Blogging

Things to do for your blog when you don’t feel like writing

blog when you don't feel like writing

Writing doesn’t always come easy.

There are times when I can sit in front of a blank Word document for what seems like hours, and know that it’s just NOT. GOING. TO. HAPPEN.

It can be frustrating, but I try no to force myself to write. I’m trying to apply this whole slow-living thing to blogging, too.

I don’t usually batch-write my content, either. I love blogging, but I don’t want it to feel like a chore- it kind of sucks the fun out of it. At the same time, if I do go a day or two without writing, it feels…… weird. I kind of feel lost and disoriented because this blog has become such a huge part of my life and daily routine.

There is so much more to blogging than just writing, creating content and hitting publish. On those days when I don’t write, I always make sure to do something productive for my blog anyway.

Important to note though: for me, content will always be my main “concern”. I think that I’ve lost sight of that over the last couple of months and my focus was scattered amongst other things; like engaging on Instagram or growing my Pinterest account. I came to a conclusion that while I love both outlets, it’s blogging, writing, photography that bring me joy. It’s that, which helped me come out of depression- finding a passion, a hobby, having something to look forward to, every single day. Learning new things and discovering small talents or interests I never new I had. I can honestly say that blogging changed my life.

Sometimes you just can’t. There are days when if I sit in front of that blank page long enough, words just start coming. But it doesn’t always work that way.

So.. what do you do?

UPDATE YOUR OLD BLOG POSTS

Go through your archives and update your older content- this is something I like to do when writer’s block hits, because even though I don’t necessarily create any new content, I’m still doing something productive and improving my blog.  Check your links, update them where needed, update your photos and re-share the content. I do this especially with some of my most popular posts- which also happen to be quite old. My writing style has changed over the years, so I like to go back once in a while and re-format those posts, maybe update some photos here and there. Go through some of those popular posts, and link to newer, relevant content.

If you have published a lot of posts don’t try to do this all at once. You’ll be SO overwhelmed. Focus on the content that is most popular.

WORK ON IMPROVING YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

If, like me, you don’t have much time to be present on Twitter– automate your tweets. Share your archived posts every couple of hours by having your tweets go out automatically. Pinterest is huge for me because it brings tens of thousands of visits to my blog every week. Instagram is definitely my favorite social media outlet and the community is extremely supportive, I think it’s a great place to connect with not just other bloggers and brands, but your readers as well. As I mentioned above, I want to shift most of my focus to creating content, but social media presence is important too if you want to interact with your audience. It’s also something you can easily work on growing, when you don’t feel like writing.

blog when you don't feel like writing

LEARN SOMETHING NEW

There’s always some room left for improvement, amiright? Whether it be reading up on Photography, SEO or branding- you can always find something new to learn, something that will help you grow your blog and create better content. I personally love watching Photoshop tutorials or reading up on things I eventually plan on doing with my blog.

TAKE A BREAK

Sometimes, this is all you need to feel better. Step away from your blog for a day or two. Having such a creative outlet means that you depend on…well… your creativity. If you don’t go out and read new books, try new things, go for a walk, try new products- whatever it is that you blog about- then you’ll have no stories to tell. I work in an office where most of the work I do, is done independently. I then come home and after doing a few things around the house, I sit in front of my computer and do “blog work”. It can get a little dull (not that I don’t mind TOO much since I’m a bit of a creature of habit), but stepping away from the blog has often given me some of the best ideas I’ve had. So there’s that.

4 Things to do for Your Blog When You Don't Feel Like Writing

As my blog grows, I’m starting to entertain the idea of content-batching, but daily writing is something I’m not willing to give up just yet. This means that I have to put up with occasional writer’s block. How about you guys?

What do you like to work on when that writer’s block hits? Do you ever feel guilty about not posting, when you don’t feel like writing?


54 Comments

  • Reply
    Leah, A Relaxed Gal
    March 29, 2017 at 9:09 pm

    Thanks for sharing this. I sometimes think I’m the only blogger who doesn’t always feel like writing When I don’t feel like writing new posts I spend the time creating new Pinterest graphics or promo posts for social media.

