Good evening!
I must admit this probably won’t be an upbeat post like I normally do. The truth is, lately I have been feeling a bit unfulfilled with my blog lately.
I don’t know what it is or what has possibly changed in the past couple of weeks, but I know that something has. I have been feeling like I am not helping people in the way that I want to or that my posts lately have lacked an inner quality or significance for me and for my readers.
Some days I have really struggled to even find words to type on the page. I feel like I should be posting about my workouts or meals, but to be honest with you at times that bores me to tears. And then I think, does anyone really care what I did for my workout or what I had for lunch? Maybe on the surface like I wonder what my friend did last weekend or what she ordered at that fancy restaurant. But not in a meaningful sort of way, if you catch my drift.
Yes, blogs can be a much needed diversion in the middle of a long and stressful day, but does that mean that it always has to be a happy-go-lucky and easy on the eyes topic? I don’t think so.
I think the reason that I have been feeling unfulfilled with Oh She Glows lately is because I feel like I am not reaching out to enough people or helping people in the way that I want to. Sure, it is fun to chat about light hearted topics like fashion or your favourite toppings on pizza, but I realize that I need more than this if I am to sustain my blog long-term. I need to connect with people in a meaningful way. My main reason for starting this blog was to help people and lately I just haven’t felt like I am having an impact like I once did.
This post is not meant to be a pity-party or anything of the sort. I know that I put a lot of effort on here and that my readers enjoy it, but I am just saying that I may want to channel my efforts in new directions.
Let’s face it, you can read food/exercise blogs until you are blue in the face. How many are there out there? Tens of thousands? Do I really need to add to the pool by logging my workout or a new food product review? Or holding another contest? I guess these are the questions that I am currently struggling with.
This is not meant to criticize any blogs out there because all of them are wonderful in their own way and I know how much effort it takes to put into one. It would be silly to imply that there is no value in discussing any of these things because there most certainly is.
My main point is that I want to make a difference with this blog. I want to feel good about what I write and that it is meaningful to those who spare some time in their day to come here. I am just not sure how exactly I can make the changes I feel like I need to make.
Thoughts/Opinions Welcome, as always.
I personally love reading everything you write, whether it’s wellness related or not. You are very interesting, and your enthusiasm for life shows in all your musings.
Have you thought of adding an “Ask Angela” feature to your site? I’m sure you get tons of questions via emails and comments, but I am sure people would want your help/opinion and would ask if given the right outlet for it.
I have been inspired by many of your poses, but the ones that stuck out to me were the ones where you dicussed your inner wellness, success stories, personal growth and inspirations. I feel you have a way with wording your emotions and helping us to relate to them. The posts you’ve had on not only your physcial changes but moreso your emotional changes as well made me say “I feel the same way too”. You don’t boast or put yourself on a high horse which I find sometimes in other fitness websites/blogs. You are so relatable, even if it’s something as small as getting your hummus lid stuck or overcoming college weight gain! I hope I helped you remember how much you do help!
I’m sad you feel this way :( I love your blog. True, I read several, but for different reasons.
Maybe you won’t make a difference to everyone, but to me you give great advice and I love to hear what you drink/eat, etc.
In FACT, just the other day I thought about you. It was random, and may sound weird, because I don’t know you from Joe Schmo (haha), but your little Glo bakery came to mind when I was watching TV regarding a woman who started her own business: LARABARS! You’re so fun and sweet. Don’t you ever feel bad again!!! :-)
Angela, I have just recently discovered your site, but I think I have read all most all of it now! You have given me new hope for my health; you helped me see that I can overcome my binges and be strong and beautiful. Seeing what you eat and how you work out has been really helpful to me- please don’t think that these things are not helping people! It is hard to find someone else who has been through this, and seeing what you do is one of very few ways I get to see what a healthy lifestyle can be like! Yes, there are others out there who do this, but your unique perspective has been the most effective on me.
I understand feeling unfulfilled with what you are doing, so I’m not trying to dissuade you from changing the site to better suit what you want to do. But please know that you are, indeed, reaching people.
I look forward to seeing what you do with this site in the future, and I will keep reading, no matter what you post, because your writing is amazing!
