Blog envy – we’ve all been there. My Green Eyed Monster comes out when, in the middle of admiring the amazing work of my favorite brands, influencers and blogs, I slowly begin to have these negative thoughts:
- Why don’t I have as many followers?
- Why aren’t I making as much money as them?
- Why isn’t my site as gorgeous as theirs?
- Why am I not as successful as they are?
It is far too easy to scroll through someone else’s blog or Instagram feed and suddenly feel as if your (fill in the blank here) doesn’t measure up. Before you let the Green Eyed Monster get the better of you, here are my tips on how to banish blog envy and stay true to yourself in the blogosphere.
Raise your own bar.
When admiration turns into envy, the truth is every moment you dwell on not being “good enough” or “successful enough” is a missed learning opportunity to raise your own bar. The fact that you are impressed or inspired by the work of someone else means they are obviously doing something right to capture your admiration. Instead of being envious, be willing to learn from your competition by asking yourself, “what can I do to improve xyz?” Researchers are finding that when approached appropriately, envy can be used as a motivator. There will be no room for envying the success of others when you’re busy working toward reaching your own goals.
#Communityovercompetition.
When you choose to learn from others, don’t be afraid to actually reach out for advice and mentorship. Competition does not make someone your “enemy.” The blogosphere includes a large community of successful, kind and intelligent entrepreneurs who are more than happy to share their best tips and tricks in addition to valuable resources for little to no cost. Allow competition to fuel your fire to be your best you – don’t allow envy to douse your passion. You know what they say; blowing out someone else’s candle won’t make yours burn any brighter.
Stay true to your niche.
A common form of blog envy is when bloggers pick the wrong niche based solely on profitability. To do what someone else is doing, just because you want to be as lucrative as they are, can easily backfire when you realize you are not actually passionate about your chosen niche. This might make it difficult to write meaningful content and even make you more envious of the person who seems to have it all together.
Another common form is choosing a niche that is too broad in an attempt to reach a larger audience. When I first started out as a blogger, coach and mentor Jennifer Jaden, founder of Society Gal, told me that “when you speak to every one, you speak to no one” which has helped me narrow my focus of my writing. If your niche is Travel, I am going to want to see some epic tales about your travel adventures, not travel adventures and a random side of DIY craft articles and makeup tutorials.
When you have a clear understanding of what you are truly passionate about and who your target audience is, authentic readership and followers will come through.
Remember your “why.”
Most importantly when you start to feel those pangs of envy, remember to ask yourself “Why am I doing what I am doing?” Your readers and followers want to know what makes YOU unique and are most likely following you because they are inspired by your “why.” Why be envious of others when you know you’re doing damn well already?
Do you fall prey to blog envy? How do you cope? Share your thoughts with me below!
Marilyn N
March 17, 2017 at 3:51 pmI love this! Thanks for sharing :))
Katrina H.
March 17, 2017 at 6:03 pmThanks so much for reading babe 🙂 <3 Brush your shoulders off and slay!
Bel
March 19, 2017 at 3:58 amYou hit the nail on the head. That ‘why’ part reminds me of E.T the hip hop preacher’s motivational video. It’s easy to get carried away. I know whenever I think of writing ‘popular’ posts, a little part of my soul leaves my body. But it’s okay cus growth takes time.
Katrina H.
March 19, 2017 at 12:19 pmThanks for reading girlie! Exactly; growth takes time and I there’s nothing wrong with reinventing the wheel. It’s all about putting your spin and heart into it 🙂
Kara
March 19, 2017 at 12:51 pmSuch a good post! I am a new blogger and I definitely have “blog envy”!
Katrina H.
March 19, 2017 at 1:30 pmThanks for reading Kara! I’ve been blogging for over a year now but I still get those small pangs here and there. Can’t wait to read your work 🙂
Danielle @ The Pennies We Saved
March 19, 2017 at 1:49 pm#communityovercompetition and remember your why I am a part of the debt free blogging community and I reach out to many successful and beginner bloggers for advice! I started blogging because I wanted to share my passion with others…how to live a debt free life. I’m loving it so far! Can’t wait to see where my blogging journey takes me. Great post!
Katrina H.
