Why DO I Blog?
This tag is from Trinity - simply answer why you blog. I'll nag and tag Serina (you asked for it), Andrea & Bren. Feel free to opt out.
I prefer reading posts to writing them. This is why my Google Reader overfloweth. When I started my blog, I posted a lot (2-3 times daily). Somehow, I got a visitor, a comment and a friend. The rest is herstory.
The overwhelming feeling of always being behind on reading and posting sometimes makes blogging feel like an obligation to me. I realize this is probably not a popular thought especially with NaBlogClogMo going on. But it is my thought. And it is genuine.
Some days, I feel like hitting this button because blogging makes me non-productive and steals time from high priority people and tasks (sleeping).
Like everything in life (chocolate being an exception) moderation is key. I like blogging more when I do it less. Izzy, Tartx & G already figured this out.
I pledge to blog without obligation and "Mark All As Read" without guilt. Back to the tag. Why DO I blog? In a word: community. I get my daily laugh, support, wisdom tid-bits and inspiration from all of you.
It's because of you internets.
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I know exactly what you mean! My Bloglines is getting unreadable.
I think I'm going to follow one of my readers' suggestions and sort my blogroll into folders for each day of the week.
I also find that I have to force myself to blog before reading any other blogs, else I lose all motivation (and precious computer time).
I secretly have felt the same way for a long long time and send many kudos your way for being Ballsy enough to post it. KUDOS.
I so hear you. I feel so pressured to post and read and comment ... and sometimes I just want to quit and never come back. And I don't even have that many readers.
Thanks for that. For reminding me to take a breath and enjoy it.
THANK YOU. YES.
NaBLOGCLOGMo? I love you.
I have very similiar feelings about blogging. I frequently wonder how blogging will fit into my life once Husband is home. I started mine solely for him....but I have come to love it. I think I will continue, just not sure in what form.
I think I came across your blog on a Thursday 13!
God, I know -- eliminating that sense of obligation is the trick.
And as for your closing sentiment? Awww...
"NaBlogClogMo"
bwhahahahahah!
Well...since it is because of me...thanks :)
I share many of your feelings...
Bradley
The Egel Nest
Yay internets. I'm amending: and, for friendship with other sports nuts who also happen to have engineer hubbys, boy children, and hate Cowboys fans. Right??
I agree with you. Sometimes it is a chore. Esp. on Mondays, when I seriously have about 80 blogs I feel I must get to...and do, because if I expect people to come see me, I ought to go & see them.
Well after foolishly sighning up for Nablahblahblah, I have learned this lesson. I should of asked you first;)
I totally agree, before I started blogging, I felt totally isolated during the day as a SAHM. I find a great community through blogging!
Well said - all of it. It is so rewarding and yet sometimes it is overwhelming. Nicely put. See ya.
I feel the same way. I hate feeling guilt, so I have decided not to. Mark all read just has to be done sometimes.
Ah yes, the no-pressure and all joy...just the way I like it. Thanks for the reminder to take me back to the way it should be.
I was just telling someone the other day, "the more popular my blog gets, the harder it is to just blog for yourself." I love having readers...but sometimes it can really stress a person out. LOL
I've got to sign up for that google reader! I spend a huge amount of time reading other people's blogs, too. There is so much out there. It is inspiring and intimidating. The comic is funny and oh, so true. Did you mean to write NaBlogClogMo? Maybe you're on to something...national blog clogging month.For those of us who feel...clogged! ;)
I agree. I love reading what you write, though. Your haiku are always witty and amusing; I read them and think why didn't I come up with that?
I'm still relatively new at blogging and still look forward to posting. BUT, I do enjoy reading more than posting as well.
Its been such a good way to meet new people, see how life in other countries work and basically send my messages out to whoever is willing to read them.
I love the community, too. I wish that there wasn't this feeling of obligation, though. I have 179 subscriptions in my GR, it grows nearly everyday (and I delete a few, too each week.) There are so many people to read, so many interesting things to learn. It's hard to keep up and feel like you're not missing something.
I'm getting better, though about letting go of blog guilt. I can only do so much.
I can totally relate to the fact that sometimes blogging feels like an obligation. Somedays it seems like it's just another item on my long to-do list. But, most days I love it.
On a side note- how is your little boy feeling today?
I really don't want to get to the point where I feel obligated, but I know I definately have days that I would much rather read then write about something. On those days I tend to post something that I drafted. I have random thoughts throughout the day and if I don't sit and put it into writting I will definately forget it, so even if I draft a page with a few reminder words it seems to help me get through my nonmotivated days. Besides nobody said that it has to be a novel daily, sometimes short and sweet is nice, especially as a reader.
