Ask Elizabeth: Hello! I know you have been blogging for years but I am wondering if you would start today if you haven’t already? I’m thinking of starting a blog in the new year but already feel 5 steps behind. Is it worth it?
My answer is always yes to something like this. If you want to start a blog, do it! This question has been sitting in my Ask Elizabeth drafts for months now (clearly as it is already May!) but I feel like it is still so fitting. Who would have thought when we were making plans in December and January that this would happen? Who would have thought the world would shut down, people would move to working from home, businesses would close their doors, schools would cancel, vacations would delay, jobs would be lost. Who knew this was all ahead?
It may feel like bad timing to try to start something new in the midst of so many things coming to an end but is it? Now is a great time to write and share. More people are looking at their phones and computers for hope, for connection. We are living through history as we speak – write it down. And to answer that “Is it worth it?” comment, I shared a post on How to Keep Blogging in an over-saturated, ever-changing world and I think you should read it as well!
Today I want to share with you some reasons you should start a blog and a couple reasons that you shouldn’t. Spoiler alert: It isn’t easy money! haha! Here is why you should finally start that blog:
To Record History
Not every season of life is as historical as this one but life is still worth writing down. I’ve gone through seasons where I was able to record a lot and others where I barely got a post up (hello 2 under 2!) but I’m always so thankful I get to look back on years of my life! Just the other day my family was having a discussion about who was on a hike when my brother’s camera lens fell off a cliff (sad but true!) Just a quick search on my blog and we found a blog post on it, settling that debate!
To Connect with Others
The truth of the matter is you may not be wildly successful as a blogger according to the world’s standards. But even if you have one reader, you are able to connect with that person. You are an influencer no matter how many people are following your platform. If you like to write, if you like to share – then do it! Find those people who relate to you and what you have to say. Encourage, inspire, teach!
To Grow in your Writing & Photography
Do you want to get better at your writing or photography? There is no better way that to just jump in! I know you want it to be perfect the first time but that is just not possible. They say practice makes perfect and it really does! you grow by jumping in feet first. If you want to eventually write for other publications or capture your family’s memories, start now on your blog. You should see my early posts – I’ve grown SO much! Haha!
To Be Brave
Sometimes it is so hard to push through ourselves and the walls we put up. If you want to start a blog but are too scared to, just do it. Be brave and show yourself you can do it! You can’t let fear stop you from starting! Here is a post called When Blogging is Hard that may speak to this too!
And here is why you shouldn’t start a blog…
To Make Easy Money or Get Famous
The desire for fame and easy wealth are not the way to get into anything. It takes a lot of hard work to blog and create a platform that is able to make money. And I hate to break it to you, but the majority of blogs out there will not become overnight sucesses. There is no guarentee your blog will become famous or replace your day job so if that is all you are after, maybe take some time to think about it. I have been blogging since 2010 and I am neither famous nor rich. Blogging isn’t some easy path to wealth. It is tons of hard work that goes unseen, unpaid, and unnoticed. Can you show up day after day to an unpaid job? Is blogging work you would love to do enough for free? It is for me! I spend nap time and stolen moments throughout the day to rush back here and edit photos or write a post or reply to emails. I love it.
So there is that! Mostly the answer is yes! If you want to start a blog to share, encourage, inspire, teach, do it! There is always room for more! There is always room for YOU. Convinced yet? Here is a post on How to Start your Blog and another one on Creating a Blogging Income.
Adorei! conheci seu blog hoje e estou adorando tudo por aqui. <3