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      March 29, 2017 at 9:55 pm

      Oh you’re not the only one, trust me! I love focusing on Pinterest too, when I can’t get to write. :)

  • Reply
    Liz | Lipstick & Confetti
    March 29, 2017 at 9:11 pm

    These are great tips! Working on my social media accounts is always a go-to of mine. I feel like it’s productive and often inspires me to write!

    xo, Liz
    http://lipstickandconfetti.com

  • Reply
    Jackie
    March 29, 2017 at 9:21 pm

    I enjoyed reading this post so much. I am currently going through this. I just need a break. Keeping up with social media can be fun, but it also can be (is) the most draining part of blogging. I really love your insights- they are spot-on with my thinking. Keep up the great work, as your blog is the only one I read religiously. Xo

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      March 29, 2017 at 9:56 pm

      A little break is really sometimes all you need! Ahh yes I know exactly what you mean about social media being exhausting at times! Thank you so much Jackie, that means so much to me! :) Thanks so much for taking the time to read my posts! x

  • Reply
    Pork & Cookies
    March 29, 2017 at 9:59 pm

    Wow, that much from Pinterest?

    -Kirsten // http://www.porkandcookies.com

  • Reply
    Beautylymin
    March 30, 2017 at 3:29 am

    Great tips, as always, Paula! I really need to spend time on interest & re-read all of your tips posts because I still haven’t gotten my head around it! xx

    Beautylymin

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      March 30, 2017 at 10:00 am

      It can be overwhelming sometimes, especially if you aren’t familiar with Pinterest at all. It’s actually very fun to use though! :)

  • Reply
    Darina
    March 30, 2017 at 3:39 am

    Very good tips! I Sometimes it’s good to have a break from blogging, it works for me. I get more creativity from the time offline.

  • Reply
    Caterina Sosso
    March 30, 2017 at 3:43 am

    I remember I wrote a post once about removing glitter nail polish and I think I’ve gone back to it hundred times to re-take the pictures. My little sister was so annoyed with me ahaha “what’s the point of take again a picture of an old post so many times?” eheh. Then I reached a point where I was so unsatisfied that I’ve decided to delete all my past 4 years content, change design and put out only blog posts I’m 100% satisfied with. Best decision ever, so refreshing :)

    Caterina | http://www.caterinasosso.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      March 30, 2017 at 10:02 am

      Haha! I can get a little obsessive like that too. but it’s actually something I enjoy doing so it doesn’t really feel like a chore ;) A little change can feel so good! Glad yours was so refreshing! :)

  • Reply
    Marianne
    March 30, 2017 at 3:52 am

    Such great tips :)
    I love the one with learn something new – I want to constantly improve and learn more, so great!
    Hope you have a lovely day!
    xx
    http://mariannelle.com

  • Reply
    Aleksandra // bunniesaremagic
    March 30, 2017 at 4:06 am

    I wish blogs still could just just writing, haha, but I am probably the only one out there who thinks so :)

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      March 30, 2017 at 10:04 am

      I don’t think you’re the only one at all! :) I get annoyed when people think that everyone who wants to blog does it because they want to make money or something. I know a few people who blog anonymously and don’t have any plans of monetizing their content or expanding their blogs. :) I love that.

  • Reply
    emmelemzi
    March 30, 2017 at 4:26 am

    Great tips!

  • Reply
    Ellie
    March 30, 2017 at 4:51 am

    Love these tips! I hate it when I get into a rut and need to get msyelf out

    http://www.petiteelliee.com

    Ellie xx

  • Reply
    Linda Libra Loca
    March 30, 2017 at 4:52 am

    I do write almost daily, but my blog posts or videos take usually more than one day to be done, not including the filming/picture taking part. So I am for three a week, mostly done in the evenings, and if writing doesn’t come, I edit. But taking a break every now and again is very important as well, and by aiming for three post created a week I give myself the opportunity to take one. Two posts a week are what I publish, so the third one is kind of my backup for busier weeks.

    Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking

  • Reply
    Bry Jaimea
    March 30, 2017 at 5:03 am

    I find I can only write on Sat, Sun, Mon and Tues for the blog, and the rest of the week I sit there staring at a blank word doc wondering if I’ll ever have an idea ever again and that I’m in my early thirties and already washed up. And then I wake up on Saturday full of inspiration, once again! During those days I work on my images, trying to find a formula for Pinterest images that works for me – so far, no luck :(
    Great ideas though on what to do when the inspiration isn’t working x
    xx Bry Jaimea || https://shortcutecompact.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      March 30, 2017 at 10:12 am

      Isn’t it so funny how some days you feel so stuck and the next you wake up full of inspiration? :)

      When it comes to Pinterest images, you kind of have to see what works for you. I do trial and error and constantly monitor which images get more engagement, try new things, etc.

  • Reply
    Natalie Redman
    March 30, 2017 at 5:50 am

    Great post! I sometimes have writers block so this definitely helps!

    http://www.upyourvlog.com

  • Reply
    Jessica Lam
    March 30, 2017 at 9:33 am

    Thanks for this Paula, I’ve been feeling the same way the last few months!

