I’ve neglected this blog for quite a long time, for the lack of better statement, I’d say it’s because I have something better to do other than blogging. I’m still trying to adjust on my work timings (which includes the weekends, thanks to the never-sleeping travel industry that I’m in) and finding the time to write is hard. When I go home from work, I’m torn between spending time on my laptop to blog about the millions of ideas running through my head now or binge-watching on netflix. The latter always wins.
In 2014, I quit my corporate job to be a full-time blogger and joined the bandwagon of all the other thousands of bloggers out there who are doing the same. It’s been a recurring thought for me at the time and with The Greek Mister’s full support, I decided to give it a try. I can always go back to work if it doesn’t fit me.
It worked well in the beginning, I was able to focus on my blog and improve it. My blog did really well during that time, I got media invitations of all kinds – press trips, hotel stays, restaurant reviews, etc. I was getting paid for my writing too. It was everything I had hoped for and probably even more. It never crossed my mind that my itsy bitsy tiny blog will become what it is now. My statistics were unbelievable considering that it was just a hobby when I started it.
But then at some point I got burnt out. It’s like I woke up one day and as I started my day to work on a blog post I thought, what the actual f*ck am I doing? Who is this for? Is this even for me anymore? Am I still enjoying this? The hobby became work and I think that was what made it bad. It’s becoming more and more stressful for me to keep the blog running as I try to meet the self-imposed deadlines for each posts that I’m writing and for each videos I’m editing. It was no longer a hobby, it’s now a job.
Whoever said “QUIT YOUR JOB TO BE A BLOGGER” cannot be more mistaken because you’re basically just quitting your corporate job and diving into self-employment which is actually more work than the former.
CORPORATE JOB
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Fixed montly salary
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Fixed timings (unless you go for overtime)
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There’s a corporate structure and a designated duties and responsibilities that you are to do based on your position.
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Paid holiday/sick leaves (unless you’re employed by Satan himself)
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You have the option to switch off your work mode as soon as you’re home (again, unless you’re employed by Satan himself).
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You have colleagues to talk to and b*tch about your boss.
BLOGGER (SELF-EMPLOYED)
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Your salary is based entirely upon how much work you’ve done and if the companies you’ve worked for will pay you on time. There will be months that you don’t have a salary while there are months that you’re like a millionaire as all of the payments you didn’t receive from your previous projects will be deposited to your account all the same time.
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You work your ass off day and night because the amount of time you spend working is equivalent to the amount you’ll get paid.
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You’re the boss, the employee, the secretary, the marketing, the sales, the HR, the therapist, the tea-maker, the wine dispenser etc.
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You have the flexibility on your holiday but there will be loss of earning during this time. Remember, you get paid based on the amount of time you spend working for yourself. So basically, you still have to work during your holiday specially if you’re a travel blogger as it can be a content for your blog.Â
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Also, more often than not, your stay is probably sponsored by the hotel so basically, you’ve got to work full time during your sponsored stay which means you don’t really get to enjoy it because you’re too busy capturing that sunset on your balcony or taking photos of their spa facilities.
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Your home is your office, there’s no switching off from work mode.
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You’re working on your own which makes you isolated to everyone else.
To be completely honest, I am much more happier now that I have a corporate job than I was as a blogger. I get a sense of fulfillment each day after a whole day at work, I no longer feel like my day was wasted. I now feel like I’m needed, that when I miss one day at work people will look for me because I do something valuable for the company I work for. I’m part of a team and when I’m not there, the team is not whole. I’ve missed a few days writing on this blog and I highly doubt my readers even noticed. I don’t think I can miss a few days at work without my boss calling me to check where the hell I am.
I don’t think I’m giving up something so valuable really because this blog is first and foremost, just a hobby. Now I can enjoy being a blogger once again and not be stressed about trivial things which nobody really cares for except for me about my blog.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that those who quit their job to be full time bloggers are nuts. No, they’re not, I actually do admire them for being able to live that kind of life. That life, however, isn’t for me and that’s ok. There’s really no right and wrong way on how to live your life and nobody can dictate anyone of what they should and shouldn’t do.
So were the 2 years of being a full-time blogger a complete waste of my life? No, not at all. I didn’t regret doing that. In fact, it was actually good decision for me because I no longer have that idea running at the back of my mind. There’s no more doubt and a “what if I’m a full time blogger?” question. Been there, done that, not for me. It’s also a good decision because now, I value my full-time job more than I did before. I now know that this is actually what I want to do.
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Wow. I may have to re-think things now. The thing is, people like you make it look easy, so it gets me thinking that you know what? I can do that too, but after reading this I guess you really have to commit to something to make it work for you. That greatly depends on how much you want it though. Thanks for the insight.
Thank you Lucy, I’ll urge you to try it though. It may not have worked for me but it may work for you. 🙂
But yes, commitment is definitely the key to make it work.
