7 Reasons Why Your Blog Could Totally Improve Your Life

/ Stuart Danker

Blogging Change Life WordPress - Fikret Tozak

So I’ve kept this blog for nine years now, but it’s only in the past three that I started taking it seriously. And by serious I mean no sporadic posts, always networking on WordPress, and acting as if I know what I’m doing.

Thing is, I’ve never earned a dime from my blog, and I can’t use it to sell anything even if I wanted to.

But just because I didn’t gain monetary rewards doesn’t mean I didn’t benefit from ‘going pro’ when it comes to blogging. So what can a domain name and a paid WordPress account get you? Let me count you the ways.

1. You get to suck constantly at writing

Can’t stop sucking if you don’t stop writing. And maintaining a blog is exactly that: you sucking for all eternity.

The good news is that nothing lasts forever. So in a similar vein, you won’t suck forever. Because you’ll be dead. But until then, you get the joy of putting out work that you’re mildly dissatisfied with but can’t quite put a finger on why.

It’s good to be humble. And I like being reminded that I can work my entire life and still not get anywhere with my writing. That’s why I keep the blog. Because this reminder is the only thing that makes me work harder.

2. You’ll appreciate being paid for your words

“Don’t accept anything less than 50 cents per word,” they say. They being established writers who have a foot in the door of publishing. “Don’t let them exploit you.” Them being whoever has the money.

Well, here’s a math question for you. Would you pay a senior writer the same amount as a junior? What about an intern?

It’s the same with gig writing. You can’t expect an intern equivalent of a freelancer to earn the going rate of 50 cents per word. So naturally, the younger writers will have to give up certain luxuries relegated to the veterans.

Writers will either have to be experienced, well-connected, or cheap to get paid. And guess where that leaves inexperienced, new writers? Ditto.

But no fear! Keep a blog and get used to writing for free, and even two cents per word will seem like a dream!

Heck, I’d even sell my fiction for less than that if it meant others would read it.

3. You’ll get used to speaking to an empty room

I like to liken writing to open mic night. Anybody who dares bare their soul gets to face an audience. It’s just that very few spectators ever make it to these venues.

But do it long enough and a talent scout might chance upon your gigs. Or suck at it until you get good, and you’ll naturally set yourself apart from the people who don’t put in the work.

Performing for a crowd does have a thrill to it, but to really appreciate that, you’ll have to first get used to speaking to a crowd of two—one of them being your mum.

I’ve blogged for so long now that it feels like I’m speaking to myself every time I write, so I’m fine if nobody reads this. But then the odd reader like you comes along and leaves a comment and that makes my day.

4. You get to enjoy the inconvenience of having ideas when you don’t have anything to record them down with

The title says it all.

5. You get to become a social butterfly

Yep, you read that right. Being on WordPress, especially, gives you the training you need to up your small talk game. The catch? You have to network first.

Now, I’m the type of person who loved the lockdown period. So if anyone’s getting a Platinum Member card in the Introvert’s Club, it’s gonna be me.

Which is why when I got this new job that requires meeting strangers four days out of the week, I actually considered changing careers to becoming a night-shift security guard. Or a mortician. At least I’m not expected to make friends there. But I digress. (Also, follow me on Instagram if you enjoy seeing me battle my introversion every day.)

So when I say that commenting on WordPress has allowed me to adapt in conversations, I mean it. It’s allowed me to distil the proper information out of every paragraph—or chunk of conversation—and reply without too much thought.

The only downside is that I can’t send people to the Spam folder if they try selling me unsolicited ‘health supplements’.

6. You can tell your potential employers you’re a writer

No published writing? No problem. Your posts count as published articles. Mainly because most times, when employers ask you for your portfolio, they just want to know how you write.

And your raw writing on your blog tells them so much more than an edited piece in a magazine would.

Plus, there’s just something about someone who writes without being paid that warms employers up to actually paying you.

If I had the money to hire writers, I’d definitely want the applicant who’s written on their own accord, versus the one who’s never cared to write anything in their life.

7. You get to enjoy the stress of a job, without the job

Are you shrinking away from the mention of the word ‘stress’? Maybe it’s too edgy for you? Am I being too sigma male hustle YOLO GaryVee?

I mean it though. Stress is good for you. A healthy amount of it, at least. I’ve had the privilege of being stressless before. And I can safely say that being stressless is actually pretty stressful, and going through stressful periods in my life has allowed me to grow.

