Should I hit "publish"? Will my readers like it?
What if no one cares anymore?
No one is going to want to read about this.
This is too far out there. It’s not who you are as a blogger.
Stick to food, girl. And make it good.
Do you really think people want to read about this nonsense?
There is so much going on in my head and my heart right now, friends. So many new ideas, discoveries, messages. I’ve been having “Duh!” moments left and right, and not for my normal goofed-up reasons. Now it’s because so much of life is becoming clearer, every day.
And I want to share it with you.
I want to share stories like how I cried on Sunday because I wanted to eat “normal” food again so.darn.much. Or how I realized that I started using this new diet as a way to punish myself, just like I punished myself by overeating in the past. Or how I came across a great new teacher with a message that resonates with me.
But I don’t. Because I’m afraid to.
It’s easy to become pigeonholed as a blogger. It’s why I wanted to avoid a niche for so long. I didn’t want to be defined by just one area of my life.
And even though I have started (finally) looking at new, GAPS-friendly recipes, I’m hesitant to share them when the time comes because they’re not my old style.
No one will care.
But I’m evolving. I can’t help it. We all evolve as people.
Is it okay for us to evolve as bloggers?
All I know is, this self-censorship is stifling me creatively. I finally put two and two together earlier today, making the connection between my energy nosediving and the fact that I still feel like I can’t be fully and completely me.
On my own blog, of all places.
This is the same sort of fear that’s held me back throughout my life, and a large chunk of what I’m writing my book about. That common fear of expanding, growing as a person. Listening when the ego tells us that no one will like us anymore if we change things up, even if those changes are good for us.
Allowing those scary stories to hold us back, stifle us, prevent us from living in our truth.
The worst part is, it’s not as if we can just turn our backs on who we need to be and get on with life as-is. It might work for a while but that longing, yearning feeling, the certainty that this is not who we’re supposed to be, shows up in other areas.
In my case, my creative energy has been non-existent the past couple of days. In related news, I’ve been on Twitter a lot more. So there’s that.
As of today, though, I give myself permission to be free and evolve, both personally and as a blogger. I can’t let my blog define who I am and where my time should be focused – that’s totally backwards.
I’m giving myself permission to shine. So grab your sunglasses. Cuz you’re gonna need them.
Have you ever been afraid to evolve as a blogger? Do you feel like you need to stick to certain topics or else your readers will jump ship?
*See what I did there? 
Jen, thanks for your honesty in writing this – a blog post I truly resonate with. We DO grow and evolve as humans, and our blogs come along for the ride if we are to continue.
My own blog has deepened and grown more personal – in a sorta vulnerable, scary way! – over the last couple of month. I was scared, still am sometimes, but people respond so beautifully when we’re open. Our words draw just the right readers who are on a similar pathway, so I’m here, from afar, cheering you on. Go, girl!
Thank YOU for your support.
And your point about the right readers being drawn to our words confirms something else I was thinking – maybe there’s an entirely new audience out there waiting for my words. Let’s keep taking chances and going deeper, shall we?
I’ve got a post on this very topic that Im planning for later this month. I haven’t answered the question for myself, either, Jen. While I”m nicheless, I definitely have topics that people want and expect me to write about and I’m struggling with whether that’s the direction I want to continue in.
Great food for thought. I’ll be sure to reference your post when I publish mine!
Thank you – and thank you for sharing this, too.
It’s sort of a scary thing, isn’t it? I feel like an adolescent all over again. Who do I want to be?
I’m looking forward to your take on it.
I love this and definitely going to share this. I feel like I’ve lost my own voice with my blog too and am looking to work on that, being more open and honest and just ME. Thank you for this!
Thank you so much for sharing.
Isn’t it funny how something that’s supposed to be a reflection of us becomes a reflection of anyone BUT us sometimes?
Yay! I’ve been hoping for this since Blissdom. You need to just write what you feel, from your heart, and people will respond positively. I believe that.
Thank you, sweetie. I appreciate it so much!
Honesty can be scary as hell. But you’ll be surprised how much love and support you’ll get when you let down your guard and let the brutal truth out.