I agree with your post in certain points. For instance, I work at an agency as a social media specialist and let me tell you, I don’t have a “switch off” after a day at work. I receive and answer messages at 6 am, 8 pm on Saturdays, basically all day long. The agency is small and my CEO, which is the founder, also HR, finance, accountant, everything in the company. It has no structure and my CEO has no management skills. So basically I am so stressed that I can truly say I am NOT happy. I have a YouTube channel on the side with over 57k subscribers and I am quitting my job in July to be a full-time blogger and Digital Marketing freelancer! I know this is for me! Thank you for sharing your experience.
Wow,
I keep nodding at almost all the points you made which are certainly true!
I started 6 years ago and it was for pure fun in order to keep my friends and family updated.
Then little by little more & more people from various countries started reading my adventures until invitations to review destinations, branded products, services began to pour in.
The numbers on all platforms increased and well, fast forward a few years and i just felt the need to take a break, a long break from blogging.
I believe i experienced the blogger burnout which is very real!
I too left my high paying corporate job (frankly, the best i ever had) in order to work as a freelancer and travel but it’s like you have no time to truly enjoy life as you’re too busy researching, writing, editing pics, marketing and too much time on Social Media (and also pray that you’ll be able to pay bills on time).
I do want to do what i love and have a stable source of revenue plus benefits, have a family and simply live and not worry about the next post or chase people!
I admire you for trying and going back to what feels good for you!
Well done & thank you for sharing this
Thank you very much Karla, I’m glad this post resonated with you and hopefully was able to help you decide what you’ll do in the future. Whatever that decision is, I wish you all the very best. 🙂
Thanks Waz! It’s definitely not for everyone as a lot of other things must be taken into consideration. The most important of that is if you will enjoy being self-employed. I do admire those who are doing it, it’s just simply not for me and that’s ok. We’re not supposed to be all full-time bloggers anyway. 🙂
Thank you Angela, you should definitely not give up being a nurse. I’d be blunt and say that it has a much more bearing than being a full time blogger. 🙂
Hang on in there, as long as you’re enjoying it – nothing is too much work. 🙂
Yeah the travel blogger lifestyle isn’t as glamorous as people make it seem. I personally prefer remote work over in-office corporate work, but I just blog as a way to show my friends and family what I’ve been up to and some cool places to check out.
It’s not and I’m happy for those who can actually keep that lifestyle, it just isn’t for me. 🙂
Definitely not for everyone. I enjoy the flexibility, but if i had the chance of this in corporate i would go back for sure. Plus the money is better sometimes lol
Lol, true. If there’s a corporate job which gives flexibility and the same benefits then that would be the dream job. :p
Thank you for sharing this! I quit my job in April and have been asking myself if it’s worth it. To me, it still is, but you’re making some great points, especially the ones with it being a lot of work and effort, and wearing multiple hats.
I still really enjoy blogging currently, because it’s a creative outlet and I can share my experiences and knowledge with others and learn from theirs as well. But who knows what the future will bring!
I wish you all the best. Hopefully, you’ll figure out soon if this path is for you or not, if it’s not then you can always go back to the corporate world and still blog on the side. 🙂
Noemi, I’m happy for you that you figured out what you wanted (and didn’t want)! I agree with this point completely: “There’s really no right and wrong way on how to live your life and nobody can dictate anyone of what they should and shouldn’t do.” I agree that the struggles of running a blog are not always reflected accurately and some may think it’s all glitz and glam – if only! 🙂
Lol. I do admire a whole bunch of you who can keep this thing going and specially for you – you now run your own yoga classes. That’s really cool. 🙂
Lovely post. I think people are different and so are their goals and ideas of bring happy. I personally don’t see myself as a full-time blogger – as this stage. But things constantly change amd so does my opinion so who kbows what I will think in a few months :)) So great to hear you enjoy your new job!
Yes, things and circumstances can change. Maybe in a few years, I’d make a new post and that will say that I’m once again going on the full time blogger road. Lol.
You tried both so you can really give an informed opinion!:) I don’t think that all of us want/can/should be full-time bloggers any way:)
That’s true Tanja. :p
Great post, Noemi. I’m in a similar situation myself – ever since I started working full time, I’ve been struggling to schedule posts on my blog because even if I have a bit of time, by the time I get home, I’m exhausted. So binge-watching another show on Netflix always wins for me too 😀
I always think it would be great to travel and blog full time, but at the same time, I know it would be an insane amount of work – and like you said, it’s not a fixed salary. You might get hundreds or thousands one month and nothing the next – and if you don’t have anyone to rely on financially, it’s a bit risky. I think you made the right choice, though, and at least you’ll keep enjoying running your blog 🙂
Thank you Vicky, this blog has become a part of my life now so no matter where I’ll be and no matter what I’ll do I will keep on blogging. Just not full time. Lol.
A very honest post, thank for your sharing! I am a full time primary teacher and am forever battling to choose between writing a blog, attempting to catch up on social media or relaxing with Netflix! If I avoid for latter too often I end up getting burnt out and get frustrated with the blog. I have started to wonder how much work I could get done if I were to go full time, so thank you for sharing this 🙂
Thank you Katie, I hope you do get to try it out so you’d know which path will work well for you. 🙂
It’s refreshing to read that you tried your hands at full time blogger but didn’t fancy it. You always read about people quitting their jobs to so they can keep up full time blogging… People always have the impression that you can’t go back to the corporate world once you left it but it seems you did just that and succeeded. Great read!
