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When You Want to Quit Blogging {Smaller Bloggers}

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I wanted to quit.

Over the weekend I was so tempted to just give up blogging. It seemed so much easier to not have to be burdened with coming up with content and taking the time to sit down and write out the things God wanted me to share.

The thought briefly crossed my mind about how much easier my life would be if I didn’t have to worry about blogging.

But here’s the thing: I don’t want my life to be easy. I don’t want to quit something just because it’s not easy. God didn’t call me to live a life of ease. He called me to live for Him and share His glory with others.

I love writing. So the thought was fleeting. But it’s important to understand that writing takes work. It requires sacrifice. And it’s OK to take a break. Just don’t quit.

I’ve quit at least seven blogs previously. Seven. Sometimes there’s a reason to quit, but you have to know when that reason is valid.

Remembering why I blog.

Quitting because it’s too much work isn’t valid (at least not for me). Quitting because you’re not getting as much out of it as you’re putting into it may not even be valid. This is a place to check motives. Who are we blogging for? 

I think it’s important to blog for both yourself and other people. But everyone will have their own perceptions about this. Since I can only speak for me, here’s my stance for myself:

If I blog just for me, the whole endeavor is just too selfish for me to justify. In fact, if I were blogging for just me, I probably wouldn’t be very good at it. I’d be inconsistent, I wouldn’t seek to grow (not in numbers, but in maturity). I simply wouldn’t aim high.

Blogging for others is what keeps me going. Knowing that there’s someone out there who may need to hear what I have to say pushes me to write it. That’s not to say I’m looking for an audience. It just means I know people are searching, and if they happen to land on my blog, I want them to find something encouraging or useful, and current.

I’ve always had this bad habit of quitting when things get too hard. I don’t want to continue this cycle.

What about you?

So if you’re thinking (or thought) about quitting your blog because it’s too hard, I pray you reconsider. One day, I might stumble upon your blog and need to read just what you wrote that day.

If the technical aspects of blogging are too daunting, I encourage you to learn; a little here, a little there. Amy of Blogging With Amy has the best site for simple tutorials I’ve ever come across.

If social media overwhelms you, start small, but engage. But don’t give up because it’s too hard. Press on. Learn.

Have you ever wanted to quit blogging? Why?

Photo Credit
Linked with: Life in Bloom

Comments

  1. Yes, the idea of quitting before has crossed my mind briefly.  But the problem is…I  can’t NOT write.  I love it.  So as frustrating as I get sometimes, writing helps breathe life into me.  So I write.  

  2. Too often I have very nearly come to this point! But I would usually take a break and have others or God point out to me that I was losing my focus FIRST – HIM. And then, as I pursued Him, the desire and the joy of writing would come back. How encouraging to know I’m not alone! 😀

  3. It’s been a while since my last post, and I’ve been struggling with how personal the things going on in our lives have been lately…. how much to share, how to have energy to pour out in words when I’ve had heart-stuff and ministry stuff that’s felt so intense.  It’s a delicate balance, always.  This post today is encouraging – I’ve been wanting to get back to writing more in my blog like I used to, and I appreciate the push to not stop writing.  
    http://busyblessedbeautiful.blogspot.com

  4. I struggle with wondering if anyone cares or is interested in what I have to say.  I always remind myself that if nobody is reading, my mama is.  

    • Through the years I’ve learned that people do care it’s just you don’t get to hear that. For many years I’ve posted scriptures and quotes on my personal private Facebook and thought no one cared, until a friend had message me saying that everything I’ve ever posted she’s read and it’s one of the reasons she came to be a Christian. Just a prime example how we can make an impact. 
      Don’t grow weary. You will reap. 

  6. Yep, as a matter of fact this week I thought for sure I was just going to let my blog lapse. I love to write, even though it can be painful too, but I guess I just don’t see any fruit coming from my blogging. I guess I think about all the blogs that are out there. I also think sometimes my motives for blogging aren’t right. There have been some posts where God was clearly involved in the post, but others where it was my own agenda at work. I guess that is where discernment comes in. I will pray about it. It has been several weeks since I have posted anything. 

