How to Stay Motivated After taking a Blogging Hiatus
So you took a break from blogging and now you’re searching for the steps to get you back on track. Most importantly you want to know How to Stay Motivated After taking a Blogging Hiatus. Well I am definitely here to help. I’ve been where you are, and not too long ago. It happens, life over rules all the plans you had for yourself. So let me take a moment and say if you haven’t heard it lately, it’s ok! The great thing about being a blogger is that you have a group of people behind you that understands when you need a break, or in this case a long/short hiatus. The most important thing right now is learn to How to Stay Motivated After taking a Blogging Hiatus.
There are many ways to get your blog back up and running. So let me walk you through some of the steps I recently took to get my blog back on the right track. I will also give you tips on how to stay motivated during the process.
**This post contains affiliate links, which means I will make a commission at no extra cost to you should you click through and make a purchase.**
Why I Took an Unintentional Hiatus
In my case, my goal was to never stop blogging. It just kind of happened. 🤷🏾♀️ Like I mentioned earlier, we’re human and sometimes we have no control when life holds you hostage? For me it was a lot of different factors that played into me taking this unintentional hiatus. I was working two jobs, one of which was stressing me all the way out. I was dating, then family drama, amongst other things. I go into full detail in my blog post Love, Life, and Blogging.
How to get Motivated
Step number one in getting back on the right track, think about why you started your blog in the first place. Even as a new blogger you will have avid readers who miss your blog post. I got motivated by just being in my house. My first post to revive me as a blogger was my NEW blog series Cheers to your Thirties. This idea just came to me and I was so excited to write about. This was the first way I was able to get back interactive with my peers. I needed to see if my pilot was worth the time for an entire series. After I got so much positive feedback, I knew this was all I needed to keep the fire lit. I then wrote my first post in the series You Need a Ph.D in Dating.
You literally have to take time, find a quiet place and think about all the things that make you happy. Are these things that you can write about? How about your support system? Do you have friends or family members that you normally unload to? Sometimes those are the perfect people to help you gain that motivation back. Ask them questions about any and everything. Sometimes a simple conversation can get your mind rolling on blogging ideas. Also do research, see what is the “hot topic” these days.
Figure out what is Important to You
The great thing about having a blog is that YOU dictate what you blog about. You are your own boss, and therefore if you decide that you no longer want to write about food who’s to say that you should? We’re human and our passions change. When I first started my blog I wanted it to just strictly to post pictures. So I based my blogging venture off of creating a Photo Blog. Then ironically the photoblog turned to the real deal. 🤦🏾♀️🤷🏾♀️
The point is, after you take your hiatus and come back to blogging, your blog can now be whatever YOU choose it to be. This is the time for you to now figure out what is important to you. Write about the things that inspire you. Your readers will respect you for it. Now that you know what you want to write about, it’s time to give your blog a face-lift.
Revamp your Website
Now that you are inspired it’s time to make your website shine bright like a diamond. You get where I’m going with this right? Clear off the cobwebs and spruce up the place. One quick way to do this is by using a new theme for your blog, and depending on rather or not you want to spend money you could pay for a premium theme. I have actually started revamping my blog myself with my free theme and I started with the headers and fonts. If you want to use my theme you can. It’s called Ashe Blog.
About Me
Since you’re revamping your website you have to take the time to update not only your About Me section but you also should update your Landing Page. (Landing Page is the first page your reader sees when they pull up your website) It’s just like having company come to your house. You wouldn’t dare invite people over to a messy house, right? 🤔 Your blog is the same way. Once you start kicking out amazing new blog post you want to impress all your new visitors so they want to return, and you also want your returning visitors to remember why they loved stopping by your website in the first place.
Your Landing Page as well as your About Me should now dictate your new mission. What you will now discuss on your blog. Most importantly your readers want to know more about who YOU are. So make sure these are at the top of your list when you start to revamp your site.
Collaborate
Another good way to stay motivated after a Blogging Hiatus is to collaborate with other likemind individuals. This would mean anyone in your new field. Other bloggers, travelers, influencers etc. I’ve always wanted to collaborate with small business owners so help promote their businesses while teaching my visitors something new, different, and exciting. This is something I actually plan on doing more frequently with the revamp of my site.
**This post contains affiliate links, which means I will make a commission at no extra cost to you should you click through and make a purchase.**
Go Social Media Crazy
Next, I want you to go social media crazy! That’s right, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Snapchat, Tik Tok, whatever you’re on, post to it! Let your followers know that not only are you alive, BUT you have new material! Material that they need to see, and once you start posting don’t stop! One thing that I noticed when I took my hiatus, is that I lost a lot of Instagram followers during that time. We all know Instagram is one of the most interactive social sites. If you’re no longer around to like and comment on your followers pictures, some people just don’t see the need to continue to follow you any longer. So let them know you’re back and here to stay. While you’re at it, add me on Instagram, I follow back! 😎
Have Fun
Most importantly just HAVE FUN! Remember Rome wasn’t built in a day and rebuilding your brand will not happen overnight either. You just got back from a hiatus, the last thing you need to do is stress. Blogging rather it’s a hobby or a career is supposed to be fun. The only way to have fun is to enjoy what you do and what you write about. Let your creative juices flow, you set the pace because you’re the boss. Now get your mind right, it’s about time you whipped your blog back into shape!
Before You Go
Now before I let you go, let’s take a quick recap on How to Stay Motivated After taking a Hiatus.