Thank you so much for your great site and all the inspiration it has given me.
definitely don’t underestimate how much you help…i can’t even tell you how much you’ve given me a boost in the right direction ;-) i like the “ask angela” section idea…and i think i know what you’re talking about…you want something to make your blog stand out and be MORE…cuz that’s how much passion you have about this stuff! :-D perhaps once you get that nutrition certification you can add a section for people to sign up for nutritional counseling through email on your site? and i’m sure once you get your glo bakery up and running things will start getting into a better schedule and will start flowing again…don’t worry, be happy! :-)
I agree with you. Sometimes it’s so easy to get caught in the trap of basic, boring posting of “workout, breakfast, lunch, dinner, life”. Like that’s all fine and dandy, but I agree in the sense I have many of the same feelings regarding my own blog – I don’t want it to be just another blog about random food and stuff. Which is exactly why I’m working on a new format/ layout and such for my new blog.
One suggestion – this can be beneficial for both you and your readers. But since you seem to mainly be a food blog, then have one “food” post a day, with either a great recipe or a fun new smoothie combo, or something. And then you can divide up other topics for other days. i.e. Mondays can be Fashion Days, Tuesdays can be Home Reno Days, Wednesday can be whatever wacky thing you feel, Thursdays can be days for sharing what you’re thankful for, and Fridays can be “fitness fridays” with fitness tips/ stories from the week. Or F.A.Q. Fridays where you answer questions you’ve gotten over the week. Obviously a lot of fine tuning would need to occur, but it could help you create more of a focus that I get the sense you’re looking for (at least that’s what I wanted when I wasn’t feeling very fulfilled with my blog).
Hope that helps some, sorry I’m so long-winded, hope you don’t think I’m crazy!
I read your blog everyday. You inspire me to eat healthy and I even make the green monster smooties once in a while. Your enthusism shows in your posts. So keep posting.
Hey Angela!
I only recently stumbled upon your blog as I only just started reading all of these amazing blogs! Yours really connected with me because I am also from Ontario. I find myself going back to your blog most because I can identify with you much more than many others.
Even simple things like what you got for groceries is much more interesting for me, because I know the stores and brands (LOVE bulk barn and was there yesterday too!). AND I must tell you that in the past week I have made the banana larabars and the chocolate chip larabars AND the tortillas that you’ve featured on your blog!
I must also mention that I also signed up for the Re-Fridgee-Eighter Run that you did! I ran it but only the 8K and it was my first race EVER but it was amazing.
Anyways, just wanted to let you know that I am loving your blog and it tops my go-to list!
I totally agree with the feelings you are having. Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in how many hits, or comments a day I am getting, etc. I just have to step back and remember why I started it in the first place, FOR FUN! What I am trying to say is, try to remember why you started your site in the first place and try to get back to that place where it is fun again! I hope this makes sense…
Hi Angela — I am a long time lurker but your post inspired me to comment! I think the reason I read so many food blogs is for motivation. It’s kind of like high school/college — if all of your friends are eating pizza, what do you get? Well, all of my “friends” are eating different healthy food which inspires me to continue eating right and exercising. I learn so many new things. I think reading different blogs collectively allows for reinforcement, difference of opinions, and the different personalities to make it all interesting.
I agree with the above comment — a Q&A might help with writer’s block. I blog very haphazardly because it’s hard! I give you a lot of credit for posting as often as you do. It helps my day chug along!
PS — I live in Rochester, NY, across the lake from Toronto (you can see us on a clear day from the CN Tower), and seeing your photos from time to time reminds me how much I love it up there! Thanks again!
I read your blog each and every time you post, whether its a product review, Glo Bakery revelation, or posts about eating and wellness. I love each and every post!
I understand what you’re going through. I’ve only been blogging for a few months, I have about 3 readers, but I still struggle with my blog’s direction and the idea of not just doing what everyone else does too. The nice thing about it being YOUR blog is that you get to do what you want, for yourself first and your readers second (in my opinion anyway). So if you want to change it up, go for it!
I’ll be 100% honest. When I first started reading your blog, I didn’t think I’d be able to relate to you that much, I thought, “She looks like a model, eats way more healthfully than I do, etc etc.” (I know, that’s MY self-esteem issues talking, but like I said I’m being honest) But I kept reading and you’ve become one of my favorite bloggers, just by being you, if that makes any sense. So I think no matter what you end up doing with the blog, the people who enjoy reading your stuff will still be there…and there are lots of us out there!
Angela – I love your blog and find it incredibly inspiring! I came across it just a couple weeks ago, and I was instantly hooked! I am on my own journey to find my healthiest self, and your story serves not only as an inspiring model but is also full of invaluable practical advice. In fact, I made my first Angela-inspired Green Monster an hour ago! (I never thought I’d see the day I would drink kale!)