  7. I’ve entertained thoughts of quitting before too. But I’m almost the opposite. I get discouraged because sometimes I feel like no one reads my blog. I don’t have a lot of followers, don’t have a lot of likers on my Facebook page, get very few comments. And I see a lot of my friends who have much more professional looking blogs and a lot more followers and stuff and I’m tempted to compare. But during those times I have to remember that I blog for ME, not for the world. At the very least I love having an online journal that I can go back and read and look at. Blogging is a way for me to process my thoughts, a way to vent, a way to expound upon truth, to learn about myself. A way to watch my son grow. And it’s that that keeps me going. And like Jennifer said, at least my mama is reading! lol

    •  Hi Aprille,
      I went to check out your blog, but you don’t have a link with your name. Do you often or always reply without leaving a link back to your blog? Because you should always have a link back where people can find you. 😉

      Sometimes it’s the little things that can make a big difference. 😀

      • Actually no. If there’s a place to put it I always put it there, but I thought with Disqus it would link directly back to my blog. Guess not! (Lesson learned!) 

        Christin I think we were actually FB friends a while back but I’ve had to drastically cut back on my Facebook usage and online time in general (I have blogged about this a lot this year.) I now keep my personal FB for only very close friends and use my blog’s facebook page for acquaintances and blog readers. Unfortunately a lot of the people that I have cut from my personal page never bothered to “like” my blog’s FB page or follow my blog in any way, which was disappointing to me. (And I definitely gave fair warning!) Also now with some of the changes that FB has made, I think that a lot of my facebook “likers” don’t see half of my posts anyway! 

        Sometimes I think that the problem is that my blog is more personal and very eclectic. I don’t necessarily have a theme like this is a blog about motherhood or this is a blog about Christianity, or whatever. It’s a lot of personal updates but then a lot of deeper ramblings, personal struggles, toddler play ideas, photo blogs, i’m all over the place. But, I like it the way it is and I think to make some sort of bigger theme and only post certain things, that’s just not me. 

        I have been blogging almost weekly for for 3 1/2 years and don’t plan on stopping. 

        So, shameless plug, come over and visit. I love new followers! http://www.beautifulinhistime.com/blog.php

  8. Great post, Christin! I have definitely felt like quitting, at least once a month.(Anybody else?) Blogging is a huge undertaking. I often question if I want this big undertaking added to my all ready full plate. 
    As in everything- marriage, motherhood, homeschool,etc- it’s not just about me. There are others watching and learning, even if they remain silent. My readers definitely keep me going along with support from my husband and other bloggers.
    I think there will be a time when I might need to stop, or at least take a break. May we let God lead us, not fear.

  9. Oh Christin!  How timely are your words!  I’ve so often thought of quitting – mostly when I feel it’s not going anywhere, like no one is reading or when it gets hard to figure things out on the technical end.  I definitely get that feeling of why bother to give myself more stuff to do – when my life is already full!  But I do love it, and usually after some prayer God sends encouragement my way to let me know I’m on the right track and to keep plugging along.  We never know who out there is in need of what we have to say…and I’d rather it be difficult for a season than say no to God when He puts something on my heart. 

  10. I have had quiet seasons where I was not sure about content and depth when I wrote, in fact just this week I was searching a new direction for my blog. For sure I could never quit in fact the last two years of blogs have been put into a book and kept for our children and close family members as a ‘legacy’… that can’t be lost. Even when the feedback is quiet and I am not sure God keeps me on task and lets me know it is for a purpose and for a ministry. Press on and continue to do a good work.

  11. I’m a {very} small blogger. Really just got started this year. I enjoy writing and have already been encouraged from comments of family, friends, and readers. But my desire to write ebbs and flows. It probably doesn’t help that I’m about to have baby #2 any day now!  This post was much needed for me as a reminder that I CAN take breaks, but when it comes down to it, I know I really don’t want to quit altogether. Thanks Christin!

  12. Oh Christin, I’m right there with ya. I’ve started (and quit) many blogs in my blogging lifetime too! I don’t like it when things get hard and I want results, like YESTERDAY.