- Find Your Motivation
- Figure Out What Is Important To You
- Revamp Your Website
- Collaborate
- Go Social Media Crazy
- Have Fun
I hope I was able to not only motivate you to whip your blog back into shape. But I hope I was able to get your creative juices flowing. If you ever need any help along the way just reach out. I’m here for you, us bloggers gotta stick together 😎. Now get to work! I’m looking forward to your next blog post!😘
Join My Tribe!
I have created a Brand New Tribe on Tailwind called Bosses on a Mission. If you would like to join please click the link. It cost you nothing to promote yourself and I would love to Build a Friendship through design. This is a Pinterest focused group where you can pin your own content for other members to share. The more re-pins the better right? Come join the rest of the Bosses and let’s Build Your Brand today!
29 Comments
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rosemary | a hint of rosemary
I haven’t taken a break from blogging but I love your suggestions! So helpful even for those of us that simply need a boost here and there!
Designs by Vee
Well if you ever do you know exactly where you can come for some motivating suggestions. 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
Jen @ Jenron Designs
These are great tips, I have been blogging for 3 years straight without any kind of break…yet, so I found this topic very interesting. I have seen a lot of blogger take a break or rebrand then come back, but never really get that momentum back that they once had prior to the break, so this was very enlightening.
Designs by Vee
Thank you Jen! I think it’s all in HOW you chose to rebrand your blog. I feel like if you’re talking about things that your readers want to read the momentum will eventually get back where you use to be. Just have to stay motivated. ☺
Victoria alabi
Wow, great point you gave here, blogging can be burdensome sometimes
Designs by Vee
You definitely have to know when to say when, and sometimes it’s hard to do so. But I’m back, better than ever. I appreciate you stopping in. 😁
Surabhi
Great read and motivation! I have recently started and need to add about me. Will do that now
Designs by Vee
Awww Thank You! Congratulations 👏🏾🥳 Blogging is so much fun and therapeutic at times. I will definitely stop in and check it out once you’re done. Thanks for stopping in and checking out my blog post! 😊
idara Joy
Life get’s in the way and a reset is necessary sometimes. It’s great that you knew when to break and when to return to blogging. Thanks for sharing.
Designs by Vee
Definitely! I had so much going on in my personal life that thinking about blogging was the last thing on my mind. Did I feel guilty at times? Yes, but I knew what was needed to get my life back in order. Thanks for stopping in and reading! 😊
Jennie
This is good. I haven’t taken a hiatus yet, but I know it’s very possible that I will need to, or as it was with you it may just happen unintentionally. I think sometimes it’s just helpful to have someone tell you “it’s ok”.
Designs by Vee
I agree Jennie! Life just happens sometimes and then sometimes you unintentionally need a break. I’m just glad that we have such an amazing blogging community that allows us to feel ok about taking a Blogging Hiatus. Thanks for stopping by! 😁
Nancy
Great info! That’s basically me right now. I took a break to be more present for our newly adopted son and I was struggling to get back into it. It’s getting better now and I’m thankful I found your post!
Designs by Vee
Aww Congratulations Nancy! I’m sure he’s adorable 😊. Taking a Hiatus is a thing I never knew so many of us bloggers did! Good to know I’m not the only one. I’m glad you’re getting back into the swing of things. I’m sure your new material will be amazing. Thank you so much for stopping by! 💗💗
Natalie
Love this! We all get exhausted in some form especially when don’t see the fruit of our labor! But we should always comeback stronger than before!
Designs by Vee
👏🏾👏🏾 Natalie you are absolutely right! I couldn’t have said it better myself. Motivation is key and a break is healthy! Thanks for checking out my post 😊
Brenda
Hi it’s Brenda from RubyHemMinistries.com Life can get crazy. It’s led me to abandon so many blogs over the years unfortunately. I’m glad you found your way back.
Designs by Vee
Hi Brenda 👋🏽 so nice to meet you! You are absolutely right! I’m starting to see now that a lot of bloggers take a Hiatus at some point. Thanks for taking the time out to read my post 😊
Maria Black
Excellent post! This is really such good advice because a lot of us feel bad taking a step back if we need it. But it’s important to do sometimes for your mental health.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned is that whether your hiatus is long or short, the blogging community will always welcome you back like no time has passed!
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Designs by Vee
I totally agree Maria! This is exactly why I knew I had to share it. I felt guilty for a while but the blogging community is so amazing and understanding! I love it! I really appreciate you taking the time to read my blog post! 🥰
Cristina Petrini
For me it was like this after I stopped and relaunched my blog. Finding the motivation, being able to do better was not easy. Motivation is a complex thing.
Designs by Vee
Cristina you are absolutely right! It was trying to motivate myself, think of material that lit a fire under my butt 😂. It definitely took time and patience to think about material that people would not only find beneficial but intriguing. Glad you were able to find your spark again! Thanks for taking the time out to read my post! 😊
Tracy @ Cleland Clan
I took a hiatus as well, from August until late April. I just couldn’t blog and teach at the same time this year. I’m hoping to get some posts scheduled ahead throughout the summer so that I can stick to a schedule and avoid the break this year. I think the biggest thing for me was just starting up again. Once I did, it was easy to get back into the swing of it.
Designs by Vee
I totally agree Tracy! The hardest part is just starting again and once you get started it’s like you never left. I’ve new wind of motivation. I’m sure you will accomplish all of your goals this year! 😊 Thanks for stopping and reading!
FlyByrdie
Loving the revamp of site! Can’t wait to read more
Post!
Designs by Vee
Awww Thanks! One small step! I appreciate all the support! 🥰😘
Newton Onukwusi
Nice bullet points you gave there..
Designs by Vee
Thanks! 😊 A quick sum up!