There are many things we book bloggers all tend to relate to.
For instance: a mutual and increasingly rabid love of books. I don’t like to generalise, but I’m going to take a wild and assuming stab in the dark here to say IF YOU ARE A BOOK BLOGGER YOU LOVE BOOKS. I just have this hunch. But there are also tons of other things we all relate to as well! Like (a) an adoration of pretty aesthetic book photos, or (b) the glorious ability to have 94 typos per post despite proof-reading, or even (c) a cheerful competition of how-many-books-can-I-carry-at-once-before-they-crush-my-soul.
Oh and another one we all relate to?
Only just the…CRUSHING WEIGHT OF BOOK BLOGGER GUILT.
Which is absolutely BIZARRE and we shouldn’t be caught crying into our polkadot socks because of this. And yet I do. You do. The local blogging cat does. Some cute and anxious alien on Jupiter * with WiFi probably suffers from it too.
So today I want to list some common things we book bloggers tend to feel guilty about, and then I shall tell you why this is nonsense and you shouldn’t feel guilty at all.
* I don’t know why I’m obsessed with Jupiter. NOBODY KNOWS WHY. Maybe I fell from it as a child and it is my secret hometown and my subconscious is trying to remind me of this. Maybe I’m Superman. But with more dragon scales and less interest in saving the world, particularly if I just sat down with a good book because HOLY KELP, MATE, the world can go perish while I’m reading this chapter. #priorities
1. “I SHOULD’VE READ ALL THE REVIEW-BOOKS ON MY TBR BY NOW.”
I only recently wrote a post on TBR problems, and the #1 problem is, obviously: THE TBR JUST EXISTS. Hahaha hahahh hah…HAHAHAAHAHA. Excuse me. That’s just the sound of someone having a mental breakdown.
I think it’s impossible not to feel guilty about being behind on your ARCs and review-copies. I mean, maybe you’ve never been behind because you don’t request too many books or because you are organised and good at life. You are probably a mythological creature, like a unicorn or a piece of lettuce.
But you know what? WE ACTUALLY DON’T NEED TO CRY OVER IT SO MUCH. Here is a small tissue for your tears, my fiends. The thing is to do your best! And if a book is late, hey you’re just promoting it later when the initial buzz has died down! That’s still a win!
2. “I SHOULD BE A BETTER BLOGGER LIKE X IS.”
In this case “X” is referring to just about whoever and not actually Professor Charles Xavier of the Xmen. Although if you want this post to be secretly about Xmen, it can be!! I’m here to make you happy!
But I just want to underline A MILLION AND TWO TIMES that no blogger of ever has the perfect life. Or has it all together. Or 100% knows what they’re doing. You see what a blogger wants you to see. It’s not lies! I mean, you wear a nice shirt to go out right?! So it’s totally fine to present the best version of yourself to the internet.
Just pleeeeease don’t fall into the trap of thinking someone has The Perfectest Life Of Ever due to their blog being constantly fun or having consistent posts up or always seeming to be on top of things. NO ONE EVER IS.
3. “I’M NOT EVEN A REAL BOOK BLOGGER, AM I? I’M PROBABLY A SOUTHERN NORWEGIAN CRUMPLED PIECE OF SEAWEED.”
The thing about the “book blogger” title is that — you can have it if you want. You don’t have to do a certain amount of reviews or read 100+ books per year or write discussions or do book hauls to be considered a book blogger. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT YOUR PET MARMOT TOO OR YOUR FAVOURITE BRAND OF MARMALADE. *
I don’t know who’s making the “rules” of book blogging, but nooooooo. NO TO RULES. Just have fun and talk primarily (but not exclusively if you don’t want!) about books and basically be the Loki * you always knew you were deep down inside.
* Except marmalade is a sin and the reason the world will end because it’s so disturbed that this spread was even invented.
** I choose Loki over Superman ANY day. Maybe I’m secretly from Asgard. I do have an older brother and he is Australian, and those are two descriptions for Thor. So it’s 500% possible I am Loki.
4. “I NEED TO READ 92 REVIEW BOOKS. I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR BOOKS I’VE BOUGHT OR, OMG, REREADS.”
I was only chatting about this with my friend Danielle the other day: rereads are really cool but DO WE DARE REREAD WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY NEW BOOKS BEGGING FOR OUR ATTENTION??? And by “begging”, I mean brandishing small cheese knives and stalking towards our beds in the night with malicious intent. *
I get caught in this guilt SO MUCH but it’s ridiculous?!? Books are meant to be enjoyed. Multiple times if we want! If a book makes you happy and you want to revisit that happiness = do it. That’s what books are for. **
* Doesn’t your TBR do that too???? Just mine???? Surely not???
** Because apparently books are not for lining up upon your floor and saying magical words and expecting them to turn into a magical carpet like Aladdin’s. Not that I’ve tried this, hahahaah, don’t be silly.
5. “WHAT IF MY REVIEWS AND OPINIONS ARE LEADING EVERYONE ASTRAAAAAAAAY.”
Raise thine hand if you’ve ever felt guilty about an opinion!!
Like who even am I?! What is my opinion worth?! Surely other people have said it better. What if I don’t even know my opinion. WHAT IF I’M TOO OPINIONATED OR NOT OPINIONATED ENOUGH????
Now listen here, my soft little fluffy mate, you are fine. Your opinion is valid. Your voice is valid. You are not FORCING anyone to read your reviews or take your advice and the internet is full of people with functioning brains who can decide for themselves whether to listen to your opinion or not.
And if you accidentally happen to raise an army of creatures that answer exclusively to pineapple and then brainwash them into calling you a dragon queen, then….it happens! No one is to blame! I’m sure it’s fine! *
* HAHAHA HAHAHHAH AHHAHA who could I be talking about.
6. “I’VE NEGLECTED MY BLOG AND IT’S GROWING UP ALONE AND COLD UPON THE STREETS WHILST ONLY SELLING MATCHSTICKS TO GET BY.”
First of all: you better have understood the matchstick reference or else Hans Christian Anderson and I will come beat you with a rolled up carpet.
Next of all: it’s okay if you don’t always have as much time to put into your blog as you want! DO WHAT YOU CAN. You’re allowed to have a life outside of blogging…which is weird to think about??? Just don’t go insane with that, okay? Like no hikes or too much socialisation or omg what even are you.
Obviously what you put into your blog is what you get out of it. So if you can only post 1 x a week, then you can’t expect the same stats as posting 4 x a week. But the point is: if you’re stressing about “neglecting” your blog when you can’t help it, you’ll ruin your enjoyment of blogging!! And that isn’t good!! We ALL fall behind. We ALL pick an ice cream hunt across the seven seas instead of catching up on comments sometime.
Don’t let your blog become a terrifying burden. It ain’t worth it.
7. “I ACCIDENTALLY DON’T LIKE THAT POPULAR BOOK AND I AM A HEINOUS AND UNGRATEFUL EGG.”
Especially if you have to send reviews back to publicists! CUE HOPELESS TERROR. And hiiiiii, my name is Cait and I’m literally procrastinating sending back 3 reviews to various publishers because they’re low starred and I FEEL LIKE AN UNGRATEFUL EGG.
Newsflash: publishers don’t expect you to like everything. A bad review is still a review and can generate interest. You are your own person and not a HIVE MIND so be grateful for that! And you are not an egg. Even Humpty wasn’t an egg. None of us are eggs.