I am in awe of you and sticking to your diet. Not much is keeping me on track with watching my food intake, so I can’t wait to see those recipes you’re working on!
Thanks, Jenn. And yes, I’ll be sharing for sure – I’ve seen some really interesting stuff out there. Back in the day I was all “Ew, why would you want to eat a muffin made with coconut flour?”. Now? It sounds like heaven!
I pretty much write what I want, what I’m passionate about. If it’s funny or poignant or just me being a jerk – it’s something I want to share.
Because of that, I think that yes you CAN evolve, write your words, people will read.
I need to get over the “people only want to see x, y or z” thing. Because you remind me that, for instance, I read your blog because I like you. Not because you write about any specific thing. Maybe it’s a matter of reminding myself that – GASP! – people might actually like me.
that’s why i read blogs, or stay-or-go with new bloggers…the person, their writing style, not just their ‘niche’
That’s actually refreshing to me, because I really do fear that other readers so stick to a niche they like and that’s it. But I know more are like you.
It seems there have been a lot of questioning souls in the bloggy world lately…and I’m one of them.
I’ve had a post bumping around in my brain for over a month now, and each time I read another post about “why do i blog?” or “who do i blog for?” or “does it matter what I blog about?” my thoughts start jumping around again.
my simple answer is yes, I think you can evolve. In fact, I think you have to otherwise you get stagnant as a blogger. You have to follow your joy. Readers (old…or new!) will follow if you are writing from your heart.
Thanks, Katie, you’re so right. It’s important that we blog about what we care about, and that can change, because otherwise (a) it becomes a chore and (b) the fact that we don’t enjoy it anymore shines through in our posts.
Of course we’ll like it, Jen…because it’s from you! I think you should follow your heart, write about whatever the heck you want to write about, and if people don’t like it? Tough!! At least, that’s what I do
You’re so sweet. Thank you. And you SHOULD blog that way – I’ll look to you for inspiration!
“prevent us from living our truth” I think you said.
Well, herein is the danger of niche blogging, right?
They tell us at blogging conferences to find our niche. And there IS value in that. People know what to expect. If they enjoy what you’re cranking out, it will keep them coming around.
But I say: don’t fence me in! If I want to be funny, I’ll be funny. And if I am in a big period of spiritual growth, and I want to talk about that, let me talk about it. And if I’ve found a guy who will guest post for me and teach folks about wine, well, can I do that without losing a certain portion of my readers?
That’s the risk I take for keeping it real.
I want to be real!
Exactly! There are so many things I want to talk about and not all of it has to do with recipes. Not all of it will be funny or self-deprecating. I can see the point in not bouncing around like crazy and striving to maintaining one’s voice. So it really falls back on the blogger to stay true to their voice. Which I’ll try to do.
I think you can and SHOULD evolve! Write what you want… when you want… and how you want! This is your place and if people don’t like it then oh well!
I will be here reading.
ps…. share the book you’re writing too!
Thanks, Jackie. And I do plan to share some of what I’m writing – in fact I’m planning to start vlogging about it, to get a feel for how people react and what they have to say.
I definitely do not have a niche that I blog about. Reality is, I’m still trying to figure this whole thing out and feel totally lost most days. Do I worry I’ll lose readers?? HA! I think I have 3 regulars. There are so many ideas in my head that I just can’t figure out how to make them come out my little finger tips through my keyboard. Considering my email sign up/rss thingy has been broken for who knows how long & I can’t figure out how to fix it… I say I’ll write what I want b/c if someone is taking the time to come to my blog, I’ll assume they want to read it!
Well that’s a good way to look at it, for sure. Being in a niche can really be a pain – like trying to fit yourself into your blog. It ought to be the other way around, don’t you think?
PS shoot me an email (address under “contact”) if you want help with your rss issues. Maybe we can figure it out!
This makes me so happy – you are already so shiny, so beautiful. I can’t wait to see what new light you’ll bring into the world when you REALLY open up the curtains.
Thank you, Amy. Our call definitely inspired me to take things to the next level, so I owe you big time. Sincerely. Thank you for your friendship.
I’ve never thought of your blog as fitting into any category except that it’s about YOU.
It’s easy to overthink things, especially when you are putting yourself out there. Be you. You’re awesome.
