Did you ever stop and wonder WHO you are blogging for? Is it for you alone? Is it to hopefully leave a little bit of you behind as a legacy for your loved ones? Is it for strangers that may stumble upon your post and be enlightened, amused, displeased, offended? Is it to receive comments? I've been feeling this uneasy pressure about blogging lately. Especially when it comes to participating in the prompt sites that I so love. It seems to me that to use these prompt sites appropriately, you must not only publish a post using the prompt, but you MUST reciprocate and read and comment on Many of the other blogs that also participate in the prompt. Is it just me or did you ever feel this pressure and find it uncomfortably overwhelming in our already pressured busy lives?? I mean somedays, I am lucky if I have enough time to just read my emails and write a quick blog post. It is a luxury to have enough time to reply to emails, write a blog post and Then try to Read (really read, not just skim) the many blogs that I love PLUS try to read (really read, never skim) The others that have participated in a prompt site that I've visited. PA- LEASEEEE! But blogging to many bloggers seems to be very much about reciprocating. Don't we reciprocate enough in our everyday lives?
You made me soup when I was sick.. so now You get a sore throat... I run soup to your house.
I sent you a 'thinking of you card' cause you were having a bad day... I have ... a pain in my ass..
You send me a get well card. I invite you to a dinner.. You feel obligated to invite me back.. Those are the realities of life. Polite, appropriate, friendly. To spill all this decency over here to the blog world is just a little too much for this decent but overly extended blogger.
Thanks to a little help from a very special friend (this song playing is for YOU!) a special friend, who always manages to enlighten and give invaluable advice, I've come to the conclusion that I DID begin blogging for ME and (with the hopes that blogger wouldn't decide to take a walk but be around a while) so my kids could possibly someday look back on all I've felt like sharing. So even though I love getting comments and love being a Decent respectable girl... I've decided I am going to just 'do my thing' over here like a blogging slut. Write what ever I feel like writing. If you like it great, if not.. also okay. I will continue to read blogs that I enjoy to read and comment when I have the time. I will boldly participate in prompt sites Regardless of wether I have ample time to reciprocate. If I am known as the RuDE blogger, Well.. so be it. I will be enjoying a pressure-free pass time like I used to 3 years ago when I was a rookie and unaware of the proprieties involved in ....blabbing.
5 days ago
12 comments:
I also thought that unusual is not simple.
i for one began blogging just for me.. i got caught up for quite some time in the meme writing and reading reciprocally,, but you are right it can become overwhelming.. now i have a reader,, and try my best to keep up with the blogs in it,, but when it gets way too full and i feel overwhelmed,, i just clear itout and start again..
after all this is supposed to be fun,, and for me fun is not feeling overwhelmed...
I just don't care what others are thinking. I write what I want when I want. I do try to read what I will find interesting but lets face it, we all can't be interesting all the time. As we celebrate the 4th tomorrow I will be exercising my freedom to use Blogging anyway I want within reason and respect. Thats just me, you actually have the freedom to do what ever you want...
What a dear surprise....bless you my dear soul sister.... I am so happy you came to this conclusion....women put way too much pressure on themselves!!You be any kind of blogging slut you wish!! I will always be here for you!! Come hell of high water....Thank you for the amazing song!!! Love it...love Joe Cocker.... have an awesome holiday...write what and when you want!!!
Much love Sherrie
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!! I adore my American friends!!! Hope you have a great celebration!!!
Hey Lucy - Your blog is for you! Do what makes you feel good! I for one only comment when a post touches me and I feel a draw to put my 2 cents in (like now). I've narrowed my reader to my favorites and then everyone else. I learned we just can't do it all no matter how much we want to! Have a great 4th!
Hey!
I dont believe in reciprocal blog etiquette. I am always very pleased when people enjoy my blog but ultimately it is for me and mine.
I think people who read mine purely in the hope I read theirs...? Nah, I dont need the extra pressure.
But I do read quite a few but dont always comment (as you know!)
Keep blogging. When and if and for whoever you want to!
xx
Oh, happy independence day!
Blogging - it's for the individual, in most cases, and anything that comes out of it beyone that is just icing on the cake. I'd blog even if no one read mine!
I've got the "Blogging Without Obligation" badge for precisely that reason. It doesn't alleviate all the (recovering-Catholic) guilt I have, but it does some.
haha don't you love it. Glad you made this decision to take the pressure off! Apparently you are not alone and all along others haven't been following the blogigations :) Love your blog,you and your family make me smile.
I try to read and comment on everyone's posts, but you are right in that it becomes a bit overwhelming and that takes the fun out of it. I'm lucky in that I am off for the summer and have more time. When school starts up again I will have to make my apologies and pare down the responses and hopefully people will understand. We all have virtual lives that need attending to occasionally too :)
Hi Lucy,
Well said, bold, true to yourself woman blogger!
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