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.
A: I’m sorry you’re feeling pressured, Nina. Choosing what to post can feel overwhelming at first, but the best advice I can give is not to overthink it. When we started blogging in 2007, almost no one was reading, so there wasn’t much pressure. Some posts covered big projects like our four-month kitchen renovation, while others were about small, everyday moments—baseboard debates, finding old wallpaper, or accidentally selling a washer.
Over time our readership grew, and we stuck with the approach that got us here: write about whatever’s happening in your life, whether it’s big or small, house-related or random. Blogging this way reflects who we are and keeps the process enjoyable, which matters a lot because this became our job. From strange dreams to DIY haircuts, if we’re excited about it, it has a place on the blog. My core tip is simple: share what genuinely excites you—readers are drawn to authenticity and enthusiasm.
Consider this a small cheer from the sidelines: “You can do it!” Here’s a concise list of practical tips to help guide your blogging:
- Find a pace that works for you.
- Discover the topics you enjoy writing about.
- Watch for natural patterns in your content.
- Skip posts you aren’t excited about.
- No topic is too small if you’re enthusiastic about it.
- Share more of yourself—even the random parts.
- Relax—blogging should be fun.
- Do your thing; don’t try to please everyone.
- Accept that you can’t win over every reader.
- A happy blogger creates happier readers.
Now I’ll expand on those points a bit:
#1. Find a pace that works for you. This is a major discovery for many bloggers. A steady pace helps readers know what to expect and prevents you from feeling rushed or bored—both of which can kill momentum. We typically share two to three projects a week plus various smaller updates. Some months are busier than others, but looking back at our monthly round-ups we’re often surprised at how much we accomplished. Real life comes with budget limits, snafus, and timing issues, so accept ebb and flow. Finding a sustainable rhythm is critical for long-term consistency and helps avoid burnout.
#2. Learn what topics you like to tackle. Give yourself permission to write freely about those areas. Over the years our content has covered many subjects—only occasionally big renovations, more often small, affordable tweaks like painting, DIY art, thrift finds, small upgrades, or organization projects. Sometimes we dedicate a week to a theme like a wedding or an anniversary. Write about what you’re enjoying—readers will notice your interest.
#3. Look for unconscious clues along the way. Patterns usually emerge if you track your output. Our monthly round-ups show a mix of big and small projects naturally. You don’t always have to plan every detail; with time, the right balance will reveal itself.
#4. Skip any post that you’re not excited about. If a post feels like a chore, it’s okay to let it go. We don’t blog every small reorganization or project. Some posts are meaningful even if they’re hard to write—like personal reflections on loss—because they serve a purpose beyond immediate feedback. But if something feels petty or tedious, don’t force it.
#5. Nothing is too small if you’re psyched to post about it. When you’re genuinely excited about a simple change, share it. Readers can sense enthusiasm, and sometimes small projects spark the most engagement. A tiny, free DIY might draw far more conversation than a big demo—so don’t discount the small stuff.
#6. Try sharing more of yourself, no matter how random. Posts about running or parenting might feel vulnerable, but they can resonate strongly. We’ve had posts about breastfeeding and running get huge responses. You never know what will connect. Blogging for yourself—rather than trying to please an imagined audience—often results in a more compelling and enjoyable blog.
#7. Relax, it’s only blogging. Whether blogging is your job or a hobby, it should stem from something you love. That passion is what keeps you going. If your aim is to churn out endless tutorials, you might lose the personal voice that makes a blog interesting. Keep it human—this is your diary, your perspective, and that’s valuable.
#8. Do. Your. Thang. You’ll never please everyone, and that’s fine. Some readers will skim or skip certain posts—that’s how discovery works. Trying to make every post appeal to everyone will make your content generic or infrequent. Your unique voice is the reason people visit; lean into it.
#9. You can’t win ’em all. Over five years we learned that aiming to please everyone leads to burnout. Some readers want slower, more detailed posts; others want quick, budget-friendly ideas. Requests for more family content sometimes come alongside requests for less. That’s normal—accept it and keep being yourself.
To put it in perspective, critical comments are rare compared to the positive feedback we receive. A tiny fraction of readers may say a post was boring, but the overwhelming response is encouragement. That’s what keeps us going.
#10. A happy blogger = happy readers. Readers pick up on your mood. Your blog is more magnetic when you write from a place of joy and authenticity. So let go of perfectionism and enjoy the process. Picture an imaginary bumper sticker that sums it up for you.
I love that our dog Burger often sneaks into posts—little personal touches like that make a blog feel alive. I hope these tips help anyone starting a blog or feeling anxious about hitting “publish.” If you have advice for Nina or your own checklist before publishing, I’d love to hear it.
Update – We often get questions about professional blogging—how we built our site, grew traffic, and monetized it. For those curious, we’ve shared details about how we started a blog, grew our audience, and turned blogging into a full-time job.