zero readers, the joy you get from writing for yourself indeed makes it worth it!
Amen to that, Lisa! There is joy in doing your “thing” even if it’s just for your own enjoyment! If it can additionally bless others, that’s a bonus. Merry Christmas, friend! Looking forward to coffee with you and Marian next week!
I am glad you find it worth it because I too love reading your blog and being able to keep up with you and your family. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!
Aww, Heidi, you’re so sweet!! Thank you for popping in! Miss you and hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!
I for one hope you never stop! I have always enjoyed your beautiful pictures,fun ideas and encouraging messages! And now that I have moved…it’s my Alinda link.🥹 I know it’s a lot of work, but your blog is just one of the many ways God is using you to bless others. Love you friend and miss you dearly!❤️
Kelli, I’m all teary-eyed! I miss you so much and especially here at Christmas thinking about our Eufala memories last year and burning my “Kelli candle”!! Love you, friend!
I’m glad you feel like it’s worth it, because I certainly enjoy your blog! I’ve reviewed older posts several times for recipes and product suggestions, and I love seeing what your sweet family is doing. ❤️ Please be encouraged that you are making a difference in MY life!!
Thank you for these kind words, Holley! I’m so happy to know a recipe or product suggestion has been helpful from time to time. I have to look back at my own recipe posts sometimes when I can’t find the original copy in my kitchen! 😄 Thanks for reading!
I am very thankful it is worth it to you because it is definitely worth it to me!! I love reading your blog!
Lisa, I’m so blessed to have you as a close friend (in heart and proximity!). You are always encouraging me to just get out there and do the things I know how to do. Thank you, friend!!
YES! IT IS WORTH IT! I love your blog:)
Though I have asked myself the question…Is it worth it?….I conclude that your 3 reasons that you blog in the first place are motivation to keep doing it. To God be the glory! He is glorified through your blog and my blog and many others:)
Thank you for your comment and being able to relate, Sue! While God calls some to minister to many, He calls others of us to minister to just one or two. I consider myself a “quiet blogger” and it’s a actually a pretty sweet spot to be. And I do want to add that I enoy your blog very much as well and have especially admired your handmade cards! My SIL makes her own cards too and it’s so impressive that y’all do that for others!
Sounds like he fits in the category of one of his uncles/aunts who when he/she were little asked if I had just had my hair done! To wish I replied, “Yes!” The rely back was….”Looks pretty yucky to me!”
I couldn’t help but laugh that day and still to this day! The brutal honesty of a child makes a mother shudder to think what might come out of those little lips!
Count me in as one of the 15!!
I am laughing so hard now, Mom, because I’d forgotten about that and I *think* I might remember which child you’re talking about! Yes, kids take a while to acquire their filter, some longer than others, haha. Thanks for being one of my 15! I always tell Joel that I can count on my mom and his mom reading. 🙂
Alinda, I love your blog and am always so encouraged by your writing and beautiful photos!! Thank you for being so faithful with what the Lord has called you to. I often share thoughts I’ve taken to heart from your posts with my husband, and he now knows you as one of my “blog friends.” ☺️❤️ Merry Christmas to you and your family!!! 🎄✨🥰
Aww, Tabitha, this is so sweet! Thank you so much!! And it’s so cute that you said you’ve mentioned blogs to your husband because my husband hears about my blog reads too and I refer to them with descriptions like “the young family with the baby” or “the pastor’s wife”, etc. He’s now very familiar, lol. Merry Christmas to your sweet little family!!