As to be expected, over the past 7 years that I’ve been in the blogging world, things have changed. It seems somewhere along the way we started expecting bloggers (even those that once upon a time just shared daily posts of what they ate and did in a day) to be experts. I mean, why else would they be sharing anything online right? (Answer: creative outlet, connection, self expression, inspiration… but I digress). That’s why there has been a shift towards flawless photographs, ebooks, ecourses, pinnable images, etc.
just us, casually hanging out and giggling, per usual
As a blogger, I can say that this pressure mounts resulting in the “what I’m doing is not enough mentality” then slowly it drains the fun out of the whole dang thing. Since not blogging isn’t really an option for me (oversharing is my love language) I’ve decided I’m just going to have to go against the grain and turn in my expert card. What really makes a person an expert anyway? Sure there are some areas I am knowledgeable in, I actually am enjoying trying to improve the photography that I share, and I am certainly an expert in my own experiences and opinions, but I want to be more comfortable “just” focusing on and sharing my journey and letting go of the expert angle.
I’ve realized with some things I have been waiting to share until I feel qualified to do so, but am much more intrigued by sharing the process on here, not just the results. For example, homeschool. I don’t want to have to wait until June of 2018 when I’m no longer a homeschool newbie to share what the first year is like. Instead I’m going to share the experience, including the inevitable ups and downs along the way.
I imagine most of you are not here because you are looking for my most excellent expert guidance (LOL), but because hopefully because we connect on some level. Maybe it’s how we view life, how we live our priorities (or try to), or just the fact that we are all in this thing called life together and sharing the journey multiplies the joy.
This all may seem out of nowhere, but I’m writing out these thoughts in this space as a commitment to myself: to try and not get caught up in the expert mindset, but instead to continue to be open, to share, and to connect. With all this being said, you can probably expect more of the same but am going to be more cognizant about sharing all my passions, even those I have not reached pro status on yet, but that are most important to me: family, food, our adventure into homeschool, and lifestyle/travel.
a meal so good it deserved to be shared again
I love this space and the community of readers (you!) and want to keep my love for it alive. And to me that means sharing more and writing less how-tos.
Let’s talk blogging:
How long have you been reading blogs?
Do you have a blog of your own?
What do you like most/least about the blogosphere?
naturalred says
I do have a blog myself, in hopes to inspire others to get outside and enjoy what life has to offer right in their own backyards.
For me, if pics, life, and posts sound and look too perfect its simply not real. Since life is never perfect…there is always something to be made better if we all look hard enough.
My blog pics are far from perfect and my posts are written in real life form…great or not so great.
I try and keep it as real as I can always.
I am really looking forward to more camping/hiking with your family posts since this is my passion. You are surrounded by gorgeous places for your girls to explore and learn so much about nature and life in general. You can’t get everything from a book/computer!
Heather says
I just started my blog a few months ago, and I can agree that it can be completely intimidating to learn even just the basics, and THEN all the crazy stuff that is supposed to go along with it. However…..I am blogging purely for fun, and don’t really expect to get anything out of it. I work full-time as a teacher and have a toddler, so my time is pretty limited. Keeping expectations realistic (and low) helps me enjoy it more. I really enjoy your blog for a few reasons……you are sincere in your writing, you have good thoughts and ideas, and you aren’t trying to sell me something. Also, I know that evergreen content is good for all bloggers, but I honestly don’t really care for it. I used to read about 10 blogs, but now I am down to just a few. If a blogger doesn’t seem real and genuine to me, I just don’t have the time anymore.
Brittany Dixon says
Thank you so much for the sincere and kind words! I think what you said about your blog is right on- keep it fun and expectations realistic. When I get too caught up in everything I COULD do, I lose the joy of it all. PS- I don’t know how you have the time to blog with teaching and a toddler, but I’m impressed! 🙂
Jen says
I have been reading blogs since 2005, when I started a blog for my dogs. Back then, I only read dog blogs but I developed the most amazing network for people. We had a meet up in NYC in 2010 and had people attend from Australia, England, TX, PA, OK, NY. Cooking, lifestyle, healthy living and baby blogs followed and I look forward to reading my favorites every day. I have a blog now to keep family & friends up to date with what is happening with my twins. I have like 30 followers and I know all of them :).
But I’ve “met” so many amazing people through blogging. When I was pregnant with my twins, I connect with other expectant twin moms and we formed our own support group (bc the only one who gets it is another mom of twins!). It’s amazing and creepy at the same time, how you feel you know people you’ve never met.