8. “I’M NOT FOLLOWING THE LATEST BLOGGING TREND…AM I RUINING MY LIFE AND MY CHILD BLOG’S LIFE?”
I try to give my blogging child the best opportunities I can. And then I also look at everything everyone else is doing and I LAUGH AND LAUGH AND LAUGH because heck no do I have time for that. Or money. Or interest.
Have you seen me with a bookish candle? Or posting stories on instagram? Or actually upkeeping the tumblr I have? Or joining in readathons or challenges? No. Because I am unorganised. And also a successful blog doesn’t equal one that is reading all the new books or following all the latest trends. A successful blog is one where the blogger is passionate and in love with what they’re doing, is friendly and networks, and talks about cake 52 times per article. *
And FYI trends aren’t bad!! I am on the bookstagram trend bandwagon SO BAD and I have no regrets! The thing about trends is: do what you waaaaaant.
MY GOSH, THIS WHOLE POST IS JUST ME SAYING “BE LOKI” AND I’M NOT SURE HOW TO FEEL ABOUT THAT.
* Joking! Joking! Just talk about cake 51 times. That’s okay too.
9. “I’VE GOT THIS SUPER COVETED BOOK BUT IF I SHOW IT OFF IS THAT BRAGGING??”
Earlier this year, I read a super coveted ARC about four months before release. Mostly on accident because I suck at reading the fineprint. * And I felt SO INCREDIBLY GUILTY … and I feel the same if I have a large book haul or publishers have been extra generous or the time I got sent chocolate along with a book. ** And you know what? This is silly. If you’re not being an irritating bragging cantaloupe and are just passionately promoting books = then you’re fine. In fact, you are doing what book bloggers are SUPPOSED to do.
So don’t feel bad.
I have decreed it.
* And by “suck at”, I mean I’ve never read the fineprint in my life, good sir. That’s what my servants are for.
** 10/10 recommend bribing me with chocolate to read your book.
10. “CAN I SAY NO?”
There’s like this great Book Blogger Myth that we OWE people our time. And, nay there, good sir. We do not. Most of us work for free. And IT IS ACTUALLY WORK!! Just because it’s fun and we choose it, doesn’t meant it isn’t hard work!!
You don’t owe anyone anything with your blog. You can say no! You can refuse a review copy or decline being on a blog tour or shake your head to accepting a guest post or promoting an author. More opportunities will ALWAYS come and your time is worthwhile. You put hundreds of unpaid hours into your blog and it does NOT automatically equal a free promotional tool for other’s disposal. SAY NO WHEN YOU WANT TO.
Be the free fish you always wanted to be. But breathe air, probably. Just…just clarifying that.
Currently I’m feeling guilty about how I have been working on a post that has 80.327819% of everything you just said and I’m wondering if I should even post it now *hides face in embarrassment*
*gives you cake* Aww! Sorry about that.😂 You mean the posts are similar? Because I’d still love to read yours!
Haha yeah the post is a bit similar *eats cake* but I’ll think of changing it up a bit later
Hey, you should totally post 🙂 it doesn’t matter if it’s similar! It’s just your take on it. There is not enough unique content in the world for us to keep coming up with anyway 😀 we are bound to be a little repetitive 🙂 I would read it too! 🙂 just one more thing to relate to 😀 we book bloggers love talking about our feels, after all, don’t we 😀
Evelina recently posted…Why were they called The Girls With Radioactive Bones?
Aww thank you so much!
@Raven: If it’s really similar, you could just wait like a few weeks? Then everyone will have forgotten mine and you’ll be good to go.😂
@Raven: I’m always wary of copy others (on accident or by coincidence!) too so I understand the pain.😂
Yeah I know I don’t want that to happen either
Raven recently posted…Review (Rant?) of An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
Hahaha! No it’s alright! I’ve decided to break them up and post them individually. And it’s not THAT similar I was just exaggerating 😅
I have said each one of these over my blogging lifetime hahah. Thanks for the post.
Angel @Angel Reads recently posted…Ten Things That Will Make Me NOT Want To Read A Book
I still say them too hahahaha. BUT WE MUST NOT FEEL GUILTY!!😂
#7 is so relatable I just *sobs* I’ve reviewed so many popular books that I didn’t like and each time I felt I was missing something that everyone got but me? And #10… YAAAAAS! I feel guilty when I don’t accept review requests but there’s literally nothing more I can do about it, back in my early bogging years I used to refuse nothing and it was just a giant mess of constant blog posts and promos. Not fun at all.
Kei @ The Lovely Pages Reviews recently posted…THINGS THAT WILL MAKE ME NOT WANT TO READ A BOOK
It’s honestly WAY better not to turn blogging into a stress-fest and just say no when we need to!! 🎉🎉
I always always have the review copy guilt. So I cut down accepting copies this year. Ah!! You are so right about ‘ Am I blogging enough?’ I realised I have put half the number of posts this month than what I usually do and I was hitting my head asking “Why don’t you follow your schedule, girl?”
Resh Susan recently posted…Book Review : Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
I cut down accepting review-copies last year…and this year I’m just a hot mess and have taken WAY TOO MANY.😂 But it’s like publishing’s fault for coming out with all the good books this year!??!???😂
All of these are so true! I have this weird guilt when I’d finish a book and then don’t immediately review it. Like it is yogurt and going to go bad after a week. Must. Remember. This. Is. For. Fun.
Yes! Remember it’s for fun and it’s not a competition no matter what pace we want to take things at!
I haven’t recieved ARC’s very often…but when I do, I feel kind of guilty like I’M NOT WORTH IT, which is rubbish obviously. I also feel guilty about not tweeting enough, not commenting enough, and not having a pretty enough blog. but that is POISONOUS THINKING, because if I think that way, then I’ll never feel like enough which is BAD. I haven’t finished Gemina yet, and I have all these library books glaring malevolently, yet I’m still checking out more because I have issues. YAY. NO MORE GUILT (hopefully. mostly)
Shanti recently posted…Literally just a book about YA books
I FEEL THE SAME, THO, SO YOU’RE NOT ALONE. And also absolutely yes…we wouldn’t be sucked into thinking we’re not good enough or not doing enough. It’s just a downwards spiral. 🙈🙊 The important thing is not to compare or compete, I think, and to enjoy our smol corners of the internet universe!
THIS POST SPEAKS TO MY SOULLLL Especially #5 and #8!
In general just being Loki sounds like a pretty good solution #TeamLoki
Have you watched the Thor movies? The third is just coming out at the end of the year 🙂
I’M GLAD YOU LIKED IT!! Also let’s just all be Loki (maybe minus the mass-murdering part) and do things how we want to do them. And yes omg of course! I love the Thor movies. I prefer Thor II and Im really looking forward to the next one.😂
Why can’t my TBR be just a normal size? I always seem to be behind on my review copies and forever buying books because they have pretty covers. You’d think by reading one of them it would reduce this enormous tower but instead I add 3 more books. It’s like I’m building on an extension or conservatory to my castle of books!
I can relate a *lot* to this post. I mean I am always feeling guilty and neglecting my blog. There is just not enough time in the world to balance blogging, reading and cake eating!
I buy books for pretty covers too…IT’S SO HARD NOT TO?? THEY ARE GORGEOUS SO IT’S THEIR FAULT.😂 I seriously read 1 and then like 3 more appear in its place. It’s a mystery.😂
(Also petition for we bloggers to get more hours in our day?!?! WE NEED THEM.)
