On losing passion for blogging — and finding your way back
We don’t always know why it happens. Sometimes lack of motivation creeps up on you slowly rather than dramatically. All you know is that when writing starts to feel heavy, you avoid the page.
It is understandable when something unsettling has happened, but there may not be an obvious reason. I think of this as a quiet crisis in writing, that can easily be confused with writer’s block.
Do you know the warning signs and what to do when it happens to you? Let me show you!
10 signs you may have lost your motivation for blogging
- You miss the old spark or urgency to explore your ideas. Maybe you complete something but don’t feel enthusiastic or proud of it.
- You write on autopilot, don’t take any risks, just write in a way that feels safe. There is nothing new, no new opinion or new angle.
- You may carry out some “productive” tasks around writing, but avoid the writing itself.
- Your writing goals and self-imposed “deadlines” hinder rather than help. You loathe pressure.
- Your voice sounds generic, not distinctive and personal. Do you write what you think works rather than writing what matters to you?
- You can’t be bothered to spend any time on editing your work.
- Publishing and engaging online suddenly feel like a chore.
- You consume more than normal online. And it still doesn’t inspire you to write
- You compare a lot and other people’s writing deflates you.
- You only write for results. Money, stats or comments are the validation you crave. Without those, there’s no reason to show up on the page.
Does writing feel like hard work? If you recognise yourself in the above, please read on.
The hidden cost of low motivation
I’ve been writing and sharing my thoughts online for nearly 20 years. Like many, I’ve faced moments when motivation dips. Usually, I start thinking I don’t have enough time to blog because other things seem more urgent. Before I realise it, my blog goes quiet.
Sometimes I write just for myself, but the drive to publish isn’t there. And then I start feeling ashamed.
Am I not really a writer? Shouldn’t I be able to push through these feelings?
For some of us, sharing our words online can be an emotional journey.
Could your loss of passion be a sign of burnout or overexposure?
Or too much pressure to perform?
What if you are outgrowing your identity as a writer?
Perhaps your motivation hasn’t disappeared, it is just waiting for different conditions!
Remember, change isn’t a sign of defeat. Instead, it can be a wonderful opportunity for you to grow both as a person and as a writer!
Could a break be good for your motivation?
Before making any big decisions, please allow yourself a well-deserved break. If you’ve been writing online for a while, stepping back can help you regain perspective and clarity.
I’m a big fan of taking a “digital detox” from time to time. Except I prefer to think of it as a retreat, which sounds much more inviting.
What do you usually enjoy doing on a retreat? Since it’s all about caring for your personal well-being, maybe you could try some calming activities. I personally love spending time in nature, alone, e.g. in my favourite local woods or by the River Thames.
Whatever helps you to relax and reflect works best. Just go with what feels right for you.
- What role does blogging play in your life? Have there been any changes lately?
- Have you noticed any shifts in your writing?
- Maybe you’ve changed as well. If so, how?
And while you’re reflecting, take a moment to think about what motivates you and explore my next tips below. Understanding your motivators can really help you reignite your mojo and keep you moving forward with confidence.
2 ways to identify the motivation that comes from within
Here are a few ways to help you tap into your inner (also called intrinsic) motivation. Because your blogging motivation will feel so much stronger when you know the non-tangible (emotional) reasons that make it all worthwhile.
1. What are the deeper reasons why you write?
Start with the role your blog plays in your business or your life. What’s your inner driver here?
- Exploring your identity and finding meaning? Writing is a powerful tool for self-discovery and reinvention.
- Finding or reclaiming your voice? This is especially important if you feel overlooked in your day-to-day life.
- Feeling heard? Maybe you have unique stories or opinions you want to share for others to see.
- Building authority? Perhaps you are motivated by building a meaningful body of work.
- Leaving a trace or legacy? Like writing a book that outlasts you? If so, maybe your blog is an important stepping stone!
What if the first thing that springs to mind is to make money?
There is nothing wrong with that, although I would like to offer a suggestion. Try to look beyond the money.
One of my clients once told me she had a secret dream of earning enough money to buy a holiday home in her home country. When we explored this in more detail, she mentioned feeling homesick. She dreamt of being closer to her family, but with her own space.
I encouraged her to focus on the new life rather than the money she needed to fulfill her dream. She wrote a list of benefits and another with the actions she would take to build her reputation and secure the right contracts.
She blogged, networked, spoke at events (often about topics from her blog) and was able to achieve her goal in far less time than she had thought possible.
Can you guess her reply to why she blogged? “It is a stepping stone and an important part of what I do to achieve my dream!”
So, if money matters to you, think how you will benefit from it that is really close to your heart. Like feeling less stressed and more secure? Or having more quality time with your family? Or feeling closer to a dream you’ve had since you were a child?
2. Who else, other than you, benefits from your writing?
Some people write purely for their readers because they love helping people. This can be a great motivator. It’s all about the difference you can make. For example, how you would impact your readers’ health or relationships, their environment or business – and perhaps ultimately their life.
How does your blog benefit your readers?
- How do you want your readers to feel when they read your writing?
- What will they do or achieve as a result of reading?
- So… what would you like to be known for?
We all have to remind ourselves from time to time why we do what we do.
The traditional way to motivate yourself
Some people struggle to find their inner driver so they resort to grit and determination. But staying motivated to do something you should do – rather than want to do – is inherently difficult.
I remember how often I used to have to remind two of my three (now grown) kids to tidy their rooms. The youngest didn’t need to be told. She liked her room to be tidy, whereas the other two didn’t see any benefits. Telling them just didn’t work either. So I would often resort to the ‘carrot on a stick’ method to try and motivate them. (I was a rather busy working mum back then!)
Apply this example to blogging, it is easier to see why motivation is deeply personal. Different things work for different people!
Some poeple need to see an immediate tangible benefit or the threat of negative consequences.
If you can’r see either, how about deciding on one of your own? Please note, rewards always work better than punishment in my experience.
On a simple level, this could be a special treat for when you have worked hard on a new post.
Being accountable can help, too, and you could always reach out to another blogger or a coach for support. Or you could challenge yourself with new goals, even take part in a writing challenge or take part in one of our Writer’s Hours. All this could give you a quick boost of motivation when you need it.
Looking at the big picture
Unless you feel burnt out or overwhelmed, and haven’t taken a conscious break yet to figure out your next steps. please remember this:
Each each time you blog is a unique opportunity to further your own dream as well as make a difference to someone else’s life. What you share has the power to be the catalyst that changes someone’s thinking. And perhaps even their actions.
All this can put a whole new spin on any writer’s motivation to blog. It should help you to reignite the passion and the motivation for your blog and understand how it fits into your life.
But that’s not all.
Remember, every post you write is part of a bigger story. A story that will help you or your reader in a way that only you can, given your unique expertise and personal experiences. Every post you write helps your readers to get an idea of what else you may be able to do for them. A blog post will always be so much more convincing than a factual webpage or a social media post that disappears in a flash.
Therefore, rekindling your deeper motivation is always worth it. And you are worth it too.
Would you like to make your blog irresistible? Our book “Distinctive Voice -The fearless way to a wholehearted blog worth noticing helps you to identify your true purpose and voice, overcome writing blocks and create magnetic content for your ideal reader. It is interactive too! “The information is clear and easy to understand. Your actions are really good at getting me stuck in, and I enjoyed doing them. You have given me the confidence to give it a go”. mages all courtesy of Pixabay