Your blogs still remains one of my favorites because you’re so down to earth and I can relate a lot to what you write. I get a lot of food inspiration from you and my menu planning/food prep has gotten so much better! Please keep blogging!
Brittany Dixon says
I bow down to you twin moms! I can see how important it would be to have someone that gets it. I love what you said about blogging being creepy and amazing all at once, haha. I feel that way when I try to explain it to anyone that isn’t a reader of blogs in general. The connections you can make though, like you mentioned, truly are incredible! Thanks for your support, Jen 🙂
Laura says
Great post. I don’t have a blog although I have considered it. I am just hesitant about sharing too much about myself or my kids online. The blogs I most enjoy reading are not the ones with perfectly curated, pinnable images, but the ones that are a more honest representation of real life. We are also homeschooling our 5 year old daughter, and I am much more interested in reading about what works (and what doesn’t!) for other families in the same boat than a picture perfect, pinterest-y activity I will never get around to doing anyways (let’s be real). There are a gazillion recipes and workouts out there on the internet and while there are a few blogs that I find are particularly reliable in that respect, for the most part, I would rather read about the everyday experiences of other SAHM’s/homeschooling parents, even if it isn’t expert advice.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh Laura I can totally relate to the pinteresty activity that you’ll never get around too. I keep seeing homeschool activities I wanted to save, but finally just told myself I’d google the topic when we got to it because I was getting too overwhelmed. I’d love to hear what works and doesn’t for your homeschooling too. I’m completely immersed in it all right now!
Morgan says
I love your blog because you share your daily life not just what you think everyone wants to hear (read/see). There are so many blogs out there that I started following b/c they were just like yours but along the way turned into what you referred to as an “expert blog” and while I do still follow them, I don’t feel the same connection to them I once did.
Thank you for doing what you do!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh the connection is so important to me so it means so much to hear you reference that. Thank you Morgan!
Jennifer Umana says
I tried to start a blog about a year ago, but couldn’t quite figure it all out (which is totally ok!)
This is the only blog I have ever read on a consistent basis – which I have been reading for about 4 years. I visit other blogs often though when I run across them when googling topics or opinions I am curious about and of course recipes!
I love your blog because it is genuine and your lifestyle (kids, outdoors, family, food, famers markets…) is very similar to mine and I enjoy just reading about your experiences through this crazy thing we call life.
Brittany Dixon says
Thank you so much for your comment! I really love the idea that we’re all living life and sharing it together. You know, rainbows and sunshine and all that jazz, it just makes me happy 🙂
PS- I’ve clicked over to your etsy shop several times and it makes me miss my cheerleading days!! You make such cute ribbons!
Jamie says
If we want an expert we’ll go to an encyclopedia(I know those don’t really exist anymore but something like that!) We come to your site because we want to see your personality and life through your eyes. Don’t ever feel like we readers expect or want perfection. Personally I actually enjoy knowing I’m not the only one who doesn’t know it all! Its comforting to me to see others learning as we do life!
Brittany Dixon says
Love your comment Jamie, thank you! It really is helpful to me hear reader feedback. And I don’t know about encyclopedias either… should we just say we turn to wikipedia? Because that’s usually my go to! Haha 😉
Dorothy says
Love this commitment!
Though I have zero plans to homeschool my son, I’ve been interested to hear more about your process, the ins and outs, and how things are going for you and the girls.
I totally understand the pressure to share the experience as an expert, bit those of us who read your blog (at least me), come to read about your journey, and feel like we’re walking the journey with you…not coming to you for all the answers (unless the question is what’s for dinner 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Oh, I can always answer what’s for dinner! 😉 Thanks for making me laugh Dorothy!! I am really looking forward to sharing the journey of homeschool and life in general and absolutely love what you said about walking the journey together. Such a beautiful way to put it <3
Lindsay @ Hot Mess, Cool Day says
I love this post! I started reading blogs years ago (maybe 8ish?), and it has definitely shifted so much to that perfect photo or pin-worthy title. I have a blog that I have written in intermittently for years, but I’m trying to be more consistent now. It is far from perfect. I usually don’t edit my photos, but I love sharing my life and hearing from others when they enjoy reading it.
I love that your blog is a (seemingly) real depiction of your life, and I really enjoy reading about how your healthy meal plans (something I am working on more) and efforts to minimize phone usage, etc. to make the most out of your time with the kids. These are ultimate goals of mine!