OMG dude, THANK YOU. You honestly have no idea how much I needed to hear this today. I DEFINITELY don’t blog nearly as much as I used to, and so my views have gone down (even more so now that I’ve had to move blogs *shakes fist at being 20*), so it can be a little…disheartening, you know? So I’ve had to tell myself it’s OKAY if I only blog once every week or so, or even once a month, or heck–even LESS. I think maybe if I stop stressing about how much I blog, I’ll probably end up blogging even more, haha. Also–I’ve stopped putting so much pressure on myself to read so much, too, and honestly, I feel 10000% times better about it.
Kara recently posted…Update! New Zealand & WIPs
Aww, I’m so glad it was a timely post!! *sends warm cupcakes* It’s always stressful to see our blogs decline. Omg honestly this year has been a bit of a dip in readers for me which is sad. 😭 But I’m also busy with SO many other things, so maybe it’s good timing hhaah. The important thing is to have fun with this! Obviously what we put into our blogs is what we’ll get out, but like why do we have to mount all this pressure on our heads anyway?!?? Blogging should be a happy place!
Spot on! All of the mentioned above.
I am unorganized as well and what I have planned to do for a specific period always fails as I fall off schedule and I end up getting it done like a week or at worst months later. Which I feel really guilty about. Another thing I think most of us book lovers do is reading multiple books at the same time and wonder why the holly cake we cannot finish a review on time….
Oh well I do that all the time and constantly put books that I am currently reading on hold for anothee book I started reading instead… yeaas totally guilty burn me alive cuz I deserve it! (But no don’t really it is a methaphor)
Couldn’t agree more with the Say No part I personally do not accept compensations for the books I receive and I can always refuse a book at anytime or do not finish reading. Nothing bad with receiving compensation though do not get me wrong you are more free than free to choose the best thing you believe in for you. So yes, it is our time and efforts so we all should preserve our right to say no when we do not feel about it. It is not the end of the world nor the end of your blogging career so keep that in mind!
This said I will fly off to Mordor to throw my guilts there and cleanse my soul…
Totally true! I think it’s actually kind of silly that there’s so much stigmas that we book bloggers SHOULDN’T get paid. I mean, I don’t think it’s ever going to change?? But blogs for other niches get paid for reviewing stuff! Buuuut anyway that’s a topic for another time.😂 The point is: It’s our time, effort, and we shouldn’t be afraid to say no!😂
Me? Have book blogger’s guilt? Never! …I mean… most of the time. Sometimes I feel like a bad bookworm because I haven’t actually read any Jane Austen or the entire Canterbury Tales, but hey! I could tell you the reverse chronological order of the events in the history of Narnia. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned about reading: it’s not a competition! Thanks for the lovely post, Cait. I can definitely relate.
Knowing things about Narnia is 10000% more important than Jane Austen. I’ve never even read a Jane Austen and pretty much don’t plan to.😂
IT’S DEFINITELY NOT A COMPETITION!!
OMG. This was so true. 😂My TBR is literally at tall as the Eiffel Tower. Great Post as always!
SAME. There’s literally no hope now except to climb it and at least have a good view of the sunset.😂
Everything on here is so relatable!! Number 3 is especially me… I’m new to the whole book blogging thing, but it’s been super fun so far! Thanks for always having such great posts!
AWw, I’m so glad you enjoy my posts!! <3 And WELCOME TO BOOK BLOGGING. It truly is the best. 🎉🎉
Ummm….all of the above??? Haha! I have gotten much better at saying no….except of course when it comes to my favorites…. Ya…..also….I feel guilty for not reading as much or as FAST as “I should”
I totally hear you!! And at least we all feel this way at times!?? The important thing to remember is that there’s no “rules” or bar we have to reach. We just need to have fun!!
I GOT THE MATCHSTICK REFERENCE(!!!!!!!) Also, um, your post was great!! Just kidding, it was wonderful. 😀 These are some really great points!! I’ve definitely struggled with some of these, especially comparing myself to other bloggers. And also not liking popular books… or worrying about misleading people with my reviews… and etc. But these are some really great tips, and I will have to work on it! Also, that picture at the bottom is especially beautiful.
OH EXCELLENT. YOU CAN STAY. YOU ARE A PROUD BEAN THAT HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON AND I APPROVE OF.😂
Aww, thanks! I’m really glad you enjoyed the post!! I think we should all cut ourselves some slack when it comes to blogging.
You got me totally distracted with the local blogging cat.
Yes. Admit your TBR. Accept your TBR. BECOME ONE WITH YOUR TBR.
…wait, am I doing this right..? 😀
The “better blogger” one though xD that one lies very close to my heart 😀 but more in the terms of…. Producing more content, better content, ACTUALLY being known, getting paper ARCs 😀 well, you’ve probably been there, you totally know what it is. I don’t think any blogger has NOT been there at least once. I mean, most of us probably struggle with self-esteem at least once in our lives.
And yes, of course, who wouldn’t choose Loki? Even though I haven’t seen the movie, but pretty much any representation of Loki, old or new, actual mythology or not, is awesome.
I do admit I have a problem with rereads. I may or may not confirm that the new Goodreads reread policy might have remedied that….
<__>
I also struggle with the “my poor blog is the ugly duckling among the other swans” kind of problem xD have you been there in the past? Obviously not now, cause your blog is actually clean 😀 although, do you have quibbles sometimes? It’s kind of similar to “I don’t have anything to wear”, I guess? 😀
And I’m actually fine with not following a trend. Because meh trends 😀 candles? Pillows? Dunno, just not my thing. I’m here for reading books. If it floats your boat, great, and I’m happy to see other people’s IG and appreciate it (for example). But I am here for books only and I’m fine with that. I won’t let it get me down 😀
Awww they sent you chocolate? That is so absolutely lovely!!! Oh my gosh. Adowable! I’m so glad they would do something like that.
And it’s TOTALLY work. But hey, I wouldn’t be doing it IF IT HADN’T ACTUALLY ALREADY TORN OUT PART OF MY SOUL AND REPLACED IT WITH ITSELF 😀 so fast, in barely a half a year! Can’t even imagine where blogging stands with you, after so many years.
A very enjoyable post, Cait 🙂 many many many things I can relate to <3
Evelina recently posted…Why were they called The Girls With Radioactive Bones?
*merges soul with TBR so has become one with it* I’M SURE THIS WILL WORK. WHAT CAN GO WRONG.
Of course ALL bloggers start off smol and uncertain…and some of us remain that way.😭😂 I mean, how long have I been blogging?!? I still get rejected for ARCs I really want and I STILL have no idea what I’m doing and feel like everyone else is doing better.
(Omg I totally hear you with goodreads updating the reread option! That makes it SO much nicer to want to reread.😂)
And absolutely! you should’ve seen my old designs, haha, they’re so awful I can’t even look. My blog only looks nice now because my relative is a webdesigner and did it up for me in exchange for free babysitting.😂
Blogging stress is stupid because I bring it on myself. I shouldn’t be stressed over a hobby! Nobody is forcing me to run a blog! I usually feel guilty about not commenting back. I always intend to comment back, but it often doesn’t happen.
Aj @ Read All The Things! recently posted…U is for “Uncertainty”
I totally get that! And actually I’m SUPER behind on comments right now and trying not to stress/feel guilty over it.😭 We need to enjoy ourselves and just focus on doing our best. We don’t have to be super-bloggers all the time!
