You’ve given me an insight into a world I knew nothing about other than as a consumer. Thank you for being so vulnerable about your journey and how consuming it became for you. I feel it is so relatable, not matter what you are creating or what dream you are pursuing. It makes me think about a conversation I had with a friend a few weeks ago where I said that all I wanted was to get a literary agent and then I would be happy… she reminded me that six months ago all I wanted was a full manuscript request to be happy, then suggested that once I have an agent all I’ll want is a publisher to be happy, then to be a bestseller to be happy, then to get a second book published etc… It made me reflect on how we always chase the next external validation rather than enjoy the process and the creation.
Thank you for reading this article Simi, and I’m glad you found value in it.
I also often think about how we are always chasing one thing after another. And to be honest that’s what my food blog became for me, and after a whileI couldn’t align myself with the path I was on.
But it helped me grow as a person, and for that I’ll always remain grateful.
I wish you all the best for your book, I'm sure you'll have an amazing journey! ❤️
Your newsletter and heart touching story came at the perfect time for me Wajeeha! As someone who has just enjoyed being in the comfort of words and writings in her own private space and scribbles on back of journals and medical textbooks all her life and is just now entering this glittery world of blogging and creating an online presence.. this is an eye opener and something I can hold on to so I don’t get distracted by the shiny numbers and craziness of views and instead stick to the love of writing just for its own sake and for myself! 😇 please continue to do so as I am sure you’ll have great stories to tell and beginners like myself can learn a lot from you.
I'm glad you found this piece insightful Maryam. It's rather a slippery road, but I wanted to share my experience with others who may not be aware. But it's also a very fulfilling journey if you go in with the correct mindset. I wish you all the best for your new journey. And I'm so happy to connect with you. 💕
Thank you for sharing your experience! Burnout is real and it's difficult to explain to others how it must've really felt. The way I see it, you're a successful writer and that experience was paving the way for you to move on to better things. May this new journey be filled with more meaning and fulfillment Insha'Allah!!
Thank you Leena for your kind words! And yes it’s definitely been a huge learning for me and played a role in my growth. All the best for your journey too inshallah! ❤️
I can totally relate to this story. I was a blogger in a previous life too. The SEO, the multiple social media platforms, the website upkeep, the endless emails, the articles, the photography, the video, the copy for each social, the ever changing algorithm in each social, the different banners required by each social, the plug-in that didn’t work, the spam emails (collaborations for exposure, sketchy companies wanting to advertise), the “competition.” It’s a life I don’t miss. Thank you for sharing. I wasn’t as successful as you were in terms of numbers and I’m not a mother (can’t imagine juggling both! 😱) but all this made me nod in recognition.
Thank you for your comment. I'm glad you could relate. You put it so well in the endless lists of things we had to accomplish as bloggers. I wish people were more vocal about it in the blogging circle. I was so nervous posting this essay, thinking no one would be able to relate but so, so many people have related to it!
Your story has quite a few similarities with mine!
I was not a food blogger but I was in self improvement and started in 2014. It was meant to be a source for extra income but my growing discontent with my future career in medicine meant that I got pressured into making blogging my full time income source.
Unlike you I never got successful enough but I did have two instances where if I had leveraged all the tactics I could have gotten somewhere. But the idea of posting perfectly polished posts so frequently made me quit before I even embarked on that journey.
Like you I took a break that ended up lasting two years, and even after that I could never make myself do what it was going to take.
I got caught up in the hustle culture as well, which was very much in my sphere as a productivity blogger, and felt guilty about not making it.
I eventually realized that writing for me was always a feel good activity and, although I would love it if it brings in income, I can never make that the sole or primary purpose of my writing. I also decided to make my ideas on productivity a lot more sustainable, which is where I am at now!
Thank you Atiba for your comment. I'm glad you were able to relate to my story. I understand where you're coming from, and you were brave enough to take a step back when you needed to. I'm looking forward to following your new journey, and wish you all the best! ❤️
Thank you for pouring your heart out in this one and sharing your journey with us. I’m excited for your next chapter and all the amazing things it will bring😊
As an art and craft blogger for little kids I can totallty relate to this. Like you I have also given up on my blog, but it really was time to move on. All the best for your new journey!
Thank you so much Asma! Sometimes it's okay to give up on things even if they seem perfectly fine on surface. I wish you all the best for your future. 💕
Thank you for sharing your story. I relate to it in a big way. I am a food blogger too and the burnout is real. I started my blog in 2015 also but haven’t taken my blog as far as you did yours. I still work on it and hope that it grows and doesn’t disappoint, but lately I’ve resolved to not look at the numbers and just enjoy the creative outlet that it can be. Even so, it’s a ton of work.
