My first post was published on February 26, 2010. I had a funny story to share, I've always liked to write, and I had heard of this thing called "a blog" so I checked it out. I stumbled across Blogger/Blogspot which made it easy to create your own webpage and I just did it. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I gave no thought to pageviews or social media or "marketing" myself. In the past three years, however, I have learned a lot - a lot about computer terminology; a lot about the friendly competitiveness of the blogging world; a lot about myself.
A couple years ago, I read some advice that suggested creating a mission statement for your blog to help keep you focused and on point. Although I never wrote one down, I did formulate somewhat of a mission statement in my head. Basically, I wanted my blog to serve a memories for my girls. I wanted to have it printed and bound eventually and give them copies when they are young mothers so they will have memories to share with their children. My hope was (and is) that, reading about my joys and struggles as a mom will somehow serve as wisdom and comfort for them. With every post, I asked myself "Will this matter to them when they are traveling down the path I'm on now?" If the answer was no, I didn't write it. I still want my blog to be all those things. Lately, however, I have found myself wanting my blog to be more.
I have revved up my presence on social media and joining Twitter and trying to post more frequently on my blog's Facebook page. I've also been reading tons of other blogs and commenting and blog hopping as much a I can in hopes that this thing will "take off." Why?? If I'm being honest, I think I am trying to find some sense of accomplishment for myself. Most of my days are the same old, same old. Kids, laundry, feeding the crew, dishes, bath time, bedtime - Wash, Rinse, Repeat. I feel kind of like a gerbil on one of those little wheels running and running and running but getting nowhere. Although I know mothering is the most important job I will ever have and that my kids are my greatest accomplishment(s), it is hard to keep that in mind when I'm in the trenches on a day-to-day basis.
I've seen others post about receiving hundreds of Facebook Likes in jus a few weeks; about thousands of page views on one post; about publishing books; about being featured on larger media outlets. Admittedly, at those times, that little green-eyed monster sits himself on my shoulder and I think "I want that, too. Maybe that's where I can find the sense of accomplishment that I seem to be missing." So, about a month ago, I decided to dive in and give it a go - to really TRY to make it happen rather than just sitting back and crossing my fingers, hoping for the best. In the past few weeks, I have spent many hours (hours when I should have been cleaning or exercising or hanging out with my kids and hubby) reading other blogs, commenting, tweeting, Facebook posting. It's been a lot more work than I realized it would be. My following has increased some, but not significantly.
I have learned that blogging is competitive in a friendly sort of way. There are literally thousands of mommy blogs and thousands more "other" blogs. Most everyone who blogs secretly hopes that one of their posts will go viral, get thousands of pageviews, and bring them a little bit of fame. (Ever heard of Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond?? Yeah, like that!) When this happens for other bloggers we congratulate them and are truly happy for them. However, we are also a little disappointed that we are not in their shoes. At least I am. And, how do we measure that success?? Will it be enough when I have 500 Facebook likes? Maybe 1000?? 10,000? Maybe when my posts average a couple hundred pageviews each?? Or maybe when I'm featured on Huff Post?? Maybe when someone wants me to write a book?? What will it take for me to feel like I have finally jumped off the gerbil wheel and found success?
With all that in mind, I'm not sure I can finish this sentence yet. "I blog because . . ." I'm still figuring that out. I'm still doing it for my girls, but I'm still looking for something for myself, too. Those two purposes don't always seem to mesh. "For my girls is" where I started. "For myself" is where I've been heading lately. Right now, I'm trying to figure out if there is a way to balance those two ideals. If not, which one is right for me right now??
I honestly can't wait to read what others have to say - how others finish this sentence. Hopefully, by reading others' thoughts and giving it a little more time (and thought and prayer and discernment) I'll figure it out for myself and be able to finish that sentence with confidence.
20 comments:
Personally, I think blogging for your girls and for yourself is pretty much why all of us do it. And yeah, thousands of hits would be nice...but I truly believe that all of our voices are important and worth recording. A blog is such a perfect way to do so. I'm happy that you linked up tonight!
If you blog for yourself then you are still blogging for your girls. When they are parents they will want to see how you kept your sense of self too. Lisa, I believe this is my first visit to your blog and I am uber impressed at how well you expressed yourself and how honestly you wrote this post. I'll be back!
Thank you Janine! It's helpful to know that others have the same internal question/struggle!
Very good point, Kristi - It really shouldn't be all about the numbers. So glad you came to visit!!
Thanks you so much, Jean! That is a very good point and I appreciate it so much! Glad you liked the blog and look forward to seeing you here again! :-)
Thought provoking post, Lisa. Finding a sense of accomplishment for yourself - I feel that way too. Chasing that sense of accomplishment without knowing when to stop - I get that too. This was a good topic; it's nice to know that other bloggers go through the same struggles and triumphs.
Thanks, Dana! It definitely helps to know that we are not alone! Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you will visit again!
Lisa, I agree with you on all your points. Especially the amount of real work that goes into a blog. I spent a number of months working my butt off to try to market my blog and it did little. SO, I've decided to just consider it a hobby and concentrate on other things. I hope blogging brings you all that you wish for. Then the little green-eyed monster can go live at someone else's house. :)
I tried to comment last night, but I'm going to try again...I think it's wonderfully honest that you can't quite finish the sentence yet. You will figure it out -- whether it is for your girls, yourself, both or neither...in the meantime, just keep doing what feels right and the rest will follow.
Thank you! Looking at it as a hobby is a great perspective. I am going to keep pushing for a while longer, but if it gets too overwhelming, that might be just the perspective I need! So glad you visited! Hope you will come back often!
Great advice Emily! Thanks so much for visiting and commenting! Hope you will come back often!
blogging is hard work, it takes time and commitment. It is good that you are still figuring it out, we are all a work in progress, always striving to improve.
Thanks you for the encouragement!
I feel like that all the time. It's an ebb and flow. I care, then I think this is taking me away from my family, I need to stop caring. And then I start caring again. It's up and down and up and down. I just have to remember why I "really" do it, and for me it's because I love to write! Thanks for being so honest, it's so important that we share our true thoughts, it really helps each other!
Thank you so much for visiting!! Glad you enjoyed the post and glad you found something helpful in it!! Hope you'll visit again soon~
Exactly - the ebb and flow describes it perfectly! Thanks for visiting and come again soon!
February 2010...gotta admit, I didn't know a thing about blogging then. I'm so glad that this wonderful way of communication is catching on!
Me too!!
This is an interesting topic. I have gone through phases where I really wanted more - more likes, more followers, more action on my blog - and I would ramp up my number of posts and my activities on other blogs. It is funny though, that no matter how many people view your blog or how many comments you get, there is that "need" for more. It is a vicious circle. I have decided that, for me, blogging is about writing and connecting with others. I don't advertise or promote myself. I don't comment on blogs or click the like button unless I am inspired to do so - I do not do these things to draw attention to myself. I am happy with my little happy band of bloggy peeps. I have made wonderful connections and simply enjoyed writing. It is a serious bonus that I write mostly about my family and that I post pictures so I have that to look back at and to one day pass along to my boys (assuming they will care about such things!)
Great post! I have really enjoyed following you. I have no idea when/where I came across your blog, but I am glad I did. :-)
Thank you so much!! I definitely go through phases as well. It sounds like you have found a place where you are content with your blog and that is wonderful! I don't remember either how I found you, but I'm glad I did! :-)
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