These are all so true!! I’m alwaays feeling guilty!
Well you’re not alone! BUT WE REALLY SHOULDN’T.😂 WE SHOULD JUST ENJOY OURSELVES!
I feel guilty about not being more active on my blog, granted I’ve been at it for less than a year. I need to be more organized.
I have a number of books on my TBR pile that have been sitting there and at times I feel guilty, but I will get to them eventually.
We just need to pause time so we can catch up on ALL THE THINGS, right?!😂
I’ve definitely felt the one about leading people astray. It’s just that I know I’m a super harsh book rater, it’s just the way I am. But I know other people have preferences, and that’s great. But the times that people actually listen to my review and then decide to not read something I feel really bad. I don’t want to necessarily cause people not to read books, just to maybe hear something different about the book than what they’ve already heard. Unless the book was like a 1 star then I don’t care lol.
I totally hear you!! I’m the same!! 😭I’m just really blunt and honest and I can’t heeelp it, it’s who I am in every aspect of my life. but I feel so bad when I turn people off books. 🙈🙊 But like that’s literally what a low-star review is for?? So calm down Cait hahha.😂
True! Lol yeah that’s true. 🙂
I really enjoyed this post Cait!
I’m definitely one of those unhappy-pineapples brooding over my TBR pile, not to mention the idea of a low-starred review freaks me out! In fact if a book ever hits below two stars I don’t even mention it on my blog at all!
I also think most bloggers suffer from blogger envy. There are so many bloggers I admire who do amazing discussion posts every other day. Thankfully I accepted long ago I would never been one of those super-powered-workerbees. Now If I manage one discussion post every six weeks I’m thrilled lol.
Hope you’re having a good week!
I’m so glad you liked it, Sarah!! *flails happily* And like I’m glad we all sort of relate here.😂 We can share CAKE OF DOOM and just remind ourselves that our blogs are our space and it’s good to just enjoy it. <3
A) Yes I’m SUPER BAD at saying no! I’ve… like… never done it. >.> IT’S A PROBLEM. B) Yes I have books I’m supposed to review that I haven’t read yet and feel guilty about. Though I do normally try to keep my to-review stack fairly small, and so far have succeeded, mostly? C) My goodness, that older-brother-who’s-Aussie-therefore-you-are-Loki logic makes a lot of sense. :O SUDDENLY YOU MAKE SENSE. D) Excellent post, m’dear, thank you. I should probably go read it several dozen more times to get these “you don’t hafta!!!” points drilled into my head… *cough*
Deborah O’Carroll recently posted…Of Writing and …Stags? #TheWritersTag
I’m glad you’re succeeding with keeping the review stack low! I did good last year but this year I’m just RUBBISH.😭😂 There are too many books and I wants them aaall.
DUDE, YES. I AM LOKI. NO DENYING IT NOW. (My brother isn’t blonde though?? But he’s like a massive oaf and that’s sort of Thor-ish and I have dark hair, shoulder-length that is 99% like Loki’s so I honestly see no reason to dispute this now.)
I’m really glad you liked the post! 😀
I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING HERE. It’s so hard to say ‘NO’ in book blogging because I hate rejection myself and yet I just do it and feel so bad and stress over it forever. I don’t feel guilty about my TBR, to be honest. Like, i re-read, take it slow and don’t panic becauseI’M the one reading, no-one else.I’ve abandoned my blog for 2 weeks in a row once and I just FELT SO BAD. I don’t feel bad about disliking really hyped-up books. But you know what I would add to your list, Be LIKING a super-hated book. Like, I know we mostly have really popular books. But there’s those famous books EVERYONE HATES because they’re problematic or something. AND I LIKE ‘these’ books (Well, 1 so far) and i have reasons to say THEY ARE ACTUALLY NOT PROBLEMATIC??? BUt then what if they ARE and I’m just really dumb and my opinion hurts those people. And they I feel bad and GOSH THE GUILT. Okay sorry
Omg liking super-hated books is just as hard.😂 Or worse…if the torlls come after you.😂 I also think there’s a LOT more leeway than the internet gives when it comes to problematic books tbh. Because sometimes I think an author is just making a social commentary but people take it as the author is evil. *shrugs* But I don’t know. I NEVER want to diminish a minority’s opinion. It’s very hard. 😭😭😭*gives you cake for the stress that is our life*
Anytime I post a spoiler-heavy post, I feel guilty. Even though I put a HUGE red spoiler warning at the top and, in most cases, the spoilers are far enough down that the reader would have to scroll. I do try to avoid them, but sometimes I can’t – how are you meant to do a character analysis without spoiling the choices the character makes?
Rain @ Ivyclad Ideas recently posted…Why, Despite All Appearances, Kaz Brekker is NOT a Byronic Hero
I totally get that! I really like being able to do spoiler tags in wordpress.😂 Although I discovered they don’t work in emails?? So if you’re reading my post through an email you’ll get hit in the face with spoilers and I!!! Just!! ARGH!! *collapses*
Wow, I actually related to this a lot more than I thought I would, especially numbers 2 and 3. I don’t really consider myself a book blogger…more like a kinda-sorta-what-I-doing-writing-blogger. But the two are similar enough. Sort of? And it really is this constant questioning of WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING? It’s SO easy to compare to other amazing, huge, beautiful blogs and wonder why I ever thought I could fit in with the cool kids.
Buuut, I keep plugging away at it anyway. Because I love it. And I guess, in the end, that’s what counts?
A lot of these points definitely relate to just blogging in general, SO I’M GLAD YOU STILL LIKED THE POST. <3 And like omg I don't even know what I'm doing half the time and I've been at this for nearly 6 years.😂
And YES! That's what counts! Loving it and making art.
Yes to all of this! I don’t even request many netgalley books because i’m a slow reader…and I still got behind with no good excuse.
Books i’ve bought or re-reading? What…what ever do you mean? I have netgalley books to review, I have no time for books i’ve bought or *gasp* re-reading! I’m so sorry my pretties.
I often wonder if i’m too opinionated or not often. So often >.<
I need to be beaten with a rolled up carpet…I don't get the matchstick reference. I'm sorry, I have failed you! But yes, I have book blog plans and I don't get to all of them, and sometimes I worry my blog is being neglected.
Whenever I low star a book that I got from netgalley or an author/publisher I feel like an ungrateful egg, especially when it's popular. Or popular in general even if I didn't get it for free, because i'm such an ungrateful egg! I mean…we're not a hive mind…right…*breathes*
I hate saying "no" but sometimes I have too. I live with chronic pain and medical issues, I can't do it all. I'm not trying to complain i'm just saying…I can't do it all. Of course no one can. I spend time on my blog, for free, because I want to and it's something to do when I can do something. Logically I know I shouldn't feel bad for saying "no"…so why do I still feel bad? Silly brains, feeling bad when they shouldn't.
Do I have any books on my TBR that I feel guilty for not having read yet? HA…HAhahahahahaha…..yes, so so many.
I hear you!! I read like one book I own per month because the rest of the time I’m flapping about with library books with due dates and ARCs I should’ve read yesterday.😂 I kiiiind of want to change that hahah.
WHAT. SHAME ON YOU.😂 It’s the Little Matchstick Girl fairy tale!!