March 19, 2017 at 3:56 pmGet it girlie! Thanks for reading my post and will def have to check out your work. Loving connecting with fellow bloggers 🙂
Sally
March 19, 2017 at 7:54 pmI was just having this discussion today with a fellow blogger. It amazed me that she was guided in the wrong direction just because of the main root….envy. It saddens me when others aren’t willing to lift up and instead look to steer in the wrong direction. This post is spot on. Leaders empower. Focus on you and the why and dang it RAISE YOUR BAR! Love that! There is room in this world of cyberspace for all of us.
Katrina H.
August 11, 2017 at 10:19 pmHi Sally,
Thanks so much for your kind words! Totally – I think we all experience envy at some point however as you said it is important we stay willing to uplift others.
Gina Butler
March 19, 2017 at 8:56 pmNo matter how long you have been blogging, there will always be someone doing something you are envious over. I love this post so much because I often have blog envy. Right now I’m trying to change my niche and it’s an uphill battle for sure sometimes.
Katrina H.
August 11, 2017 at 10:20 pmHi Gina,
Thanks so much! I definitely had to switch my niche a few times until I felt content in what I was providing to my readers. Hang in there!
Internationalcaty
March 20, 2017 at 8:00 amI started to have blog envy and I had to tell myself not to and go down your path. These are all get tips
Katrina H.
August 11, 2017 at 10:21 pmThanks girlie!
Robin
March 20, 2017 at 2:33 pmI LOVE this post. My blog is just me doing me, and I really look forward to the times I can write, photograph or post. All the rules? The x times to post on instagram, the x amount of blog posts, etc. I broke them a long time ago, and don’t care. If I have a sponsor, I do my best work on time, but it truly is just a place for me to express myself in beauty, fashion, travel and decor. I guess I’m a ‘lifestyle blogger’ but for me, it’s just my life.
Katrina H.
August 11, 2017 at 10:24 pmThanks so much Robin! And totally love your style. I think too many of us get caught up with all the rules we almost forget why we got into blogging in the first place. Love how you say “it’s just my life.” Love meeting other geninue bloggers 🙂
Aireona- Nightborn Travel
March 20, 2017 at 4:35 pmThis post was perfect for me. I am a jealous person by nature, but it is definitely not something that I like about myself. This is some really great advice, and I am going to do my best to take it to heart.
Katrina H.
August 11, 2017 at 10:27 pmThanks for your kind words Aireona! We all get jealous sometimes; I am glad you’re not going to let jealously get you down.
Amber Myers
March 20, 2017 at 4:45 pmI love this! I used to have blog envy, and then I realized everyone is different. It’s okay!
Katrina H.
August 11, 2017 at 10:28 pmThanks Amber! You’re right- it’s okay; we’ve all been there!
Jill
March 20, 2017 at 8:00 pmThese are great tips. I don’t envy other blogs. Rather, I turn them into inspirations.
Katrina H.
August 11, 2017 at 10:29 pmThanks Jill! And I love that! We should all be inspired by others 🙂
andrea
March 21, 2017 at 12:23 pmGreat post and words to live by. I think when we try to be something we are not readers will eventually figure it out. Plus it is exhausting creating a totally separate persona than who we actually are; I know I have tried:)
Katrina H.
August 11, 2017 at 10:31 pmThanks Andrea! And you are totally right – it’s so exhausting to try and be someone you’re not or a completely different persona. Always be yourself; that’s who I want to know!
blair villanueva
March 21, 2017 at 6:18 pmGreat advice, and amen for brand identity!
I’ve seen many bloggers who just post same press releases for an event, just for the sake of profit, and its annoying AF. It become a crowded space of no proper identity.
Have your own branding amd stay true and legit to yourself. When you love what you do, you will discover your brand.
Katrina H.
August 11, 2017 at 10:36 pmThanks for your kind words Blair! So annoying – so much of the same sh*t everywhere I love the I see a unique and brand true to the blogger.
Hil
March 21, 2017 at 6:54 pmRemembering your why is always a key thing, and staying true to your niche. Great tips!
Katrina H.
August 11, 2017 at 10:40 pmThanks girlie!
Krysti
March 21, 2017 at 8:36 pmLoved reading this! It does get hard sometimes when there are so many amazing blogs out there. We just have to keep on doing what we love!
Katrina H.
