I have been challenged to think about why I have a blog lately.
This has been coming for a while.
I love to write.
That is why I blog.
I have so many stories in my head that I would love to write, but right now, in this season of my life, it is just not the time to be writing anything requiring the kind of commitment this takes. So, I write here, about life and other things.
But, blogging is not what I originally thought it would be. I thought that this was where I empty my head and share my thoughts and stuff. But lately, I have let it become something a bit different to that. I have let it become about stats and numbers and comments and likers and followers. Although these things aren’t bad, they have taken my focus away from what I love to do – which is writing.
This came to a head last week when I realised how much time I have been spending at my computer either checking facebook, twitter, and other social media things, ‘building’ my blog following.
But I was lonely.
Then, just days later, one of my closest and dearest friends shared that she too was lonely too and wondered what I had been up to.
All this time I sit and write blog posts about how to be cool and I was lonely and frustrated, as was one of my closest friends. Something was not right about that picture.
This year has seen me home more than ever, but my house is not organised or in its usual standard. I have sat and watched the world through a screen rather than having people over or reading books or sewing silk cushions {like I had planned} or getting my house feeling awesome again or planned fun things to do with my children after school.
I have become {e-gad} UN-cool… My life has been quite ordinary and a bit boring and yes, a bit lonely. This combination does not make for good blog posts. And, if I am all about ‘Being Cool’ then I had best get back the business of that.
So… I am in the process of finding balance. I have spoken to a few people about this and have decided to not decide anything just yet. So many people have told me that they love my blog and that they love reading what I have to say – which is lovely. Really.
But I need to do some thinking about this for ME.
I am off to Sydney to attend the Nuffnang conference at the end of the month, which is so very exciting and I am so looking forward to hanging with CraftyMummy and also meeting some of my blogging heroes. But, I want to go there knowing why I do what I do and being passionate about my life. Not feeling inadequate about numbers or followers or any of that stuff. I want to B COOL with who I am, as a person first and then as a blogger.
So… if things get quiet around here, just know that I am still here… but spending time making sure my REAL life is cool… and that my IRL friends are all okay and loved up.
{Having said that, things may not LOOK different around here, but hopefully they will FEEL different… if that makes any sense…}
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Great realisation. I get this sort of feeling about once every 6 months! Usually, after I start the focus on the numbers and the stats, I get down, start writing drivel rather than just writing when I am inspired… etc. I have to remind myself that my bloggy space is about me… I write for other people to read, but I have to feel it myself, not just write what I think others want to hear.
Julie recently posted..It’s not about the money, money…
Yeah… that is where I am at. I still have things to say, but I need to put some boundaries in place for me….
B recently posted..Just give me a moment…. {aka Why I Blog}
Exactly what I remind myself of when the 10th post in a row goes uncommented on, and I wonder if I need to work harder. Then I remind myself, that blogging is a for play, for enjoying, for ME. The rest is unimportant. Enjoy your friends, and the conference!
LittleWhiteDove recently posted..i am…
Thank you. I think I will still blog in some form – but it just needs to be more organic…
B recently posted..Just give me a moment…. {aka Why I Blog}
My husband asked me that the other day. I didn’t have one simple answer. I love blogging, I love reading blogs, I love interacting with other bloggers and I love the social media aspect of blogging.. am I a blogger? in my own way yes.. but I know i have only written one series of posts that have changed a few peoples lives (my papsmear one) and that to me is enough to know that what I am writing means something. What I go through can be related by others and they can help me like I can help them through blogging.
was that alot of babble?
I like reading your posts
Have fun at Nuffnang!! I’d love to attend a blog conference just to meet the lovely people I interact with every week! Face to face.. just to say hi and smile!
Yvette @ DTlilsquirts recently posted..Renovations – Part Two
I am going to have to hunt down those pap smear posts now….
Thanks for taking the time to comment… Hugs.
B recently posted..Just give me a moment…. {aka Why I Blog}
I just love to write too! It’s funny how when you first start blogging, you have no idea about the world out there and stats and social media and even HTML! It’s certainly a learning curve, but it does keep coming back to the writing. I really enjoy your blog, your drawing and your writing, B. You are cool, indeed
MsMandie recently posted..Everyone Has Seen My Breasts – A Breastfeeding Story
Thanks lovely Ms Mandie…. I appreciate your comments, love that come to visit…
B recently posted..Just give me a moment…. {aka Why I Blog}
A great post. I am in the middle of trying to find a balance between blogging and family, along with study, friends and housework. It seems that everything seems to be pulling in different directions and I really need to sit down and work out what it important to me. Blogging is my me time. My time to relax. I blog for me, and also because I want to create a community for others. Finding that balance is important.