  • Reply
    Krystal // The Krystal Diaries
    March 30, 2017 at 10:16 am

    I used to feel guilty if I didn’t post and it was hard to get over but now I don’t feel guilty anymore. I’ll stay active on Instagram when I don’t post on my blog. I work full time and my commute is pretty long so when I’m home sometimes I just want to do other things and I don’t get the time to write.

  • Reply
    Christine C.
    March 30, 2017 at 10:36 am

    I think we all have days like this because let’s be honest, some days we just aren’t going to be that creative when it comes to writing, etc. At least I’m not! You have some great ideas for turning those not so creative days into something useful though and that’s important!!

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      April 4, 2017 at 9:12 pm

      Some days it just doesn’t happen- no matter how hard we try! It’s the price you pay for having a creative outlet hehe ;)

  • Reply
    Tess_Sequins are the New Black
    March 30, 2017 at 11:52 am

    Writing is the worst part about blogging for me. I never considered myself a good writer so I am typically self conscious about my words and ideas for words don’t come easy for me. Love these tips! When I am at a lose for words I love taking a shower and writing my ideas on my waterproof notepad- game changer!
    xx Tess | Sequins are the New Black

  • Reply
    Danielle Beautyblog
    March 30, 2017 at 12:10 pm

    So many things here I’ve been meaning to do but putting them off! I really need to look at how to fix broken links and I want to work on my social media accounts and get into Pinterest more!

    Danielle’s Beauty Blog

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      April 4, 2017 at 9:18 pm

      Pinterest is a game-changer! Even on those days when I don’t post I get a ton of referrals from there. Couldn’t live without it!

  • Reply
    Ana
    March 30, 2017 at 12:32 pm

    I think taking a break is so important when you don’t feel motivated enough to write a post xxx
    http://fallingforablog.blogspot.com.es/2017/03/6-different-ways-of-styling-white-t.html

  • Reply
    Solmari
    March 30, 2017 at 4:49 pm

    Great tips! I like going back to update older posts and taking a break is always good.

    http://www.solmarimarrero.com/

  • Reply
    Elizabeth Apps
    April 2, 2017 at 7:41 am

    I love just scrolling through instagram or even going on google maps of my city and looking for new things to do, places to eat and explore to help with ideas for blogs and locations to shoot outfits and things!
    http://www.pagesfrombeth.blogspot.co.uk

  • Reply
    Florence And Constance
    April 2, 2017 at 9:28 am

    It’s hard to always have new content and ideas! Keeping your old blog posts is a good idea! xxx
    https://harryssisters.blogspot.co.uk/

  • Reply
    Laura O
    April 2, 2017 at 10:16 am

    Thanks Paula. I suffer from from writers block a lot, so I will definitely take this in perspective. I was just wondering, if I update an earlier blog post and change the pictures and add additional content, does that affect the ranking on how well my post originally was doing on google and does it change the link code? I would love to change my earlier pictures as I find them so cringing lol ?

    Laura| http://www.lauralivinglife.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      April 4, 2017 at 9:25 pm

      It doesn’t change the link as long as you don’t make any changes to the post URL. When I update mine (especially more popular older posts) I always link to newer content and update images. I have a ton of cringe-worthy pictures in some of my old posts hehe!

  • Reply
    Eire Pollard
    April 7, 2017 at 7:19 am

    All really great ideas! I know I tend to focus on the same things: post writing, editing photos and engaging on instagram. I find that I rarely invest in the other social platforms OR with learning ‘new’ things, which is a really bad habit. The bigger and more overwhelming the task, the more likely we are to put it off, right? That said, I also get writer’s block quite a lot. I always say with writing, you either are in the mood — or you aren’t, and you might as well wait for tomorrow.

    A question for you: do you use any content repurposing widget or app to help share your older posts? or do you just do it manually? Am struggling to fit in also sharing older content on social when preparing new ones, and am always desperate to find anything that shaves time away from processes! Thanks Paula xo

    Eire | Wolf & Stag

  • Reply
    YMTAUTA
    April 20, 2017 at 10:21 am

    This is a great post, thanks for sharing!! I have just started a new blog – my baby is only 2 weeks old! these tips will be very useful in trying to make the most of my space. I made sure that before going live I had taken the time to write up 10 posts to ensure I didn’t get block before I even started.

    Thanks again!

    Yessica | ytauta.com

  • Reply
    haus of crochet
    April 22, 2017 at 10:46 am

    I can so relate to this, especially when you come home from a long day at work (in front of a computer) and the last thing you want to see is a PC screen. As crochet and DIY is part of my blog, I love to work on new projects whenever I don’t feel like writing. So then I have a few things I can blog about lined up!

    Romina | http://www.hausofcrochet.de

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