Brittany Dixon says
Thanks for your comment Lindsay! I just checked out your blog and didn’t realize how close we are to each other (mmm Clean Juice!). I think keeping the fun in blogging like how you mentioned you just enjoy sharing your life is the most important, so as long as it’s fun, don’t worry about editing those pictures! 🙂
Monica says
I’ve been reading blogs since about 2007 – so 10 years? (Holy crap!) I did attempt to have a blog of my own at one time, but I really wasn’t that great at it, and it was more stress than joy. I might try again sometime – with a different focus. We’ll see. 🙂
My only real struggle with the blogosphere is that some websites don’t run as easily as others. It’s no big deal, and I know my browser is out of date, but there are some I just can’t read with any regularity because it requires 4 refreshes to get through the post! (Your blog is not one of them, don’t worry. 🙂 )
Brittany Dixon says
I can’t believe I’ve been writing one for 7 years- crazy how the time flies!
That’s really interesting to hear about the refreshes. Please let me know if mine ever is like that! It’s so helpful to get that technical feedback that I might not notice from my side of things 🙂
Lara says
Very few people are “experts” on anything. I find people who claim to be experts off putting. I read your blog because you seem human, not because I expect you to be superhuman. Keep up the good work!
Kelli H says
I keep coming back to your blog because of YOU. You’re so down to earth and I feel like we have a lot of similarities. I will love reading along with your homeschooling adventure and I admire you for taking that task on!
I’ve been reading blogs since 2009. I think the first one I found was Pioneer Woman’s. Then I found Kath Eats Real Food, Eat, Live, Run, and I think in 2010 or 2011 I found yours! 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Thank you Kelli! That means so much coming from someone I feel like I “know” 🙂
Kerry says
I feel like this too! But I love your blog because I know you’re so real and you have a balanced view on life and health and we are similar in that we have 2 girls. I’ve been reading your blog for years but am normally a ‘silent’ reader & I don’t leave comments!
Brittany Dixon says
I love hearing from “silent” readers so much! I am often a silent reader of blogs too, but from the blogger side it makes thing infinitely more fun when it’s a conversation. I really like to get to know who is reading. Thanks for your comment 🙂
Tami says
I LOVE this post and I’m SO glad you wrote it!!! I started blogging back in 2010, and blogged until 2015. I’ve been reading your blog for a couple of years now 🙂
I started blogging because oversharing is also my love language. I loved reading blogs and blogging because I really appreciated the connection and being a part of peoples lives. I loved all of it.
Then like you mentioned, things shifted in the blogging world. I ended up taking a break 2 years ago. I wanted to reevaluate where I fit and if I wanted to keep going. Your post today actually super inspired me to get back in it. 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Yeah girl get back in it! For those of us (you and me) that like to overshare, it’s such an incredible outlet. I find it’s just important (to me at least) to make sure above all it stays fun and fulfilling personally more than not.
Heather says
I’ve been reading blogs for a long time… and before blogs were big, I spent a lot of time on LiveJournal. I read a variety of different blogs and usually all for different reasons. Some for their flawless content, but mostly I enjoy seeing what other people are up to, either because there are similarities or sometimes because there are such vast differences. Haha! I started blogging when I moved across the country with my then boyfriend so that I’d have an easy way to share with all of my family at once what I was up to. I’ve never strived to make a living with my blog and I don’t even know how many people read it. Sometimes I think about trying to get it out there more, but otherwise I just enjoy having a place to put photos and share what’s going on if only as something for me to look back on.
Brittany Dixon says
I love checking in on your blog and instagram, Heather, and I feel like I “know” you after all this time! PS- I love Game of Thrones. Which season are you on?
Heather says
Thanks, Brittany! I feel like I “know” you as well. 😉 I’m on Season 4 of GOT!! It’s been hard to work through it because without fail Phoebe always wakes up and needs me mid-episode when I try to sit down and watch after the kids go to bed. Haha!
Annie says
This is such a great post and so true! I’ve been reading blogs for at least ten years and love them for he relatabiltity, openness, recipes, photos… everything. This past January I started a blog of my own and now realize exactly what your talking about. The Facebook blogging groups I am in all have people talking about opt ins, sales, perfection… I’m just not that. I’m a newbie and A working mom learning my way through blogging. I started my blog so others can relate to me as well and so I can share our life and have special moments saved forever to look back at. It is much harder then I thought but I do love this process!
Brittany Dixon says
Even as a SAHM I really enjoyed your post on why you love being a working mom. I think an open conversation about living what works for your family is so helpful and needed! Plus, your little guy is so cute! 🙂
Annie says
Thanks so much for reading it! And I’m pretty sure your blog plus raising those girls is a super busy full time job!!