I definitely think it’s healthy AND wise to say “no”. And like at the end of the day: we are doing stuff for free and whoever invented this rule that book bloggers’ platforms are strictly to serve others is deluded.😂 I think they should be strictly to let us have a creative outlet and a good time! Bonus when we promote others!
I’ll have to check out the Little Matchstick Girl fairy tale! 🙂
Yes. We’re doing it for free. It’s a creative outlet ^_^ I say enjoy saying yes when I can but sometimes you just can’t. Plus when I like an author’s work I want to promote them anyway! 😀
It’s all for free though and just a creative outlet and fun time. Sometimes we worry too much! 🙂
Stephanie recently posted…Gen 1 Chapter 10 Growing the family
oops I didn’t mean to post my Sim story blog, I’m just waking up sorry!
Stephanie recently posted…Top 5 Wednesday: Authors I want to read more from
I always feel guilty about my TBR pile, especially when I get into a terrible reading slump (ahem, currently). PLUS I’m totally guilty of wanting to reread books like, all the time. I’ve gotten pretty good at the “no” thing, I just need to be better about the… well, replying thing. Sometimes I forget to respond to emails and then I feel terrible about it!
Also, I’m currently working on another blog and so I feel like I’m cheating on my book blog?? But I really want to do both? But I kind of have to neglect it for a while so I can get the other one up and running with good content?? Ugh
Omg I always forget to respond to emails and I feel TERRIBLE. 😭 I mass-responded to some on the weekend and then everyone replied back and agh. That backfired massively on clearing out my inbox hahahah.😂
DO BOTH!! HAVE FUN!! FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!!
Yessss I’m so glad you ended up writing this post!! Clearly we come up with genius blog ideas when we brainstorm. Apparently we should do it more often 😂 All of these are so accurate. I seriously stress when I’m late to review an ARC or when I’m reviewing an ARC negatively. I’m like “WELP they probably hate me now and will never approve me for another ARC again!” 😂
WE DO! WE MAKE A GREAT BRAINSTORM TEAM *hi fives* 😂
I think I feel the most guilty when I’ve been sick and don’t post or for the fact that I don’t usually read popular hyped books. I mean I would rather find books at a thrift store or garage sale and read an old book then buy a new one.
Saying No in real life is the easiest thing ever , saying no to reviews ect is a little harder.
Saaaaaame. It’s definitely silly of us BUT SAME. I literally live in dread of getting sick and not being able to keep on top of things. *knocks head against a brick wall* It shouldn’t be like that! We’re human and we need breaks.
Aww. Your posts are magical cake, Cait. Speaking of which, I bought three cake mixes because of you. Thank you.. I need cake. This blog post is fantastic and all, but what about reading super slow? My depression lopped me into a jar of molasses and everything is going rather slow. By that I mean that I haven’t read in like a whole week (or two?). And, then, there’s also the worrying about commenting on other blogs with something witty and charming. I am not charming! I’m a sponge.
*douses self with soap and water*
And, I used the wrong word! **Lobbed, not lopped.
So much shame.
*Hides under a rock*
EXCELLENT. My mind control stretches far. *cackles evilly into the sunset*
But I assure you, you’re not a sponge! YOU ARE CHARMING. I think we all have blogger guilts and insecurities, but honestly!?? We’re awesome people and we do the best we can and we need to remember that!
Your writing is comforting Cait. So happy when I read about neglecting blog and not following trend.. I feel guilty about that lately.. Thank you so much Cait for the reminder 🙂
Aww, thank you, Hana!! And just know that you’re not alone! We all freak out about this stuff on occasion.😂
My blog is on a semi-hiatus right now and I feeling so guilty about not posting regularly so thank you for this post! I am not a very social echidna so I always find out about trends super late. But #4 is totally me. I’m always stressing about all the books I need to review and then worrying that I’m not reading enough and I won’t have anything new to talk about ln my blog. I like to review all the books I read but I’m currently 12 books behind *eats cake stressfully*. So I agree that all this self-imposed guilt will make blogging seem like a burden which it shouldn’t be! Such a relatable post Cait 😀
Emily @ theBookishLounge recently posted…Swarm by Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan, Deborah Biancotti // Book Reviews
Oooh I like the phrase “social echidna”. 😂 That is the actual best. And hey! I read and blog a TON And STILL feel like I’m not doing enough, so you’re absolutely not alone!! *eats cake stressfully with you* The important thing is to remember blogging is fun and it’s for us and we don’t own the universe to have super packed-schedules-and-be-all-perfectly-on-top-of-things if we don’t want to be.
#2 & 3 lol
I struggle to do my posting & commenting just once a week.
and #5 for my life in general.. >.>
*gives you cake* AT LEAST WE’RE ALL IN TOGETHER.
Yay cake!!!!!! 😀
Thanks for saying all of this. I know it, but it’s easy to forget sometimes. One thing I’ve done is backed of ARCs so I can whittle down my TBR. Bahahaha! Yeah, right! I’m not being as successful as I hoped. The best-laid plans, and all that.
Tiffany @ I Was Angelized_1st recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Things That Will Make Me Instantly NOT Want To Read A Book
At least sometimes we have good intentions, right?!😂😂 I’m behind on everything and just trying not to stress over it haha. It’s more important to enjoy ourselves!
I always feel guilty for not using consistent verb tense and proper grammar!
*raises hand* ME TOO. I can’t even grammar half the time properly anyway.😂
I feel guilty about not posting enough! I’m aiming for 3 times per week because I feel like that’s a happy medium between frequency and not so much that I’m overwhelmed, but school has kicked me in the head this month. However, I’m done SO THAT SHOULD MEAN LOTS OF SCHEDULED THINGS AND BEING ORGANIZED AND ON TOP OF CRAP (hahahah maybe). I also struggle with the possible impact my reviews could maybe have. I just worry that everything I say is wrong and silly and I am a SHAMEFUL PINEAPPLE. I haven’t had to say no to anything yet 😉 so yay for easiness with that one!!
Honestly, Cait, every book on my TBR is a guilt-inducing bundle of paper. I need about 13 more arms and possibly a couple more sets of eyes and a brain that can process multiple things at once efficiently and logically. I JUST WANT TO DO ALL THE THINGSSSS. Save me from the abyss that is neglected bookshelves and instagram accounts.
I HEAR YA, KRIS, I DO. I aim for 3 posts a week and lately I’ve been dyyyying just trying to keep up with getting everything done and comments and reading blogs and AHH CRISI TIME!!😂 The important thing for us to remember is to calm down, probably hahah. No one is glaring at is because we ALL have these insecurities!
However I would like 13 more arms. And probably 13 more eyeballs so I can actually get through my TBR.
My biggest source of book blogger guilt is when I’m too busy to comment on other people’s posts? Like I want to but.. but I just don’t have the time. (Because HELLO trying to pass high school plus have a life once in a blue moon. *waves*) I manage to post but then if I’m busy i often don’t have time for commenting. (I am right now but I’m supposed to be working on an assignment #confession). I also feel really guilty about not wanting to read the ‘popular’ books? I don’t want to read any Cassandra Clare, really, and I’m not desperate for The Hate U Give, and also I don’t want to read the Court of X and Y series either (b/c I don’t know. Maybe I will. But not soon) . Anyway this post was full of Trueness and Shar=Agreement.
