Changes
Ch-ch-ch-changes…That song never fails to run through my head when someone says “changes”.
I know, I’ve been missing in action lately. I took a break. I needed it. I was having a mini-meltdown over trying to blog and accomplish things in real life, and keep my perspective about this whole blogging thing. I was feeling uninspired and worn out. Projects have come to a screeching halt. My house was beginning to look like a thrift store with all the stuff I was buying for future posts, but had no place for in the house. I was slowly losing my mojo and my love for blogging.
As a blogger, I needed time to to decide if I was going to keep the blog going. And whether I was going to try and make money off my blog, or just keep it going for fun. And although that doesn’t seem like a big decision – I mean yes or no, right? – it is. It determines how I blog, how much I blog, what I focus on (social networks, promotion, etc) and how much time I will let it take up in my life. I decided to keep blogging (yay!) but to do it for me, and for you, my readers.
Let me explain… Since I am a blog reader, like you, I found that some of the blogs I once read because they had cool ideas, and interesting families and great adventures, were now blurring together in my mind. They lost their voice, the thing that makes them special or interesting. Before, when I read them, I wanted to know what was going on with them, around their house, with their kids, etc… Not in a stalker kind of way, but in a blogosphere friend kind of way. I wasn’t really interested in what they had to say about (insert product name here) and how it was life changing for them (and the other 30 bloggers that were doing the same campaign) – unless it really was. And as a reader, we can totally tell the difference, right?! I felt like I was constantly being sold something, and that just wasn’t my thing.
I have worked with a few great brands, who have been so fabulous to supply me with products that I’ve loved. But more and more, I was getting offers from brands I couldn’t recommend or didn’t have luck with. And rather than tell you what my experience was, I just didn’t blog about it. And when I did find something that worked for me, I always felt like people would think I was saying the good things about the product because they were sponsoring the post.
And as someone whose blog is about what I’ve found on Pinterest – well, let’s just say that I’ve almost hit complete burnout status there too. It seems so overrun with spammy pins, people stealing other people’s work/ideas/photos, and just way too any amazing ideas for one person to really appreciate. I was trying to come up with new ideas that would inspire you, and what ended up happening is that I always felt I was falling short. I felt like a loser when my posts would fall flat, or wouldn’t receive any comments or “likes”.
Speaking of “likes”, don’t get me started about reaching readers on Facebook! I think my reach is about 12 on every post. It’s hard to put energy into something that seems like it will never give anything back. And regarding Twitter and Google+, well, they don’t do much for my readership either.
There are some bloggers who blog for a living. They depend on the money their blog will bring in. They work their arses off to create amazing projects and take beautiful pictures and write amazing prose about said projects – and then they promote the devil out of them. I don’t have that fire in my belly. I do this because I liked sharing what I did. Realizing that, I re-evaluated my options and decided to make a few changes.
When I started my blog, I just reported on what I used, and the experiences I had, with different pins from Pinterest. I didn’t have to worry about Big Brands wanting to work with me, or making sure to not offend any of those companies when their product didn’t work. And I think that’s what people liked. So, I’m going back to that kind of blogging.
I’ll write about what I’m doing, pins and projects I’m trying, places we go and products I TRULY find to be fabulous. And maybe a few that I find to be not so great – because I think it’s just as important to know what doesn’t work, as it is to know what does. And although I’ve stopped trolling Pinterest on a daily basis, I do still use it for specific ideas and recipes, so I’ll still include posts about pins I’ve tried and ideas I’m working out, like whether to go with dark wood floors or marble-ish looking tiles for the main part of our house. I’m not sure how often I’ll post, mostly when something interesting is happening over here. Which is often. I mean, come on, have you seen the adorable kittens we are fostering right now?

This kitten manicure has nothing to do with this post, but the kitty sure is cute!
I’m also thinking that a change of name might be in order. Anyone have any catchy ideas? The best I could come up with was Diary of a Recovering Pinterest Addict. Yeah, not really catchy. Help me!!