Sherry Stathas says
I love your blog because you are an expert– on you and your family’s experiences–and that’s all I want! Keep up the great work!
Maria says
Oh gosh, I know there’s some great content I’m probably missing, but I cannot read those perfectly curated, professional photo, “designer” blogs. They just seem to fake and too perfect that I cannot relate to them in any way at all. I want to see the PERSON and not the brand! Even if that means all phone photos and *gasp* blog posts without photos.
But anyway, I love when you share bits of your life and while you don’t consider yourself an expert, I do trust your opinions as I would any of my friends. Your content is really balanced, interesting, and honest. You cannot ask for anymore more than that.
Since I’ve given up on following any blog rules (even my self-imposed ones), I’ve enjoyed it a lot more and writing never seems like a chore. I just wish I had time to blog more!
Brittany Dixon says
I wish you had time to blog more too because I always appreciate your point of view and straight talk. But it appears more time to blog isn’t going to be on the horizon for you for a little while 😉 I’ll keep checking in though!
Jessica says
I have been reading blogs since 2009 I believe. A friend of mine had just started writing one about their life on the West Coast and I followed along on her journey. Then I thought it would be fun to write my own. Of course the posts were awful and no one, but me read them. Once I got pregnant and started to use it as a journal for that I began to make blog friends. After going private this time last year I lost a lot of followers and that really hurt, but I know that it’s what was right at the time. I may go back to public, but we’ll have to see. 🙂 Great post!
Brittany Dixon says
I didn’t know you were considering going public again! If you ever want to meet up and chat, just let me know 🙂
Heather says
So I’ve been reading blogs for probably about 10 years now, and hands down the most annoying thing right now is bloggers trying to monetize their blogs to the greatest extent possible. On the one hand, if you’re offering a really great, unique “product” – Pinch of Yum comes to mind – I’m definitely going to view you as somewhat of an “expert”, and expect really good, quality recipes, as an example. I don’t mind the occasional sponsored post from that kind of blog and actually are more likely to buy something they sponsor because I do trust their judgement. It’s when someone is like “oh I’m just a mommy blog, look at my wacky mommy life, and by the way have you heard about Blue Apron/my mail order mattress/Hidden Ranch salad dressing” and each post has like 20 affiliate links in it that I’m like… okay no. There are a few blogs that come to mind that have become virtually unreadable in the past 2 years are so for this reason.
Brittany Dixon says
As both a reader and blogger myself, I totally see that too. It’s tough to keep a balance of it all, though it’s helpful to get levelheaded feedback like yours that understands some level of sponsorship is needed and can be authentic, but not letting it take over is so important too. Thanks for your comment!
Katie @ Live Half Full says
I’ve been blogging for six years now and your attitude is so inspiring to me! I’ve been struggling with the not doing enough mentality, you’re helping that!
Amber says
I used to have a handful of blogs I read each day (mixture of mommy blogs and homeschooling/education blogs). I started to notice many of the blogs were starting to seem “happy” in an inauthentic way… everything seemed to go well every day and many (obvious) details were glossed over. I also noticed many of the posts seemed to be just for the kickback links which contributed to the inauthentic feeling. I think I can speak for many of your readers when I say I continue to come back to your blog daily because I feel like I’m chatting with a friend. You are real, you are honest, and your lifestyle and priorities line up with mine (any many others!). You definitely have a large community of “friends” who support you and don’t read for expertise. We read because we value your thoughts, your time, and the way you choose to live your life! 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
The friend feeling just makes me smile a big goofy smile because I feel the same way about y’all and absolutely love when I can put names with comments. It makes me feel like I know you guys too. Cheesy perhaps, but I love it. PS- if you have any good home education blogs you still like, please send them my way!
montessoriishmom says
I love this…maybe because I have a blog and am definitely not an expert 🙂 I only started my blog maybe six moonths ago, but have been reading blogs for about ten years. I love your blog and, in general, love reading daily life type posts. I honestly often just skim the more “expert content” type posts even on blogs I like, I think because when I’m reading blogs, I’m generally just looking to read something fun or thought provoking.
Brittany Dixon says
That’s so funny because I usually just skim the expert-ish stuff too but then feel compelled to write from the angle! Silly 🙂 Thanks for your kind words!
Natasha says
You are the expert on your own journey.
I love your blog, from catching up with your daily life to getting recipe inspiration, to getting insight on things about life, you do inspire us, in your way. To be honest with you, I hate those “expert” blogs, you just cannot connect with the people, and it feels like you are reading a fictional page of what life “could” be like.