I am also incredibly inspired by your entrepreneurial spirit. I love learning about your experiences in starting Glo Bakery, and I respect your courage in tackling something that you are passionate about.
I think Lindsey’s suggestion is a great one – address different subjects on different days. This might be a way to lessen that ‘What do I post about?’ feeling.
Please keep blogging! And know that you have affected your readers – some of us are just not in the habit of commenting. I will try to participate more!!
I don’t comment often but I just wanted to tell you that I really love your blog. It has really motivated me to lead a healthy lifestyle – I even tried my first green monster smoothie this morning (and it was great!)! I’ll continue reading no matter what you write but I hope you don’t cut out your food and fitness posts entirely. You do a really good job at writing about self esteem and eating issues, maybe you could try including those kinds of advice posts on a regular basis.
i thought the title said unfulfilled burger before I opened it up ;) keep at it I am sure that what you want to do with your blog will come to you.
I love your blog and think you do a fantastic job with it! I’m sure that which ever direction you take it in, it will be a pleasure to read each day!
So sorry to hear about how you feel. Just a couple of thoughts. The first is that I love reading something that’s a bit cheerful and a bit of surprise (since you write about a lot of different topics) each day. A nice pick-me-up. The second thought is that I think you have a real knack for this kind of writing. I have looked through a few other blogs, and find your writing style is not just well-organized, but a creative use of this medium. You have a real “voice”.
So, my final thought, is that perhaps a blog is a bit like a relationship — sometimes more exciting than other — but you still see growth as things go along. . . perhaps, like a relationship, you could try out some new things. I think that you could (perhaps!) use the blog as an opportunity to explore writing. Just an exmaple (not saying you have to do this!) you could try writing about days you envision in the future — how you will feel on the day the bakery opens, what you imagine will be your upcoming business/baking challenges and how you will handle them.
Please, keep blogging. It *does* make a difference.
you are nuts. your blog is wicked.
your food ideas, the recipes you develop totally inspire me to try and experiment in the kitchen.
plus…i think its hard to be constructive about your own work. you give great advice, awesome fitness ideas (like freakin salsa dancing and ab workouts) and people like to get ideas for what the balls to eat for lunch.
keep it up!
what about doing book reviews/ guest posts???
i dunno. i likey it the way it is. :)
Angela, I was actually attracted to your blog when I read your FAQs. A lot of times, you did touch up on hard issues, and along side to that you had great meals that inspired me to try new things with my own meals. To be honest? I have yet to get bored of seeing what you’ve eaten today, and what you’ve done for exercise. It inspires me to play with my food a little, and get out there and do something..as weird as that is. (I guess it’s a general positive influence that you get from positive exposure.)
But I can defiantly see how you’d get bored of that. I’ve tried making my own food blog once, but honestly, I felt like tearing my hair out after a couple of days. It really does get boring reeeeal fast.
I say do what you feel! I’ll support you. :) I think your website is excellent, you’re an awesome person, and I want to continue reading more. If that means touching up on risky issues, giving advice, and just generally taking a break from the usual food&workout post, defiantly do it! I think when you’re happier with your posting, it shows, and that’s even more of a positive influence on the rest of us.
I really liked Lindsey’s suggestion. Though, I would find that to be a little bit tough to stick with myself. Why not just generally touch up on whatever subject interests you that day? If you feel like posting poetry about pansies in the yard, that’s cool. If you feel like posting about wrestling on TV that you saw that you felt was out of this world, that’s great. If you felt like talking about how you think keylime green is a terrible color for shoes, go for it. Hell, try finding a “writing ideas” book and pick a writing question from that and blog about it. Whatever you choose to do, whatever topic you want, this is your personal thing.
When it boils down to it, I just hope that you can be happy and continue blogging, because I enjoy every entry! :)
I just read all of the comments above and don’t want to be repetitive – but I think you know how much I love OSG! Your blog was the first one to catch my attention – each and every day. Just keep truckin and your heart & mind will lead you in the right direction. I know how you feel about wanting your posts to be meaningful. I struggle with it every day! I love Mrs. LC’s suggestions…I’m sure you will find ways to make the site more fulfilling for yourself.
Hang in there! You’re doing an awesome job, friend!!!
Kaneil, balanceisbest