We often romanticize the struggle.
To paraphrase JK Rowling, rock bottom becomes the foundation upon which we rebuild our lives.
We look back fondly on the moments of despair, frustration, hunger, and remember that it was all those things that kept us motivated.
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
I remember times when I wanted to give up. To call it quits. When I was frustrated with the fact that no one seemed to care about my words.
How do you stay motivated when no one is reading your blog?
Because the bitter truth is that not only do you have to keep going, but you also have to keep your spirits up.
It is not enough just to write words.
It is easy to do that.
You need to write stories, to make your readers feel, to help them on their journeys to becoming more than who they were when they first stumbled upon your blog.
How do you do that when you are not feeling it? When you’d much rather delete your blog and go back to bed?
How do you stay motivated when all you want is to go gentle into that good night?
You look for motivation. That’s what you do. You read that nice comment someone left you, or that e-mail they sent you. You read about someone else’s defeats and how they didn’t let them define who they are.
You look for a way out. You look for the light at the end of the tunnel.
You look for proof that it can be done.
That’s why I have this blog. I am proof. It can be done.
I have overcome terrible odds, and I am still standing on my feet. I am full of wounds, and still smiling.
I’ve wanted to quit a thousand times, and almost did, but somehow kept going.
This is the true magic of blogging: you read someone else’s thoughts, and you suddenly realize you’re not alone.
Loneliness breaks people, not defeat. Being alone, attempting what no one has ever tried, achieved, or survived…
But you are not alone in this. You are neither the first nor the last blogger struggling to stay motivated when no one reads your blog posts.
Think of it as a rite of passage.
This is your foundation. This is rock bottom. Zero followers. You can only go up.
If that doesn’t motivate you, I don’t think there’s anything else that will.
Thank you so much for posting this! I have been having doubts about my blog and whether or not I should keep it. I have a lot of health issues that sometimes prevent me from sitting down and writing. I’m not using that as an excuse, it’s just the way it is. It’s extremely hard to stay motivated when that happens.
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Hi Leigh,
Thank you for your comment.
Don’t quit, but rest. Don’t give up, don’t give in, but learn to rest when you’re tired.
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It really does make you feel less alone in this ridiculous world.
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Cristian, well said. Every writer or blogger is only human. We have our perfections and insecurities, but the special ones find a way to persevere.
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But are they special because they persevere or they become so through perseverance?
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The special, successful writers/bloggers learn that they must persevere through challenging times. They grow from the experience.
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Beautifully stated, Cristian. I have been checking out your blogging platform(s) for a little while now; and I have to say that I’m glad you didn’t give up and that you were able to press through the down times and find those motivators that kept you going. You provide a lot of inspiration to a lot of people (me included), so thanks for what you do. I still consider myself a newbie blogger (even though I’m 9 months in) and I have a lot to learn. It helps to have seasoned people, who know what you’re going through in the infancy stage of blogging, provide you with encouragement to keep pressing forward. Furthermore, it helps to have folks (like you) let people (like me) know that they were in our shoes at one time and kept marching on until they found success. Therefore, there’s hope for us newbies too. So, I’ll keep marching:) Thanks for all you do, Cristian. Keep up the good work.
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Thank you so much for this comment. Don’t know what else to say.
Might print this comment and use it as motivation next time I feel like giving up.
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You’re welcome and thank YOU. I have a feeling that you’re past the “give up” stage though:)
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Actually needed this today! Thank you so much ❤
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My pleasure!
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Thank you so much for your constant support and guidance.
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Wonderful words of Encouragement Cristian.
We hope to steadily move forward like you did years ago till now.
Thanks!
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Thank you.
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My pleasure!
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Motivation comes from many sources. Other bloggers – especially ones like yours – are high on the list. Thank you, Cristian, for your encouragement.
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Thank you so much, Jan!
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I find it is difficult to remain consistent (not just about blogging but about other goals too) which is what I wrote about recently. Thanks for the encouragement in growing the blog.
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Hi Caleb,
Think of it like this: you only need to stay consistent for a little while. Tell yourself that whenever you feel like giving up.
Why?
Because the moment something becomes a habit, it’s almost impossible to stop.
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Exactly. Creating good habits is something I like to write about because I’ve gotten to experience the benefits of it. However, I still have issues with properly utilizing my time so I am able to maintain many good habits. It’s a learning process for sure!
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you are encouraging! depends in the purpose behind your writing. i write to inspire the soul. if few people get something out of my poems, i’m happy. nobody crowds for spirituality, hehe!
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Right now it’s the comments and the appreciation from fellow bloggers that is motivating me.
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Thank you for this inspiring post! 😊
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Started my blog for a day now. And just wondering around WP. I saw your blog first.. really inspiring. Thanks!!
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Thank you, Ben.
A day? You’re just getting started…
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Accept that you are at rock bottom. Then start working your way up.
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Yes!
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I think part of that motivation – for me anyway – also comes from paying it forward. Some of my words of encouragement comes from both readers and bloggers who I’ve taken the time to connect with.
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That was damn inspiring
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Especially the last part is so true. We start from zero and that number can only go up. This is a very comforting thought actually as we can only get better and we all will if we just stay at it and do not give up.
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