The Real Life of a Blogger

In honor of my 5 year blogiversary I wanted to share what blogging has been like for me. Please know that this is my experience and my opinion. I am sure you could ask another blogger and get a totally different point of view. I am not here to judge or compare, but simply what to share what it’s been like from my perspective as well as debunk any myths or ideas around what being a blogger is all about.

So often I get reactions like “Oh wow, you are a blogger. You make a lot of money. You get a lot of free stuff. Right?” I think some people think I lead this glamorous life. Don’t get me wrong, there are many perks and blessing to blogging, but I want to be as honest as possible in this post and share the true reason I blog.

I do not blog to make money. I do not blog for attention. I do not blog to get free stuff. I do not blog because it’s easy or because I have a lot of free time on my hands. I blog because it’s my ministry. I blog because the Lord prompted me to do so. I blog to encourage people. I blog to share hope and encouragement in the waiting. I blog so that others around me would know that they are not alone as they endure trials and long waits.

It’s not easy being in the infertility blog niche. It’s also not easy being in the Christian blogging niche. It becomes even harder when I feel like there isn’t a niche I really fit in. Most of the infertility blog friends that I once had are now at home with their kids and the Christian bloggers? Well, the majority are moms too. I grow envious of my fashion, food and fitness blogger friends who share on light-hearted topics and easily attract large audiences.

Weekly I see blog posts pop up in my feed with “10 things every blogger must do” or “how to be a successful blogger” and in many ways they overwhelm me because my motivation is so different than many. It’s hard not to fall in the trap of what the world defines as a successful blogger and I know if most people looked at my stats and my following, they would consider my five year journey a failure. But, I have to daily remind myself, that I don’t write for the approval of people, I write to bring glory to Christ.

This blog takes a lot of vulnerability. I have completely put our story out on the internet for the whole world to read. I have shared details that so many people don’t even share with their closest friends or family. I have been honest, even when that has meant sharing about my feelings of disappointment or feeling left out. And the hit I take for that? My vulnerability has often led to internet trolls who leave rude comments attacking my faith or the path that we have chosen to take to become parents. I got one of those emails just this week.

Blogging is work. I spend hours and hours and hours and more hours. It means getting home late from work, staying up till around midnight or 1 am, and then getting back up early in the morning, just to write a post. It’s a 7 days a week job and something that I invest hours into each day. And it’s not just about writing, but it’s about connecting, investing and responding too. I never want this blog to be a one-way relationship, which is why I take time to engage with those who engage with me.

As many struggles and difficulties that there are with blogging, I can’t not mention all the blessings too. This blog has connected me with people all over the world and for that I am so grateful. I have formed friendships with people that I know will last a lifetime. When I receive an email with words of gratitude, I am reminded that this blog matters. If it takes me hours to write one post and that one post is only read by one person and that one person is encouraged, then to me, that makes it all worth it.

So to answer any questions. Have I gotten paid? Yes. Have I received free stuff? Yes. But let me assure you the payment and free stuff is not why I am blogging. The 1 cent an hour or whatever turns out to be, isn’t what entices me to write. I write because that is what I have been called to do. I write because if I encourage one person, then it’s worth it. I write because of people like you, who have chosen to take the time to read. And most importantly, all the ups and downs set aside, I write because this is my ministry.

PS. Did you see the announcement I made?