It is co-hosted by (Linda from Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, Roberta from Offbeat YA, Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About, Berl's from Because Reading is Better than Real Life and me)
Join in by answering this weeks question in the comments or on your own blog.
If you would like to join TMST and receive periodic emails of upcoming topics, please fill out this GOOGLE FORM. TMST is a laid back meme – join in or opt out depending on your interest in topics or schedule.
Question: What's the hardest part about blogging for you?
Right now? ALL of it lol
I can't seem to read for more than an hour at a time, every few days. That limits reviews and bookish talk.
I'm watching a lot of tv but really I've just been out and about with Kevin and the dogs. I've thought about writing about that but by the time I sit down to do it - there's too much that happened and I move on.
I really wish blogging was more like Instagram - where you could post quickly. Which I guess I could do but I don't know. I'm really lazy about the whole thing right now.
And that's fine! I have long come to understand it's a hobby for me and my interest will wax and wane.
More than that though blogging seems kind of solitary these days. So many of the blog features and hops that kept us connecting and discovering new people have dwindled or disappeared. I feel like we're all blogging for other bloggers to support them at this point.
Social media is something I limit now, because it's people ranting all day, every day and I hop on, chat with my friends and hop off. I used to be on there more, finding new books, one-clicking away but not much anymore.
On the flip side of that Debbie Downer sentiment - the core group of us that have survived all the tumultuousness of the past few years in blogging are THE BEST. most supportive group out there and I never actually think about quitting.
I still enjoy touching base with everyone and following big life events. I've been at this for so long that people have gone to college, got married, had kids, who are now getting married and having babies or are off to college themselves. It's wild! I enjoy reading everyone's thoughts on things - love how people have gotten more comfortable about talking about non-bookish things too.
So yeah, the hardest part of blogging right now is the actual blogging 😂
*HUGS* I do agree that a lot of the blogging today is supported by other bloggers. But I do blog for myself. I still enjoy it - the connection I make with books, other readers, authors. I love sharing my thoughts and hopefully my reviews connect with another out there. But it does get overwhelming at times. I hope you've found a happy compromise for now. I do enjoy your posts.
ReplyDeleteI am in my happy place regarding blogging now! I just don't worry about it and do what feels right - even if that means not blogging for awhile.
DeleteI remember back in the day, there were so many active and supporting blogs! Now it's rare to find them. But it's my love for this that helps me to keep going.
ReplyDeleteGenesis @ Whispering Chapters
Yes, I think at this point bloggers stick with it because they enjoy having the outlet and the connections.
DeleteIt's not the same as it was back in the day but also kind of nice because of that in a way. Less competitiveness and frenzy for free books and more discussion.
I have a similar answer. Blogging is not hard, it's when don't seem to want to post, that's when it seems hard. So everyone's on social media and over there, everything does seems rather quick and I suppose blogging is now at different speed since so many people had stopped doing it. I keep on because I like blogging and also, I kind of hate social media. I don't think I'll ever be able to keep up the speed with social media, with blogging, it's a much slower pace, kind of media.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day.
I like Instagram and Twitter but I use it very sparingly and it's not entirely bookish so for me, it's laid back. I am not a book tok or bookstagram person 0 I couldn't keep up with that.
DeleteThrough all my highs and lows, I never seriously thought of quitting. I just needed breaks.
I'm with you in that my reading has been slow/spotty over the last month or two so when I'm not reading much I'm also not blogging much. Totally agree the blog audiences seem to largely be other blogs. I definitely feel that mine is. The reach just isn't there. It's all Bookstagram and BookTok now... neither of which I have interest in. But I just keep doing what I do. :)
ReplyDeleteI think we're in the same place now. Just roll with it lol
DeleteI hit 10 years of my blog on January first, and I tend to agree with you. The landscape of book blogging and drastically changed over the years. I've somehow managed to stay pretty consistent with by book a week challenge, though I have had several times where I've had to take a hiatus. Still, the concept of my blog tends to keep me grounded, even as I explore things like bookstagram and other social media.
