I’m finding myself in a very awkward stage of blogging right now, and I have no idea where to go with it.
Blogging has changed so, SO much since I first started almost NINE years ago (coming up in April, which still blows my mind). Many (actually, pretty much all) of the blogs I’ve followed over the years have turned their blogs into some wonderful, amazingly curated spaces which have become their full time jobs. They’re often experts in their niche, and if I’m in need of a certain recipe, or workout, or home DIY ideas, then I typically know where to go searching. They have the time to put in the effort to really bust out some amazing content, and sometimes they even have a full team behind them to help with the laundry list of things there are to think about when it comes to creating social content.
Of course, there are also a number of blogs that I still love to follow along with because I’ve come to feel like I really know the blogger and am genuinely interested in seeing what’s going on in their life! And from the feedback I receive so often from so many of you, that’s also why you also choose to continue to visit my little space here. And I am so, so incredibly grateful for that!
This blog has become such a huge part of my life, and it has certainly continued to evolve as I have…from being a newly married 20-something, working through health issues so I could get healthier and try to become pregnant, getting pregnant and sharing my pregnancy, navigating parenthood, trying to figure out a balance between working/motherhood/personal fitness and health, getting pregnant again, navigating life as a mom of two…
And with each and every stage of life I’ve entered into over the years, something else has been added to my plate in a way that has forced me to have to pull back a bit from the blog. And I’m okay with that!
Blogging has never been my full time job, but it is a hobby that has afforded me some incredible opportunities, and that is something that I never take for granted here. I’d say that this blog was likely at its “peak” back in 2014; this was kind of before other social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest really got huge, and I think blogs, in general, were just a lot more popular back then. I was also putting WAY more time and work into it then, so there’s that, too.
So often, I’ll get super motivated to try to get back to creating more consistent content here. But then that’s exactly where I get hung up…WHAT kind of content do I really want to share?
Because if I’m being honest, there’s a big part of me that wants to pull back a bit on how much a share about my family. Maybe it’s because the boys are getting older, maybe it’s because I’m getting OLD, or maybe it’s because the world can just be a scary freakin’ place sometimes…but I’m finding myself craving a little more privacy for my family.
YET, at the same time, there are SO many times I want to come on here and shout “WHY THE HECK IS MY KID DOING XYZ?! HELP ME! I can’t be the only one, right?!?!?”
So without sharing so much personal/family related content, I don’t really know where that leaves me.
I love sharing things like fashion, beauty-related things, making safer swaps in the home, meal ideas, recipes (even though it’s been a hot minute since I’ve done that)…but when I’m working at my job everyday, that leaves me with little to no time to be able to try and create so much of the fun content ideas I have swirling around in my head. Ohhhh, if you could only see the list of ideas I’ve had over the years!!
So I don’t know. Maybe I need to really step back, organize my thoughts, and try to come up with some reasonable ideas on what I have both the time for and the desire to share.
I’m not ready to give this space up, even if there aren’t as many of you out there. Writing here is FUN for me, but it’s more fun when I have a plan and am not trying to navigate through a million thoughts. So as I’ve been sitting here typing out this post, I just now decided it might be helpful for me to put together a little survey for you all, to help steer me in the right direction.
(…creates survey…20 minutes later…)
So many of you are often silent readers (it’s cool, I am too!) but if you have just a quick 3 minutes or less, I would SO appreciate if you’d take the time to check out this quick survey. I write because it’s fun, but I also like to create content that others enjoy, so I truly do appreciate any and all feedback I always receive. And as an extra big thank you for taking the time for reading and helping me out, I’m going to randomly select an entry to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card.*
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE SURVEY
survey will be open until 11:59pm on Thursday, 2/7.
*To be entered for the giveaway, you’ll need to include your email address at the end of the survey. If you’d prefer to remain anonymous with the survey, that’s totally fine, but you won’t be entered in the giveaway.
Thank you so much, and have a fabulous day!
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona says
I’m probably one of those silent readers! I’ve been a fan of your blog for years, and I would be sad if you decided to stop blogging, but I would totally understand.
I filled out your survey – hopefully the feedback you get from everyone will help.
Carly McNeil says
I have followed your blog for many years! I love to see how you balance your family/work/marriage/meals/etc. we have children about the same age so I relate to you on many levels. I truly get excited when I see another post! My favorite are the day in the life posts 😊. I took the survey and I hope it helps you decide which direction to go. I will continue to follow!
