Eleven Ways To Get Out Of A Blog Funk

I've been blogging since 2007. At first, blog posts were easy to pop out, because I would write without a care in the world, about whatever topic popped into my mind. As a new mom, most posts were about my children, but now that they're older, I find myself writing more about other things. Sometimes, though, I'll find myself in a blog funk, and it can sometimes be painful to get out of. What happens when you get writer's block, or when you're stuck in a blog funk?

Here are some tips to help you get out of the blog funk you're in:

1. Take lots of pictures. There is always a story to tell behind the pictures you take.Take one picture you took this week, and blog about it. What were you feeling? What happened right after you took the picture? Did you drop your phone in the toilet because you were taking another bathroom selfie? Did you finally manage to take a great picture with your children, with all of you smiling? That's totally a blog post right there!

2. Get inspired by others. Although we're all so busy, try to find time to read the blogs that made you start blogging in the first place. I find inspiration to blog all the time from other posts I read. If you're writing about the same topic your friend just wrote about, make sure to give credit where it's due. I also love Mama Kat's Writing Prompts. Every week, she lists topics you can blog about, so all you have to do is write!

3. Stay current. What's making headlines in the news? Write about that. Make it personal. I often write out my feelings after a tragedy, or share my views on a controversial topic. These types of blog posts are always well-received, even if people don't see things the same way you do.

4. Offer tips to your readers. If you've been to several blog conferences, write a post dedicated to the people who are attending for the first time, with advice on what they can expect. If you've just returned from a really fabulous vacation, write about why it would make a great travel destination for other families.

5. Get someone to contribute a guest post on your blog. If you can get one of your favourite bloggers to do this for you on your blog, bonus. (Hi, Marinka!)

6. Interview someone you love who also blogs. I used to interview my favourite bloggers back in the day, and I plan on getting back into this soon. I love featuring my friends on my blog.

7. Email a friend and ask for help. I often email my friend Ali and ask for help or an idea if I'm especially stuck. "Help! I have nothing to blog about!" Sure enough, she'll give me an idea, and I'll blog about it.

8. Be terrible at something. I suck at baking and cooking. I suck in the kitchen, in general. Making fun of yourself can really be fun.

9. Be good at something. If you're awesome as making cupcakes, tell us why. What's your secret, Martha Stewart? If you're awesome at finding the best deals, write about that. Share what you're great at with your readers. I'm great at spending money, but that's not really going to help anyone... unless it'll make them more responsible with their money by learning from my mistakes!

10. Leave comments. I miss the old days when we all left comments on everyone's blog posts. I love Twitter, but Twitter really did kill comments on blogs. Try to leave comments on every post you read. Even if it's only two a day.

11. Be honest. Most important of all, be honest. Write from the heart. Tell your story. Share your fears.

That's my advice... happy blogging!