Hi guys, blogging is a funny thing. Sometimes you have so much to say and sometimes it’s just the opposite. And sometimes you have a lot to say but doubt yourself and wonder if it’s a post your readers will like. That’s where I am now.
Over the past 2.5 years since I started Oui In France, I’ve covered all kinds of expat and French culture topics posting twice a week. I’ve covered all the practical stuff like tips for going to the doctor and what to know when eating out as well as the comical side to expat life and even the hard times. But once you’ve lived in a place for a while and written about the obligatory expat topics, there comes a time when you step back and wonder what’s next for your blog. You find yourself wanting more. Is it time to close up shop? NO!!! It’s time to shift your focus and that’s exactly what I’m doing.
So here’s what’s next…
A shift in focus
I mentioned a while ago that I was cutting back to posting once a week and also thinking of creating a lifestyle blog that wasn’t overly expat focused but would center more on other things in my life including fitness, food and other non-expat topics. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how difficult it is to start a new blog and grow a new audience. So I scrapped the “new blog” idea.
In the past, I’ve relegated posts about staying fit abroad or favorite healthy recipes to my drafts folder never to be seen again because Oui In France is an “expat blog,” I told myself. People read my blog to learn about life in France (and only that), right? Maybe not.
To give you some context regarding my thought process for Oui In France, I created my blog as an expat blog and I haven’t strayed too far from expat-centric topics. But what I didn’t consider was that being an expat can include so much more than just info on the language, the physical place and the culture and that my blog should reflect that.
My life includes topics well beyond those and I haven’t focused on one really big part of my life on the blog, which is striving to live a healthy lifestyle abroad. Why? Maybe I was scared no one would find it interesting or scared to make my posts more personal. Or scared for everyone to find out that I’m in workout clothes and sneakers 90% of the time despite the fact that French people don’t rock workout wear unless they’re at the gym.
After giving this a lot of thought, I’ve decided to stop doubting myself and expand Oui In France’s focus to include more posts on healthy living abroad.
By not writing about this part of my life, I kind of feel like I’ve been holding back since I’ve been an exercise enthusiast for years and was even a fitness instructor before I moved. The topic of living a healthy lifestyle abroad is really interesting to me and it is a huge part of my expat life. Exercise has helped me to de-stress, refocus, make friends and get in better shape while on this expat journey and I want to share it with you.
What’s this mean in terms of content?
Oui in France is about my life as an American in France so that won’t change. My blog is not morphing into a fitness blog — I will just be incorporating healthy living posts into my regular content and wanted to give you a heads up and explanation before doing so.
I’ve written a few healthy living posts here and there on Oui In France (like this one on the differences between French & American gyms and why you won’t get fat in France) already. Going forward, maybe there will be a tie-in to life abroad and maybe there won’t. But they’re 100% my life. What kinds of stuff are we talking about? Posts on exercise, motivation, maybe recipes, product reviews and more.
So with that…
I hope that you’ll continue to read Oui In France as I move forward. I hope you’ll learn something. I hope you’ll be inspired.
And if nothing else, I hope you’ll give this new focus a chance. So if you see a post about exercise or protein bars or something like that, you’re not in the wrong place. It’s all part of Oui In France’s evolution. I hope you’ll stick around! As always, a sincere thank you for your continued support.
I was worried when I started reading your blog because I just discovered you and was afraid you were closing shop. Glad that’s not the case and I look forward to continuing to follow and to learn from you.
Thank you so much, P. Happy to have you here!
Don’t worry so much! It’s your blog and you can do what you want! Obviously you have a loyal audience because we all keep coming back and reading. You’re not going to lose any of that 🙂 Write about what you want to write about, it doesn’t have to be restricted because of what you think it should be about. 🙂
A big merci, Marianna. Really means a lot to have your support!
I agree with Marianne 100%.
Diane – I think that’s a good decision. I had sensed you were getting restless with your blog. I will keep reading.
Thank you, Todd. Yeah, there comes a time when you’ve talked about all the obligatory expat topics and I feel I’ve done a great job covering all of that (and will continue to do so as things come up) but it’s not my life 24/7. So excited to be focusing on the “everything else” here and there as well. 😉
I completely understand feeling restless with your blog, but I’m excited for this shift in focus!! And I very much look forward to seeing some recipes and tips etc. on here in the future 🙂
Thanks so much, Megan. Yeah, I have so much I want to talk about and cover in the realm of healthy living but wasn’t sure how I’d incorporate it into Oui In France. But happy to start little by little. Thanks for your support!
Glad to hear you’re not signing off, just as I’ve found you!
I will keep blogging as Polish Housewife even after we return to the USA. The time we’ve spent here will remain a big influence on our lives and how we view the world.
Yup, not going anywhere! Worked too hard on my blog to give it all up, and still have so much to talk about! Best of luck to you on the move back to the US. Going to read your blog later on. I’ve never been to Poland! Thanks for your comment!
Hi Diane! This is a great! You are so right, that part of YOU is leading a healthy life and you have to be able to incorporate that into your posts, while still talking about life as an expat. I’m fully behind you and looking forward to more fitness and lifestyle posts. Keep up the great work! And hey, go ahead and stay in the workout clothes. Who cares if nobody else is doing it? Standing out is not a bad thing! Have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks for your support, Ashley and so happy to see you here. I will proudly rock my workout wear out on the street and who knows, maybe I’ll start a trend!
Sounds good to me. I will still be following. Have a good weekend. T’other Diane
Awesome to hear, thank you. Bon week-end aussi !
I’m not going anywhere. Love your posts and looking forward to the new focus!!
Bravo! You write really well and love reading the posts. It is going to be so much fun reading your blog. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!!!
I think all bloggers (expat) go through this same feeling, keep working and working out 😀
Thank you! I think I just got to the point where I had so much to say about other things and was scared to talk about things other than expat life in fear of losing readers. But readers come and go — and hoping a few new ones might find their way to Oui In France w/the shift. Merci encore
Go for it! Write what feels good for you. I’m absolutely interested in reading about health and fitness topics. 🙂
So glad to hear it, Molly. Happy to have you here and thanks for your continued support. Hope all is well!
I hear ya! I’ve been having similar thoughts about my blog and considered a name change. I’ve decided to leave the name, but will also be expanding the subjects. You can’t help it. We may always be expats, but there’s a shift that happens and it’s normal that our blogs would reflect that. I look forward to more from you, Diane.
Yup, just a natural progression of things. Thanks for sticking around, Cosette!
Hello,
I just found your blog as I am looking for new “expat” or similar blogs to build up my own network. I started an expat blog in 2005 but moved to another blog space in 2010 as I, like you, wanted to focus on different topics. It was a big mistake! 4 years later, without even posting to the “old” blog, it still gets more visits than my new one ever did.
I think there should be no rules about blogging and there doesn’t need to be strict categories, but believe me if you move, your followers won’t all move with you unless they are really, really, loyal.
Good luck with your new endeavors, and I will start following you even though I am not that into health and fitness! Maybe you can convice me!
Hi Betty, yea I decided against starting a new blog because it just wasn’t necessary. And like I said, I am not switching over to 100% healthy living posts. You’ll still find France and expat posts here but other stuff too. 😉 Happy to have you here!
I’m looking forward to reading some healthy living posts! I can use all the advice I can get – I definitely find it a challenge at times while surrounded by all this good bread, cheese, and pastries in France! I say write about what you’re passionate about and the rest will follow 🙂
Thanks, Sara! Yeah all the French goodies can really get to be too much sometimes, but they sure are good. Thanks for your support!