Blogging: what to write when you’re out of ideas

We all lose motivation once in a while. It doesn’t matter how much we love our craft, sometimes the world is ‘bringing us down’ or we’re just happy and dull. Sprinkle in a pandemic or other life struggle, and your brain may feel particularly vacant.

So that’s why I’m writing this post. In fact, at this moment, my brain is full of fluff and worries. Chocolate? Who has some? Will I ever go to a restaurant again... So I’m writing this post for me just as much as I am writing it for you.

Blogging Ideas when you need Inspiration:

Idea 1. Tell a personal story. 

Early in my blogging journey, I wrote Why I Quit my job after a Celiac Diagnosis. I did not write the post for readers -- I wrote it for me. I still struggled with my own emotions and opinions about quitting my job. If only I had pushed through, where would I be today?

 If I knew anyone would read it, or worse share it, I NEVER would have written it. It was personal, it was negative, and I was embarrassed to admit to myself or anyone else that I let Celiac get the best of me.

Fast forward a year and people still tell me it’s their favorite post. They say it helped them find comfort in their own new circumstances and decisions after a health diagnosis. In fact, I even learned non-Celiacs found comfort in the story.

So go write your own story. And if you still don't have an audience, now is the best time to write it. Because once you know someone will read it, you just might lose courage.

Related: Why I Quit my Job after Celiac Diagnosis

 

Idea 2. What are you researching in your personal life? Record and share.

During the start of the pandemic, I was living in a camper van. I had little room for food storage and everyone was stocking up. I wanted to eat fresh, but not visit the grocery store too frequently. So I started researching produce that stayed fresh longer. And guess what? It was a hit at the time. I only wrote it for me, but others found it useful too.

So what are you into right now? Are you propagating plants? Raising a puppy? Even if your blog topic is more specific, like ‘gluten-free’, you can still write a perspective piece. Like how plants changed the way you enjoy meals indoors, or a list of gluten free dog treats your pup can’t wait to try. Chances are this post will be immensely helpful to you, you’ll love writing it, and your audience will like it too.

Related: Produce that Stays Fresh Longer >> how to eat healthy in quarantine

Idea 3. Read a mentor’s work and imitate their style.

I admire the clear, simple sentences of a favorite writer. Can you tell that’s where I got my inspiration for this post? I’ve never seen her write about blogging ideas, so the topic is my own. But I’m borrowing her style, trying it on, and musing over what I’d like to post about (refer back to step 2 above).

Try this simple style, pull out your metaphors like Charles Dickens, or put on a sassy hat full of wit and clever references like Maya Angelou. Then start musing over your best post ideas and write one like this.

Get TWO free books with this link for a Free Trial of Audible! Plus you get an email when your trial is up (so you don't get charged 😉 )

 >> I recommend Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert to all my blogging friends. Happy Listening <3

Idea 4. What pissed you off recently? Vent, then re-write.

Ok so I’m sharing more of my sass in this post than in others! I like to keep a positive outlook when possible, but life is tough and I’m tough too. 

My very first post on this blog started as a rant. Remember 5 things I wish everyone knew about Celiac Disease? I had just started a new job and my coworkers made the worst, most embarrassing comments about my dietary restriction. I was so upset after my first day and the piece was loaded with frustration. I then re-wrote it as a positive what TO DO instead of what not to do. It is also one of my most popular posts.

I recommend you wait at least a day before posting your transformed rant… just to make sure you cooled off enough 😉

 

Idea 5. If you went away for a year, what would you miss about your life now?

Truth bomb: you were never supposed to read my recipes. No one was reading my blog and I was going to travel for a year. I didn’t want to forget how to make my favorites. So I started writing recipes on my travel blog. Now here I am, writing mostly recipes, and laughing with friends about how I’m the least likely human to ever be a recipe blogger.

What do you want to remember one year from now? Write it down and share.

Related: Vibrantly g-Free Recipe Index

Idea 6. If you traveled in time to next year, what would you want in your life that’s currently missing?

One year from now, I’d like to have more sauces for easy roasted meals. That’s something I can start researching right now. Maybe a chimichurri sauce, a chipotle aioli… taking action now gives you content and assurance your time travel will come true. 

So what do you want in your life one year from now? Start researching.

Idea 7. Forget about SEO. Write whatever you’re thinking about.

SEO, AKA writing for a web robot, is kind of bogus. Add this many ‘keywords’ in these places. Put your keyword first in your title. Make sure to link to exactly 17 websites, no more no less. 

This post is written for me, a person, and not a search engine. There are no planned keywords for this post. Instead, it solves a real problem for a real person.

If you’re worried about SEO, go search Buzzsumo. The viral posts do not make any more ‘SEO’ sense than this one does. I find that if I write for people, people read and share it. Generally, google catches on too.

So stop worrying about what a good blog topic would be, and solve a problem for yourself!

Idea 8. Start a new category. 

I’m a gluten-free blogger. I write about recipes, travel, and lifestyle relating to gluten-free… except that right now I’m writing about blogging. Maybe you’re a little burnt out on the usual topics. You do write about them all the time, and chances are your life revolves around them too.

I think a lot about blogging. Like a lot a lot. So why not share what I know with you? 

So change your tune and share something a bit more personal. I guarantee your audience will love getting to know you better.

Summary:

1. Tell a personal story.
2. What are you researching in your personal life? Record and share.
3. Read a mentor’s work and imitate their style.
4. Vent about something, then re-write.
5. If you went away for a year, what would you miss about your life now?
6. If you traveled in time to next year, what do you want in your life that’s currently missing?
7. Forget about SEO. Write whatever you’re thinking about right now.
8. Start a new category.

Coming up with constant inspiration is a struggle all artists share. But part of art is spontaneity, and all of these tips are guaranteed to help you shake up your routine.

Tell us in the comments -- How do you come up with new ideas when struggling for inspiration?

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