I remember seeing you in the food blogging circles. I remember your blog. You can definitely be proud of what you have achieved. There is absolutely no shame in moving on to something else.
I wish you great success in this new endeavor. I think you have a great mindset.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I'm glad you were able to relate to my words. I think a lot of us have been feeling this way for a long time. I reached my breaking point, and couldn't find anymore joy in food blogging. But you are right, the focus should never been on numbers.
I'm very proud of how far I was able to go with my blog, but I feel if your heart isn't in it anymore you should move on. That's what happened to me at least. Plus, writing is my true passion and I really want to pursue that now to see where it takes me.
I just saw your blog, and your pictures are mouthwatering! Well done.
Thanks for this post, I currently have a blogger site on technology and I was planning to start one more on cooking recipes,but, after reading your experience with google algorithm, I am going to take a step back and ponder. By the way, have you ever thought of migrating your food blog ti Substack? I see lots of food Substackers doing good. Maybe I should do food blogging on Substack instead of blogger?
Hi Meera. Thanks for reading! To be honest, I don't mean to scare off anyone from trying to run a website. This was more of how I was also dealing with it.
As for my food blog, I did consider moving it to substack. But to be honest, I really just want to write which is why I started this substack. I think I spent a decade with food blogging, and maybe it's just best that I move on.
Wajeeha, this was such an honest and powerful piece. I listened to the voiceover, and it added so much depth—I know how much effort that takes, and I really admire you for it.
Your reflections on hustle culture and algorithm demands really resonated with me. It’s a side of content creation people rarely talk about, and I’m grateful you shared it.
Also, I had a look at your blog, and your saffron milk cake is now on my must-try list! Wishing you peace and success in this next chapter—you’ve got this.
Dr Hajar, thank you for listening to the voiceover. I really wanted my newsletters to have this element so people would find it more accesible if they didn't want to or have to time read. I'm so glad that you were able to connect to my story.
I hope you enjoy the saffron milk cake! 🍰 Thank you so much for your wishes. I wish you all the best to you too with your journey. ❤️
I initially tried recording voiceovers for the same reason, but finding a quiet, echo-free space was a real challenge. I truly commend you for managing it!
I use a mic, and I only record when my kids are in school 😅 but it's still difficult in the sense that I have to do some editing etc once I'm done recording. However, I do practice reading the piece aloud first so that I can iron out whatever is sounding clunky. That helps with improving the piece itself. I suggest you try recording with a mic, and use a software to reduce echo noise when recording.
I just listened to your first newsletter, and I’m in awe. Truly, I can’t believe how courageous you are, to bare your soul, to share your most vulnerable moments with the world. That takes a kind of bravery most only dream of.
What struck me the most was how raw and heartfelt your words felt, resonating deeply with anyone, be it a business owner, content creator, mere social media user or a mother navigating the endless tides of motherhood. You are not alone in these ‘weak’ moments of strength—yes, that’s what I call them. Because it is in these moments that we truly discover ourselves.
Sometimes, stepping away brings the kind of clarity that running forward never could. And in that pause, you found something precious, a silver lining, a quiet awakening, a purpose waiting to be embraced. I want to celebrate you today, not just for finding your truth, but for owning it so beautifully. The road ahead may still feel uncertain, but this time, your heart carries contentment and solace as its compass.
I have to say, I deeply admire people who are self-aware, who have a strong value system, firm boundaries, and most of all, the courage to go against the tide—against trends, algorithms, and as you so aptly put it, worldly gods. In today’s world, even the simplest things, like following your passion, can feel impossibly hard. You start with sincerity, with a heart full of purpose, only to find yourself tangled in the web of people-pleasing, numbers, and fleeting validations. But you, you're choosing a different path, one that isn't dictated by what the world expects, but by what your soul truly desires. And that is rare.
For me, my group WTP is one of my secret escapes. It’s something I cherish, something I do from the heart, without needing to be lifted like Simba. People often tell me I should become a blogger, an influencer, or that I should be chasing PR deals. But I smile it away. I love the freedom I have in this small, intimate space, where I am not caged by viewership or algorithms. I feel I stood where you are now a few years ago, and someone wise once told me: Bring ease to those around you, even to those you may have never met. And watch how your own life is taken care of in ways beyond your imagination, until you find yourself saying—‘Oh Allah, You are the best disposer of all affairs.’
Your words didn’t just tell a story; they carried a truth so many of us hesitate to speak. That life isn’t about chasing success—it’s about finding meaning in the journey. And you, my dear, are walking that path with a heart wide open.
