Can I let you in on a few of my issues with blogging?

I juggle a lot, probably too much, but that’s just me. Satisfied when I got my irons in more than one fire. Besides GoneGirlGo, I work a very fulfilling 9-5, co-parent my 16-year old son, collaborate with others on a couple of projects, get Zumba in 2x a week, Netflix binge on Korean dramas, dance a little on the weekends, and sleep. Did I mention I love my bed? My bed is bae.

Anyway, blogging consistently is an issue for me. I usually set a goal to post a new blog at least 4 times a month, something realistic that works for me. Yet, there are months when I struggle to publish one.

Creating a blogging schedule is a great strategy, yet, there are times when I stray from the schedule or ignore it all together.

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I’m also a self-proclaimed perfectionist. If I can’t find the perfect approach, the perfect angle, the perfect introduction, the right words, the right sentence, or the right paragraph, I won’t start a post let alone finish it. I won’t tell you how many potential posts I left hanging in my Google Drive. Or how I lay in my bed in anguish, trying to figure out the gist of what I’m writing. I can be a little dramatic and impatient with myself.

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Which leads me to another one of my issues I recently wrote about in a Morning Pages post on IG — the ebb and flow of my creative process. I’m learning how to be okay with both, especially the ebb because it allows me time to step back, reflect, regroup, connect, and get my wits back. But still, I prefer to flow.

Writing for GoneGirlGo is my very own exercise in personal development.

And I’m working on my issues of busyness, discipline, perfectionism, and angst about my creative ebb and flow. I’m optimistic about the results I’ll see executing strategies such as

• Being gentle and patient with myself
• Sticking to a blogging schedule
• Not giving up on my planning process
• Working through my creative ebb and flow

Yet I’m still miffed by this.

My blog isn’t easy to write.

I’m not writing about my favorite boutique with the most adorable jewelry collection. I don’t share DIY solutions or recipes for festive holiday Sangria. I’m not telling you about the latest pop culture gossip or details about the latest event I attended.

(Disclaimer: Blogging is no joke regardless of the niche you’re in because it requires a mix of skills in art and science.)

Writing a personal development blog comes with its share of challenges.

I need to be absolutely clear about who I am writing to and challenges they may encounter, especially because my focus is personal development. My target reader is a mature woman who is finally ready to do something with her ideas after years of ignoring or pushing them aside.

I need to do a better job of finding out her challenges. That’s why I want you to complete this survey.

Lately, you may have noticed I’ve been addressing challenges faced by aspiring bloggers and other writers in another attempt to get this right. I’ll continue to do this through Write at This Moment.

Related to what I mentioned above, I have to steer away from vague concepts and focus on concrete solutions to help my readers overcome their challenges. Again, I’ll be working to improve this in 2019.

I have to write interesting, compelling, and original content to engage my readers and keep their interest. To those women ready to make their ideas blossom, I share journaling prompts and other self-reflective exercises. For the bloggers, I’ll be sharing more of my techniques and tools.

In both cases, I need to stand out so I’ll challenge myself to use video again, which I’ve shied away from in 2018.

I have to build a strong sense of community around me and the GoneGirlGo brand. I’ve been leaning more toward IG than Facebook to do this online. I’ve tried my hand at Facebook groups, but managing them is overwhelming and engagement can be weak. I’m convinced there’s too much going on there and it causes me anxiety. In 2019, I’m planning to host a few live hangouts and I’m collaborating with a few friends on live events they’re having.

I have to be confident in what I do, what I say, and what I write about. This is where my inner-work comes into play, especially after years of doubting myself and playing small.

In 2019, I have to show up and resist the urge to hide.

The blogging route I chose isn’t the easiest, but I’m clear it’s my path and I’ve been called to more. I can’t treat GoneGirlGo as a flippant assignment. I must continue to grow so I can continue to build a strong niche for the mature woman who desires to finally make her ideas blossom.

GoneGirlGo is my labor of love.

So excuse me if I’m inconsistent. I’m addressing my issues and laboring in love to give you the best of what I have to offer, which might mean not posting as frequent as the pundits suggest. But hey, I’m okay making my own rules.

Do me a favor and complete this brief survey. I want to learn more about any challenges you encounter making your ideas blossom. And feel free to add your comments about this post below.