It’s a weird paradox, but it’s true. I can give you a life of Mai Tais on the beach and you’ll probably beg for a blogging deadline before the week’s up.

That’s what I get from maintaining this blog. I’ve published weekly for three years now, and I’m not going to break that chain for anything. Which is why when it’s Monday and I haven’t written a post for Tuesday, I start ditching all the unproductive activities like doom-scrolling on my phone just so I can speak to an empty room.

All I need to do is to stop paying for my WordPress account and I’ll be released from the weekly stressors that haunt me so. But that’ll be my equivalent of Mai Tais on the beach. And I’d much rather stay sober, if you know what I mean.

You’re on the right path

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a blogger yourself. You’ve probably questioned your reasons for staying on, and I know if you’ve ever blogged, you’ll definitely have thought about quitting.

But sometimes it isn’t about getting results. Sometimes it’s about finding the meaning in the work, even though there may not be any.

I know how thankless blogging can be. Because there aren’t many reasons why someone would do it for years on end. But you just listed seven reasons, you’d be thinking, and you’d be right.

But I made all that up. I needed to stick to a deadline, so I needed to come up with something.

The weird thing is though, I’m rather happy with this week’s piece, and I wouldn’t have come up with it, had I not had this post to honour.

So yeah. Keep your blog. Your reasons will come later.

I’m gonna be honest here: I want your e-mail address. This is so that I can keep sending you more (exclusive) content in case this site ever goes down. Plus, you get a free guide on how to grow your blog too.

This button wants you to click it. Do it this favour.

111 thoughts on “7 Reasons Why Your Blog Could Totally Improve Your Life”

  1. Blogging does often feel like a glorified version of talking to yourself lol. and I’ve definitely thought to myself “why keep going? no one’s reading this and it just costs money to keep up the domain.” but then I think, it’s a good way to keep my tools sharp. taps mic is this thing on?

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    • Hahaha. The ‘is this thing on’ bit is true for me. Sometimes I almost feel entitled to something, since I’ve been doing this for a while. Then I remind myself that no, the only thing I’m entitled to is the good feeling of having finished a job. That certainly makes the grind more bearable.

      Always glad to exchange thoughts with you!

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  2. I had a lot of laughs reading this post.
    Even tho I often think about quitting blogging.
    But I often find pleasure in telling people that I’m a writer😅.
    I guess that counts for something.

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  3. Hi Stuart, Thanks much for sharing your positive thoughts about blogging. I blog for the love of writing. In blogging about my reads, I get to share my thoughts about books that I have just read. Yes do keep writing for the joy of writing.

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  4. “So in a similar vein, you won’t suck forever. Because you’ll be dead.” Literal LOL.
    “a crowd of two—one of them being your mum.” Gotta love the mums!
    As all around entertaining and enlightening as ever, Stuart. :)

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  10. I was chuckling all through this article! So so funny! I can relate to some of the things you wrote specially about speaking to an empty room and telling potential employers that I’m a writer! Thanks so much for writing this, you made my day!

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    • This is exactly the type of comment that makes me feel I’m not speaking to an empty room anymore. I mean, I’ve resigned myself to writing for the sake of it, but then you come along and make my day too. So thanks for that. I appreciate you!

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  13. I love this post today! Totally can relate to the point of calling myself a writer as soon as I meet next recruiter. Speaking to empty rooms is what I am doing at times and the need to look for the topic to write upon is a real struggle. But after everything, the post when it is published is pure joy! Bliss in itself :)

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    • Yeah, nothing beats that feeling of not believing you can finish a post, then actually finishing it. That’s why some writers enjoy the feeling of having written and toil through the actual dread of writing itself, lol. Thanks for stopping by!

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  15. I’ve been blogging for so many years and have quit so many times, but can’t keep myself permanently gone from it. I just love blogging. I also love this article. Following.

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    • I think that applies to all things in life. There’ll come a point where we’ll wonder if anything we do is worth doing, be it playing the piano, working out, or being a CEO of a company. Thanks so much for your thoughts!

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    • I used to fear AI, so I started using it more and more. And the more familiar I got with it, the more I’m convinced that this will only open up opportunities for personal stories and voices. Super excited to see what happens though!

