Happy New Year, guys! I hope everyone had a rad evening ringing in the new year, I know I did. We went over to Glenn's parents' for dinner, bubbly & hilarious rounds of Apples to Apples with family, friends & our four-legged friends. I loved every minute of it.
I've been doing a lot of thinking about this blog and the direction I want to take it. I have even considered quitting blogging all together, just because of how much I've felt obligated to do it lately {which clearly, has had the opposite effect, as my posts have been less than stellar as of late}. But, deep down I know I don't really want to stop blogging. I just need to change some things around to make it more enjoyable again.
Firstly, sponsorships are going to change. Its the thing about blogging that I've come to detest the most, really {I also know for a fact that other bloggers share this same sentiment}. The whole obligation to post because I need to generate traffic for my sponsors, Sponsor Highlight posts, giveaways, etc...it's proved to be too much for me handle on top of my full time job and freelance work in addition to blogging. I don't want to do away with sponsorships completely because I love supporting indie business owners & other creatives like myself, so instead the mechanics of it are going to be different.
- Flat fee of $15 and one ad size of 200x100
- No more Sponsor Spotlight posts. Honestly I've been told no one really reads those anyway{!} Ads will be up in the sidebar and that's that. If you elect to host a giveaway or send something to me for an outfit post then a link to you will be included in the post.
- I'll also be adding some of my favorite reads to the sidebar as well. I like spreading the love and sharing with you guys.
These are just some of the ideas off the top of my head; I'm sure there will be more. I feel better already, just writing it out. Oh, and all of my December sponsors will be up for another month since I never got around to a Spotlight post {see what I mean} last month.
In general I'm just doing what I can to make blogging fun for me again. I want to WANT to be able to share things with you all instead of having to think of something to write. That's just stupid and not the point of this at all. I want my content to just be really organic and come naturally. It's crazy how much this blog has become such a part of my life & I'm thankful for all the opportunities and relationships I've gotten out of it. I also think that because of that it's also easy for it to become a stress point because I often feel like I'm letting someone down and that's just plain silly. I also know this is a topic a lot of other bloggers struggle with and I'm really excited to see how it all goes with a fresh start. I like those.
A few other fresh start type of things I'm looking forward to:
- Starting a bucket list for 2012. I'll be adding a page to my navigation menu with a list of things I want to accomplish and cross them out along the way. I think this will be a fun way to set some goals :)
- Cutting out sugar from my diet & making all of my meals. I need to be healthier! My parents got us a new pots + pans set for Christmas and I'm stoked to cook up some delicious new things.
- Minimizing. Just yesterday Glenn's dad came over with his truck and helped us take a bunch of furniture & things we did not need anymore to donate to the Salvation Army. I want to continue de-cluttering and getting rid of the excess.
I know these sound like New Year's resolutions but really, these are things that have constantly been on my mind and I'm finally getting around to verbalizing them. I'm excited. And I'm really grateful to have such wonderful people {that's you!} along for the ride. Cheers!
By Krysten January 1, 2012
Sounds like your 2012 is going to be off to a great start – all about you. Happy new year Liz!
By Sara January 1, 2012
Please don’t stop blogging!!
I hear what you’re saying about the sense of obligation to update though… Every time I sit down to write a post because I “should”, or because I haven’t posted anything in a long time, the words never come out quite right.
Also, happy new year!
By Jennifer January 1, 2012
I think you have the right idea re-evaluating your blog from the sponsorship end. It’s great that you’ve thought of a few ways to still support small businesses and make blogging more fun and manageable for yourself again! Good luck!
By Anna January 1, 2012
I think your sentiments are things we ALL need to remember! I love reading your blog and am glad you’re “reclaiming” your territory. Congrats. And warmest wishes for the New Year! :)
By Alycia January 1, 2012
i totally relate to the whole sponsorship thing. i’ve been wracking my brain trying to think of something new to do with sponsorships and i still have yet to find something i’m totally happy with. as for minimizing i just went through our closet and have two big bags of toss and donate. man, does that feel good! happy new year :)
By Rochelle New January 1, 2012
Honestly I only skim sponsor posts, if that. I don’t think anyone will be upset by a lack of them!
By robyn January 1, 2012
agree, and loving that you are owning how you feel about all this! i think as blogging becomes a bigger part of everyone’s lives we’re needing to learn how to balance it with our daily offline world, and many of us (me included for sure!) are finding that a deeper line needs to be carved!
good for you for owning where your line is, and taking some steps to make sure you don’t push yourself to cross it!