August 11, 2017 at 10:41 pmThanks so much Krysti! That’s what I love; with so any blogs, there’s so much to learn and so many others to meet 🙂
Janine Good
March 22, 2017 at 6:54 amThis is very timely as I have had a few emotional roller coasters about my blog and a lot of letdowns. However, holding my head up high as the “big break” I must believe is just around the corner.
Katrina H.
August 11, 2017 at 10:45 pmHi Janine,
I have actually a frequent reader of your blog and follow on IG and I LOVE reading about your adventures! Keep holding your head up high 🙂
Laeti
June 20, 2017 at 10:13 pmArgh you are too good ! Blog envy is here right now 😉
Katrina H.
August 11, 2017 at 10:46 pmThanks boo <3 So jell of you though!
Mercy
August 14, 2017 at 4:52 pmComparing the back of your business to the front of someone else’s only makes you lose focus and keeps you from moving forward in your own business. This is where people give up, staying strong mentally is the only way past the hard stuff.
Katrina H.
August 14, 2017 at 9:37 pmSuch inspiring words Mercy! I love it and something I def try my best to keep in mind
Lois Alter Mark
January 15, 2018 at 9:59 pmThis is such an important reminder! It’s so easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing but all you can – and should – do is be the best YOU you can be. I think we all get blog envy at some point but it’s unproductive and exhausting!
Liz
January 16, 2018 at 11:28 amThis can sometimes be a real struggle! There are so many amazing bloggers out there, and it’s so easy to feel insecure about my own blog. I just have to keep reminding myself that I’m a fairly new blogger and it will take time and effort to get to where I want to be.
Destany
January 16, 2018 at 11:55 amI had such a narrow focus on my blog for years that I grew tired. I took almost a whole year off. I hate that I did that, but I couldn’t help it. My focus was always beauty, but this year I’ve made a resolution to post more… and not just beauty. I’m going to post whatever. No rhyme or reason. Kind of backward to your advice, but I’m happy about it 🙂
Joline
January 16, 2018 at 12:15 pmI think all bloggers envy other bloggers at one point in their blogging life. What they choose to do after is what matters. If the envy inspires them or discourages them.
April
January 16, 2018 at 6:09 pmI learned this early on. I was so down on myself because I was comparing myself to others. I had to realize that what works for them doesn’t necessarily work for me and I can only do the best I can!
April | http://www.thebluehydrangeas.com
Marjie Mare
January 16, 2018 at 6:51 pmWell said Katrina, too often we look at the end product of others without paying attention to the work they put to achieve that success.
Stephanie
January 16, 2018 at 7:23 pmWonderful post! It’s so easy to do this in much more than the blogging world but in every aspect of life! Great reminder to just do what is best for ourselves and keep on working it!
kapila
January 18, 2018 at 3:16 amSome great thoughts there. harsh truth but need to use the pointers to stay away from the negativity.
Jessica Bradshaw
January 18, 2018 at 7:56 amI agree completely. I just have to remember it isn’t a competition. That we all grow at our own rate and I can only control what I do.
Katrina H.
January 20, 2018 at 12:15 amI love what you mention about control. It’s so easy to feel as if we don’t have that when we compare ourselves to others. It’s something I am working on myself
Ray
January 18, 2018 at 4:27 pmThis means so much to me. I’m new to blogging and feeling very… incompetent and worried. Thank you for this.
Katrina H.
January 20, 2018 at 12:12 amHi Ray! So happy to hear about you and your new blogging journey. Never feel worried; you got this 🙂
Kusum
January 18, 2018 at 6:13 pmSo much yes to this post! The only way to grow is to compete with ourselves. Community is everything, one can’t achieve anything alone.
xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com
Katrina H.
January 20, 2018 at 12:13 amExactly – it’s with collaboration over competition do we really get to understand our full potential
Jazmin Williams
January 19, 2018 at 9:29 amLove this post – I think all of us are guilty of this at some point, whether we care to admit it or not. Lovely reminder to stay true to ourselves and that we’re just as good as anyone!
Katrina H.
January 20, 2018 at 12:14 amDamn right Jazmin! One of my blog Goals this year is to blog consistently and for myself – I felt I was constantly competing with others and I really want to stay true to my audience