(The reread one? I feel that a lllll the time? Like I love rereading but I shouldn’t but I should grrr)
shar@Virtually Read recently posted…Literally just a book about YA books
Omg I should’ve put that in there too because that’s a HUGE one for me as well!! 😭 It’s like really time consuming to blog!! And some days I don’t even get anywhere NEAR close to answering comments/reading all the blogs I need to. *buries self*
You are missing out on exactly nothing but not reading the Court of X and Y series. 😂
GAH I SO NEEDED THIS RIGHT NOW hahaha (BTW you are definitely my Professor Xavier in this one..how do you do it???)
I have been sorely neglecting my blog (thus the post about procrastination) and am currently procrastinating studying (SEE?? I am the ruling queen of the Art of Procrastination).
I think that a lot of us DO get caught up into viewing our blogs as a job – and that just makes me not want to blog – which is sad BECAUSE I LOVE BLOGGING ACTUALLY.
I bow to you, O Sovereign of Sense!
Esther @ Queen of Fantasy recently posted…10 Ways to Become a Master Procrastinator Like Me (and Also Why Procrastinating is the Answer to All Your Problems)
I loved your post on procrastinating though.😂😂 That was the best. haha.
And YES. I think we do get seen a lot as our blogs being “jobs” and they totally CAN be (depending on how you want to use your blog) but I think perhaps everyone puts a lot of pressure on us when we’re literally squeezing this into our free time. It should be fun!
Thank you…*sniffs* I have been feeling like a crumpled piece of Norwegian seaweed because of not finishing my TBR and being behind on reviews and to know that even you struggle with these things…just thank you, you lovely person.
Elisabeth recently posted…Pre-Vacation Book Packing Struggles
We are not seaweed!! We are not weird eggs!! WE’VE GOT THIS IN OUR OWN WAYS AND WE CAN RULE OUR BLOGS MAJESTICALLY!! *flails*
Ugh I am such a southern Norwegian crumpled piece of seaweed :’-( I keep thinking I need to join Bookstagram and take awesome photos (and my photography skills suck) in order to be a REAL book blogger – I know it’s stupid but I’m so jealous of everyone else’s gorgeous feeds! So yes, comparing myself to other book bloggers is definitely a problem. HOWEVER, I read Prince of Thorns this month and wrote a review about it, and today Mark Lawrence tweeted me!!! *dies* So I think I’m the real winner here… :’-)
Lyndsey recently posted…Ten things that make me NOT want to read a book
AHHHH THAT IS SO AWESOME THAT MARK LAWRENCE TWEETED YOU!! (He is so nice omg.) And I totally get that push to do things to be the “real book blogger” but seriously…if you blog about books and you enjoy it, that’s all you need for the title, right?!
Ha! Thank you for this! I am only a year into the whole book blogging thing and I occasionally feel guilty about some of the very things. Mostly I just tell myself that I started this for fun and to just “shut up and enjoy” but knowing I am not the only one helps!
PS I LOVE LOKI! *heart eyes*
LOKI IS AN EXCELLENT CREATURE OF GLORY AND DARKNESS. 💕
And also I’ve been blogging for nearly 6 years and STILL feel guilty about these things on occasion. 😂 It’s just important to remember that we are here to make art and that shouldn’t be an awful experience for us. It should be fun!
I don’t feel guilty about my huge tbr-list, I actually scheduled a post about it. I totally agree with your poin 3, Cait; where is no rules to be a book blogger. And yes, unfortunately, I reread books less since I became a blogger.
“Be the free fish you always wanted to be” – oh, I love this.
Ksenia @ Something Delicate recently posted…Review: All for You by Laura Florand
We can all be gloriously free fish together. :’)
#6 is totally me lately! Fortunately, I’m starting to see the light at the end of the otherwise pitch-black tunnel of final exams, but I’ve gone from having a “slightly behind schedule” blog to a “sadly neglected” blog. I guess the good part is that most of the time, I’m literally too busy to feel guilty.
Clara @ Lost in My Library recently posted…What Makes a Good Review?
And don’t feel guilty!! School and exams are important too!!
Ah, yes, I definitely agree about the whole comparing yourself to another blogger and the whole “review thing leads people astray thing.”
I constantly panic that I’ll post a post or a Tweet or write a review of a book, and I’ll just log on to get a lot of hate comments and Twitter hate. I mean, it’s so ridiculous and it’ll probably never happen ever, and I’m sure it’s just my social anxiety talking, but I sometimes get so nervous. It was really nice to read those words to remember that it always is my opinion and that no one has to agree with it! 😄
And I feel like I’m always comparing myself to other bloggers! I just can’t help it. 🙈 Sometimes, it inspires me to do better, but other times, it’ll sometimes lead to blogger envy. You just can’t help but assume that someone who has an awesome Internet personality isn’t as awesome and fun in real life – I know that I feel like I’m so different in real life compared to my blog.
I so get that panic over being worried about potential hate, so you’re not alone!! (I also totally get you with the social anxiety. *sends cake of understanding*) I think it’s really important for us to remember that it’s just OUR opinion and we’re not demanding the whole world to agree with us. Although a lot of time, internet people don’t seem to remember that. 🙈🙊
I always compare myself to other bloggers too. IT’S KIND OF INEVITABLE. But just so long as we realise that we’re doing a fine job just the way we are.
Ooooh Cait, yessss to all of this. Now, I am a unicorn (because I refuse to be a piece of lettuce?) and am kiiiind of on top of my review TBR. BUT only my review TBR and only because I feel guilty about it so maybe this isn’t the best example? Ha. Actually, I LIKE having a review schedule, it kind of makes my decisions for me 😉 That’s probably a life fail, but you do what you have to.
I have actually started a post about things that have made me a happier blogger, and some of it has to do with the guilt, and letting it go. Because I have had ALL of these, at least at one point or another. Except maybe that coveted ARC thing 😉 But I am trying to just do what I WANT now, you know? Like- and this is part of my post, so shhh don’t tell anyone else yet hahah- but like, I post The 100 stuff, and legit ONE PERSON comments, but like, I LOVE IT and that one comment makes me happy and that is FINE, you know? At first I was like “wait- I should stop, I get no views, no comments, my stats plunge, etc” but then I realized… HOLD UP. This is the MOST FUN you have while blogging, why on earth would you not do it? Because of some “rules”? No thank you! (Look at this, it’s like you are extra special, which, obviously you are, and got a sneak peak of my post for next week 😂)
But seriously, I think this post is awesome because SO many of us feel the guilt- and you are someone that a lot of people in the community look up to, so I think that hearing this kind of message from you can really help people. (Wow, that took a sappy turn, sorry about that, but not actually sorry because I mean it, so deal with it. ♥)
Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight recently posted…#The100 End of Hiatus Fun!
Dude. HOw dare you be a unicorn AND SHAME US ALL. I’M GOING TO CALL YOU A LETTUCE UNICORN FROM NOW ON AND HOW DO YOU EVEN DO IT. (It’s because you never sleep right.😂) Actually a review schedule is probably really sensible and you should be applauded?! I applaud.
You should definitely do things just because they’re fun and you enjoy them!! I mean, my reviews usually bomb on the blog haha, but I still love reviewing so I’m still going to do it?! Not to say I don’t care about page stats/comments/etc…I really do.😂 But I also think we have to balance it with blogging for OURSELVES because it IS our blogs and we don’t get paid or anything.😂
Awww, look up to me?😂 I hope not.😂😂 BUT THAT WARMS MY HEART ANYWAY, THANK YOU SHANNON. <3
#2 and #3 – Oh my god, how did you know this was exactly what I needed to hear???