By Alivia January 1, 2012
I love these goals. I’ve been reevaluating my blog and how it relates to who I am lately…and I’m completely on the same page with you on the sponsor front.
Your newest follower,
Alivia
By Meanz January 1, 2012
Do we share the same brain? Seriously, haha! I have been so sick of trying to round up sponsor intro posts. I am probably going to get rid of them as well. It’s annoying, and like you said, most people probably don’t read those anyways. The flat rate is a really good idea. I really want to start sharing things that I want to share, not because I feel like I have to. 2012 is a time of change for my blog as well. Also we have similar goals. I really need to minimize, and I’ve started gathering things that I want to get rid of, and when I get home from vacation, I’m going on a juice fast in a quest to get healthier.
Also, please don’t stop blogging Liz, I love your blog too much!
By diana January 1, 2012
i’m excited what 2012 brings for srslyliz and liz :)
By courtney January 1, 2012
de-cluttering is a fantastic goal for the new year. i don’t think i could ever cut out sugar entirely. but i am a serious addict. i think changing your sponsorship is a good idea. i can’t imagine how any blogger can keep up with all of that. plus- people want to read real content, not a bunch of sponsor highlights. happy new year!
By Tiera January 1, 2012
I hear you on simplifying life — I’ve compiled 5-6 bags of things to toss/donate in the last week, and it feels glorious! I still have more to go through, and I can’t wait to clear my closet & my mind :) And I’m here to read whatever, whenever you post here… just please don’t quit blogging! I’d miss you!
By Danielle January 1, 2012
I’ve definitely felt this way the past few weeks. Blogging has just been a chore, and I don’t want it to be that. I am planning to start fresh and turn blogging into something fun. I am glad you are continuing to blog – yours is definitely a favourite of mine!
By Sarah January 1, 2012
Are you reading Sarah Wilson’s blog? She’s all about quitting sugar -http://www.sarahwilson.com.au/2012/01/i-quit-sugar-program-lets-start/ Good luck!
By jooleedoh January 1, 2012
anything you do can become work, so it’s totally healthy and necessary to freshen up your perspective on why you do the things you do & to remind yourself to just have fun! i’m pretty inconsistent when it comes to blogging. and i definitely appreciate bloggers who don’t have multiple posts a day.. so write what ya want, when ya want.
also, i can relate to the hoarder tendencies. i finally cleaned out a spare room and i’m surprised i didn’t see a family of cats crawling out from under all the chaos.
By Charlotte January 2, 2012
It’s great to hear your plans, especially to make sure you’re enjoying your blogging as much as possible – it sounds like a very cool year ahead!
By liz January 2, 2012
these are great resolutions! started to feel the same way on my blog too but when i made some “simplifying” changes i felt almost liberated. i remembered why i started blogging. count me in for the next month sponsor ;) i’ll email ya.
cheers to eating healthier and minimizing around the home.
happy new year!
By Courtney {Kitten Roar} January 2, 2012
happy new year!
it’s very important to keep your blog in a direction that you want it to be at. I have also felt unhappy with feeling “obligated” to post and such, and now that I have altered my blog to my own likings, I love it SO much more :)
By Caitlin January 2, 2012
Love this post! And I like your new approach to sponsorships…sounds easy and straightforward. Looking forward to reading your blog in 2012 my friend, it’s one of my favorites.
By Vanessa January 2, 2012
For reals girl. I loathe sponsor posts. I hate reading them and creating them (which is why I haven’t had them on my blog for a couple months now) I think it’s a great move. :D Also, Happy New Year! love your bucket list that you posted <33
By Adeline January 3, 2012
Now that’s the Liz I love! Cheers! xoxox
By carly January 3, 2012
great idea liz and everything that you said other bloggers think/feel is true. you’re being honest and that’s wonderful. i’m really glad that you decided not to do away with your blog altogether cause my goodness, i’d miss you…and i’m sure i’m not the only one who would!
xo
By Morgan January 3, 2012
so glad you decided to keep the blog liz. i love your blog so so much! i am so feeling the same way about blogging and sponsorships and will be doing the same exact thing, it’s too stressful! it’s good to know that there are people feeling the same as me! thanks for sharing.