Is lifestyle blogging for you?

Good reasons to start a blog

“Good” reasons to start a lifestyle blog all revolve around you actually wanting to — not so much about the money you “could” make doing so.

I don’t sell dreams or the concept of what lifestyle you could have. That feels icky AF to me. 😬

1. Share your story

Humans need stories. It’s how we connect with each other, develop empathy and grow in our humanity.

Governments can ban all the books they want, but they will never be able to ban stories.

Stories exist all around us, everywhere.

Every second of your existence is a story. Every answer to every answer you have is a story. Everything is a story or has a story.

What you did today is a story. History has the word “story” in it.

Some stories are true, some stories are made up. Some stories are parables, used to deliver lessons or pieces of wisdom.

Your story is important, even if or when you think it’s not. Sometimes, your best story isn’t the one you think you need to tell. It’s the one that simmers and sits with you until it boils over — until you need to put it out there.

I’ve shared various stories from my life experiences on my own blog. My stories are shared more sparingly than I used to share them.

2. Inspire others

I never knew sharing about my life as an autistic person with dissociative identity disorder could possibly inspire other neurodivergent people.

Or that I might manage to articulate my trauma in a way that helps other people realize their own.

Or, or, or…the list goes on.

I don’t try to be inspiring; I share what feels right to share, in the way that makes the most sense for me to share it.

Sometimes, it is inspiring straightaway. Sometimes, a post needs to simmer before inspiring someone else. Some posts don’t bring in any feedback…and I’m okay with that.

That’s the important part: not trying. When you try to be inspiring, it tends to come off as “trying too hard” and leaves people feeling ickier than when sand gets between their toes.

3. Connect with your community

Blogging about autism and trauma wasn’t trendy when I started doing it. That was something best left to the “professionals” — er, non-autistic freelance writers who got paid to write for sites that covered those topics.

However, blogging exposed me to people I never would have met had I never started doing it.

• One of my good friends, Georgie, lives in Australia. I met her in 2009, I want to say. I’ve never met her in person.
• I met Lou Koz ages ago, between 2012-2017, I want to say — never in person.

I’ve met a lot of other people through blogging who came and went over the years.

On Threads, I’ve met people I might one day be able to call my friend…and I’d be honored.

As someone who has had an online presence since fifth grade and is in her early 30s now, being able to connect with people outside the conservative, red state of Texas helped shape me into the person I am today. My relatives are xenophobic. 👀

There are sooo many people out there in the world. You can connect with people from all over the globe from the comfort of your own home.

With a blog, you can create your own niche community beyond the confines of social media content guidelines and algorithm moderation triggers.

4. More control over how your audience consumes your content

Blogging is coming back — that’s the general consensus, although blogging never left. Bloggers are still around. 👋

Social media companies are implementing artificial intelligence (AI) into their algorithms and features. AI moderation is extremely flawed and biased — especially racist.

AI endangers the environment, so I aim to not directly use it for my blog/content/business as much as possible. I don’t even enjoy using it for my life.

Blogging is making a comeback because

• Instagram users are more shallow
• Facebook is more attractive to older generations
• TikTok has bias towards pretty, able-bodied people
• Algorithm updates are causing people who built on certain platforms to lose stats

Some “social media” is also microblogging and could be categorized as either/or. Mastodon instances are both, for example.

Microblogging = sharing much shorter posts than a “full-out” blog. A blog may be a mix of short- and long-form content, but isn’t a microblog if you also post longer posts.

5. Own & control your content

You don’t own social media platforms. You have zero control over how they use your content, display it, what they do with it, etc.

Meta could decide to remove the private account feature and make all private Instagram or Threads accounts public.

Elon Musk bought Twitter and completely screwed it up. He’s decided blocked users should still be able to view your content.

On Threads, Instagram (IG) shares Reels from IG users as a native video on their Thread post without tagging the original creator. Creators may get upset, but Meta works these usage rights into their Terms and Conditions.

Everyone opted into these Terms — for Meta to use creator content for promotional purposes to boost its own products (e.g. social media) as they see fit…plus other ways.

So even if that creator is part of the Creator Fund or tracks their Reels stats for sponsors, they don’t have access to those analytics because IG shared the video as part of their own content…because they can.

While you might be grateful for the extra exposure, the real issue is this: That time, it was IG.

I’m not gonna say you have 💯 control over your email list or blog, because there will always be someone who hates the laws around these things and the off chance that your accounts are suspended.

