Why it’s so hard for me to blog anymore

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I’ve fallen off the blogging bandwagon. Big time. Each time I post here — which, let’s face it, has been few and far between over the last 10-12 months — I feel like I have to start with a mea culpa. “I’m so busy” or some similar excuse. The reality, though? My blog and I have grown apart, because I no longer practice what I preach(ed).

When I started blogging, I was working in corporate communications, exploring social media daily (when a lot of things were still in the “new” phase) and actively practicing public relations and organizational communications. It made sense for me to blog about PR, social media, and corporate communications, because that’s what I was living everyday.

My work life and goals are vastly different now. For the last nine months, I’ve been leading sales efforts at readMedia. It was something I didn’t think I was up for when the opportunity arose (“Sales? No way! I’m a PR person! I like writing! I’m introverted!”). But it turns out that I really like it, and I’m good at it. I get a rush from hitting numbers and knowing my team is directly responsible for the growth and success of the business.

Thus, my efforts and attention are no longer focused on the PR and social media minutiae of the Twitterati and Blogosphere. I’m not interested in debating the latest corporate PR gaffe or spending time in Twitter chats discussing the “right” way to do social media. PR Daily has gone unread in my inbox for months now. The echo chamber grew too loud for me, and I’ve slowly been gravitating away from the entire digital/social/PR2.0 ecosystem.

 

I also fell away from blogging because I’m very lucky to work with people who challenge me everyday. I used to “muse” here on the blog as a way to flesh out ideas and spark discussion in the absence of any friends or mentors at my old job. Now, I have the luxury of spending all day with really smart co-workers, and we’re constantly talking through ways to do things better, faster, and more creatively so that we can provide an even more valuable product for our customers.

Don’t get me wrong — via Twitter and my blog I’ve created fantastic relationships with PR pros from all over the world — some of whom I count among my close friends now. And via my relationships with readMedia’s customers, I still spend a lot of time talking with talented communications and PR professionals.

But I’m just not “in” PR anymore. And I’m okay with that.

Photo via Flickr user GiNet

5 thoughts on “Why it’s so hard for me to blog anymore”

  1. Amy – I appreciate your honesty. Things change, and that’s okay. Hopefully you don’t feel guilty about anything, because you absolutely shouldn’t! Your career shifted, and blogging became less of a focus for you.

    I got a lot of value from the content you shared, so thanks for the time you put into sharing your “musings” on PR and social media.

    Maybe you’ll find a desire/need to blog again somewhere down the line. I know it may seem like a pain now, but you can transition over to less PR/social media focused content if you decide to move forward with this site – especially because your blog name has nothing to do with either topic.

    Glad to hear you’re enjoying your new career focus. I had a sales job during college, and I definitely know what you mean about the rush you get from hitting those numbers!

  2. Sales? But many “experts” said that organizations wouldn’t need sales people in the new world of social media, where everything about everyone and every company is transparent.

  3. Hi Amy,
    First, let me say that I miss your voice out here in the blogosphere.
    But second, let me say that I understand why you have backed away. I’ve done the same and for many of the same reasons. I too feel that echo chamber has grown too loud. And the sense that there’s something “new” and exciting out here has faded.
    In fact, the most common theme on my blog in the past year or so has been my increasing sense of Web 2.0 ennui.
    Yet still I try — more out of a sense of business obligation than because the idea of blogging still seems important — to post to my blog and Twitter on occasion.
    Maybe you’ll decide to do the same. I hope so.
    Good luck in your new role.
    Paul

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  5. Amy, I really admire your self-reflection and disclosure here. I am about to transition into a new role myself, and anticipating that same “letting go and picking up” evolution. It’s exciting, scary, and another part of leading a rich and complex life. All the best to you – and keep having fun.