    This week I decided to kill the Facebook page I have worked hard to build so that I can make all my branding consistent. It means I’m basically starting from scratch on my new Page and this morning I was having HUGE feelings of remorse (“What was I thinking?” and “I’ll never get to where I was so maybe I should just quit!”).

    Another killer thing I do to myself (which I confess I did this morning) is to surf around and look at how many Followers or Likes or Comments other people have. Oh man, talk about a road that leads to absolutely nowhere except the Pit!

    So, yes, I’ve wanted to quit blogging too, and yet I know I just need to keep plugging along. I have a lot of plans, but I need to remember the Lord will determine my steps.

    Thanks so much for your honesty.

    (And thanks too for the shout-out!)

    •  Amy,
      Thank you so much for taking the time to share here.

      You know, the thought has crossed my mind to re-create my FB page as well (eeek!). I have one for my blog and then one for my business but I don’t want to keep up with two pages. Not sure what to do as I’ve worked hard, like you, to build what I have. Oh the thought is daunting (and scary!)

      Did you check to see if there was a way to transfer everything/everyone? I know when Ann Voskamp switched over her “profile” to a page, they helped her so she wouldn’t lose anyone. But, she IS Ann Voskamp so not sure who was working behind the scenes on her behalf or if they would do that for other people or what.

      Hang in there!! The right people (i.e. your tribe) will find your new page (I did!) and you’ll continue to gain new followers (I know, easier said then done!!)

  13. Ha! Not to brag or anything but I’ve always been a quitter. Let me tell you, I’ve had more than 10 jobs from the time I was 16-18. I couldn’t hold down a job. I never liked any of them. I quit and I quit. Then I got married and became a mom, now that’s something you can quit. God is smart. 😉 
    Yes, I’ve wanted to quit. How much easier would it have been for me if I did. I mean, I get to use my own time freely, no worries, I could do whatever and don’t have to be on a set schedule like I am…but unfortunately, I’ll be out of the will of God and with that will come disappointment. Down the road somewhere, I will feel disappointed that I’ve given up. And
    I don’t want to disappoint God so I’ll keep treading on! 
    I like the saying, “it doesn’t get easier, but it’s worth it.”

    •  I can so relate! So glad motherhood is there to help me learn and keep me going. And my marriage, too, although I find that much easier then mothering! I only have one husband compared to five (and counting) kids!!!! lol

  14. A general thanks.  I haven’t gotten there yet, but I know I will.  Great encouragement to head it off at the pass!

  15. Thank you so much for this! As a still-learning blogger, this whole world of blogging can be quite daunting. You are totally right, and I really needed to hear this. I truly do want to help others, and pray that God blesses my blog, but when it’s late at night and I have writer’s blog it can be so tough to keep going! I appreciate your encouragement.

  16. Yep. I’ve quit many times! And always go back to blogging.

    “Knowing that there’s someone out there who may need to hear what I have
    to say pushes me to write it. That’s not to say I’m looking for an
    audience. It just means I know people are searching, and if they happen
    to land on my blog, I want them to find something encouraging or useful,
    and current.” <– Love this! Women are searching for encouragement and solutions. I want to share with them what works for me.

  17. After being gone all last week and rushing to get things up and running before I left it was a little daunting to come back and dig right in again. I so wanted to just take a break and digest everything that I had just experienced. I had just worked my back side off and I didn’t feel like jumping back into the fray again.

    It took me a couple of days, but writing my post today was like coming home. Pouring out my thoughts and feelings felt good and right. It’s like my love letter to God showing Him that I am learning the lessons He’s put before me.

    Yes, I’ll probably have those moments when I’m tired and not inspired and want to pack it all in, but I know I just need to press on.

  18.  ah, Christin–you’ve done it again! This is so encouraging! I love that you remind us that most worthy things are hard work, and to keep at it. i’ve been tempted to quit learning twitter many times lol

  19. Wow, I’m so glad to know I’m not alone in wanting to quit my blog. Thanks for letting me know I’m normal. I’ve been blogging for nearly a year now and every so often I start questioning why I even bother (usually when reader engagement is low or our schedule gets hectic). I’ve often joked that I’m a serial hobby hopper, so part of me wants to keep blogging just to prove that I really can stick to something. But even more than that, I can clearly see how God is using my blog to grow me spiritually and personally. Today, I was just thinking that maybe I should put together a brag book of nice feedback I’ve received from readers to remind myself that blogging is indeed worth it during those times when I feel like calling it a wrap. 