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  18. The point about speaking to an empty room prepares me for my live Zoom classes where my students all have their cameras off and are muted 😅 Just kidding. Sort of. My favorite parts about blogging are sharing whatever I want with the world and chitchatting with folks who find the same things interesting. I got a kick out of your second point because the only gig I did where I was paid for writing content (besides some reporting I did in college for minimum wage) paid 5 cents/word. 50 cents/word sounds like a fortune! I’d be living the high life lol.

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    • That’s the kind of mentality that works best for earning money through writing. Once we get into ‘expectation mode’, the work suffers. I’d much rather find out what I love writing for free, then revel in the joy of being paid for it, lol.

      Let’s hope we never run out of things we enjoy blogging about!

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  19. I’ll take Mai Tais on the beach, or rather, periodic bouts of Mai Tais on the beach. You’re right, though – a constant stream of Mai Tais would be pretty dull. I think that’s what people sometimes face when they retire. It was all work, work, work for 40 years and now it’s nothing but Mai Tais. That’s quite a shift.
    As for writing consistently, I find that I’m getting to the point where I might not always have something to say on a bi-weekly basis (since we go pod-blog-pod-blog for the most part). I’ve largely written about my past travel experiences (those I care to, anyway), and if I’m not traveling a lot, I might not have the blog fodder. I’ve considered what to do about this and, aside from travel more, which isn’t always feasible financially or time-wise, I might just end up posting less. It makes me kinda sad, but what’s a travel blogger to do, especially one who really only writes about her own personal travel experiences?

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    • I think the worst part about retiring is that you can choose to work on something, but nobody’s forcing you to anymore, and us being preferrers of least resistance, would most probably opt for the less taxing route. Which is why it’s so easy to coast after retirement, then feel pretty crappy about it. At least that’s how I look at it, lol.

      The content thing is interesting, because on my end, I feel like I’m repeating myself sometimes. Maybe I don’t have enough fodder too. I guess living more is always a good option, eh?

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  20. 7 seems to be an unforgettable magic number for writers….I remember the 7 habits of highly effective people by Steven Covey…all in 1 book…then he came out with the 8th…and that took 1 book…so your 8th reason might come in 1 blog post! Hahaha….my blog has certainly improved my life in the last 1.5 years…recently its captured my keep fit journey…and I’m still writing about it! Happy blogging!

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  21. I started out a terribly long time ago with a blog on blogger, which for sentimental reasons, is still up, to remind me where I started! Your points are great – I especially like the talking to an empty room! I write because, I know I can, I know that sounds conceited. However, I have never found the confidence to be a writer. So this is my way of writing, where the only person I disappoint is myself.

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    • Aww, I totally know how it feels to be disappointed with your own work. But I’m sure that from an outsider looking in, you’ll be the only one who’s disappointed in your work, because others wouldn’t, I’m sure.

      Your subject is hard to write, and there’s so much research that goes into it that I can only be in awe when I’m on your page!

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  23. Tremendous blog post Stuart my friend♥♥👍. I absolutely loved reading it and it is relevant to us Bloggers who need this sort of boost and morale from writing our blogs which is not easy to do but with practice we can achieve our objectives be it to get followers, likes, comments or as you said be paid for your words.

    In reality, those who get paid are those who are educated and experienced such as journalists but an aspiring writer can get paid as long they procure writing work and produce something that would tell a potential employer that he or she is a Writer. My blog started during the lockdown era in 2020 , back then I didn’t have a clue what I was doing but after years of consistency my blog grew and now I am happy with it and this will be my 3rd year blogging and I plan to for as long as I live💯💯💯🙏

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    • Oh yeah. I’ve been with your blog since the beginning, I think, since it feels like we both started taking blogging seriously at the same time.

      Blogging is not easy indeed, especially since it’s so common to just scream into the void. But the more we turn our attention inwards, the better the journey will be, amirite? Always appreciate having you here!

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  25. Nice points. Made me think about my blog and writing style; turns out my writing is more of a narrative, storytelling style versus a ‘this-is-how-you-do-such-and-such-to-succeed’ writer. And, oddly, I have rarely felt like I’m writing to an empty room; I can feel your presence (and others), as if waiting in the wings for my next amazing blog post that will solve all your problems (ha ha). I do struggle with equating my blog posts as ‘published work’ and putting a monetary value on my work (which I’ve yet to be paid for). Thanks for the reminders!

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    • It’s totally understandable to struggle with putting a monetary value on your work, especially when it comes to blogging. But just remember that even if you’re not getting paid for it right now, your blog posts are still a form of work that you can be proud of. Keep on writing and sharing your stories, and the rest will fall into place!

