Ok, I will just come right out and say it. I have a problem. I suffer from “shiny object syndrome.” For the most part, I’ve been able to control myself. But lately, I have fallen deeper. So today I want to share how I’m suffering from this horrid habit.
So, what is “shiny object syndrome”? To me is when you are easily distracted or in my case attracted to everything and anything. That is BAD. Even more so when you are a blogger because it can make your blogging life pretty darn overwhelming. Although there are many ways shinny object syndrome can affect your life, today I want to share how it has been affecting my blogging life.
How it all started?
For me, it started a couple of years ago when I started blogging. At first, I blogged mostly about Scentsy and being a mom. Then I was inspired to add my “monster chronicle” series to help me manage my debt and also encourage others in a way. Which is why I love my tagline: “Mommyhood, scented wax and conquering monsters.” It just fits well with what I wanted. Not such a bad thing. Not too much to handle. Right?
Wanting to do what everyone is doing!
If you are a blogger, you know just writing isn’t enough. You have to network. One of the ways you to that is by visiting and commenting on other blogs. This part is fun because you get to see what other bloggers are doing. My issue was I would see what they were doing, and I wanted to do it too.
It started to get a bit out of hands. Everyone seem to know what they were doing. I was new to the blogging game and didn’t have a “niche” (I still don’t). A lot of the blogs I was reading had a lot to do with product reviews. Free sh**t for my opinion? Count me in. Only, it’s not really “free.” You still have to put in the time and effort to write the review and promote it. A lot of you will understand when I say “You are not done when you hit publish.” There’s so much more involved. And it can get pretty overwhelming.
So I added reviews on my blog. Not such a bad thing. Not too much to handle. Right?
Losing my focus!
With reviews being added to my blog, I started to read more and more blogs about reviews. I would join sites that I knew bloggers were using to get said “free” stuff. I think in the last three years of me blogging I have joined over 20 different sites. This number doesn’t even include the countless Facebook groups that I am in. The more I read, the more I joined. The more I joined, the less I wrote. I was getting too “busy” looking for products to review. I would go weeks without writing. Always “busy” looking at the shininess.
Now, what?
I guess this blog post doesn’t really have a purpose other than to reveal my struggle with you. I secretly wish someone will read this and be able to relate. I refuse to believe this is just me! Lol, Maybe you’ve been through this and can offer me some tips on how to overcome this syndrome. Will I ever find a niche? I doubt it. But I’m hoping that in the next few months I will have a clear understanding as to which direction I want to take my blogging. Hope you will stick around and follow me in my journey.
That’s it for now. I know there was something I was supposed to be doing but… hey shiny!
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I wish I could say something helpful, but I am right there with you. I think it’s because the blogging industry keeps changing, so we change depending on the trends and what’s popular.
Well I’m actually glad to read this. I kept feeling that I was the only one having this issue. But when you put it this way I feel way less guilty hahahah
I’m not even sure what focusing is anymore. As a mom of three I’m all over the place when it comes to blogging, doing house chores, etc .
You are most definitely not alone! I have been there many times and I am sure I will be there again. Sometimes you just have to give yourself a break and just have fun. It will get better!
Jeanette recently posted…Spring Cleaning Made Simple
You are right! Sometimes taking a break is exactly what we need to get back on track.
This is the story of my lifeee. Lol but no you are not alone. I feel like all bloggers experience it at some point.
And I thought I was the only one. I’m glad I am not alone. I take a break whenever I have this issue.
OurFamilyWorld recently posted…9 Crazy Interesting Facts About Batman VS Superman: Dawn Of Justice (Just Premiered!!)
I think when it comes to blogging, you have to be able to adapt as things change in the industry. It’s great that you often reflect on your craft.
Girl I kinda think it’s part of chasing the dream. I kinda miss my parenting blog because I got cool free stuff for my kids. I have even considered starting over.
I love the health niche too. I love being able to help others, it’s made me be accountable for my own health, and I get workout gear at the moment.
We have to grow and evolve as bloggers. Things are constantly changing. I envy pretty photos and what the expensive camera. When in reality, I just need to get foam board and contact paper.
Up Run For Life recently posted…Enter to Win $150 Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 4/7
I totally get it but you really need to focus. I’ve cut back heavily on my reviews this year because I wanted to take this year to just relax and focus on me, and that involves traveling and seeing the world or the states, something I’ve always wanted to do. We can’t be like everyone and you just need to focus on you and do what you love doing. Forget about the shininess for a bit and just chillax, as my son would say. 🙂
Amanda || Growing Up Madison recently posted…The Top 3 Things To Do in London With Your Pre-Schooler
I have to make a checklist of what I need to get accomplished so I can keep myself on task. It’s so hard, especially when you’re online all the time.
I’m so sorry but in these past few days I am not in myself I always thinking about my enemy and I’m really stress, I didn’t know how to start from blog again with all my focus
Girl, your not the only one. =) Thank you for sharing your personal post with us.