Caroline says
Oh hi, silent reader over here! I can definitely understand where you’re coming from with this post. I started reading a handful of blogs in college (9 years ago!), including yours, and when I think about the other ones I read they have all become full time jobs for the writers. I think that your voice as an outside-of-the-home working mother is so refreshing to have in the blogosphere, though! Someday when I have kids I’m going to be a working mother, too, and through your blog I feel like I’ve gotten a glimpse into what that life is like. The good, bad, and very very tough parts! I love your blog because you are so real and I feel like I know you after all these years of reading. I hope that the survey gives you some direction, but know that whatever you choose we will be here to support you!
Julie says
These thoughts totally mirror my own! Love how down to earth and authentic you are. Took the survey. Hope you get helpful feedback!
Rachel says
Yes! It’s very inspiring to me that you have two kids, work outside of the home, do this blog, have other business projects, and also have a social life with real friends hehe. The other bloggers that I still read have all turned their blogs into their main source of income. That’s great for them, but it has also made them become less ingenuous. For example when I see them in a photo going out with their friends/husband and they’re wearing a flashy outfit and makeup I think…. did they dress like that to get more comments? To later use affiliate links to try to sell me what they’re wearing….? It has become that their blog informs how they live their life not that their blog is a reflection of their life.
I still read those blogs because I’ve been reading since before these women were married so it weirdly feels like I know them. I’m also fascinated in witnessing how putting so much information about their lives on the internet for so many years has changed them. I sort of use it as a warning to myself to be weary of sharing my own life out in the internet….
So I guess what I’m saying is that I read “professional” blogs not for their content, but because I’m fascinated in how different their lives have become from mine (and i would be lying if I didn’t mention it gives me something to secretly snark on and a way to get moral licensing without having to judge my actual friends/coworkers/family members)
All that to say, please don’t change! Your blog and Cely’s blog are the only ones I read and take 100% seriously because your content still feels genuine. That doesn’t mean I judge when bloggers use affiliate links/do sponsored content – so if you have to do more of that to keep your blog going, please do it! I think content and the spirit of the blog really changes when a person only does that for a living. So as long as you keep having an actual life outside of the blog and it’s not your number one priority any type of content about your day to day life is awesome! Thank you again for your honestly, content, and caring what we think!
Melissa says
Oh my goodness when I first read the title of this post I thought that this was going to be about you closing down your blog and I was like nooooo!
Love love LOVE reading! I have probably been following you for 8 years (since college) and I like that your blog is “real life” if that makes sense. I hope that the survey gives you what you need but just keep doing what you are doing because I love reading!
Emily says
I love your style of blogging – it isn’t a perfectly curated “space”, but you share things in a real and relatable way! What you do is appreciated!
Erin says
Echoing everything everyone said above – you’re appreciated and your voice is unique and refreshing.
Leighann says
I did the survey, but forgot to add a couple of things. I love how your recipes are normal food without crazy ingredients. I can’t tell you how many of your recipes I make on a regular basis. Also, I love your fashion links because they aren’t $75 white T-shirts! There are things that I can run to target and pick up and know that I will love without spending a fortune at a store like Nordstrom’s!
Courtney says
Yes I also forgot to add detail about how much I like your recipes! They are easy and quick since you are a normal working mom not full of obscure hard to find ingredients that then take a long time. The crock pot chicken enchiladas are in our current rotation!
Krystan says
Mostly silent reader here, heeeey!!! I’m echoing what it seems others are saying but the level in which you feel more like my next door neighbor vs. Other bloggers makes me excited when I see your posts. And I totally understand wanting to have some privacy but i will say when you share some milestone struggles or just daily lime with young ones, i am like YES! I am not the only one! You shared about wanting to put a gallery wall up and the pictures hung out for like a year because #lifeisbusy… oh it made me feel so much better about some half finished projects in my house. You are real and relatable and I love it!
Nina says
I am a silent reader for the most part, but have loved following your blog for 8+years. Thank you for sharing so much of your life with us!
Nina says
And I made your chicken part burgers the other day, holy yum!!!!!
Denise says
I am a silent reader. Have been for YEARS. I love the fact that your blog is real and not perfectly styled!! Please don’t go!!
Courtney says
I am also a silent reader and have been reading for well over 6 years (I can’t even remember when I found your blog but I think I was a freshman in college). I thought you were incredibly relatable then, and I still feel that way about you! I appreciate how real you are and would be SO sad if you stopped blogging and giving us updates about your family, fitness/health journey, work/life struggles, etc. I also respect your privacy and completely understand where you’re coming from, but I would miss visiting this space every day! :)
Rebecca says
Silent reader here as well and I echo what everyone is saying. I would miss visiting your blog every day!