BECAUSE I CAN READ MINDS. *flails*
Well that’s unfortunate. I had hoped the strange noise coming from the closet was you. Better check that out.
Okay, so having downloaded your lemon berry cake recipe I’m never going to get into that new top I bought for spring. However, maybe a slice of something delicious can be an inducement to write my 1,000 words a day…
Bribing oneself with cake is a great way to write more words! 🍰🍰
Okay, Cait… Popping over to announce two things! Firstly, I tagged you for this Evil Writer’s Award which I invented and I think you would enjoy maybe? Anyway it’s here if you want it: https://storyanddarkchocolate.wordpress.com/2017/04/20/im-back-and-im-sunshiny-apparently/
Secondly… would you be willing to be interviewed by me for a post on my blog??? If so, shoot me an email at storyanddarkchocolate@gmail.com
That’s all.
Kate Marie recently posted…I’m Back… And I’m Sunshiny, Apparently
YES AND YES. I would love to be interviewed and I am definitely a fan of an evil author tag.😂 Thankyou!
And, now I’m imaging what Charles Xavier’s blog might look like… 😀
IT WOULD LOOK LIKE MINE OBVIOUSLY. 😂
I really needed this post Cait! There are quite a few things on this list that I’ve been struggling with, but you’re completely right about these things. The problem is that if you start worrying about those things blogging will no longer be fun and feel like a chore, and I blog because I love it, so I don’t want that!
I totally get that!! It’s important to remember this is our space for having FUN. 🎉 I mean, stress is somewhat inevitable, but we shouldn’t feel bad about all the things. 😜
I did feel constantly guilty about my blog but then I thought its my hobby so now I blog when I want about what I want. Before it was sucking the joy out of my reading so now no guilt and its great!
I’m glad you came to that realisation! *gives you cake* I think the internet puts a LOT of pressure on us, tbh, and we have to remember this is what we’re doing for fun. So let it stay fun!!
Hey, this is sort of unrelated, but have you ever read any of Brandon Sanderson’s books? They’re really amazing fantasy, with great magic systems and characters. His Stormlight Archives series has a lovely mix of violence and fluff, and has multiple canonically mentally ill characters portrayed in a really good way, as well as at least two canonically LGBTQ+ characters.
I’ve read and enjoyed his Steelheart books! I unfortunately couldn’t stand his Mistborn series though. 🙈🙊 I found the sexism too much to handle tbh.
It’s so true! We put hundreds, maybe even thousands of free hours of blood, sweat, and tears into our blogs, so technically we don’t owe anyone anything. Blerggg, but why is saying ‘no’ so hard? >< *le sigh* It's tough to remember sometimes that blogging isn't a job, but a hobby, and it should be done for fun 🙂 Wonderful post, Cait!
Brittany @ Brittany’s Book Rambles
I know right?!? I feel SO BAD to say no and yet…like this is my space and I’m doing all the work here so the least I can do is only promote/blog about what I WANT to. 😂 I’m so glad you liked the post!!
Great post Cait! Yup I think we put waaaaay too much pressure on ourselves and that’s why I stopped blogging last year for almost four months. I decided to give another try under completely different rules and now I loe it. I still feel super weird when I don’t like a super popular book. Like when you mention the Raven Boys, which I know you love. LOL! I always say “there must be something wrong with me! Everyone LOVES this series.” the writing style is hard for me but I keep putting it in my TBR hoping one day I WILL READ IT 🙂
There’s definitely never something wrong with us for not liking a book!! I think it’s totally fine not to be onboard with a popular series. Just so long as we don’t hate on others for liking it.😂
I RELATE TO ALL OF THESE SO MUCH OMG. But my biggest one is, “I’m as good a blogger because I don’t post as much as X’ and I always feel so guilty if I miss a week.
Mironiel Blokzyl @The Life of a Mirkwood Elf recently posted…Missing by Kelley Armstrong || Kelley Armstrong Does It Again
I stress out an unbelievable amount about not missing posts haha.😂 I NEED TO LEARN TO CHILL TOO so this post is also me speaking to me.😂
*pats shoulder* I TOTALLY understand, honestly, and like I often need to take hiatuses but I’m terrified of being away for too long. Which is silly! We all need/deserve breaks!
Haha, I am HORRIBLE at saying no. I mean, I still do it, but I just feel so horrible and guilty! And omg rereads make me soooooo guilty! But ya know, sometimes we have to relive those amazing books. And haha! I’ve always said I’m sort of a book blogger, since I don’t solely blog about books, but I guess, like you said in your post, anyone who blogs about books is a book blogger!
May @ Forever and Everly recently posted…Writerly Update #5 // I Won Camp NaNo Early??? + Am Dead
Ugh I feel so so guilty too!! Which is just silly because it’s our blog, our space, our time and work that’s gone into it! We really aren’t beholden to anyone but ourselves.😂
You’ve done it again, Cait. You’ve written the post that all us bloggers need to read to give us a bit of perspective. It’s so easy to get caught up in your head and your doubts and begin feeling guilty and it’s terrible so I will be telling everyone to read this. Last year I barely reread anything because I have so many books and not enough time but this year I’ve decided screw that. I will reread all the things and be insanely happy doing it. I love books and rereading is like my favourite thing and sure my TBR is forever growing, but it also isn’t going anywhere so I’ll reread if I want to.
I am also slowly learning that saying no is totally okay. I love to keep people happy but I got into a blackhole of saying yes to everything and I used to think blogging took up a lot of time before but it took up even more when I was agreeing to all these review copies and posts and it meant I was less happy blogging and reading so no is a word I like and say more often.
Now I just need to learn to stop feeling guilty over my TBR books and maybe learn to say no before I buy books because it’s not much I feel guilty and more that I spend the money I should be spending on food instead. I kind of like eating and I’ve tried, you can’t eat books.
Awww, THAT MAKES ME HAPPY, BECKY. THANKS. 💕 I’m really glad you liked the post!! I think it’s SO easy to get drowned in expectations, especially as a book blogger, because it seems that we have to do lots of hard work and long hours and then be expected to work really hard for others! Which is FINE if one wants to. But I also think it’s totally cool just to blog your way and for you. Blogging is supposed to be fun, right?!
#4 and #5 are my life!! Especially #5 because when I get really hyped up about a book I loved I go around recommending it to everyone and going on and on about how much I loved it but then when they tell me they’re going to read it I get this terrible guilt/worry feeling that they’ll hate it and that I just made them waste their time. Which I’m sure is a really irrational feeling because it’s their choice but I always feel it. 🙈 And #10! When I first started blogging I was terrible at saying no but now I’m just like “NO!” But in a nicer way than that… 😂
It’s so HARD recommending favourite books!! *hides forever* I always just am scared that they’ll think I have horrible taste and never read another recommendation from me again.😂
Learning to say no is VERY good for the sanity!
I have felt guilty about ALL OF THE ABOVE! Which is kind of ridiculous because we blog for ourselves and to have fun, not necessarily please other people… I say despite massive amounts of guilt. I don’t know what will kill me first, the guilt or the towering TBR.
