Part 1 covered the fact that I got into a situation of posting irregularly and infrequently.
Blaugust has been a great shot in the arm, as Belghast always intends it to be, but I made it through 31 posts last year too — and then didn’t find any long-term changes after it was all over.
So I wanted to take a look at what I might be able to do to make it ‘stick’, and perhaps by extension help someone else out there in the process.
I’ve written about Blogging Motivation numerous times in the past, but always from (and for) the perspective of someone who currently had motivation and didn’t want to lose it. Keeping hold of that motivation past the initial rush is difficult.
If that’s you… Well perhaps we start there, and maybe we’ll find something along the way that helps those of us who once had motivation but now have lost it, or fears losing it.
Keeping Your Motivation Healthy
Getting started with a blog is easy. Everything is fresh and exciting and the sky is the limit.
But once that wears away — and it will — what’s left? Do you know why you want to do this whole blogging thing? More than just view numbers or comments, what is it that drives you to do it?
Finding your Motivation to Blog can help you answer that question.1
Once you know your motivation — and you don’t have to know it right from day dot — well, that helps. But over time? Things can change.
Staying Motivated may entail making changes. Perhaps in the scope of what you cover, or maybe just in how you cover it. Either way, always ensure that the blog is meeting your needs and not the other way around.
The Shape of Motivation and Enjoyment can be different for everyone, too. By which I mean, some will find their joy in the act itself. The very process of putting virtual pen to virtual page is enough. If you’re one of those, I would say you’re incredibly lucky.
I, and I expect many others, find it after the fact. The joy and sense of accomplishment from the ‘having done’ rather than in the doing.
Looking Ahead
I had thought perhaps to wrap this post series up within this part.
But as I went through the older posts on motivation, I started to get — as I had hoped — some insights into what I might be able to change to re-spark the engine of motivation and use it to change the less positive habits I’ve developed.
Somewhat amusingly, given the fact I made a whole post disagreeing with the point of requiring a schedule… Well, that might just be one of the things I consider experimenting with, even if just as an initial crutch to get back into better habits.
This was posted during Blaugust 2024, the annual blogging event hosted by Belghast. Blaugust is an event aiming to welcome new blogger blood into the fold and revitalise those who’ve been at it a little longer.
The Blaugust Discord is still available to join in, year-round!
Footnotes
- A little more on how I found mine, and why I write about games you can find here.
