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Ordinary life as a girl and a woman means a continual internal battle against jealousy. When you add blogging and social media, that battle can multiply into a full-on war within yourself.
Likes, page views, and other stats constantly remind us that we’re not as good as everyone else.
Beautiful photos and Facebook updates show perfect lives that we wish we had.
If you’re a blogger depending on your income to pay your mortgage, the game gets really brutal.
It can knock you down each time you climb back up.
Here is how to Survive Blogger’s Jealousy…
- Acknowledge it.
The urge to compare yourself, your life and your stats is real. The pangs of jealousy are not a sign of weakness, but they need to be controlled. - Remember the Comparisons Are Skewed.
As it is said, you’re comparing their outsides with your insides. People present the best view of themselves online and you compare it to the worst view of yourself that you carry in your mind. And remind yourself, we each have a different hand of cards to play. We have different support systems and different goals.
- Be Your Own Cheerleader.
Be as nice to yourself as you would to your best friend. Think of what a coach would say to inspire her star player and say that over and over to yourself. - Get Inspired.
We continually see blog posts, photos, crafts and recipes that we wish we’d made ourselves. So be inspired. Learn and grow your own skills and then make something you love.
- Collaborate.
Find a group of like-minded blogging friends and form a tribe. We grow together in this business. If you try to make it alone, you won’t get far and you’ll be unhappy along the way. - Celebrate Successes.
Take time to pause and pat yourself on the back when something goes well. I struggle with remembering to do this step, but I know it’s important. - Have Fun.
Life should be fun. It often isn’t, but we should strive to have as much fun as we can. As bloggers we need to remember how amazing the world of technology is that we’re able to blog in the first place. We’re so lucky to live in this digital age. Social media is a gift. Let’s have fun with it.
How Do You Conquer Jealousy?
I’d love to hear if you ever feel jealous of other bloggers or friends online and how you push past those feelings?
Written by Susan Carraretto, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom
Talk with me: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
Pin with me at http://pinterest.com/5minutesformom/
Cheryl says
I stopped blogging several years ago — partly due to the “Mommy Wars” and the bad vibes that became more of a norm as the blogging world grew and partly to focus on my own business. I recently started blogging again because I missed sharing my quirkiness. My theory is that what you see online is only part of the story — life may not be as glorious as depicted on a blog or on social media. Quiet success has always been more of my style.
Charlene Kuser says
I agree and never thought about this aspect.We all need to be thankful for what we have,for it can be taken away in a flash.
RICHARD HICKS says
I don’t get jealous. WHen I see a great blog I applaud them and think to myself that I need to get busy learning more to enhance my own.
Amanda Sakovitz says
Great tips! I also feel like you can apply these to any life situation.
Cathy Burnett says
I know that I, myself, am very fortunate to be able to travel and spend time with friends and family like I do. I post pictures of all my road trips with these people and I wonder sometimes if my blessings make other people feel bad. I try to include all my friends and share in my spoilage whenever I can.
Jill Myrick says
I don’t currently have a blog that is up and running but am in the process of trying to get one going.
I might be able to see how others could get jealous but for me I’m just not that type of person.
It would personally just make me strive harder in hopes that mine will one day be as good as others.
I realize that having and running a blog is a lot of work. And I am most grateful to the bloggers that post honest reviews and giveaways.
It gives me the ability to find out all I need to know about an item (both good and bad) and make an informed decision.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
Betsy Barnes says
There are times when I’m feeling down, that I get a little jealous of my friends. I remind myself that I’m having a rough time and things will turn around. I am happy for my friends and I let them know. I also step back, take a deep breath and do something that I love, like read 🙂
Lindsay says
Helping others. Promoting others. Right now I’m trying to help my friends etsy shop grow.
Whitney Wingerd says
Love this Susan – some great tips! Especially agree with finding your own tribe – finding like-minded supportive bloggers in recent years has really lifted me up mentally when dealing with some of the harshness of being in this space.
And as you said – social media is a gift! We are lucky to have the opportunities we have in today’s age! I am thankful every day I can stay home with my kids while still working to help support the family. Such a good reminder for us all.
vickie couturier says
Im not having that problem,,im not that interesting ,lol,,am im okay with that too
Tammy S says
This are super tips for any life situation. I really like the Get Inspired! I wish more people did that. I think everyone judges themselves harder then others.
Connie says
SO agree with everything here. I have noticed a trend with my fellow entrepreneurs & publishers like you. Those that help and support others tend to be the most successful!
Connie says
Well said. I SO agree with everything. I have noticed a trend with my fellow entrepreneurs and publishers like you both. Those that help and support others tend to be the most successful!
Susan says
Yes, it is a common thing to see amongst entrepreneurs and publishers… you’re right. The more “good” you put out there, the more that comes back to you.
Kristina says
Wow. I had never thought about Blogger’s jealousy. Interesting!
cathy says
Low expectations or “how do I know what I’m saying is worth saying?”. Then again I’m not making any money from it.
anne says
I don’t blog but keep an even keel and realize that life is what is important.
Meagan bs says
i dont have a blog, but i do sometimes see people’s lives in blogs and get jealous. I try to remind myself that we only see the parts of people’s lives online that they choose to share with us, meaning there are plenty of messy things we probably want no part of.
Susan says
Exactly… behind the blogs our lives are chaos. (And in my case, I mean that literally. LOL)
Nicole Dz says
I agree with the be your own cheerleader and stay positive. You have to take pride when you do succeed and reward yourself.
Susan says
Yes, it sure can be hard though. It’s funny how women are so much kinder to other people than themselves.
Lisa Brown says
yes, i can see how wit could be frustrating. Acknowledging the problem will help resolve it sooner.
Susan says
Yes, acknowledging a problem is always step 1.
Jennifer Donovan says
Great thoughts! I always remind myself “I’m doing what I love.” Yes, I may wish I could be doing what someone else is doing as well, but either way, I’m privileged to do what I do.
Susan says
Exactly. We never could have imagined this a decade ago.
Desiree Fawn says
It can be tough, but I always think: “No matter how well someone is doing, someone is always doing better!” So why fret? 🙂
Meeting bloggers and creating that support network has been an incredible force in my life. I wouldn’t give up this life for anything!
Susan says
That’s an awesome attitude Desiree. And you’re right, we get to meet the most amazing women in this business. We are so blessed.