You make me blush all the time, lady. And thanks for the perspective.
This is something that I know very very well….and yes each time it was scary. I was infertile, then I was PG, then I was a twin mom…then I wanted to write about infertility and parenting…then I wanted to mommy blog, then added fiction and memoir…all the time scared that I’d lose my “tribes” but I added to them..I found new communities and I kept the imp people of my first ones. Today I know I could go back to my infertile friends and I fit there…with fiction writers they welcome me in…mommy bloggers..yep.
Take the leap!!!!! I’ll be right here waiting to see what you have to say!
Thank you so, so much for this wisdom. And, as always, for your kindness and friendship.
Fantastic post. I suddenly don’t feel so weird anymore:) I’ve not written a post for a week and a half. Really struggling with that inner critic and fear. I hope you step out and share what’s on your heart. I think I’m about ready to do the same. Thank you:)
Thanks so much. I’m glad you’re getting ready to let it all out, too. Maybe this is the sense of quiet in the blogsphere that people have been talking about – this shift in wanting to be ourselves but not quite knowing how, so we quiet down. Let’s you and I be trailblazers!
Alrighty, then!
Also, your post title was one of the most clever I’ve read in quite awhile – - drew me right in.
Thanks!
Jen,
You are so sweet and such a wonderful writer. Your post really strikes home with me as I also made the switch from blogging about indulgent treats to blogging about healthy foods. I think that if you’re sharing from your heart, the true readers will follow along no matter what
PS- Your post has inspired me and I’m going to link to it in my next post. Hope that’s ok!
Oh gosh I totally should have come to you on this! If anyone knows how changing it up goes, it’s you. I admire what you’ve done and where your blog has gone, so much.
Of course you can link to it – I’d be honored! Thank you!
I’m ALWAYS afraid to talk about spirituality. Always. It’s from my *own* bias- I went to a super conservative fundamental Christian high school and now whenever anyone talks about God I immediately freeze up in fear. But now *I* want to talk about God and spirituality and faith and I don’t want to scare anyone off! Of course, it’s not remotely the same thing, but for some reason there is a stigma attached to owning any sort of faith… at least in my head there is.
I totally get it, Chel. And thank you for helping me realize that the stigma is all in my own head. I wonder how many other people are afraid to talk about faith/spirituality for the same reason.
I think it makes sense for your blog to change as you change. To me, it’s about staying true to your voice- keeping with the same voice but changing topics seems to be the best way to go.
I think my issue stems from fear that it’s not my voice that keeps people coming back. It’s yummy stuff. But you’re right.
Thank you.
You know – I read your blog because I’m interested in what you have to say about whatever you’re talking about. I know we don’t know each other in real life – but it’s not like we walk up to a friend and say “sorry, I only want to hear about what you made for dinner so stop telling about the TV show you’ve been watching!” I think most of your readers will want to hear YOU – whatever the subject.
So evolve – I’m still listening.
Thank you, so so much. You’ve lent me a ton of perspective with your comment.
Of course your blog should evolve as you do! But I know how difficult that can be. It’s hard to find a way to be consistent with your voice while your message is changing a little, and it’s always a little terrifying to take your space to new places. But you can do it!
Thank you. I’m dipping my toes in the water. Fingers crossed!
I so know how you feel? My blog started out focusing on green parenting and housekeeping, and it has gradually involved to become mostly focused on health and simple living… Of course, I didn’t have a readership at all when I changed, lol.
This is a great, honest post and I commend you for it- and there is a whole, huge community out there of people who love and eat real food (the whole range of it…) and feel the better for it who can help you and support you and commiserate with you when you fall off the wagon (because we all do it!). Keep with it for a few more weeks and you’ll feel so much better you won’t care what you can’t eat…. and just remember, GAPS isn’t a forever diet. The goal is to heal and then eventually return to normal (even if it’s a new normal!).
Shine on, chica! I’ve been dealing with this a lot as unemployment has stretched out to the 18 month mark. There is plenty in this world to make us feel bad so when you find soemthing that brings you joy (even as it can make you crazy) you have to grab it. Easy to write, hard to follow but if you’ll try so will I.