Thoughts on Discouragement
I’ve been writing this blog for over a year.
Don’t get me wrong, I love what I’ve created. I love that I get to share stories, food, photography and happiness with everyone and anyone who has ever read a post, but sometimes I can get a little discouraged.
I would be lying if I told you that I don’t have days where I see how much others’ blogs have progressed, how they have hundreds of comments, are asked to do product reviews or host giveaways and get down on myself.
In fact, I’d by lying if I said I didn’t say “I quit, I’m not doing this anymore,” just a couple days ago when I looked at Friday’s post and had 3 comments total. Then the doubt sets in.
“Was that a bad post?”
“Should I just take it down?”
“What am I doing wrong??”
Then I read posts about someone trying my recipe, or have someone tell me at a bar that they made my cookies or get a comment from a family member in another state and it all seems worth it.
I don’t have a fancy camera.
Or a self-hosted blog.
Or a giant fan base.
And I don’t host giveaways.
Or pump out 10 awesome recipes a week.
Or get voted into food blog competitions.
But that’s okay.
I do this because I love to write and share those stories, food, photography and happiness (and sometimes sarcasm :P) with anyone who happens to come across my little spot on the internet.
And if one day, someone asks me to host a giveaway or I blossom into a famous blog writing dynamo, it will just be an added bonus.
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How do you combat feelings of discouragement?
Do you ever compare yourself to other bloggers?
Lauren Loves Good Food 
i appreciate this post. as a new blogger myself, i have these feelings often. and…in a small attempt at encouragement – your blog is one of my favorites! in fact, i made a recipe inspired by you for dinner this weekend (pasta w/eggplant, goat cheese, and mint) – and both my boyfriend and I were quite happy. 🙂 so, if our full and happy tummies are any indication – you are doing just fine!
That means so much. Thank you, Sara.
Hi from another Lauren! I’ve just recently found your blog and have enjoyed looking through it. I read all kinds of blogs, popular and not so much, but I have found great and inspiring things on all of them. I feel like there is a place for everyone 🙂 I feel the same way a lot of the time, but blogging is still fun for me and I like sharing, even if it seems like nobody is reading sometimes.
I get similar feelings from time to time–I don’t get huge numbers of comments, my blog could probably be more “professional” or at least thoughtfully organized, yadda yadda. But at the end of the day, it’s a personal thing, and it’s about liking what you do. I always read your blog, even if I don’t comment, and I love it! You make accessible posts, have great food ideas, and I think it’s better when bloggers aren’t the 100+ hits a day powerhouses, as they lose some of their personality because of it, there’s no chance to read all the blogs that follow you, and commenters aren’t really expecting anything back.
Haha I feel the same way sometimes, but then I also realize that I’m NOT a full-time-this-is-my-life blogger, you know? I blog when I can, I cook when I can, I write what I’m feeling like writing. But I’m having FUN and that’s what matters! Plus I’ve met so many other great bloggers (like yourself) and THAT’S the best part 🙂
I love your blog, so I hope you stick with it!
Oh my goodness Lauren — we are thinking the same thoughts. I have no idea why some of my posts don’t seem to resonate or why they don’t get comments. Then again, I know I don’t put a lot of time and effort into my blog into making that happen.
Ultimately when all is said and done, I’m happy with where it’s at, but if it grew, i wouldn’t be mad 😉
I had the same idea after the marathon- what’s the point? Nobody reads- who cares?
But in the end we blog because we like it… there’s no need to compare ourselves to “big” blogs (most of them aren’t that great anyway!)
I read all of your posts, Lauren, I just don’t comment on all of them. It doesn’t mean that you write bad posts. I’m just lazy, that’s all. Your blog is one of my favourites, so please don’t stop!
I know exactly how you feel! Sometimes I wonder why the heck I go through all the trouble.
I obviously love it.
I love your blog and look forward to reading it every time my Google Reader tells me you’ve posted a new post 🙂
I totally love this post. I think that we can all get caught up in the comparison trap sometimes no matter what the situation is. I love you and your blog just the way it is. I’m an every day reader and have been since day one!!!
I know how you feel, and I bet all bloggers can feel like that at times no matter how big or small. It’s kind of hard NOT to compare yourself when there are SO MANY blogs out there, and so many that seem to be crazy successful! It can be overwhelming. And it can suck. But you should be proud of all the readers you have and what you’ve accomplished! There are lots of people out there (me included) who love your blog and read every post you write! 🙂
Oh, sweetie, there is a whole WORLD of bloggers who get so little comments and look up at the blog celebrities and compare ourselves to them. You know what they say; compare and despair. It’s hard having to see all these people making uber short posts and getting over 50 comments, and then sometimes your hard work goes completely unnoticed; but blog for yourself. And hey, those three people are quite something. Three people, in completely different parts of the world, different times, different cultures and different lives all read your story and related to it.
Quality, not quantity.
And I happen to love your blog.
So don’t you dare think about leaving.
The non-famous blogger will all hunt you down.
And you’ll realize then how many of us there actually are.
Don’t feel discouraged! You’re not alone- everyone gets caught up in comparing at some point or another. I love your blog, so keep it up!! 🙂
Don’t feel discouraged Lauren! Even though I may not comment on every post, I still love your blog….keep on doing what you’re doing. I know I’ve felt the same way after I write posts I’m particularly proud of, and absolutely no one comments. It can be frustrating when something you’ve poured your heart into doesn’t get the attention you feel it deserves. Don’t take it to heart. Just know that everything you’ve put out into this world through your blog is wonderful as it is. 🙂