I hear you, I do.😂 I’m preaching to myself with this post actually haha. I feel guilty for SO many things, but like it’s my blog and I’m not being hired to do this. I think we bloggers have to learn to ignore the expectations sometimes! I don’t know who invented those expectations but they need to sit down.😂
LOL… you are hilarious. I love this post. I’m a new blogger and my god… blogging is not easy! It’s time consuming. As you said, it should be fun. Agree with you 100%. 😁👍🏻
I’m so glad you liked the post!! *sprinkles cake crumbs of gratitude in your hair* 😂 And YES it is super time consuming, omg. Sometimes I spend more time blogging than reading, which feels weird?!? But we should remember to have fun with all of this, no matter what!
I’m 100% guilty of #3. I’m such a slow reader, and I’m lucky if I can surpass 30 books in a year. Sometimes I feel embarrassed to try to call myself a book blogger!
Noooo don’t feel embarrassed! There is absolutely no unattainable bar to reach when it comes to amounts read! We just do what we can and enjoy ourselves, right??!
Caaait! I love this post. Really really. I tend to see quite a few people worrying about these things, and I think the same as you, and agree with everything you’ve said. I very rarely feel guilty. Sometimes it sneaks in, when I’m looking for a book to read, browsing my shelves, and, oh my god, there’s that book I received ages ago, and I’ve still not read it! But it’s brief. And I go back to not worrying.
I do feel bad about the other posts though. Recently, it’s just been review after review. But I’ve read a lot of short-ish books, and I don’t have the time to write several posts, and if I don’t write the reviews soon after finishing, I forget what I want to say. So it’s difficult! But I’m working on it. Honestly, I prefer writing reviews to any other post, but I know when I read a blog, I like more than just reviews, so I have to put in the work. And sometimes, when I have the right topic, it practically writes itself, and not difficult at all. But only sometimes, haha!
Great post, Cait!
Jo recently posted…Review: The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu
I’m so glad you liked the post, Jo!! *flails happily* I honestly feel guilty about a ton of this stuff very regularly.😂So the post is also yelling at me to chill out too haha. I think the important thing is to always remember that the blog is OURS and we can do what we want with it! *nods sagely*
*sobs* This is SO me right now. It’s 12:30am and I should be doing my assignment but HERE I AM lamenting how terrible my blog looks and how unhappy I am with it. So I relate to this post so much.
I get #2 so so often and it’s terrible! I should just be happy with myself and what I’ve accomplished but I can’t help but to compare myself with others aaaall the time. Thank you for all your reminders though. I shall have to snuggle up to this post and be kinder to myself. <3
Awww, LET ME GIVE YOU CAKE NOW AND COMFORT YOU BY GENTLY SPRINKLING CAKE CRUMBS IN YOUR HAIR. Just know you’re not alone! We all despair over our blogs at some point!! And honestly I’m still constantly comparing myself with others and rghghghg. I just wish I could NEVER do that. But I think the important thing to realise that we don’t WANT to be like that other person. We want to be us. If all blogs were the same we’d be super bored, right?!
What an amazing post!! and hell yes i agree with you on most points, apart from the marmalade, i love the stuff!
I am so glad that you mentioned the typos because it seems that I cannot even write a sentence without making hundreds of hte darn things, I am not sure if it is my brain going fasterthan my fingers or the other way around….. who knows!
I have dabbled with many book blogs over the years, making htem and then not, deleting and starting again etc, but this is time i am determined to keep mine going, because i love books, i love talking about them and showing them off, I often go into my room just to look at them… standing and staring…
I have always wanted to know if it was ok, to add other content, ie,i love Tea too and found an amazing brew and watned to shout about it, but i guess that i am too swayed by opinion and should really do what I want to do.
I agree with the blog envy, I look at other blogs, with a dropped jaw wondering how could I ever compete against all these gorgeous blogs, i am not tech savy, have only just worked out how to picmonkey!
But I love your blog, its delightful 🙂
Yayyy I’m so glad you liked it and I’ll even forgive you for being delusional about marmalde. :’)
And OF COURSE it’s okay to put other content on your blog!! I think the important thing to remember is: it’s your blog and you can do what you want! I sometimes blog here about my dog or my nieces/nephews…or cake. Let’s be real, I blog about cake a lot. 😂
I’m so glad you like my blog! THANK YOU.
I think we have have to agree to disagree about he marmalade, I will however say that it HAS to be without the wormy things!! 😛
I feel a lot of these because I feel small and out of place because my stats are nowhere near what I’d like them to be or those of my favorite bloggers. I feel like I haven’t got that flair for humor that some have (like my liege the Dragon Queen 😉 ). I -know- I should try not to feel guilty, but it doesn’t also come that easy to move past feeling bad.
I think the one that makes me feel the worst are the having an overloaded TBR of review books/saying No because I feel like if I say no, maybe I’ll have said no to the wrong thing and that will have been my chance to move my blog up the invisible rating scale of bloggers.
Btw, I like the minion name of Pineapple. 🙂
*gives you all the cake* If it makes you feel better, I have SO many doubts about my blogging too!! Half the time I worry if I’m just being a weird moose or if I’m actually making interesting jokes.🙈🙊😂 So I think the fear and uncertainty of blogging is fine! Just so long as we remember that we need different kinds of blogs to make up an awesome blogosphere and we’re all worthwhile here. <3
Omg it's SO HARD risking saying no to the wrong things!! I have regrets for refusing books and then later seeing everyone rave over them. Aghhh.😂
LOTS of great food for thought here.
I often feel guilty about my TBR, because I work through my review books first which means I neglect the books on my shelf. But, oh, well! Someday I will get to them – like when I cannot always buy books – and they’ll be there when I do. Until then, I keep plugging away and am learning (long overdue), I need to manage what I review/when I review it, and what I sign up for, etc. It’s a learning curve that I feel is a wonderful lesson to learn.
Lots of great encouraging thoughts and advice about blog maintenance and content too! Thanks for the reminders, Cait. 🙂
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That’s a really good way to approach your TBR! WELL DONE. 😀 And I’m glad you liked the post. !!
I love this post! I actually love all of your posts they are funny and make me laugh. I have guilt lately over moving and other wonderful things going on and I haven’t posted ANYTHING in like 3 weeks. But I just got internet at the new house and so now I can download books to my kindle and I unpacked all my books and found I bunch I haven’t read yet (or some I want to re-read) and I need to POST SOMETHING. So there’s that. But I have found that I like reviewing but I also like doing those daily word posts occasionally.. and I try to do other stuff too? I’m also thinking of renaming my blog cause its just not book reviews now?? I don’t know what to do….
anyway LOVE LOVE your blog and happy 6th anniversary!!
Llissa
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THANK YOU SO MUCH, LLISSA!! *flails happily* I’m really glad you enjoyed the post. <3 Also I totally understand the moving woes...I've only just moved too and still trying to figure everything out and get sorted. And catch up on books to review. 😂 I think the important thing with our blogs is to post what we want to read about most. 🎉🎉
This post gives me life! This literally hits everything I’ve been worrying about perfectly, and I’m glad I’m not alone! 🙂 Your blog is my favourite!
Ahhhh thank you, Meggan! And also YAS WE ARE NOT ALONE. *hi fives*
Your posts are simply fabulous and hilarious and great. Well done, pineapple dragon Loki queen. Well done.
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Aww, FAITH! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
I only post once a week and I see other bloggers who post more but I have also seen a lot of burnout so maybe it evens out?
You should definitely figure out what works for you and your audience and work with that!
This kinda scared me because of number 3. I actually am Southern Norwegian…