After all, true joy isn’t in reaching a destination, but in embracing each step with purpose. And I have no doubt—you were meant for something far greater than you ever imagined. You just realized it now.
I also want to especially thank you for taking your time to listen to the audio of the essay, and to internalize it with such indepth thought. It's amazing how many of my readers have come back with such thoughtful comments and their own stories.
When I was writing this essay, I felt completely alone. Even when I was about to post it, it never ever occured to me that so many people would resonate with my words.
For me writing has always been about stating the truth, it's just how I naturally write. And the biggest gift for a writer like me isn't in the views or numbers, it's in simply knowing that I was able to connect with the reader.
My hope is to continue writing like this, and ensure that I can bring value to my readers' lives.
Thank you Shazmeera for your amazing feedback on my essay. It really means a lot to me. Your group WTP is an amazing source, and I've always admired how you gracefully lead it.
You’re very brave for sharing this. It’s not easy admitting ‘defeat’— though that’s not at all what it is. You in fact defeated the rat race. I went through something very similar except I was employed, not self-employed. I too did ‘nothing’ for two years after leaving that job, before biting the bullet and sharing my writing on this platform. I think you should give yourself grace and be proud not only of what you achieved with your recipe blog, but also of knowing when to cut the noose loose.
Thank you so much Bint Qaasim! I'm so amazed how many people have been able to relate my stories. It makes me feel less alone to be honest. That being said, I'm extremely proud of the food blog I created. I poured in so much hardwork into it, and was able to create a side income for myself. Letting it go was hard, but I think writing and posting this piece actually did end up becoming the final closure for me.
Thank you so much Yemsheen! I’m so so overwhelmed with gratitude. I’m glad you enjoyed the piece. The greatest gift for a writer is when their readers relate and connect. You just gave me that gift today! ❤️
You’ve given me an insight into a world I knew nothing about other than as a consumer. Thank you for being so vulnerable about your journey and how consuming it became for you. I feel it is so relatable, not matter what you are creating or what dream you are pursuing. It makes me think about a conversation I had with a friend a few weeks ago where I said that all I wanted was to get a literary agent and then I would be happy… she reminded me that six months ago all I wanted was a full manuscript request to be happy, then suggested that once I have an agent all I’ll want is a publisher to be happy, then to be a bestseller to be happy, then to get a second book published etc… It made me reflect on how we always chase the next external validation rather than enjoy the process and the creation.
Thank you for reading this article Simi, and I’m glad you found value in it.
I also often think about how we are always chasing one thing after another. And to be honest that’s what my food blog became for me, and after a whileI couldn’t align myself with the path I was on.
But it helped me grow as a person, and for that I’ll always remain grateful.
I wish you all the best for your book, I'm sure you'll have an amazing journey! ❤️
Thank you!
Your newsletter and heart touching story came at the perfect time for me Wajeeha! As someone who has just enjoyed being in the comfort of words and writings in her own private space and scribbles on back of journals and medical textbooks all her life and is just now entering this glittery world of blogging and creating an online presence.. this is an eye opener and something I can hold on to so I don’t get distracted by the shiny numbers and craziness of views and instead stick to the love of writing just for its own sake and for myself! 😇 please continue to do so as I am sure you’ll have great stories to tell and beginners like myself can learn a lot from you.
Best
Maryam 😍
I'm glad you found this piece insightful Maryam. It's rather a slippery road, but I wanted to share my experience with others who may not be aware. But it's also a very fulfilling journey if you go in with the correct mindset. I wish you all the best for your new journey. And I'm so happy to connect with you. 💕
Thank you for sharing your experience! Burnout is real and it's difficult to explain to others how it must've really felt. The way I see it, you're a successful writer and that experience was paving the way for you to move on to better things. May this new journey be filled with more meaning and fulfillment Insha'Allah!!
Thank you Leena for your kind words! And yes it’s definitely been a huge learning for me and played a role in my growth. All the best for your journey too inshallah! ❤️
I can totally relate to this story. I was a blogger in a previous life too. The SEO, the multiple social media platforms, the website upkeep, the endless emails, the articles, the photography, the video, the copy for each social, the ever changing algorithm in each social, the different banners required by each social, the plug-in that didn’t work, the spam emails (collaborations for exposure, sketchy companies wanting to advertise), the “competition.” It’s a life I don’t miss. Thank you for sharing. I wasn’t as successful as you were in terms of numbers and I’m not a mother (can’t imagine juggling both! 😱) but all this made me nod in recognition.
Thank you for your comment. I'm glad you could relate. You put it so well in the endless lists of things we had to accomplish as bloggers. I wish people were more vocal about it in the blogging circle. I was so nervous posting this essay, thinking no one would be able to relate but so, so many people have related to it!