Emily says
I put this in the survey but I love your blog!! I’m a working mom of two boys around the same ages as yours and I just love reading it because it’s so relatable!! All of my mom friends have girls or are stay at home moms so while I love my relationships with them, I love reading this blog too because I can relate to pretty much everything you say about raising two active little boys and balancing work :)
Nicole says
Silent reader! You are def my favorite blog to read! We are in the same place in life and I love to hear the funny stories with the kids and just about life. Would be super sad if you stopped blogging, but totally understand! Good luck with whatever you choose! xoxox
Colleen says
This is kind of refreshing to hear, because you are being so up front and real about how you are feeling. Honestly, I think it’s a good thing that you are protective of your family’s privacy. I don’t have children, but sometimes it scares me how much others are willing to put EVERYTHING about their children’s lives out there, when the world can be really awful and scary. Not to say you should live in fear or not share if you want to share…just saying that I totally understand your want to take a step back. In any case, I am going to take your survey now, and we will all support you no matter what you decide to do!
Mary Burns says
I too would miss reading your blog, but understand the need to take a step back. I hope you’re able to continue even if it’s just once a week.
Sam says
I’ve been reading your blog since college too (8 years!), and I would be so sad if you stopped blogging! I love how relatable your recipes, outfits, workouts, and day-to-day activities are. You are doing a great job!
Melissa Tenvoorde says
I’ve been reading your blog for years. Yours is probably my favorite because I feel like its real–no fake or forced content and not a billion sponsored posts. I would totally miss your blog if you quit altogether but totally understand your thoughts on it all too.
Kristin says
Another silent reader here! I have been reading from the beginning, and being a Capital Region native myself, I look forward to your posts each week. I would definitely feel the void if you were to stop altogether. I agree with what others have said; your style is unique and real, and definitely a lot more relatable than some of the other blogs I’ve come across over the years, especially more recently. I really enjoy the fashion, recipe and day in the life/night out posts (it’s nice to actually be in the area and have access to the restaurants or stores you recommend), and love that your blog has a more laid back approach.
Lindsay says
Silent reader here too… I have twin boys who are 6 and a 3 year old girl and I’ve been reading since before I had kids!!!!
Took your survey… hope it helps (and hope I win- lol!)
P.s I also sell Monat hair and have for almost 2 years so we have the love of a good hair care product in common too 😚!
Sarah @ Sweet Miles says
Filled out your survey :) I hope it helps!!
Kate says
This is what I love about your blog – how upfront you are about everything! I was an avid blog reader during my undergrad years (during your “peak” time, as you stated) and have since stopped following all but two, including yours. I honestly look up your page every day and get a smile out of seeing what you and your family are up to. I took your survey – I hope you find the answers you’re looking for! With love, Kate
Donna says
SEE COURTNEY TONS OF SILENT READERS. THAT ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOUR BLOG!!!!! PLEASE…… Don’t go!!!!!!!
Mostly silent reader but have purchased cards when you were selling them and maybe a comment here and there. I have been following you for YEARS and love everything about your blog. I do though understand with two little ones and a full time job and marriage, IT’s ALOT ON YOUR PLATE. Trying to do the survey but having an issue with the link. Will keep trying though.
Jessica Campbell says
Thanks for wanting our input! I hope you keep it going!
AngieN says
Another silent reader! You were one of the first blogs I started reading years ago (along with Ashley and your blond-headed friend with the twins (I cannot think of her name :/)) You are so relatable even though I am much older than you. Your recipes are easy to make; your fashion posts are some of my favorite because you include things that are affordable! My grandson is Lucas’s age so love anything you post that he likes/doesn’t like. Hoping you will continue :)
Irene says
I also LOVE your blog and really hope you keep it up! I took your survey but also wanted to add that the one thing I really dislike is your participation in MLM including Beautycounter. While I think you personally seem to be a very nice and ethical person, I hate to see you participating in and promoting these types of companies. I have had two family members terribly hurt by another MLM and have learned that apparently that is more common than people realize. I hope you will take this comment in the spirit it is intended, as the kind of honest feedback you requested and not any sort of attack.
Fiona MacDonald says
I love your blog so much and how much we connect over fashion, FitnessBlender, balancing kids…but so get how it can add to the many ‘to dos ‘ in our day that we just don’t have! Hope you still share a few fashion related blogs here and there and recipes! Thank you for your honesty, it’s always refreshing!
Shelby says
I am also a silent reader! I have been following you for a couple of years – before Lucas was even born – and I just LOVE your blog. I got here too late to take part in the survey but I really, really hope you decide to continue blogging. I know it is selfish on my part, but your blog is so refreshing and such a nice change from the others out there, Have a lovely week Courney!