Chrissie xx
Chrissie at Me and My Munchkin recently posted..The Dreaded Budget
Balance. Balance. Balance… if I say it enough times will I find it?
I used to live in a spick and span house and entertain all the time. Lately, this has not been happening. I want to feel more me and have a great REAL life as well as a blog that is growing… and really… any growth is real growth…
Thanks for the comment hug…
B recently posted..Just give me a moment…. {aka Why I Blog}
to me this makes perfect sense lovely! finding balance is hard – but having a close friend admit they are feeling somewhat lonely is definitely a good reminder/wake up call that you may need to rebalance. Im glad that you are wanting to head to nuffnang with not only a purpose but also perhaps a pride in exactly who you are and what you are about – because you are cool, and you do write really quality awesome stuff, and that will only increase when your balance is back x
Lyndal recently posted..We have a new home
Gosh – what an awesome comment! You have my tearing up!
Thanks Lyndal, I really appreciate your wisdom and encouragement.
Mwah!
B recently posted..Just give me a moment…. {aka Why I Blog}
Good on you B! I went through a similar experience just before the DP Conference. I think we need to have a happy medium and if we don’t we burn out. If you need a break, take a break. If you feel like writing, write. Easier said and done when you want it all but I think you can have it even if you don’t give up your real life! Plus, what are you going to write about if you don’t experience it in the first place!
Exactly! Being cool is about enjoying life and doing cool things… it is not always about sitting at a computer and imagining life.
Thanks for your insight…
B recently posted..Just give me a moment…. {aka Why I Blog}
Great post and seems to be a common theme I am reading around the traps lately. For a newbie blogger (1 month old next week)this is good advice and a lesson to be mindful of before I create too many habits I have to undo.
This is my first time visiting your blog thanks to #IBOT and I look forward to following.
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Awwww,thanks Carly…
Blogging is such a great hobby for me, but it was feeling as if my LIFE had become a hobby and my blog my life. UN-cool indeed.
B recently posted..Just give me a moment…. {aka Why I Blog}
This is a great post. I think it’s important to step back and remember why you are doing it. It’s easy to get caught up in the not so important things. If you are cool enough to realise and correct it – then that is pretty cool. I love your blogging. Rachel x
Rachel from Redcliffe Style recently posted..Part 2 Toe Shoes review, peoples reactions and running tracks
Thanks Rachel! What an awesome comment!
I hope that this post didn’t come across as a cry to get more hits or more comments though…. This was meant to be kind of a community announcement to let readers know that I am still alive.
B recently posted..Just give me a moment…. {aka Why I Blog}
Hi there, this strikes a bell with me. I’ve been doing much more socialising in real life this school year and especially recently my social media has been getting quieter and quieter… and that’s fine. I love my real life friends and my neighbours and the school mums and do find the intimacy of being face to face more satisfying.
Never, ever read enough blogs… but that’s OK too, add blogs to the pile of books that need read etc etc
Seana Smith recently posted..Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipe – With Thermomix Instructions
I have really noticed that I am lacking in the real life friends department… But… I am also becoming aware that some people who only know me through school or whatever but read my blog find me unapproachable… Does that make sense? I spoke to a new friend the other day who said that she thought she would find it hard to relate to me because all I talk about it clothes… which is sooooooo not true! Le Sigh.
B recently posted..Just give me a moment…. {aka Why I Blog}
Oh, this is something I struggle with too. I get impatient with wanting to do more (writing), but realising that perhaps I’m not meant to do as much in this particular season of life. I recently put some social media/blogging boundaries in place and have really enjoyed ‘living’ again (as sad as that sounds!!) Every now and then I have to get back to basics and ask myself why I started blogging in the first place.
Enjoy the conference – I’m sure it will be awesome!
Debbie @ Aspiring Mum recently posted..Ten Years: A Reflection
Thanks Debbie – I will surely get lots of ideas for blog posts there!!! So I want to get balanced NOW!
B recently posted..Just give me a moment…. {aka Why I Blog}
Wish I was going to Blogopolis
I too have recently gone through this stage with my blogging. I think we all do. My only advice is to do what feels right when it feels right. I reckon blogging organically will make for an even cooler B Being Cool blog xx
Née Say recently posted..{IBOT} The REAL school mums of RBP
Thanks lovely… I wish you were going to Blogopolis too! But, we live close enough that surely we can meet up somehow… I wonder when the next Qld bloggers meet is?
B recently posted..Just give me a moment…. {aka Why I Blog}
Onya B. I know it’s not an easy call for you, but good on you for sorting things out, and putting everything into perspective. Hope to see you fresh and alive next week having found time to read a book, nudge, nudge, wink, wink!