You are not alone. I am the same way. I started blogging just about myfamily and now it widen to just about everything. It is time consuming.
Lol. Between my girls and my nephews, I usually end up blogging about an educational topic or issue one of them is dealing with in the moment. I know having a focus is best, but I blog for a hobby and this makes my blog what it is.
It’s definitely easy to lose focus in the blogging world. I did for a while but now I am starting to get back on track doing a limited amount of things and doing them well instead of stressing myself out trying to write a bit of everything.
I can totally relate to this post. I get overwhelmed and distracted so easy.
I think you are not alone in that aspect. I try to focus on travel only when I started our blog. Now, I added more topics because it’s hard to focus on just one. 🙂
I recently deactivated my Facebook account which had over 700 friends. I opened a much smaller account away from my blogger friends. I was not just losing focus but becoming upset at myself. SO I relate, it isn’t just you.
Lee
I think that so many can relate with you on losing focus. It defnitely happens to the best of us! You have to find a new starting point and a new motivation to create a fresh start!
I can definitely relate to what you’re feeling. Thankfully, having a second opinion from my daughter is starting to help me stay focused on what I should be working on.
Liz Mays recently posted…Pom Pom Sheep Easter Craft
Definitely not alone – I am right there with you – sometimes I feel it is so hard to keep up as well. x
Good luck getting your focus back!!! It is so hard!!
ricci recently posted…Little Black Gun
Ummm hi my name is Courtney and I definitely have shiny object syndrome! Badly!!!! Last week it was the worst. Took me twice as long to do everything lol
Your time is valuable! So pick what you love to write about the most. And make sure you get paid for your time 🙂
I think I am in the same boat! I blog about parenting and life with Celiac Disease but there is so much more out there!! I want to reach for the stars! I think its a journey we are all on!
Jenn recently posted…Water Conservation #EveryDropCounts #ad
I can totally relate. There is a lot of work in blogging, including networking.
Amber NElson recently posted…14 Easter Breakfast Ideas
It’s funny because I’ve been more focused on my Blog than ever before…I just decided that there are so many changes I need to make and I am focusing strictly on that!
Bites for Babies recently posted…Easy Marinara Risotto
After 3 years of blogging, we have realized we don’t have a niche and it’s working for us 🙂 lol
As for the shiny object syndrome, I can relate. We have to look at the opportunities and try to be pretty picky about what we apply for, so we can stay true to our vision. Sometimes that isn’t easy!
You are not alone.. I am struggling to focus right now and don’t know why 🙁
Now I’m beginning to think I have this syndrome too as I’ve read along. Yes, you’re definitely not alone!
Tatanisha Pitts-Worthey recently posted…Meijer: Go Veggie Slices as low as .79
It’s so hard to stay focused sometimes. For me I regain focus by working diligently for 45 minutes and resting and allowing my mind to wander for 15.
I think most of us can relate to this post especially us bloggers! I have such a hard time focusing sometimes that I just need to relax, think of something else and then get back at it.
I can honestly say you are not alone! It is so hard to focus with all the media that distracts us, and the kids, and finding our purpose in all of it! Keep trucking, we will figure it out, I hope 🙂
I totally understand the shiny object syndrome when it comes to blogging. I was really focused when I started out, and now I have so many things I want to do it makes it so that I can’t focus on doing just one!
Seattle Travel Blogger recently posted…Fun New Kids’ Room Decor Ideas for Spring
I have definitely been there, done that. It can be so hard to say no when everything is so awesome, lol.
Some days i can get distracted so easily.I feel like i can not get anything done.
Bloggers everywhere can relate. I’m raising my hand, that’s for sure!
OMG I felt like I was reading about my life!! It is so easy to go off and try to do things that you know are working well for others and totally get off course w/ your blog. I’ve been there many times and then have to steer myself back. Great post! (btw – I found this on CoPromote & just had to hop over here to read it. I guess it was my ‘shiny object’ for the morning. 😉 )
I immediately thought of a certain friend after reading the title, but once I read more, I realized this fits me too! I tend to get distracted by “shiny” things too.
I have to make a checklist of what I want to get accomplished so I can keep myself on track. It’s so hard, especially when you sometimes don’t know where you want to go or do.
I have Adhd and I find it a challange to focus on so much at once. I have found taking a step back and getting my mind lost in a good book or just chatting with others helps me fine tune my focus a bit more. I also find that having a regular bed time routine works well and having a wake up time works. When the kids are at school and hubby is at work I have a lot of time that I can use to work on my blog during the day but my brain likes to be creative with ideas at night. I totally understand oh shiny infact we call it oh shiny here too
I fell down the reviews trap before and did a lot of product reviews and forgot to write. I am just now getting back to my daily writing routine!
To find a niche you need to ask yourself questions such as “What my blog is about? or “What kind of readers I want to attract?”. The answers will show you in which topics you want to focus with your blog. Some questions may seem obvious to reply but think that if you asked yourself a couple years ago, the answer might be different. I like your blog and I hope you keep it up with the great posts!
Zaria