Your story has quite a few similarities with mine!
I was not a food blogger but I was in self improvement and started in 2014. It was meant to be a source for extra income but my growing discontent with my future career in medicine meant that I got pressured into making blogging my full time income source.
Unlike you I never got successful enough but I did have two instances where if I had leveraged all the tactics I could have gotten somewhere. But the idea of posting perfectly polished posts so frequently made me quit before I even embarked on that journey.
Like you I took a break that ended up lasting two years, and even after that I could never make myself do what it was going to take.
I got caught up in the hustle culture as well, which was very much in my sphere as a productivity blogger, and felt guilty about not making it.
I eventually realized that writing for me was always a feel good activity and, although I would love it if it brings in income, I can never make that the sole or primary purpose of my writing. I also decided to make my ideas on productivity a lot more sustainable, which is where I am at now!
Thank you Atiba for your comment. I'm glad you were able to relate to my story. I understand where you're coming from, and you were brave enough to take a step back when you needed to. I'm looking forward to following your new journey, and wish you all the best! ❤️
Thank you, I look forward to your posts as well!
Thank you for pouring your heart out in this one and sharing your journey with us. I’m excited for your next chapter and all the amazing things it will bring😊
Thank you so much Mariam! 💕
What a lovely piece of writing! So raw and emotional. I’m so glad you found your true calling and wish you all the best for a bright future xxx
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you enjoyed it. 💕
As an art and craft blogger for little kids I can totallty relate to this. Like you I have also given up on my blog, but it really was time to move on. All the best for your new journey!
Thank you so much Asma! Sometimes it's okay to give up on things even if they seem perfectly fine on surface. I wish you all the best for your future. 💕
Wajeeha,
Thank you for sharing your story. I relate to it in a big way. I am a food blogger too and the burnout is real. I started my blog in 2015 also but haven’t taken my blog as far as you did yours. I still work on it and hope that it grows and doesn’t disappoint, but lately I’ve resolved to not look at the numbers and just enjoy the creative outlet that it can be. Even so, it’s a ton of work.
I remember seeing you in the food blogging circles. I remember your blog. You can definitely be proud of what you have achieved. There is absolutely no shame in moving on to something else.
I wish you great success in this new endeavor. I think you have a great mindset.
Hello Sandra,
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I'm glad you were able to relate to my words. I think a lot of us have been feeling this way for a long time. I reached my breaking point, and couldn't find anymore joy in food blogging. But you are right, the focus should never been on numbers.
I'm very proud of how far I was able to go with my blog, but I feel if your heart isn't in it anymore you should move on. That's what happened to me at least. Plus, writing is my true passion and I really want to pursue that now to see where it takes me.
I just saw your blog, and your pictures are mouthwatering! Well done.
Thanks for this post, I currently have a blogger site on technology and I was planning to start one more on cooking recipes,but, after reading your experience with google algorithm, I am going to take a step back and ponder. By the way, have you ever thought of migrating your food blog ti Substack? I see lots of food Substackers doing good. Maybe I should do food blogging on Substack instead of blogger?
Hi Meera. Thanks for reading! To be honest, I don't mean to scare off anyone from trying to run a website. This was more of how I was also dealing with it.
As for my food blog, I did consider moving it to substack. But to be honest, I really just want to write which is why I started this substack. I think I spent a decade with food blogging, and maybe it's just best that I move on.
I see some popular food writers (not bloggers) here on Substack...
Yes I’ve seen plenty too. It seems to be a popular choice!
Loved every word of it, Wajeeha! More power to you. May you rise higher and shine brighter this time around. Sending love ❤️
Thank you Annie, for your kind words and encouragment! Lots of love, Waj 💕
Congratulations on your first post Waheeja!! ✨ Your story is so raw and relatable, it’s truly something to be proud of.
Thank you so much Maissane…your feedback really means a lot to me! 💕
Wajeeha, this was such an honest and powerful piece. I listened to the voiceover, and it added so much depth—I know how much effort that takes, and I really admire you for it.
Your reflections on hustle culture and algorithm demands really resonated with me. It’s a side of content creation people rarely talk about, and I’m grateful you shared it.
Also, I had a look at your blog, and your saffron milk cake is now on my must-try list! Wishing you peace and success in this next chapter—you’ve got this.
Dr Hajar, thank you for listening to the voiceover. I really wanted my newsletters to have this element so people would find it more accesible if they didn't want to or have to time read. I'm so glad that you were able to connect to my story.
