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: Sorry you’re feeling that pressure, Nina. Choosing what to post each day can feel complicated at first, but the best advice we can give is not to overthink it. When we began blogging in 2007, very few people were reading, so the stakes felt low and it was easier to experiment. Sometimes we wrote about big projects like long renovations, and sometimes we shared tiny, funny moments—discovering old wallpaper, losing an appliance in a thrift-sale mix-up, or a conversation about baseboards.
Over time our readership grew, but so did our commitment to the simple approach that got us started: write about what’s happening in your life, big or small, house-related or completely random. Treat it like your job if you want, because for many of us the blog is part of our work. From odd dreams to do-it-yourself haircuts, everything has a place. Our core recommendation is to write about what genuinely excites you. Readers feel authenticity, and chances are they’ll connect with your enthusiasm through the screen.
I’ll cheer you on: “You can do it!” Here’s a concise list of what we focus on:
- Find a pace that works for you.
- Learn what topics you enjoy tackling.
- Pay attention to subtle patterns in your output.
- Skip any post you’re not excited by.
- Nothing is too small if it excites you.
- Share more of yourself, even the random stuff.
- Relax — it’s only blogging.
- Do your thing.
- You can’t please everyone.
- Happy bloggers attract happy readers.
Now let me expand on those points.
#1. Find a pace that works for you. This is one of the most important discoveries you’ll make. Finding a rhythm helps your readers know what to expect and keeps you from burning out. We usually publish a few projects each week mixed with other bits of life and home updates. Some months are busier than others, but over time you’ll notice a natural ebb and flow. Keeping a pace you can sustain is a major factor in long-term success.
#2. Learn what topics you like to tackle. Give yourself freedom to explore those areas. Over the years we’ve covered everything from renovations to small DIY tweaks, organizing, thrift finds, and themed weeks. You don’t need constant major projects to keep readers engaged—frequent, smaller updates and honest opinions often resonate just as well.
#3. Look for unconscious clues along the way. After some time of blogging, patterns will emerge in the kinds of posts you enjoy and that fit your life. You’ll find a mix of big and small projects naturally comes together. Let your instincts guide you rather than forcing a rigid plan.
#4. Skip any post you’re not excited about. If writing a post feels like a chore, let it go. We skip sharing things we don’t feel like documenting. Occasionally, a difficult or emotional post is worth sharing because it matters to you; those are exceptions made with intention. But many small, tedious chores don’t need to become content unless you want them to.
#5. Nothing is too small if you’re psyched to post about it. Don’t censor yourself for fear of being trivial. Readers can sense when you hold back, and small fixes or joyful discoveries often inspire a lot of engagement. Some of our most popular posts have been about tiny, inexpensive projects that made a big difference to us personally.
#6. Try sharing more of yourself, no matter how random. Personal posts—about running, parenting, or other everyday things—can surprise you with how well they connect. We never know which entries will resonate the most, so it’s worth publishing the authentic, human moments alongside the tutorials and home updates. Blogs that reflect the blogger’s personality tend to be the most compelling.
#7. Relax, it’s only blogging. Whether blogging is your hobby or your career, keep it rooted in the joy that started it. If your site becomes just a list of polished how-tos, you might lose the voice that drew readers in. Treat your blog as a diary or a personal project—your unique perspective is the value you bring.
#8. Do. Your. Thang. Not every post will appeal to every reader, and that’s okay. Trying to make every single post universally loved will dilute your voice or slow your output to a crawl. Accept that some people will skip content that doesn’t match their taste, and let your personality guide your choices.
#9. You can’t win ’em all. Over time you’ll hear criticism from some corners and praise from others. There will always be readers who want different pacing or content mix. Focus on serving the audience that values what you do, not on pleasing everyone.
#10. A happy blogger = happy readers. Enthusiasm is contagious. If you’re excited and content with what you share, readers will sense it and respond. So take a breath, trust your instincts, and publish the things that reflect who you are. Your best content will come from that place.
I hope that helps at least a few of you who are starting a blog or feeling anxious before hitting “publish.” If you have tips for Nina or other new bloggers, share what works for you. Do you have a mental checklist or do you simply post whatever’s buzzing in your head? Tell us about it.
Update – We often get questions about professional blogging—how to start a site, grow an audience, and turn blogging into a job—so we’ve shared our experience and practical steps for anyone interested in taking that path.