Feeling some blogging self-doubt on your journey? Have you recently started blogging and now feel stuck?
You probably feel like there are a million things to do and no clear path. That’s exactly where most new bloggers get stuck.
If you’re struggling with self-doubt, chances are someone else is too. And maybe the messy middle can help someone else feel less alone.
That’s why I decided to write this part of my blog, alongside posts about binge-worthy shows and my adorable cat, to share the ups and downs of blogging as I actually live them.
So here I am, doubts and all, hoping this helps you in some way.
How To Push Through Feeling Stuck
The Spiral of Self-Criticism
Once you start doubting yourself, it can turn into a full-on spiral. Every thought can make you second-guess what you’re doing.
My freebies look childish.
This doesn’t look professional enough.
I don’t know what I’m doing.
Who would ever take advice from me?
I could honestly go on and on about how I doubted myself in every way possible.
That voice in my head got louder every time I sat down to work on my blog. And honestly? It almost made me stop completely.
The crazy part is… no one else was saying these things to me. It was just me being my own worst critic. I was so focused on what I wasn’t that I couldn’t see what I’d already built.
Please take a moment to check out my freebie guide, I’d love to hear what you think!
[The Freebie Builder Blueprint]
I’m not a graphic designer, and my freebies might not look fancy, but I’ve packed in some genuinely useful tips about creating your own freebies… all for free. Give it a look; it would mean a lot to me!
Tip #1: The Reality Check
Instead of focusing on what’s not done, stop and look at what has been done.
Maybe you’ve already…
Built a website from scratch.
Written actual blog posts (and hit publish!).
Created freebies – whether you loved the design or not.
Set up email signups and connected them to those freebies.
That’s a lot. That’s more than most people ever do when they say they want to start a blog.
I only say that because this is my third attempt to try and create a blog. I’ve tried two other times, and never made it this far.
I realized I was so busy picking apart the flaws that I couldn’t see the foundation I had already built. And that foundation matters way more than whether my freebies look “Pinterest-perfect.”
The truth is, progress doesn’t have to look shiny or polished to still be progress.
Tip #2: Done Is Better Than Perfect
At some point, you have to ask yourself: Do I want a perfect blog… or do I want a real one?
The truth is, your freebies may never look like they were designed by a professional graphic artist, and that’s okay. They don’t have to, or maybe they do. They just have to be useful.
So make the choice to stop fussing over every little flaw and start moving forward. Our freebies will stay exactly how they are. They serve their purpose, and that’s enough.
That shift can be freeing. Instead of obsessing over design, give yourself permission to focus on what actually matters… creating content, connecting posts together, and showing up for the people who might need your words.
Because at the end of the day, progress happens when we keep moving, not when we sit stuck in perfectionism.
Tip #3: Where To Go From Here
So what happens after you let go of “perfect”? You start moving again.
That means focusing on what actually builds your blog:
Writing more content in the areas you love (mine are cats, blogging, and lifestyle).
Linking posts together so they support each other and help readers keep exploring.
Making freebies work harder for you by mentioning them naturally inside your posts, instead of stressing over redesigning them.
That’s it. Simple, steady steps forward.
You don’t need to do everything at once. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to keep showing up and adding one more brick to the foundation you’ve already started.
Because momentum comes from action, not from waiting until everything looks “perfect.”
Tips #4: Make Yourself More Accountable
It can be a struggle trying to stay motivated some days.
Instead of getting stuck tweaking endlessly, set a reminder once a month (or quarter) to revisit old posts for updates. That way your brain knows you will get another chance.
Set a posting schedule that will help you stay accountable. Even if it is just one blog post a week, and 2 pins that go with that post.
Start slow if that takes the pressure off, or go all in and do 3 blog posts a week and 2-4 pins to go with each post. How ever you plan it out, make it work for you. Overwhelming yourself will just end up hurting you in future.
💡 Pro tip: Set a time limit – for example, 1 hour max for editing. After that, if everything is checked off, you publish and move forward.
Tips #5: The Good Enough Checklist
1. Core Structure
Title is clear and clickable
Intro explains what the post is about
Headings (H2/H3) break up the content
Conclusion wraps up or has a call-to-action
2. Readability
Paragraphs are short (2–4 sentences)
At least one list or bullet points for easy scanning
No obvious typos or grammar errors
3. SEO Basics
Main keyword appears in title, intro, and at least one heading
Meta description is written (under 160 characters)
One internal link (to another of your posts, if possible)
One external link (to a trusted source)
4. Visuals
At least one image, graphic, or pin
Alt text added to images
5. Extras
Affiliate/product links added (if relevant)
Freebie/opt-in linked (if you have one)
I know self-doubt creeps in when you’re about to publish – but you can absolutely do this. This little checklist will keep you on track and remind you how ready you already are. Don’t let doubt stop you… your words matter.”
Encouragement for You - Final Thoughts
If you’re stuck in your own blogging journey, staring at your work and thinking it’s not good enough, I want you to know you’re not alone.
I’ve been there. Honestly, I’m still there sometimes. The doubts don’t magically disappear, but they don’t have to stop you.
Your blog doesn’t need to be perfect to matter. Your voice doesn’t need decades of experience behind it to be valuable. Sometimes the most helpful thing you can share is what you’re going through right now.
So if you’re feeling stuck, take this as your sign to keep going. Write the next post. Hit publish. Link it to something else you’ve created. Little by little, it all adds up.
We’re building this one messy, imperfect step at a time, and that’s more than enough.
I hope this helped with your blogging self-doubt. Need a little more help with motivation and staying positive? Check out this freebie… [10 Daily Affirmations for Bloggers & Creators].
Related Posts
If you would like to follow along and learn more sign up for my newsletter below.