I hope you enjoy the saffron milk cake! 🍰 Thank you so much for your wishes. I wish you all the best to you too with your journey. ❤️
I initially tried recording voiceovers for the same reason, but finding a quiet, echo-free space was a real challenge. I truly commend you for managing it!
You’re welcome ☺️
I use a mic, and I only record when my kids are in school 😅 but it's still difficult in the sense that I have to do some editing etc once I'm done recording. However, I do practice reading the piece aloud first so that I can iron out whatever is sounding clunky. That helps with improving the piece itself. I suggest you try recording with a mic, and use a software to reduce echo noise when recording.
Thanks for the tips! Will have to invest in a mic
Hey Wajeeha,
I just listened to your first newsletter, and I’m in awe. Truly, I can’t believe how courageous you are, to bare your soul, to share your most vulnerable moments with the world. That takes a kind of bravery most only dream of.
What struck me the most was how raw and heartfelt your words felt, resonating deeply with anyone, be it a business owner, content creator, mere social media user or a mother navigating the endless tides of motherhood. You are not alone in these ‘weak’ moments of strength—yes, that’s what I call them. Because it is in these moments that we truly discover ourselves.
Sometimes, stepping away brings the kind of clarity that running forward never could. And in that pause, you found something precious, a silver lining, a quiet awakening, a purpose waiting to be embraced. I want to celebrate you today, not just for finding your truth, but for owning it so beautifully. The road ahead may still feel uncertain, but this time, your heart carries contentment and solace as its compass.
I have to say, I deeply admire people who are self-aware, who have a strong value system, firm boundaries, and most of all, the courage to go against the tide—against trends, algorithms, and as you so aptly put it, worldly gods. In today’s world, even the simplest things, like following your passion, can feel impossibly hard. You start with sincerity, with a heart full of purpose, only to find yourself tangled in the web of people-pleasing, numbers, and fleeting validations. But you, you're choosing a different path, one that isn't dictated by what the world expects, but by what your soul truly desires. And that is rare.
For me, my group WTP is one of my secret escapes. It’s something I cherish, something I do from the heart, without needing to be lifted like Simba. People often tell me I should become a blogger, an influencer, or that I should be chasing PR deals. But I smile it away. I love the freedom I have in this small, intimate space, where I am not caged by viewership or algorithms. I feel I stood where you are now a few years ago, and someone wise once told me: Bring ease to those around you, even to those you may have never met. And watch how your own life is taken care of in ways beyond your imagination, until you find yourself saying—‘Oh Allah, You are the best disposer of all affairs.’
Your words didn’t just tell a story; they carried a truth so many of us hesitate to speak. That life isn’t about chasing success—it’s about finding meaning in the journey. And you, my dear, are walking that path with a heart wide open.
After all, true joy isn’t in reaching a destination, but in embracing each step with purpose. And I have no doubt—you were meant for something far greater than you ever imagined. You just realized it now.
With love and admiration,
Shazmeera
I also want to especially thank you for taking your time to listen to the audio of the essay, and to internalize it with such indepth thought. It's amazing how many of my readers have come back with such thoughtful comments and their own stories.
When I was writing this essay, I felt completely alone. Even when I was about to post it, it never ever occured to me that so many people would resonate with my words.
For me writing has always been about stating the truth, it's just how I naturally write. And the biggest gift for a writer like me isn't in the views or numbers, it's in simply knowing that I was able to connect with the reader.
My hope is to continue writing like this, and ensure that I can bring value to my readers' lives.
Absolutely! Keep going, and soon you'll see all the loners jumping on your boat, rowing right alongside you!
😘
Thank you Shazmeera for your amazing feedback on my essay. It really means a lot to me. Your group WTP is an amazing source, and I've always admired how you gracefully lead it.
You’re very brave for sharing this. It’s not easy admitting ‘defeat’— though that’s not at all what it is. You in fact defeated the rat race. I went through something very similar except I was employed, not self-employed. I too did ‘nothing’ for two years after leaving that job, before biting the bullet and sharing my writing on this platform. I think you should give yourself grace and be proud not only of what you achieved with your recipe blog, but also of knowing when to cut the noose loose.
Thank you so much Bint Qaasim! I'm so amazed how many people have been able to relate my stories. It makes me feel less alone to be honest. That being said, I'm extremely proud of the food blog I created. I poured in so much hardwork into it, and was able to create a side income for myself. Letting it go was hard, but I think writing and posting this piece actually did end up becoming the final closure for me.
Thank you so much Yemsheen! I’m so so overwhelmed with gratitude. I’m glad you enjoyed the piece. The greatest gift for a writer is when their readers relate and connect. You just gave me that gift today! ❤️