Restarting My Blog in 2023

Starting a blog is easy. But restarting, nobody told me it will be this difficult. I never thought I’d get to a point where I thought I’d have to go through an entire process and tag it as ‘restarting my blog’ but here we are. The strange thing about this entire journey is the fact that I kept on creating content for my short lists of clients, but I found it difficult to put pen to paper or do I say my fingers to keys for my blog.

For the longest time possible, I kept waiting for the perfect time and the perfect conditions before I resumed the blog. I planned to continue on March 1, but nothing happened. Then, I planned March 7 as the best time still nothing. Previously, I had two false starts as well at the end of 2022 and at the beginning of 2023. However, I was particular about giving the blog my all when I resumed, so I had to let my brain simmer and here we are now.

Why Did I Pause The Blog?

You must be wondering what happened. ‘Doyin, why did you pause the blog in the first place?’ Well, nothing more than the usual suspects of Gen Z living, being a young person in Nigeria and the frustrations of being a content creator. Still, here is why the blog had to go on break.

I got stuck

As a person, I desire to be ahead with tangible results not stuck in a process. But this was not happening, at least not in the way I saw it. I was no longer living alone. I was ill at a point and work was demanding. Blogging is not cheap and na money we go use maintain the blog. I couldn’t see a way out of this, so I got buried in work and clients’ jobs. Eventually, the blog suffered.

I became a student again

In my journey to escape being stuck, I pushed myself to continue my education and get another degree. Somewhere, in my mind, it was a 50-50 chance but a risk worth taking. Thankfully, I got admitted, and I became a student. Somehow, I resumed late and then I had to play catchup with classes, tests and assignments. Right now, I should read for exams in this 2023 General Election break, but see, I am on the blog. Once I get back to school; it becomes a juggle again. Right now, I set my systems up so I am maximizing it.

The blog kept crashing

Managing a blog no be beans o! I have very little technical knowledge and the little I have is courtesy of the blog. So, tell me why the blog refused to load or open on some days. There was a time I thought hackers got the blog. Whenever I tried to create new content, the blog crashed. I thought it was my village people in action until my laptop too finally crashed and has not come back to date. Shey you see life and see how my village people wan dey whine me?

Imposter syndrome

With everything that was happening, the pressure became wesser. I abandoned everything. To boost my laziness, AI tools started popping off. I didn’t feel creative, and I became a huge critic. Then I read this quote and changed my mind.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.” – T. Roosevelt.

Career transition

I am also trying to switch my career path. So, imagine mixing blogging, marketing, freelancing and education with learning a new skill. Very easy right? Coupled with applying for jobs and gigs and getting rejection emails left, right and centre. Being a Gen Z Nigerian is not fun.

What has happened since the blog paused?

Well, despite all this, I am happy that so many things have changed. I only stopped creating content regularly, I didn’t abandon the blog. If you are familiar with the blog, you will spot a couple of changes. Some of them, however, are:

1. I have been able to monetize the blog
2. I started my consulting business
3. The blog now has a LinkedIn page
4. There is a growing community for the blog
5. I started a YouTube Channel – Bants With Dee
6. I now have a portfolio website
7. The blog now has a new look.

Why am I restarting my blog?

I am restarting my blog because, in the four years of its existence, it has changed my life and the lives of community members. It has opened doors for me and members of my team. HoneyDrops Blog has birthed communities. Readers have sat down on my neck to get the blog back.

HoneyDrops Blog is therefore back to dropping sweetness into your life with every blog post.

So tell me, did you miss the blog? What is your favourite part about the blog returning? What do you look forward to seeing on the blog? Please share with me in the comment section.

Till I come your way again, don’t forget to subscribe to Doyin’s Honest Notes and enjoy a drop of honey for your day…