Common arguments against the statement “you own your email list” is that your email marketing provider owns your email list — and you have to follow CAN-SPAM rules.

Similarly, many people get upset because they can’t post anything they want on their blogs, which begs a greater question: What exactly do you want to post that is so restricting?

Web hosting content policies zero in on what would be illegal. 🥴

You have more control over a self-hosted blog and your email list than you do social media platforms. Neither of these things are easy to grow and nurture; that doesn’t mean they’re not worth it.

6. Easier to expand existing content

While I’m glad Threads extended their 5-minute editing window by 10 more minutes, expanding existing Thread posts isn’t the easiest thing.

You can repost any Thread post, but that’s a bit flawed, too. You could wind up with a chain of reposts. Those are hard/frustrating to follow. I don’t like having to go “back” 10x.

With a blog, you could summarize the point(s) you want to make and share a link to your site with the extended version.

I do this sometimes and enjoy it. Some people prefer microblogging content; others prefer to read. Sometimes, people want both or the sources — and I include the sources on my blog.

7. Expand your business

If you have a business or are starting one, a blog could help you market it. This is called content marketing.

Posting about similar topics naturally optimizes your blog for search engines, which helps attract people to your site.

Writing and formatting your posts, and structuring and designing your blog, in ways that appeal to your audience helps attract customers.

If you have an online business, a blog is expected to some extent to prove your credibility.

8. Expose yourself to new opportunities

New experiences lead to new opportunities.

You could meet someone from a local group who introduces you to their friend who has a LEGO brick reseller business with her family and discover the perfect job actually exists.

(This happened to me! And then I lost it because my asthma attack made the narcissistic-traited husband uncomfortable…)

Or discover new food/skincare brands you love because you were invited to an event because of your blog. 👀

I developed agoraphobia after

• being diagnosed with several allergies
• my egg donor and her husband stalked and harassed me
• reading about too many autistic people being killed by their caregivers, strangers or cops

I was already a blogger. My blog drove me to want to do more exciting things, like going places or trying new foods. It helped me explore beyond my comfort zone and continues to.

9. Teach people about something you know

You know things other people don’t. An everyday mundane thing you do might be a OMG-we-can-do-that?! situation.

I use kids’ toothpaste because strawberry-banana flavor toothpaste makes me look forward to brushing my tooth. I didn’t know this was allowed until someone made a video about using it for themselves.

“Common sense” is a logical fallacy, meaning there is no such thing as common knowledge. Knowledge isn’t common until a group of people have definitely learned it. Not everyone has.

Even the way YOU clean your room/home could be made into a tutorial you share on the internet.

10. Create a legacy

Arianna Huffington founded The Huffington Post in 2005.

Okay, maybe you won’t manage to become that famous. Fame isn’t something you can predict, and it’s fleeting.

11. Longevity

Social media users are the product.

While TikTok posts remain relevant longer than Instagram posts, blog posts outlive social media post relevancy.

TikTok isn’t competing with Instagram; it’s competing with YouTube.

Your blog is “sticky”, meaning it’s there to stay as long as you make it stay.

As your blog and its content exists on the web, people can link and share it. They can find and read your posts.

Social media posts may be around a long time and retain some longevity, but algorithms change and some platforms may delete inactive accounts after a while.

You also run the risk of losing your content if you don’t save backups, as the result of account bans/suspensions.

Blog posts compound over time.

A handful of my posts lifted off shortly after being posted. Most of my blog posts’ traffic increased over time.

Blogging is timeless.

Blogging isn’t dead. I know that is the general consensus of the internet, but I “old-school blogging” is making a comeback.

Content creators struggle on social media because they depend on the algorithms to put them in front of their audience, rather than focusing on building an audience they have direct access to.

Starting with a blog first is easier than doing it backwards, but having a blog is better than having none at all if you’re keen for sustainability that social platforms don’t provide.

12. Maintain a record of your life

The Wayback Machine saves copies of blog posts more easily, too, which means your blog posts may continue to exist online long after you quit or a site no longer exists.

My first website was SillyMonkees.com, with two Es and no reference to the pop band. I was 13-15 years old. It was mine as long as I posted content on the side that hurt people I loved, because my stepfather was a narcissistic sadist.

The poem on the homepage haunts me today, as I now know my guardians sought to distance myself from my biological father.

