Why I Stopped Blogging Two Months After Moving To China
Me in Yangshuo, Guilin, China
Years ago, when blogging was becoming popular, I started my own blog. I loved everything about. I loved sharing my life, my interests and hobbies online. However, as I got older, I realized that I wanted to keep somethings about my life private while continuing to share, help and inspire people. I just didn’t know how to do that, because most of what I do that inspired or helped people wasn’t just a “job” for me it was my lifestyle. So, I decided to take a long hiatus.
Three years later, I found myself in front of my computer again documenting an exciting journey I was about to embark on. This was so huge that I wanted to share it with everyone. So I started writing again. It was fun. I kept asking myself “why the heck did I stop blogging?” I even created content for my current employer in China. People from all over, family, friends. and strangers tuned in. I got an outpouring of love and support and it felt good to share again.
However, soon after I landed in China, I became overwhelmed with adjusting to a new environment, culture and a new career. I wanted to share as much as possible but it didn’t seem authentic to me. I started mapping out my day based on what I felt I “needed” to post or show my followers instead of just enjoying this new life I had and learning more about my environment. It felt so fake. Everything from walking down the street, eating food, catching a cab or just speaking to people was all so new to me, and I wanted to be in the moment. I didn’t want to think about my next post on Instagram. Then there’s the pressures of being consistent. There were times when I would have a ton of things to write about and share, and then there were moments when I didn’t.
I thought living in China would mean my life would be exciting and adventurous on a daily basis. I guess it is depending who you speak to. I mean I am in China after all. However, most days I go to work, deal with kids all day, go home and go to sleep. Believe it or not, that is pretty much most of my life in China outside of the occasional cool holidays to other Chinese cities and neighboring countries. So, after a while, I felt like I really didn’t have anything to document really unless I went on a big trip somewhere, and even then I just wanted to soak up my experience on that trip and not be on social media the whole time. I thought “who would want to see the boring side of teaching and living in China? That’s not inspiring or fun to read.”
Them: “So, why the hell are you back?” Good question. I need a space where I can share tips and answer FAQ’s from people. Since leaving the USA, I have been receiving a ton of messages, DM's, and emails asking for tips about living abroad and everything related to that topic. Although, I decided to stop blogging, I never lost my passion to help and inspire which led me to blog in the first place many years ago. I tried to answer everyone individually, but it became too much for me to handle. Some messages would be a page long of questions and I would get over 5-7 message/emails a week.
I can’t promise that I will post on here consistently. However, when there is any helpful information that I see people are asking for, I will respond via a video & post it here. I have asked my followers to send me their questions today, and I received a lot which made me smile. I will take the most asked questions and answer as best I can on here. I think this is the best way for me to respond to the big demand for me to share, and still keep my experience personal . I will try it out. I will see how it goes.
If you made it to the end of this post. WOW! YOU’RE AMAZING! I didn’t want to make this post long, but It was everything I wanted to say. I kind of just let what was in my head flow. Thank you for reading. Talk to you soon!