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  26. #3 is absolutely positively one of the best ways that a blog improves your life for many reasons.

    Like you said, since blogging is pretty much a blogger typing words solo in front of a laptop as far as writing and publishing posts, yep, the process of writing and publishing blog content does feel like speaking to an empty room. This forces bloggers to be patient, persistent and to fall in love with the process because the readers – actually having readers and turning a profit, if desired – are a long time coming.

    Bloggers who appear to go big in public practiced in private for a long, long time.

    You need to LOVE blogging. Doing it for virtually no audience – for a while – proves that you do love it….or weeds out bloggers who don’t.

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    • Absolutely agree with you! The solo thing is real. But that’s what makes it so rewarding when you finally start to gain traction and build a readership. It takes a lot of persistence, as you put it, to build a high-profile site and get noticed in the crowded blogosphere.

      And you’re right, the bloggers who seem to “go big” overnight often have years of practice and hard work behind them. It’s important for other younger bloggers remember that success doesn’t come overnight, but rather through consistent effort and dedication. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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  27. Another great post Stuart! I’ll join you in that Introvert’s Club and bet I’ll get a Platinum membership too! All the lockdown barely made a difference in my life.
    I’m trying to treat my writing as practice but it’s hard enough to put it out there for the world (or an empty room) to see without feeling that it isn’t any good. I love how you say it though – we get to suck constantly at writing. I need to take this to heart and try to keep on sucking at writing. I have no intentions of quitting now. You keep it up too, I look forward to your posts.

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    • Haha, lockdown lovers unite! Yeah, I don’t try to be negative in thinking I’ll suck forever—instead, I treat it as freedom to write whatever I want, because it’s not as if I’m writing my magnum opus every time I sit at the keyboard. Which is why ‘putting out your first million words’ is always the best goal to have. Thanks so much for your support, Roze!

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  30. Beautiful post, Stuart. When I started blogging I often thought about putting out “great content” every time. Overtime I too had the realization that it’s the practice itself that counts, and outcomes are mostly out of our control. It’s a game-changer to practice for the sake of practice

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  32. I always enjoy your blog. You have just the right ‘voice’ to peak my interest. I don’t usually like the ‘5 reasons…’ or ‘10 ways…’ kind of blog normally but you’re blogs always make me chuckle so I read on. I am super impressed that you write weekly and for three years. Sheesh! Blogging for nine is pretty impressive too. I started my blog to put my writing out into the ether. Hitting publish every month was me being brave. Still is. Sometimes people drop by and sometimes it’s an empty room but that’s not why I write. I love bumping into other bloggers here in WordPress and I am encouraged when I hear other writers share their inner world. Finding something to say weekly would stress me out. Kudos to you Stephen.

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    • Thanks so much for your kind words, it means a lot to me! I’m glad you find my posts entertaining (honoured, really). Yeah, I know what you mean about those ‘5 reasons…’ and ’10 ways…’ type of blogs. They can be a bit meh sometimes. I’m just happy that my writing makes you chuckle. You really made my day saying that.

      And don’t worry, you’re not alone in feeling nervous about hitting that ‘publish’ button. It takes a lot of courage to put your writing out there for the world to see. But it’s great that you’ve found a community here on WordPress and are encouraged by other writers. Keep on writing and being brave!

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  34. Ha ha. This is so relatable. When I started blogging, I searched “How to start a blog” and found an article that told me to buy a domain and pay Bluehost for hosting services so that’s what I did. So, I suppose I was “all in” from the get-go.

    I started out posting once a week or so, then increased to twice a week, and then three times per week. At the beginning of this year, I decided that was a bit much so I went back to twice a week and started updating older posts.

    I keep waiting to run out of ideas, but it hasn’t happened yet. Spewing my thoughts into cyberspace is kind of therapeutic for me so I guess I’ll keep going.

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    • Totally feel you on this! It’s amazing how much you can learn and grow just by jumping in and figuring things out as you go.

      And it’s great that you’ve found a rhythm that works for you with posting. Two a week is a lot! I can definitely relate to the therapeutic aspect of blogging too—it’s like a way to sort out your thoughts and share your experiences with others. Keep on keeping on!

