Behind the screen – my blogging insecurities

I feel like there’s always a weird thing where it comes to blogging – this sort of expectation that the posts you share should either be positive and sparky, or if they’re negative, then they need to have some underlying positive message or life lesson that came as a result of the not so happy experience. 

I like to think of myself as a ‘glass-half-full’ sort of person, and I try to convey that sort of tone in my blogs. I like my blog posts to make my readers happy, and give them something positive, or a reason to smile in their day. Even if I’m talking about something that’s quite negative or heavy, I like to try and end things on an insightful or empowering note. 

However, you can’t always be positive, and what I’m realising is maybe there’s something just as powerful in being brave enough to share things that you can’t put a positive spin on? Two of my biggest inspirations in the blogging world are Olivia Lucie Blake, and Moksha from Happy Panda and honestly I aspire to one day be bloggers even half as incredible as them. One thing I’ve been inspired to do from following their blogs, is that it’s okay to share the negatives just as they are, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. So today I thought I’d give that a whirl, because while blogging is great fun and I can’t say I don’t love it, I don’t love it all the time and I’ve been really struggling with a few things recently. Let me share with you some of my blogging insecurities and stresses/non-positives. 

  • Am I actually creating engaging content?? This is probably a thought I have almost all the time. I write two blogs a week and haven’t really taken any time off since I started, which is now almost three years. Honestly I am constantly stressed and insecure about the fact that I’m just not creating content anyone wants to read… (which kind of links to some of my other insecurities too)
  • Likes and comments = quality. Similar to Instagram (which is probably why I don’t really use social media much anymore), I always end up feeling like the number of likes and comments I get on a post automatically corresponds to the quality of the blog. The only problem is this leads to a delightful spiral of self-doubt and upset because I’ll pour my soul into writing blogs that only get 10 likes and I can’t help thinking to myself ‘HOW THE HELL have I only managed to get 10 likes when I have over a 1000 followers??’
  • I can’t network. I’m a complete failure. I always preach in blogging advice posts about the importance of networking, and while I stand by that, it breaks my heart when I just don’t have the time to because not only do I feel like I’m hurting my blog, but also all my  blogging relationships I’ve tried to build. The sad thing is I just don’t know where to fit it in between everything else in my life… 
  • Reading other posts and then feeling completely useless and insecure. Another delightful insecurity is reading other people’s posts and wondering where on earth you’re going wrong because you think your posts should definitely getting this sort of engagement. Or, on the flip side, you read other blogs and feel completely useless and wonder why you haven’t just given up already and chucked your laptop out the window.  
  • The hours and hours of work are totally not worth it. At the end of the day, a lot of those points all kind of culminate to this – is it even worth it when you spend so many hours yet it seems like you haven’t really progressed and should you even bother continuing. At times like these, I’m not sure it is but I guess you just have to push through to when it does feel worth it. 
  • Would everything be better if I used social media more?? But I barely have time as it is … So lots of people know that I’m really awful with social media, and that poses a really complex issue for a blogger. Does social media really drive up traffic that much? Should I be investing additional hours into Pinterest and Instagram promotion, do you think that will help?? And if so, where on earth am I meant to find the time for that because ahhhhh it already feels like there is never enough time! 

So there we have it … a whole ton of blogging insecurities and issues I feel on a regular basis, but particularly at the moment. Please tell me I’m not the only one who feels at least one of these things? Let’s chat in the comments section!


But also, I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who does support my blog and reads, likes and comments on my posts. It really does make me feel so much better and like it is all worth it so thank you for keeping me going. 

Lots of Love

Blondey on a Mission xxx 

Author: blondeyonamission

Hey everyone! I'm a lifestyle and travel blogger from South Africa and about to relocate to the UK for university. My blog is all about stories, tips and advice with topics ranging from university, organisation, friends, books, travel and more. Please check it out and I hope you enjoy xxx

53 thoughts

  1. Intresting post I’ve read today!! I agree with all your blogging insecurities especially the second and fourth point. Even I tend to look at other blogs and wonder why do I blog even in the first place.

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  2. Can totally relate to this post. I think these are my spoken words, I should have written this blog (obviously I have all this in my mind only). Yes, we feel insecure with our blog and the number of likes and comments which I know everybody has an eye on. But, the positive thing (as you mentioned) in this is some people genuinely follow your blog, like, and comment. Many people read your blog but some may fail to comment due to lack of time or being anonymous. So, just keep scribbling and don’t worry about the number. This is what I explain to myself! Hope this helps to some extent.

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  3. The last point is so relatable! People share their blog on so many social media and I’m not on many platforms, which is usually fine, but then Instagram eyes me and I wanna join, but I know it’ll only be a waste. Lol. Interesting post!!

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  5. Thank you for sharing. I know what you mean about social media. It’s quite the time suck. I have some other worries too, but I do identify with your list

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      1. I actually gave up my personal social media accounts and I am definitely happier for it. I do have IG and Pinterest for my blog, but that’s it. I once heard in the show Schitt’s Creek that social media is a playground for clinical narcissists. Got that right!