The underlying purpose of my blogging has always been the ability to maintain a record of life goings-on so as to one day be able to recognize the pattern and deviate from it.

In other words, my blog/my younger selves saved me from the cycle of abuse.

People have their own reasons for wanting to maintain public records of their life.

You can opt-out, of course, but that doesn’t mean no one else has a copy of your website.

Bad reasons to start a blog

Blogging is not the path for people seeking instant validation of any kind. Sustainable results will not immediately happen.

This is why I’ve a list of “bad reasons” to start a blog: They’re unrealistic and heavily reliant on one-hit-wonders, knowing the right people, or the extremely teeny tiny of being discovered quickly with 0 network.

1. Fame

Blogging for fame requires exploiting yourself and hoping for the best.

Fame might happen from being authentically you, but what kind of fame are you searching for?

• The fame that brings you money?
• The fame that makes you known?
• The fame that helps you develop a more positive self-image?

You don’t need to be famous for these things to happen.

Losing oneself in blogging culture is how toxic cultures, like the girl boss/hustle eras, happen.

2. Wealth

Some bloggers manage to make money through their blogging efforts.

Many bloggers do not.

Simply starting a blog does not bring in the riches.

3. Trashing people

Starting a blog to trash people, talk bad about them, etc. is not a kind thing to do.

It’s mean.

It could also land you in serious legal trouble.

4. Trying to save the world

While blogging is good for sharing ideas and connecting with people, starting a blog to save the world isn’t a good choice.

This is NOT because you need a specific target audience/group of people you’re keen to target.

This is because the BEST posts to read that people connect with most FEEL like they were written for them specifically…or as if it’s a message in the group chat with some of your closest peoples.

One blogger alone, as a blogger, cannot save/change the world. Blogging is not good for people seeking to erect change aggressively.

I can see a blogger gaining fame posthumously because their followers are so devastated the blogger died. Writers often gain fame posthumously because something they wrote touched people in a world-changing way.

Some US schools implement Rachel’s Challenge, though I’ve found bullying quite common anywhere. 🤷‍♀️ The program was inspired by Rachel Scott, a Columbine school shooting victim, because of an ethics essay she wrote two weeks prior to her death.

Heather B. Armstrong was a famous blogger and internet personality prior to her death. I noticed an uptick in discussions about mental health, addiction and mommy wine culture in a few blogging communities around that time.

I used to blog because I wanted to change or save the world. I wanted people to know and care what happened to me. It was more self-serving at the time than sharing my story in a way that builds connection.

Several bloggers with various audience sizes collaborating towards a specific cause makes a greater impact than one blogger trying to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Preaching extends to non-religious topics. Few people consider that. The more I learn about psychology and philosophy, the more I learn how to connect with people.

A strong sense of social justice is common in autistic people. We tend to feel passionate about things we care about…and struggle to comprehend why other people don’t.

Shoving activism down people’s throats doesn’t help anyone. It’s performative and lacks compassion.

You might grow your blog because social justice and controversy go hand-in-hand…it might also flop. It might feel like you’re shouting into a void.

You can’t save the world by yourself. It’s not your responsibility.

You’re not responsible for helping every single person, either. I think autistic/ADHD people may feel a drive for helping as many people as possible.

In trying to do this, they might end up helping a few people and burning out fast.

Narrow down who you can help based on your skills, interests and energy instead — this is a “niche audience”.

5. Online diary

Blogs aren’t specifically online diaries or journals. There are people who think this is what blogs are, especially when those blogs don’t fit into their ideal mold for what “blogs” should be.

6. You hate writing/blogging

The proposed solution to future and existing bloggers who hate writing is ChatGPT.

The problem with this is that people/consumers don’t want AI media; they want content produced by humans.

If you hate writing or don’t want to write, blogging is not for you.

Some bloggers started a blog because they wanted to make money — and it’s obvious because the lack of passion/love shows.

I’ve read blog posts by people who blog because it’s a money maker vs. those who blog because they genuinely love it. The vibes are completely different.

Fewer personal anecdotes are in their posts, even the more serious ones. Their posts feel fake/impersonal and more clinical, like they could’ve been written by anyone.

7. People keep saying you “should” start a blog.

Plenty of people love telling other people what they “should” do…and each has their own opinion of your actions whether you DO the thing or not.

I know I’ve been told that I “should” do things I have zero interest in — or ability to do! It’s insensitive and ignorant on their part…sometimes even controlling.