  20. So thankful you’re not giving up blogging!  I’ve often wondered why I bother.  But I love to share my heart with Christian women, in the hopes that they will be drawn closer to the Lord.  I believe I have a purpose, to share His love.  So, I blog first for Christ, then for others and perhaps for me too!  Great thoughts today.

  21. I decided not to quit this month…but I have not decided how to proceed forward..I realize the blog is not the problem..it is a tool and how I use it or abuse it is my decision…I think my desire to quit is that the next step is overwhelming..actually  designing a functioning blog.

    •  Work in baby steps, Amber. Jot down what elements of design you want your blog to have, and simply (slowly) work down the list, one at a time. Design is my least favorite thing about blogging because I’m not a designer. For the first time ever, I hired a designer to create a new site for my business. Design is not my forte!

  22. Ha! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought those VERY same thoughts! That it would be easier if I didn’t have to think about it, that it doesn’t seem to be very effective anyway…that there are SO many other blogs out there, why am I bothering to try to eek my small voice out into the crowd?! Thanks for the pep talk. I am one that can tend to quit things when they get hard too….it’s not the type of person I want to be and it’s definitely not the type of person I want to teach my kids to be! And so I try to press on…and encouraging posts like yours help me do that. Thanks! 

  23. As a new blogger my feelings are all over the place. I love having my blog, having a platform, and finally getting to write rather than edit.  But, there’s something to be said about the momentum in blogging, and life has a funny way of throwing rocks on the track of the momentum train.  And then there is this thing called discipline.  I like to think that has not been much of an issue for me.  Blogging is showing me otherwise.  And then there is what I thought I would focus my blog on, and I’m finding that I write more about some subjects and not at all about others that I thought I was passionate about. So yes, this thing called quitting, it knows how to rear its ugly head. Let’s choose not to succumb.  Okay?  Thanks Christin for your honesty and encouragement.
    Wishing you An Extraordinary Day!

  24. I’ve been contemplating this very thing.  I love to blog, but right now my blog is suffering.  Part of me says I should just give it up altogether, especially with a baby coming in November.  I will be devoting all my free time to my sweet little boy.   However, part of me is sad by this possible choice.

    One thing I do know is that I need to change my reasons for blogging.  I have spent too much time focusing on numbers (stats, followers, etc.) and not enough on content.  I have already decided that if I do keep blogging, I will begin writing about what God convicts me of, instead of what I think people want from me, such as freebies and giveaways.

    My heart is burden over two things lately:  (1) the bad name the world has given “marriage” and (2) teens who are lost and mistreated.  These may be my new focus in writing.  

  25. I definitely feel like quitting at times. My biggest problem is making time to blog. I have 3 kids all at home still and still haven’t figured out a schedule that works. Any advice on that would be greatly appreciated:)

  26. I am struggling with this right now. majorly. heavily. struggling.  and I have so much I really want to accomplish with my blog (for others) but I really don’t know how and if I will ever get there.  I need prayer for sure.  This post came just in time and I will probably read and reread it in the weeks ahead.  I am just struggling because, I feel like I am letting everyone and everything else suffer for the blog and I don’t  know how to do it all… thank you for this post. 

    –Steph @GenerousSavings.com

    • I am right there with you!!!! The writing is not the hard part…it is the technical stuff that makes me want to quit! I don’t know how to get the help I need or find the answers. I hadn’t posted for 4 months and then I finally did and over half of my followers didn’t even notice the post. It’s like starting all over all because I am intimidated and don’t know how to move forward! I will be praying for you. Please pray for me as well.

      http://www.marvelousmama.net

  27. I can’t quit, the Lord won’t let me! Plus, I enjoy it too much and love the blogging community!

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