1. Haters gonna hate.
Let’s get this one out of the way. Some people try to work through their personal demons by leaving mean comments on blogs. And unfortunately, those people also seem to have a lot of time on their hands. Though I’m always stung by hurtful words, I have grown better at dealing with it–or rather, not dealing with it. By not responding. I’m always up for healthy debate and discussion, but people who leave mean-spirited comments aren’t going to change their minds, so sometimes, I just don’t bother. Making that decision has been incredibly freeing.
2. My kids will make a liar out of me.
As soon as I boast on this blog about a new food my kids absolutely love, they will reverse course. Just to mess with me. And keep me humble.
3. It’s hard to take photos of food.
Really hard. Something can look absolutely delectable to the eye–but like a pile of worms covered in slime through the camera lens. It’s especially hard when your photography studio is your dining room. I’ve spilled an entire smoothie down a heating vent while trying to get a photo of it. Despite how it appears on ye olde blogosphere, food photography is not easy, and it’s definitely not glamorous.
4. It’s a guessing game.
I never know which posts will hit and which ones will fizzle. I haven’t totally cracked the code. But sadly, it seems to have an inverse correlation to the amount of time I put into them. The ones I bang out in a fit of irritation go over like gangbusters (like Fear & Loathing on Facebook and My Post-4o Weight Gain Frustrations). The ones I spend hours on are met with the resounding chirp of crickets (like 5 Easy Ways To Cut Sugar From Your Child’s Diet–go give it some love, would you?).
5. Changing your mind is okay.
When you commit strong opinions to internet eternity, some of them will eventually expire. As I learn more and experience more, I occasionally shift my viewpoints. I’m human. (Read: 4 Foods I’ve Changed My Mind About).
6. Someone will always be doing it bigger, better, and faster.
“Comparison is the thief of joy”, right? And while that couldn’t be truer, comparison couldn’t be harder to stop doing, especially in the blogging world. It’s hard to not wish I had more time, more energy, more help, more frequent posts, more likes, more shares, more, more, more. But the truth is, we all have something to contribute. And that’s true not just for blogging, but for real life too.
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Katie @ Mom to Mom Nutrition says
Loved this post Sally. I’m with you on all six lessons learned. And I love your last point. We can all learn from one another!
Sally says
Thanks Katie!
Katie says
Yes, yes, yes to number 3!! This happens all the time! I’ll look at the little viewer on my camera and it looks amazing and then I upload it and it looks disgusting. I promise it tastes good even if it looks inedible! Also, great list and lessons I’m working on learning.
Sally says
Thanks Katie. Yes, that little viewer on the camera is such a lie! I think I need one of those cables that connects your camera to the computer so you can see each photo on a larger screen.
Danielle Omar -- Food Confidence RD says
I love number 2…so true. I also learned the joys of cooking for daylight! When I look back at my old posts that were not edited and taken at 8pm, I laugh.
Sally says
Danielle–oh gosh, me too. I’m not sure what I was thinking. I took a lot of those early photos with a cheap point and shoot camera, with the flash on.
Deanna Segrave-Daly says
Oh these all ring SO true but thanks for putting them all together in one enjoyable read. I can relate to every single one and #2 totally cracks me up because it happens all the time to me.
Sally says
Thanks Deanna. So glad to hear that happens to other bloggers too! 🙂
Brittany says
Great post, Sally! Though I am newer to the blogging world, I already see many of these things. I don’t think I’ll ever be a good food photographer…it is hard! I love reading your blog, as it is so relate-able to to only me as a mom trying to feed my kids healthy but as a blogger, too. Thanks for sharing a part of your life with us!
Sally says
Thank you so much for those nice words, Brittany!
Bryanna says
The first one happens to be all the time, and food photography is so hard!! I hate doing it. I have been trying to fix some of my old posts because the photos of some recipes are gross looking!! Blogging takes so much time and sometimes I wonder why I do, as not many people respond to my posts, but I keep at it.
Sally says
Hi Bryanna–I have updated some of my old photos but really should do more. There is so much gorgeous food photography out there–a recipe with a really bad photo accompanying it just isn’t going to cut it. And I agree, blogging does take so much time and I question it too. But I keep coming back to it, so that must mean something. 🙂
Maryann says
Did you know I’m totally jealous of your food pics?? : )
I agree on all of these but especially #4. My researched- based posts that can take weeks to write never do as well as the ones I crank out in couple of hours. But I figure someone appreciates it. And sometimes the less-shared ones do better with search engines.
Blogging isn’t easy but like you said we all have something to contribute. You are making your mark for sure!
Sally says
Thanks Maryann. Good point about search engines. I think those well-researched posts do make for solid, core content that can be shared and used again and again. So it’s still worth the time. But still frustrating! 🙂
Bettina at The Lunch Tray says
I found myself nodding in agreement with every single one of these, Sally!
Sally says
Thanks Bettina! It’s so nice to have blogger colleagues like you.
Cindy Gay says
I love your posts Sally! You do a great job! You’re right about these things.
Food photography is hard. . . because we eat what I make and I’m usually starved! (so it always tastes good:)
Also, I shouldn’t have bought those skinny jeans!
Hope to see you at FNCE!
Sally says
Thank you Cindy! I will be at FNCE–hope to see you there too!
Jill Castle, MS, RDN says
I have been in the vortex of college hunting and just seeing your post–I especially agree with your last point—wanting and knowing you can take it up a notch, but the reality of life can create a glass ceiling effect! You do great work despite your frustrations!!
Eileen says
Sally, I’m a fellow RD and have just re-launched my consulting company out in CA…I absolutely love your approach to nutrition! And then I open my latest copy of Anchora…and there you were! I knew you were extra special! Keep up the great work! ITB- Eileen
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says
Like many who commented above, I was saying “yes, yes” to every single one of these points! #2 has been happening more and more recently! And like Danielle, I’ve had to learn to make dinner hours in advance to get good photos. Luckily we’re all in it together!
Sally says
Thanks Jessica! It was so nice to spend time with you and other bloggers this week. Great to be with people who do the job and know the many ups and downs of it.
Jess @ Keeping It Real Food says
Love this post! I was laughing and nodding the whole time I was reading this. I always feel like I’m learning as I go. Thanks for sharing : )