Personally, I never shut up and I don't feel so looney if I'm blogging drivel instead of chattering on in an empty room. However! The shame and guilt of not keeping up with comments like a polite person can be overwhelming. Sometimes I feel like a six year old sitting at the kitchen table with a stack of blank thank you notes the day after Christmas. Thanks for posting this so I don't feel like the only one out here who feels overwhelmed.
I need an update on how your son is doing!
I saw G's post and new I had to get those chicklet buttons she's made! I look at my blogging as a writing exercise. I want to hone my writing skills. And it's not a chore. I love it. But I also like reading and commenting on blogs, but I never feel obligated to comment. I comment when I have something to add to the party. And I don't have Internet party hats.
That's great. A little button to let you off the hook. Obligation is a funny thing.
amen.
great post. I love reading other people's blogs, mine are more personal diary posts so it is fun to see how others add so much humor and life into theirs. Keep bloggin, but not obligations ;)
Ah shucks! I'll count myself in that if ya don't mind!
-HH
You nailed it: the key is moderation and not being afraid to "mark as read" when your life is calling you away from the screen.
Nice post.
PS I hope your little guy is feeling better.
And a release, to get all those words on paper-- virtual paper.
I love this post. I'm a newbie, but I'm already dragging my feet occasionally on blogging because it feels like a chore - not unlike laundry, cooking and cleaning.
But what keeps bringing me back is the community, the fantastic, caring, and supportive people I've 'met' in just a short amount of time.
Heidi
I so feel you.
Same reason I blog.. Funny how it can become so addicting.. especially for moms. Could it be that we all have so much to say and so little people to talk to? Perhaps.. I am gald you don't delete your blog though.. I love reading it!
well I enjoyed this post..the comic was funny not to mention the "Delete this Blog" button, but like you said it's about moderation. I think if you start doing things out of passion rather than obligation it works out better longterm, best of luck
I am glad you did not hit the delete button! :)
Thanks for the tag. I'll need something since I'm a NaBloPoMoHo.
I blog to vent. And boy do I vent.
Lol.
I still don't get where all your traffic is coming from. You make it up, don't you. ;)
Couldn't agree more! The pressure is there...and sometimes, many times I wanted to, not really delete, but go on blogging break... small breaks once in a while do one good.
NaBlogClogMo? Hahaha. You rock!
Don't you DARE hit that 'Delete Blog' button!!
Thanks for tagging me..I just posted 2 things tonight, so I'll get to it over the next day or so.
i started my blog to be like a journal of life with the boys...it turned into my sanity saver, with everything that's been going on.
it's also made me some really great friends.
i, too, have so many great blogs in my reader...almost too many. every once in a while i have to hit the "Mark All As Read" button. but i don't feel so bad because i know i will go back and read any important or pertinent posts when i need to...so i don't feel like i'm missing out. it's the only way i can keep up!
What an honest post! It is really surprising to read all these comments as well and find out so many people feel the same...!
I blog for only some months so I think I still feel the excitement. :-) I join naboplomo as well but I have quit for some reason now.
Anyway, community in this blosphere is great, isn't it? As long as we blog without obligation indeed.. :-D
Ayse feels ya sister! Somedays, it does become a chore and I do need breaks from time to time. But like you said when I visit my wonderful blogging friends like you, I am inspired to write again. Keep up the good work!
Read Izzy's post! Wish I found her sooner. :D Amazing how a community can lead you to great bloggers too. :)
I like Teryn's comment, btw. :)
Sometimes we all just need to take a chillax pill and STFU. Yeah, and NOT blog about it. (At least that's how I feel about MY blogging). :D
Ditto. I love the community, it causes me to think before I write. It also causes me to write about what I think. Because I really don't remember from one day to the next what happened, and I want to.
Thanks for the post.
TM
I don't remember what I wanted to say so I'll just say "Hi" and you can pretend I said something thought provoking, insightful and riotously funny, ok?
Ok. Whew.
Exactly...what you said, and then what everyone else has added!
Sometimes it's a release, sometimes it's just another committment. I thought NaBloPoMo would be easy, but sometimes it feels like a marathon, and it's all uphill! (More than halfway through...woohoo!)
But isn't it amazing how it all comes down to the pleasure of listen, and of being heard...! No big mystery why so many mamas, especially SAHM's, blog - being truly listened to and having our thoughts appreciated can be a rare thing some days... ;)
I suddenly feel you understand why I haven't been to read you in a week or so.... Thanks.
You go, girl! I had to mark ALL READ the whole month of October (busy for my sewing biz then) and felt bad the first few times.
I love this!!