I started this blog last year as a way to document my family life, what I was doing with the kids, decorating our then-new home, and as a way to connect with relatives and friends who aren't close by.I had a newborn, which meant a *ton* of time on the couch nursing, like 8-12 hours a day of that, which gave me plenty of time to blog and visit and comment.
Over a year later, I discovered that blogging is a whole new world. It even has a name, the blogosphere. I've made blog-friends who I now reference in conversation with my husband, having to explain to him, that in many ways, blog-friends are more "real" than facebook-friends. I might have known a facebook-friend at one point in my life in person, but I know my blog-friends *now*. I'm even going to a blog conference, Haven, in August to have fun and meet them in person!
At first I was addicted to watching my numbers. How many people visited each day, how many new followers I got, how many comments, how many features... Then it started to turn into work. And not fun, I'm going to music class and being a mommy work, but I'm-obligated-to-visit-and-comment work. Yuck, not what I thought it was going to be.
Plus, our house is now not-so-new, and it's 95% done. A few minor tweaks here and there, a new poster, apparently constant dining room rug swapping, my attempts to style things, but pretty much done.
I'm still cooking 3 meals a day so this could easily turn into a cooking blog (which you might have noticed it's emphasized these last few weeks). I think I'll just continue to use it to record the NEW recipes I make, and celebrations we have (although this year it's a fireman birthday party not the construction machine birthday party, that is the focus of my attention). I used to keep a food journal where I wrote down what we served our friends at various dinner parties so that I wouldn't repeat the same meal over again. The blog can take over that Type-A part of me.
I still love sharing photos of my kids, and remembering what they are doing at this exact moment, because so quickly, these moments are gone. We are already past my 5 year old's first day of kindergarten, and I'm so glad I had a chance to write about it here.
In short, I'm going to keep blogging for ME. Not for readers, for blog-friends, for numbers or stats, or even for family. Just for me.
Keep reading and we can all see where I take this. I think it might have moments of more parenting, cooking, and even a few design projects in the future, but I'm going to stop spray painting things just so I can link up to a link party:)
I'd love to hear your thoughts on blogging. Mommy-blogs, blog-reading, DIY blogs, pretty much anything and everything!
Jessica
So funny that you posted this. I have asked myself this question a lot lately too. I decided the most important thing to me is to spend as much time as possible with my little one and make the most of being able to be home with her. Besides, summer is coming. We shouldn't be stuck inside on the computer!
ReplyDeleteJessica...this is EXACTLY the way I have been feeling lately as well! My story is much like yours...a few weeks I found myself SO overwhelmed with google +, facebook, twitter, ahhh....there was no way for me to do it all, keep up with design work and be a full time stay at home momma! I came to the same conclusion...I'm blogging for me...haven't checked my stats in awhile and I'm perfectly happy! Thank you for posting this, putting it all out there and being real. I'm also going to Haven so I look forward to meeting face to face! ;) Jesse @ Scout & Nimble
ReplyDeleteKudos to you. Sounds like you're finding a happy place for this time in your life.
ReplyDeleteJust keep doing what works for you and people will follow or maybe they won't, in the end it will all work out okay.
Oh sister, we will have so much fun dishing about all this over a bottle of wine (or 3) at Haven. Your blog is awesome, and all of those recipes are drool worthy so I can't wait to see what else you find yourself writing about!!
ReplyDeleteI don't have any blog thoughts, my mind is mush after raising six kids. Which is exactly where you should be, and what you should be doing - first and foremost - raising kids. There are more rewards to that then just mush mind.
ReplyDeleteBliss
i agree that numbers make it no fun. i decided to let go of that and just do what makes me happy- blog what i want to! and a burden was lifted. :)
ReplyDeleteAs someone who does not love numbers, I agree with Miss Cassie. I also agree with Miss Bliss about the raising of children. I wish we had blogging when mine were little, because having this resource is awesome.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how a fun thing like blogging can quickly turn not-so-fun when you put too much pressure on yourself. I've recently tried to amp up my visiting and commenting because its an area where I've been severely lacking in the past. It's so easy to be focused on the numbers but I'm more interested in making real connections with my bloggy friends! I hope I get better at that in the future.
ReplyDeleteYes! The pressure totally kills the joy of blogging. I love your plan: just blog what you want, when you want, and we'll all be here and happy to see what your kids are up to or what you're cookin' up! I'm glad you're still going to haven! :)
ReplyDeleteI totally get you and can definitely relate. My blog is tiny and I kinda like it that way because I feel no pressure to post on a schedule to keep sponsors happy. I can take off a week or month and post at my leisure. At this stage of my life, taking care of the family is my number one priority. And yes, blogging is fun and connecting with other like-minded women is great, but not when it becomes just another item to check off your to-do list.
ReplyDeleteI hear you - if it's not fun, scale back and make it fun! Like people, blogs evolve and change and that's a great thing!
ReplyDeleteKelly
Good for you! Blogging is definitely my happy place, but I sometimes stress myself out about numbers and things like that.
ReplyDeleteOne day I'd like to turn mine into my full-time job, so I try to make sure I have good content and pictures but whether or not I'm having fun is WAY more important!
I have enjoyed following your blog the last year and I am glad you will be writing for yourself...makes the best writing.
ReplyDeleteI laughed with the stop spray painting things part. Pretty soon the only thing left to spray paint is the baby. Food is a good focus because you have to eat each day.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. I'm new to blogging and I don't have a lot of followers. So it kinda feels like I'm just posting stuff that nobody's gonna read anyway. But you are absolutely right. I should blog for ME. The readers, the stats - none of that is gonna matter if I'm not happy with my own blog. Thank you for your honesty.
ReplyDelete