Thank you Caroline. You can definitely go back to the corporate world so I guess giving it a try is the best advice I can give anyone. Don’t be afraid to take the leap because you can always go back to the corporate world anyway if it doesn’t work out for you. 🙂
Forget about blogging. I once quit my job to be a consultant who work from home. I am a programmer and I just has to be in front of a laptop and do my work as and when I have. But After few weeks I got so isolated. You always feel like the work doesn’t end. Working in a team or in office makes me feel good. I could share, discuss and even get several ideas.
I got back to a full time job very soon. I am happy blogging during my off hours.
Now after my baby arrived home I hardly get to blog. But I still feel, I could manage to squeeze in some time to post something :)..
But quitting job and working from home is a big No for me..
Thank you Manju, you’re very right – you really get isolated when you work from home. I do miss the occasional chit chatting at work with colleagues. Little things that doesn’t mean to you when you had it. :p
They say, “It’s not called work if you enjoy it”, but they don’t say what it’s called when it is no longer enjoyable. This is why I never went full time on my blog, it works for some and not all.
I applaud your bluntness and honesty, thanks for sharing!
Thanks Hala, everyone can do it but not everyone will love it. I do admire those people who can keep it as a full time job but it just isn’t for me. 🙂
I can truly empathize with your thoughts and feelings. The pressures gradually mount and do lead to burn out. You end up wondering if it is all really worth it at the end of the day. Most of us come across such dilemma in our lives and need to do what makes us happy, in the end.
Absolutely! I guess it comes with all kinds of jobs, you get burnt out at some point that’s why it’s important that you enjoy what you’re doing. 🙂
Good points on the challenges of blogging full time. It is a lot of work. Good to hear that you’re able to reclaim your passion for it. Can’t wait to see what you do in the future.
Thank you, I’m now enjoying blogging more than when I was doing it full time. :p
Travel blogging is definitely not for everyone. This is why we touched upon this subject on our blog – check our post on “10 Life Saving Tips Before You Quit Your Job to Travel”. It is such an eye opener. People look at travel bloggers and assume that they’re living THE life. But the truth is, it is really a lot of hard work!
It’s definitely a lot of hard work, you should be really really passionate about it to do it full time. For me, I am passionate but I guess being a travel agent is much more fitting. :p
Great read. It’s interesting to hear those that think that blogging is so easy. Little do they know that writing is the easy part. The website management, social media, promotion, emails, etc…it can be a long and tedious task. And it’s really tough to monetize as well. I’ve felt that mentioned “burn out” factor already and know that when that happens it’s time to slow down a bit. All the best with your future endeavours
Thank you Adam and I agree with you, the writing part is just a small bit of it. Lol.
I totally go with your perspective. I have started my blog as a hobby although I am enjoying the traction it is getting month by month. And with that the work is also increasing. I reached the peak somewhere last week and then learnt that I have got to take it slow and steady. I can simply not leave my corporate job and dive full time into it for all the practical reasons that you mentioned above.
I’ve had my blog even when I had a full time job years before and I do enjoy it just as much. So there’s really no need to quit your job to do this, unless you’re burnt out of your job. :p
Congratulations on beginning a new job. I know for sure that working from home is very tough, and it never seems to end. I’ll actually drop you an email on this when I have a moment! xoxo
Thank you Sofia, yes working from home means your work never ends. :p
The reason why people blog I believe what drives whether the blogger would opt to be full time blogger. I personally consider this my online journal, which is why I don’t give out tips to fellow traveler; instead I always say what we did and how we did it.
I started this as my online journal too but when I saw a potential on it to become something I’d do full time, I tried it. Turned out not such a good decision. Lol.
Hi Noemi, Really thoughtful post. There are ups and downs to it all and you laid it out well. I am thrilled you found a full-time job in London that you enjoy. This is so key. Great that blogging will be a fun part of your life again. And yes, we all want different things in life and we are all simply trying to find what makes us happy! Going through that journey is part of the fun. Glad you’ll still be blogging 🙂
Thanks Marissa, I do admire people like you who found happiness in it. It’s all about being happy in what you’re doing isn’t it? We all have different needs and wants and not everyone is supposed to do the same thing. :p
Very insightful and interesting post! I completely agree with all the points that you listed when working as a full-time blogger. As you said, you barely have time for yourself since the success of your blog greatly depends on how much work and hours you invest in it. I personally feel that a balance is always a good idea. It’s great to be active and keep a successful blog running, while doing part-time or full-time work too. I like the idea of having multiple projects and sources of income. That’s what I’m currently aiming to achieve myself 🙂 Thank you for sharing your always honest feedback with us and for your genuine and analytical views 🙂
Thanks Nada, it’s good to have multiple projects. I do like a good challenge and being a travel agent and a blogger is good enough challenge for me which I’m excited to do once again. 🙂