Q: How do you decide what to post about every day? I’m new to blogging and feeling a lot of pressure. I worry what I write will be boring. Do you ever worry about that? Do you have a checklist that you go through to see if something is good to write about? Do you ever worry that people won’t like what you share? Do you ever skip a post if you think it will be poorly received? Do you try to pace things out in a strategic way? – Nina M.
Answer: I’m sorry you’re feeling pressured, Nina. Picking topics when you’re starting out can feel overwhelming, but the simplest approach is often the best: don’t overthink it. When we began blogging back in 2007, almost no one was reading, so we had low pressure and lots of freedom. Sometimes we wrote about big projects like a kitchen renovation and sometimes we shared tiny, random moments—discoveries, accidental mishaps, or small wins around the house.
Over time we learned to stick to what worked for us: writing about whatever’s happening in our lives—large or small, planned or spontaneous—while keeping it honest and upbeat. Treat it like a conversation, and focus on the topics that genuinely excite you. Authentic enthusiasm is contagious and readers respond to it.
Here’s a short checklist we use, followed by a concise explanation for each point:
- Find a posting pace that fits your life and energy.
- Focus on topics that genuinely interest you.
- Watch for patterns in what naturally appears in your posts.
- Skip posts that feel like work, not joy.
- No topic is too small if you’re excited about it.
- Let your personality show, even in random posts.
- Relax—blogging is supposed to be enjoyable.
- Do what feels right for your voice and audience.
- Accept that you can’t please everyone.
- Your enthusiasm makes your blog magnetic.
#1 Find a pace that works for you
Finding the right frequency for publishing is a major early discovery. Your pace should let readers know what to expect while keeping blogging enjoyable for you. Too frantic and you’ll burn out; too sparse and readers may lose interest. We aim for a few larger projects mixed with smaller updates each week so the content stays varied and manageable. The rhythm will emerge naturally if you give it time.
#2 Focus on topics you enjoy
Write about the areas you like to explore. Over years of blogging we’ve covered everything from renovations to small craft projects and daily life. You don’t need epic projects to be interesting—budget-friendly tweaks, decor ideas, or everyday solutions all make great posts if you care about them.
#3 Look for recurring themes
Pay attention to patterns in your monthly or weekly round-ups. You’ll often find a natural mix of big and small projects that suits your life and audience. These patterns act as unconscious clues to the right content balance for you.
#4 Skip posts that feel like work
If a topic feels like a chore, skip it. We often do things at home that we never write about because it’s not worth the time or doesn’t feel special. That said, meaningful or personal posts are often worth the effort, even when they’re hard to write. Follow your instincts about what’s worth sharing.
#5 No idea is too small
Adopt a no-holds-barred attitude for topics that excite you. Tiny changes can resonate strongly with readers—some small posts attract as much attention and comments as larger projects. If you skip them, you might miss surprising moments of engagement. Keep an open mind about what will connect.
#6 Share yourself
Let your personality show. Random posts about daily life—running, parenting, or unexpected moments—often generate strong reactions because they feel real. Blogging for yourself rather than trying to please everyone will make your content more compelling and sustainable.
#7 Relax—it’s only blogging
Whether blogging is a hobby or your full-time job, it should stem from passion. If you love sharing personal perspectives and small victories, lean into that. A blog built around your voice and life will feel authentic and keep you motivated.
#8 Do your thing
Not every post will please every reader, and that’s okay. Trying to make every piece appeal to everyone leads to bland content or paralyzing perfectionism. Write the posts that fit your voice—those are the ones that will find the right audience.
#9 You can’t win ’em all
No matter how thoughtfully you plan content, some readers will prefer different pacing or topics. That’s normal. Feedback will vary—some readers want bigger projects, others prefer small budget ideas. Accepting that diversity lets you keep producing authentic content without being swayed by every comment.
#10 A happy blogger = happy readers
Readers notice when you’re tense or pressured. Your blog is most magnetic when you’re enjoying the process. Let go of the pressure to be perfect, follow the topics that excite you, and remember why you started in the first place. Picture a little bumper sticker in your mind that reminds you to have fun and be yourself.
I hope this helps anyone who’s starting a blog or feeling anxious about what to post next. If you have tips for Nina or other new bloggers—how you calm your nerves before hitting “publish” or a checklist you use—share them and help build a community of confident, creative writers.
Update – We often get questions about professional blogging, how we built the site and grew our audience, and how blogging became our full-time work. We’ve shared the details about how we started a blog, grew traffic, and turned it into a job in a separate post.