ReplyDeleteEthan, you were SO ahead of you're time with the one book a week concept!!! lol
DeleteYou are also very good at bookstagram.
You know I have been lamenting the disappearing bloggers. Socials can be a lot of work too, just different kind of work, but I am like you and limit my time there. It's not a healthy place for me to spend too much time. I still enjoy. I like knowing I created something and shared my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteLosing the bloggers is the saddest part to me. I really wish people didn't feel they had to do it a certain way or frequency or quit.
DeleteI definitely feel the "blogging for other bloggers" right now. I'm struggling to find motivation too, I think I just don't gave a lot of time for hobbies, and blogging is a lot more than snapping a quick pick. Which some days is nice, but it's been more chore than anything lately.
ReplyDeleteYou have a toddler! I'm sure you're super busy these days. Blogging is SO much harder than you would think. Especially if you stay at it for a long time.
DeleteExactly. I think you should do it just like you are- when you feel like it. I know for me this past year I have read less and therefore I review less- and that's fine. I do movie stuff or whatever. It doesn't have to be all books.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right too about how it's changed. Looking back at older posts I'm like wow that person left and that person... but you're right too the group that is still here is pretty special, I'd miss them too much to stop.
That's why I love your blog so much. It's about so many things and make sit way more interesting.
DeleteAw thanks!!!
DeleteYes, blogging is no longer easy or popular. But... it's a situation that weeds out the less-inclined. Blogging fulfills such an important need for me I'll never quit and I value others who act the same. Happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteI think SO many were weeded out and that may be a good thing. I think a lot of people were in it for the wrong reasons.
DeleteI hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!
It's a changing landscape out here. I can't seem myself quitting anytime soon, but I'm also trying to just relax about it more often and not feel like I have to post a ton of things all the time. I miss a lot of the bloggers that have quit, but I'm also trying to make new bookish friends and that's fun! :)
ReplyDeleteLauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
Through it all, I've only seriously considered quitting once or twice and that was during drama that made it feel so soul crushing. I ignore all of that now.
DeleteFor me it's making time to visit all the blogs that I follow. Or making time to read so I have some reviews to write.
ReplyDeleteThat was soemthing I never had a problem with until this year. Even if I wasn't reading or blogging I blog hopped but now I struggle with it all.
DeleteHell yeah, we are the best. Though no longer the cool kids.
ReplyDeleteBut yes all those things that kept people looking around are gone now
We're the old farts now lol BUT WE'RE STILL HERE!!
Delete"So yeah, the hardest part of blogging right now is the actual blogging 😂".
ReplyDeleteHa! I don't know how the YouTubers/BookTubers do it - it may seem like making videos would be easier than putting words on a page, but heck...I'm sure it isn't. And yet, we struggle with that page sometimes. At least I know I do...reviews are getting harder for me (the perfectionist 😂).
"I enjoy reading everyone's thoughts on things - love how people have gotten more comfortable about talking about non-bookish things too."
Exactly! That's something I've been doing a lot lately, and I love it when other people do it.
I am in my least perfectionist review writing phase right now lol
DeleteI feel like we're all good friends now. I do still like book reviews but it's more about the reviewer, so fun life posts are enjoyable to me.
Yes, the blogging! Not only does Blogger have its issues, but my Kindle tablet does, too... and honestly, when they are both acting up at the same time, I am sometimes reduced to tears. 😔
ReplyDeleteI still blog to get exposure for under the radar books. My Tell Me Tuesday posts continue to get a decent amount of views, but my other non Harry Potterish posts not so much though, but same as you, staying connected to my core group of book bloggers is important to me. 🤗
It's sort of an isolated hobby these days. Before it brought in all these new friends and now it's just a certain few that stick around but I love you all so it makes me happy and I can't stop - even through these slumps I'm having.
Delete