I had a blog for many years, then closed everything up and now recently restarted my one again, I miss the community of blogging.
Brittany Dixon says
I love that Natasha, an expert in our own journeys! And it’s so true. I learn so much from just hearing other people share their way of life.
PS- I just clicked over to read your blog and <3 <3 <3 Sending all the best wishes your way and congratulations! <3
Dana says
I have been reading blogs for the past few years now and honestly your blog is the one I check daily. Your are so honest and open and generally care for us readers. Your daily life posts , parenting posts and food posts we can all relate too. You don’t try and sell us things unless its something you totally love and recommend. Please don’t change a thing….I truly enjoy reading your posts. Ive stopped reading many other blogs for the reasons you have mentioned. I don’t mind the occasional sponsored post but some bloggers that is what their posts have become, very inauthentic in my opinion. I feel like we our a community of “friends” just like Amber said 🙂 Keep doing what your doing! I always look forward to reading!
Brittany Dixon says
Do you know how much it makes me smile to hear that you guys feel like we’re friends? That’s exactly how I feel too! Thanks so much for the kind and supportive words Dana <3
Nicole says
I started reading blogs when I became pregnant with my daughter (2010) I honestly was scared I was going to mess up big time and wanted to know how other mothers were handling things. I got some great ideas and but then fell off from reading blogs weekly. Plus the bloggers became so angry when people commented with a simple comment like ‘I wouldn’t have done that’. I started a blog, but realized I had no drive to write it I gave stopped.
I do love reading cooking blogs- usually starts with finding a recipe from pinterest and that leads me to search for more lol. I also tend to find lots of great homeschooling resources/ blogs from pinterest as well. I wouldn’t say I follow them regularly, I like to check them out.
I would never claim to be an expert in homeschooling (finishing up my first year with my daughter) we had a great experience, but I had my own doubts about it. Most blogs say it’s the greatest thing, or the worst experience- we had both kind of days and we kept going.
Your blog caught my attention because you seem so honest and friendly. You write about things that naturally come to mind, and it doesn’t seem like you’re pushing an agenda or writing just to gain more followers.
I love what you said “I am certainly an expert in my own experiences and opinions” so keep on blogging, I’ll definitely be reading. 🙂
Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama} says
When my husband and I recently met a new couple and I explained that I was a blogger who wrote about healthy living, the man quickly remarked, “And what qualifications do you have to do that?”
I was pretty taken aback by his response and just shrugged my shoulders and said, “I read a lot.” HA! My friend who was also there chimed in, “She is sharing her passion,” which seemed appropriate.
The whole thing made me question if I had enough “qualifications” to blog about healthy living and then I realized how absurd that is. But I definitely feel you on the pressure to be considered an expert. Thanks for writing about this.
Aggie says
What a great post!! I’ve struggled over the years with the way blogging has changed & evolved and I’ve chosen to keep things at my own pace & try not to worry too much about being “really good at it”, which I most certainly am not. When I get caught up in that I feel so burnt out and I have to check myself. I think you have such a great connection with your readers and that is such an awesome thing, and honestly it’s refreshing in the blogosphere these days.
Brittany Dixon says
Your blog and photography are beautiful! Really. Good for you for keeping a level head and just do you. It’s not always easy. And thank you for your kind words; my readers mean so much to me!
Leah says
I love your blog! You seem genuine and it’s so refreshing these days. I’ve read yours for years and look forward to new posts. I would love to hang out and let our kids plays. You seem so fun and positive. It’s just like reading a friend’s blog :). So keep it up! I’m not a blogger. Just enjoy being a reader.
Sara says
A big reason why I quit blogging was that I felt so much pressure to create perfect pictures and it was ruining real life. I’d make an amazing meal, then spend so much time photographing it that I was missing out on conversation I could have been having over the meal and actually enjoying the meal! At the time, smart phone cameras weren’t quite good enough to take what I’d consider internet-worthy photos so I felt like I had to have the whole set up. Now, in the right light, they’re bright and sharp. Certainly not magazine style, and display takes effort too. But I just can’t do that.
Another reason I mostly left the food/healthy living blog world entirely – I read maybe 2-3 blogs now- is because for most women it seemed they became really sad, desperate diaries. The obvious eating disorders, over exercising, obsessiveness, anxiety. It was hard for me to find blogs that were “real” and written by women comfortable and confident with themselves.
Bethany says
Love this! I am a new blogging and trying to ‘figure’ it all out. It is a struggle to just enjoy it and not feel the pressure. Like I want a ‘how to’ guide instead of just ‘doing me’.