Caitlin recently posted..The Triplet’s Birth Story – Part2 – The Actual Births
Hahaha! I will try my very hardest… Due to my wrethed adrenal fatigue I have had no concentration. Looking forward to getting into the book over the next few days.
Is it just me or is there no punctuation in the book? I am readin it on my kindle…
B recently posted..Just give me a moment…. {aka Why I Blog}
I know where you’re coming from Bel. I got a little bit crazy with all that ‘blogging stuff’ mid way through last year and it was nuts. My blog continues to be what it was intended for. A place to store my recipes and a snippet of my life, for my kids. I won’t ever let it get in the way of real life. I’m also a big one for meeting my online friends in person. You can’t get better than meeting someone you like and feel a connection with in person, hearing them laugh, seeing facial expressions. I won’t ever give up real life for online stuff. It’s already got out of hand and I don’t have much hope for my kids. Good luck with whatever you decide but I’ll be hanging for those Polyvore shots (and a real catch up)! LOL
Anne xx
Anne @ Domesblissity recently posted..Baked ham & asparagus pastry rolls
Hugs Anne… Thanks so much…
A real life catch up with you would be awesome. Really. I need to see when the Food and Wine Show is on… I could stalk you there perhaps!
B recently posted..Just give me a moment…. {aka Why I Blog}
I figured one day I had a lot to say… where people could read it if they wished! Ta da! Blog!
That said, my IRL friends are a major part of my life. They always will be! Enjoy getting OUT there!
carmen recently posted..Those gene thingys…
Thanks Carmen!
I already am! Just the freedom I have allowed myself has been great!
B recently posted..Just give me a moment…. {aka Why I Blog}
Hi B, I found you here from Ibot …and your title intrigued me, then when I read this post,its familiarity hit home. I too have had thoughts of giving up, what am I doing wrong..blah blah until I realised that blogging connects me with people I would never have met. And I going to meet you..at Blogopolis. See you there and I give awesome hugs. Denyse
Denyse Whelan recently posted..Seasons Of Life.
Yipee! I would love a Denyse hug!
Thanks for your insights!
Mwah!
B recently posted..Just give me a moment…. {aka Why I Blog}
I think every single blogger has been where you are at an some point or another. We all get consumed with the numbers and the followers, and forget the bigger picture.
It’s hard, because you want growth; growth is good, but there has to be a balance too.
Just be you. In everything. I think it kind of flows naturally out of that.
Jess recently posted..The Power of One
Yeah, I have been through this a few times… I just lose focus and then have to have a little break and a regroup… Feeling better already… I have been doing some blog renovations while I have not been blogging, which has been fun.
Thanks for stopping by and for your insight. Love it.
I love your blog B! (and I have a new computer so I’m seeing if I can comment now)
Woohoo! You got to comment!
Thanks Anna. I don’t think my blogging days are over. I just think that the time I spend on it has to change. My house NEEDS me! So do my friends. We should go out for dinner in the hols with some of our old crowd?
I think it is about finding the balance that works for you. When I first started blogging many years ago I was all about reading other blogs and commenting. This time around I don’t stress if life gets in the way of blogging – because I would rather be living than blogging ! Now I try to make sure that if I am with my family, I am present and not thinking about my blogging friends / social media interaction. Then, if they are busy with other stuff, I use that as blogging / social media time.
So glad you are back – take care of yourself – we are here for you when you need your blogging friends.
Love, hugs and positive energy.
Me
Linda (Me) recently posted..Fitness Friday (one day late)
Yeah… I put all this pressure on myself to get certain things done by Blogopolis and to see that my numbers were going up – I forgot why I loved blogging… I was sick yesterday and just starting tinkering about and voila, I got all those bitsy-pieces done. Funny how things happen that way isn’t it?
Thanks for you insight and encouragement… Really appreciate it!
So close to home! As said by many above, I think we all go there at some point and I’ve certainly had a few bloggy-breaks when I just need to focus on IRL friends and life-happenings. It is really hard at times though not to notice the stats, especially when you can pour out so much of yourself and your time into certain posts. But then, as you said, we blog because we love to write. Hope you’re able to find a good balance that works for you. Hayley xx
Hayley – HappyHouseWifey recently posted..Turning the daily grind into laughter
Thanks Hayley, life seems to be about finding balance in everything! At the moment, there is enough work out there for me to work full time, which would be fabulous for our bank accounts, but then, BabyCool needs me to be his mum and my house needs me to clean it. It seems as if a lot of things have been out of balance lately and I am working on sorting that out.
Thanks for your comment, you really get where I am at.