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  37. I’m so new to this site, I’m having difficulty even getting to blogs of other people until they pop out with big followings like yours. 👍
    I love the positive attitude in writing every day for people to follow, but how can they even find me? 🤔

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    • For me, the best thing that has worked was the networking bit. I’d spent years commenting on at least 20 blogs a day. I’m sure there’s a much better—and efficient—way of doing it, but that’s just how I approached it, lol. Hope it helps you, provided you have the time!

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      • Excellent idea. I’ve actually found, over the past few days, that this does work! But with your reiterating, I’m more confident in my decision of moving forward. Twenty a day is a new number– I’ll do it!!

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  39. I love #3 most of all….some days I giggle…all alone at my desk…when I remind myself, I’m writing for a ‘party of one’…no expectation of an audience/readership…just writing and working out my
    ‘stuff’ and I feel relieved when I do so. Then, as you said Stuart, when someone pops by with a nod or a ‘hey’…it’s all bonus fun! Thanks for describing what I’ve felt but haven’t expressed. 🥰

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  42. Too many things to comment on Stuart. Great post as always but this make my morning with a happy giggle. Thanks for that.

    “I actually considered changing careers to becoming a night-shift security guard. Or a mortician”
    can’t send them to spam, can say you’re a writer.

    I think stand up comedy is in your future and mine too. We could do spoken word together. Don’t miss Sarah Kay and Phil Kaye Spoken Word Poetry on my last Fri-Yay Funday .. they’re awesome and I think you’ll get a chuckle.

    Happy Day,
    😉💞

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  43. One other thing having a blog did for me: It swiftly eliminated any preconceptions anyone may have upon meeting me for the first time after reading my writing, and they thought they could bully me due to their greater knowledge “Because I’m blind.”

    Seriously, that is what some people have said to me. Also, trying to write while being tired is a great practice for when I’ll get a job. (I will get a job, if it is the last thing I do!)

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    • It’s unfortunate that some people can be insensitive or judgmental based on someone’s differences or challenges. And writing while tired can definitely be a challenge, but it’s a good skill to have for the future. As I like to say, keep on keeping on, Tanish! I’m rooting for you.

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  45. In regards to #5…

    As someone who’s never been much of a social butterfly, I completely understand where you’re coming from. It can be tough to feel like you’re always on the outskirts of social gatherings and not really fitting in with any particular group of people.

    And when it comes to success, it can be even harder. I’ve definitely experienced situations where people seemed to tolerate my accomplishments rather than genuinely supporting me. It can feel isolating and like your achievements aren’t really being acknowledged or celebrated in the way that they should be.

    But at the end of the day, it’s important to remember that your success is ultimately about you and what you’ve accomplished. It’s great to have support and validation from others, but it’s not necessary for you to feel proud of what you’ve done. You know how hard you’ve worked and the obstacles you’ve overcome to get where you are, and that’s what really matters.

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    • I couldn’t agree more. It’s easy to get caught up in seeking validation from others, but at the end of the day, our own sense of pride and accomplishment is what truly matters. It’s important to recognize and celebrate our own successes, regardless of whether or not others acknowledge them. And, in my experience, when we have a strong sense of self-worth and confidence, we tend to attract more positive and supportive people into our lives. So, keep striving for success, and don’t let anyone else dim your light!

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  46. Nine years is a fabulous effort. Well done! I’ve been at it for seven years and still love the interactions even though I don’t blog nearly as much as I used to. Encouraging post Stuart.

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  48. Haha! I am totally going to bookmark this post!! Thanks, man. You totally get us, the thankless bloggers. To have someone like you who’s been blogging for almost a decade say this, gives hope for newbies like me. So yah, what if I’m communicating with each post to an “empty room” or if more of my posts suck than succeed at drawing approving eyeballs. The point is to keep on writing for the simple joy and love of it. Which is what this post has inspired me to do this week as my writing well runs dry. This post is replenishing it, and I feel rejuvenated! Stu, keep preaching brother!! Right on, I mean, write on pal!!!

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    • Heya Kelvin! Thrilled to hear that it has inspired you to keep writing for the simple love of it! As bloggers, we often put a lot of pressure on ourselves to create content that generate tons of traffic, but it’s important to remember that writing is ultimately about expressing ourselves and sharing our ideas.

      I’ve definitely had my fair share of blog posts that felt like they were written for an empty room, but it’s always worth it to keep pushing through and writing for the love of it. And hey, even if a post doesn’t get the traffic or engagement we hoped for, there’s always something to be learned.

      Thanks for your kind words and encouragement, and keep on writing my friend! Write on indeed!

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