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      2. Oh wow! That really is a good point … I have social media but I’m honestly so bad at it I might as well not have it. By the way I received your blogmas submission thanks so much! Xx

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  7. I love this post actually. Because I’m finally getting to know the real you 💖 BTW moksha is my girrrllll I love her so much, everyone does! And yes, she says what she thinks no matter what! So it’s amazing that you’re doing the same. And yes, we ALL feel insecure about how well we’re doing. And it comes down to what makes you happy. I write my blog bc I LOVE my content and it makes me happy. And it’s that much greater when others love it too. It’s a journey and I’m so glad u were brave enough to share this part of yours. I look forward to more!!! xoxoxo

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  8. Oh yeah, that social media thing is really an insecurity I share too. I know I should put more effort into my social media presence, but boy does it take so much time. I barely have enough time for my blog as it is. Anyway, great post being vulnerable. Thanks for sharing!

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  9. Keep going, love every post , don’t always have time to answer, sure that’s all it is for others who read, so maybe hereon we can all make an effort to just reply with a “Hi”, then you know we have read same.

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  10. I think everyone gets insecure about their content at times and finds it hard to find the time to get everything done. That’s why I disappeared tbh, I wanted to try and read more before I continued blogging then catch up became insane. I also worry that when I return properly I’ll abandon reading again as fitting everything in is hard. Especially blog hopping on top of everything else. So many people post so much incredible content that it’s hard to keep up. Especially as I’ve been absent & have an absolutely ridiculous number of emails to sort through 🙈
    Your content offers something for everybody though and is so varied. I love it. Plus, from what I’ve seen, you always answer people which is wonderful. Personally I think it kind of puts you off reading people’s posts in the end if they don’t acknowledge people’s comments.
    And I agree, social media is hard. You obsess over likes & comments & constantly compare yourself to others. Originally I wanted to use Twitter but I’ve heard stories about it being a toxic environment at times so I haven’t ever gotten around to it. I do have Insta but I need to get it up & running again. I think you just have to try and find the balance that works best for you. And if you ever need a week off to take it. That way you hopefully shouldn’t get burnt out.

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    1. Ahhh wow well it’s amazing to hear from you again! Absolutely it can all be very intimidating 🙈 Aww thanks so much that really makes my day to hear!! Yeah social media is such a challenge for me – haha same with insta. And great advice about taking time off I actually think I’ll do that in the new year. Thanks so much for reading and commenting xx

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      1. Thank you 💗 It’s true, your posts are always fantastic. Sometimes a break makes you come back feeling extra inspired I think. I just need to get better at balancing things – I have an annoying habit of trying to catch up all at once which is impossible.

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  11. I think alot of us can completely agree with everything you have written here, no matter how many followers you have. We all go through periods of feeling like we aren’t good enough. But look how many people have related to what you have written. You are not alone in feeling like this sometimes.

    We need to remember though, our worth doesn’t come from numbers on a screen. Remember why you started blogging. Remember the sole purpose of it. It wasn’t to get strangers to click like on your posts was it? It was for such a deeper and more meaningful reason I bet.

    Go back to your roots. Remember how and why you’d decided to create this site. And let that fuel your writing. 🤍

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    1. Thanks so much Olivia – I think when insecurities start getting to you you forget there may be many others facing similar things. Thanks so much for your amazing comment Olivia – I definitely plan to go back to why I started blogging and channel that inspiration ❤️❤️

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  12. Such a relatable post. I relate with every single one of your insecurities. I’ve been off my blogging game these past 2-3 months and I’ve been feeling so so insecure especially with the falling stats. 🙈
    You’re not alone and you’re doing an amazing job!! ❤️

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    1. Oh wow really?? Shame hope all is okay but you are truly an amazing blogger no matter what the stats say 😘✨ thanks so much and same to you ❤️❤️ by the way if you pop me an email would love to chat to you about a Christmas collab of some sorts xx

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  13. I totally get these! Haha I’ve had some of these doubts lately, too, then I’ll have a really great day for blogging and I realize I’m not just writing into the void, after all. People do actually like my content. I definitely love yours!

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  14. Hmm…as someone who’s blogging for eight years now, I still have insecurities. Not really much when it comes to social media promotion and numbers (I’ve learned not to focus on those over the years), but more on purpose.

    Problem is, my content attracts people I don’t want to attract — such as spammers, commercial bloggers, and SEO content farms. Most bloggers I want to invite over to my site to engage are more focused on one-sided conversations and promotion.

    Unfortunate, really – but I guess it is what it is.

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    1. Oh wow that’s a long time to be blogging! But you’re right you can’t focus on those numbers they don’t offer much do they?

      Oh no I’m sorry about that! I do hope you get more people you’d actually want engaging on your site! Xx

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      1. Indeed. Thing is, those can be faked — and in the world of PR blogging where smoke and mirrors is the norm, it does. But at the cost of eschewing your own voice?

        Thank you. I just hope it does. It’s tiring to see

        I could tolerate those bloggers who can barely understand what I write yet keep on liking my posts, but accounts from blogs that harp “weight loss,” “hitting Google SEO metrics,” and crap like that who clearly are looking to increase follower counts?

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    1. Thanks so much and thank you for reading!! I’m so glad I could help you feel less alone about it and you commenting has made me feel less alone too so thank you!! Hope you have an amazing December xx

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