My family thinks I “should” hide my autism and pretend they didn’t abuse me.

Or that I “should” go into technology because I can fix simple computer issues, like restarting it.

Someone thinking YOU “should” do something doesn’t mean it’s right for you.

That’d be like if I told you that you definitely “should” start a blog. I have no idea what your life is like.

I think humanity has been conditioned to fear ambiguity. Our minds naturally want to know what will happen. We’re eager to control every aspect of our lives possible.

So telling other people what they “should” do based on our desires and need makes sense…even though it’s inappropriate advice.

So hey, maybe everyone really IS telling you to start a blog. It could change your life or keep it the same.

You should start a blog? Mm, no. Better phrasing is you could start a blog.

Things to do instead of starting a blog

Many blogging alternatives are available in 2024 and beyond.

You don’t need to start a blog to put your story or self out into the world if that’s all you want to do.

A blog is a huge commitment, even if you go the laid-back, personal-blogging-as-a-hobby route. There is the domain, hosting, site updates…the list goes on.

Not everyone wants to start a blog. Some people may still feel like they need to. That’s how you wind up with people like me: bloggers. 😂

Maybe you’re one of the people who don’t know if blogging is right for them — or you know it’s not, AND you still want to publish things online.

Here are some alternatives to starting a blog. Some of them don’t require major commitment, either!

Start a webcomic

Instagram, Patreon, Tapas, Tumblr — you can publish a web comic almost anywhere that allows followers + image posts.

You could also start and publish to your own website.

Webcomics examples:

• Buttersafe
• Cat and Girl
• Cyanide & Happiness
• Heartstopper (now a graphic novel series)
• Sam and Fuzzy
• The Awkward Yeti (“I maked these”)
• Toothpaste for Dinner
• XKCD

I’m still waiting for Protean Sea from the same creator of Thermohalia.

Create a game.

Creating a game is a wonderful way to combine your imagination and skills.

Meaningful online game examples:

• Anchoreum
• CSS Diner
• Flexbox Froggy
• Flexbox Zombies
• Grid Attack
• Grid Garden
• Put the groceries away

One of the things I want to do is create/design a card game and a board game based on cute concepts I have, rather than executing them as blogs/websites.

Create a library

Curate your best content in a grid/list format to present to the world. You can refer to these items on repeat.

Since it’s a library of your best work, there’s no pressure to create more/constantly.

Start a web show or vlog

If video is the whipped cream to your pumpkin pie, a video channel could be a better option than a blog. No writing involved!

Create a podcast

Don’t want to mess with video/writing? A podcast may appeal to your interests/skills/priorities more.

Solo podcasts aren’t as narcissistic or far-fetched as they sound when approached from the angle of how YOU specifically can help people.

Make your podcast accessible by syndicating your podcast via Amazon Music, Apple, Google Play, etc.

My friend, Georgie, has a podcast with one of her friends called “Toast & Roast”.

Stick to an email list

Who says you absolutely NEED a blog? People who want you to buy through their affiliate links.

While I’m grateful when people buy through my affiliate links, I can’t promote them in good faith by pushing purchases on people that might not be in their best interest.

My affiliate marketing philosophy is “if they’re going to buy it anyway, I’m gonna use my link if I have one”.

You don’t NEED a blog to accomplish things. You could instead send notes/letters/emails to people on a regular basis. That feels more intimate than a blog at times.

On occasion, bloggers do switch to publishing newsletters only. I’ve honestly considered it myself. 😅

Publish a zine

(That’s pronounced like “zebra”, not “zygote”.)

I love making zines with my nieces. You can create a zine for anything, depending on your style and creativity. It doesn’t even require lots of skills.

Write a book

Maybe blogging appeals to you because it’s a smaller commitment than writing the book that’s been living rent-free in your head for years.

Could blogging perhaps be a head bunny, bouncing around and causing you to procrastinate? 🧐

Literally anything else

• Start a journal
• Write poems
• Publish on social media/existing microblogging platforms

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I hope this post helps you determine whether starting a blog is within YOUR best interests.

Notice how I didn’t include “not enough time” as a “bad” reason. You don’t need loads of time to start a blog.

Like with an new hobby or priority, you make more time for things you’re genuinely interested the more you engage in them.

If you want to do something, you will find a way to do it. Every “no” you say frees up your ability to say “yes” to something/someone else.

What’s nagging at your heart, in the depths of your soul, to do? That feeling is what keeps me blogging.