I will be keeping the ads on the sides of my blog – it’s all done through a third party. But as for sponsored posts, I’m going to be reeeally picky about who I choose to work with. It might come down to working with only the vendors that I solicit because I’m working on a specific project, not the other way around. For example, if I’m working on the bathroom and need a sink, I might reach out to Moen, who I know has great products, and ask if they would want to work with me. It will save me from trying to come up with a project that is unnecessary in my life right now, like another china cabinet – one can only have so many, right?! I might consider working with sponsors to do some giveaways of products that I love, but I’ll have to think about that.
I want to be able to be proud of the work I do here. I want to go back to the days when it was all for fun. I hope you will still follow along. Sorry this has been so wordy, but I wanted to explain what has been (not) happening over here.
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Thanks for your continued support and readership. It means a lot 🙂
Eliesa
kirbycarespodi says
YAY for you! That’s what I decided about 6 months ago– no more trying to push through just to get it done. Just me, not a bunch of sponsored content. Welcome back to you and the kitties!
A Pinterest Addict says
I have noticed that on your blog, Kirby, It seems so genuine and more you. I hope it works for me too 🙂 Thanks!
Karen says
Bravo! Everything is where it is supposed to be!
marieanne honsberger says
Good for you in making your decision, they can be difficult. I’m sure to continue reading your blog.
A Pinterest Addict says
Thanks 🙂
Melissa says
Good for you! You are worth the wait! 8*)
Miss Kitty says
Yes, a blogging break can give you some perspective. I love blogging as a hobby and have never made much money with the ads on it (not that that was my main intention in the first place but I gave it a try).
With bigger family responsibilities now I have had to work any blogging in around that and not the other way around. Your foster kittys are adorable!!!
A Pinterest Addict says
Thanks, Miss Kitty. As soon as I posted last night, I felt a weight lift. I know it sounds silly, but I stopped feeling like I was letting my blog down, and gave myself permission to blog as I want to. As for the kitties, they are a tub-full of cuteness (that’s where they are “living” right now).
chrissy says
Good for you!
Peggy says
Way to go!!!
Kim G says
I have missed your posts, but I’m glad you are coming back. 🙂 I love your ideas (how did your pool turn out?). What if you changed your blog name to something(s) you really like or enjoy (animals, projects, family)? I love pink and crowns and my blog name was “my pink tiara”. If you have a lot of things you like, could you make it an acronym? Just a few thoughts and suggestions. You are very creative and I know whatever you do will be great.
Sandy says
Good for you! I am a fairly new reader, but I love what you have posted so far, and I am with you on the blogs that are really only posting about what they get for free. I love the “Diary of a Recovering Pinterest Addict.” Pinterest was so fresh and new when it first got going, but you are right that some feeds have been infiltrated. Posting about “breaking up” with Pinterest might be an interesting way to talk about your decision too! Look forward to seeing more about where you go from here.
A Pinterest Addict says
Welcome! And Thanks for the kind words. It is hard to make a change like this on a blog because I don’t know if the readers will follow. I have to talk to my designer/web guru and find out what I need to do to change the name – I’m kind of scared to take the leap though 😛
dmiracle says
I appreciate your candor in the decision process – congratulations on the “weight loss” and I for one will continue to read your blog – whenever you are interested in filling us in on something. How about “An Unpinned Addict” . . . just a suggestion.
Elle says
I totally understand. Been having a bit of a dry spell myself in MANY areas of my life. Just need a breather and hopefully will be back like you- better- and stronger!!! xxx
Butterscotch Lady says
Good for you!!! You wrote pretty much exactly what I have been feeling. I, too have found that blogging was just taking so much out of me. It was yet another obligation that I had to fulfill and that sucked some of the joy out of posting. Not too mention that the changes FB has made to reach our viewers. Do what brings your joy!!! I like “Diary of an Ex- Pinterest Addict”
Vicky says
GOOD! Always listen to your inner self and whatever decisions you make will always be the right one.
Jessica says
I just came upon your blog and you make me smile. For real.
Jessica says
Also, I kinda like Diary of a Recovering Pinterest Addict 🙂
Nici says
Your taken on this is very refreshing. I have been looking at sites re: home business and I didn’t know that people actually blog for profit. Naive I know, but I like the fact you are being conscientious and true to you ane your followers.
I just found your blog and will now follow along. Thank you very much.
Nici R.