So some of you know I have been a tad overwhelmed and stressed lately. part of it is work, part of it is the return to school, and part of it is that I am prone to anxiety. I tried taking a blogging break, and it helped. I have also been praying about my priorities and trying to sort out what I should do.
This morning, the thought occurred that maybe I should give up blogging. I've been in a rut for a while. I am also a bit I don't know...I can't think of the word for what I am trying to say. I have had some discussions about blogging of late. I have never had aspirations of being one of the big bloggers. Quite honestly, I am not that talented nor do I have the background to market myself in that way. I think that I am a bit jaded though about some of the big bloggers. Some of them have gotten their status because of a tragedy in their lives. If it happened that way, I am sorry for that. Others have done it by latching on to a group of big bloggers. That's OK, too. I think it is just there are so many "experts" out there who aren't experts at all. Some people just hitch a ride hoping they can take part in bloggy fame.
Then there are the conventions. Quite honestly, I could never afford to go to one if I wanted, but I also think that these conventions prey on the average blogger making them believe that if they follow x,y,z then they too can be a big blogger and make money and do great things. For most of us, that will never be the reality. Again, it is not why I started blogging, nor why I currently want to blog or not blog. I hope I don't offend anyone who might have gone to one of these things, just my opinion.
Anyway, so where does that leave me? Like I said, I have been doing a lot of thought and praying and the truth is that I don't know. I had a revelation today that I am a bit worried that I might be putting too much out there in regards to my children. This blog started as a way for me to muse when I was home alone without another adult to talk to. I don't know. I think I may be worrying about Internet safety and such things.
Then I think about the friends I have made. If I stop blogging, will the friendships go away? Some of them might, and that makes me very sad. Then again, I have connected with some of you on facebook, and if I invest time in those friendships, then I don't need to worry.
Tonight, I had the idea of locking down this blog (for my family's safety), but then start another one where I blog more about my musings and less about my family. The question is would you follow me?
20 comments:
I'd follow you even if you didn't talk about your family. I enjoy the recipes and such.
I'm sorry you're struggling with what to do with your blog. In terms of blog history I'm new at it, but I really just see it as a place to put your thoughts and potentially make some friends. I know my posts aren't always interesting or thought provoking, but when I visit other's blogs they aren't always either and I don't mind. I just enjoy learning about other's lives.
I kind of see it as a way to get out of yourself and see how others live. Because I know a lot of times we focus on ourselves. Not everyone does this, and not everyone views it the same, but it's one way to look at it.
I know when a blogger is struggling I do take the time to pray for them, and I think that's one good aspect of a Catholic blog.
Perhaps I'm not making sense, but just know that you need to do what you need to do. Although it does make me sad when blogs I've come to follow leave. Because then I do end up loosing contact.
Hmmmm...I agree with Allison.
I love the recipe swap!
I know we just met, but I truly enjoy meeting other Catholic moms out there. As a homeschool mom, I feel like I'm so contained in my world. It is therapy in a way.
And the extra prayers, or to be able to pray more for others is a great feeling.
My kids have offered up so many rosaries for so many people/problems/situations that I read about online. I don't tell them the details. I just tell them that someone needs extra prayers for now.
Hang in there. Take your time. Listen to what God places on your heart.
P.S. I'm so out of touch with the outside world that I didn't know about those conventions! I heard it mentioned in passing and thought it was a casual joke. I guess I am out of touch with the blogger world!
I'd change the address in my feed if you started a different blog.
The really, really cool thing about these blogs is you can blog how you like! You don't have to be a problogger to blog. You can limit what you put out there.
You could always give a new blog a test run and see how it works. You're not obligated to blog or to blog any particular way. If you try it and want to give it up, you can.
If your only contact with someone was through your blog and you stopped, then you'd likely lose contact. If you visit through their blog or other online places (you mentioned fb) then you won't lose all of your cyber-friends.
I don't know bloggers who got started with tragedy, (or if I know them, I came late and don't know that part!) but I do know of some who are either "self-proclaimed" experts in certain areas OR have been deemed experts by others and quite frankly, I don't see that they deserve that status. (there are some who do deserve it, of course.) I call them the "cool kids." In high school, I wondered why some of the "cool kids" were considered "cool". I wonder the same now with some bloggers.
But I still have a blog. I don't let them influence me (I don't copy them) nor do I let them make me feel somehow "less" in my blogging because I'm no "expert" and I'm not "cool" and I just blog how I want. If I get tons of readers, great. If I don't, great.
Don't do it (or not do it) for anyone else. Make it work (or give it up) for yourself and your family.
I've had a lot of thoughts similar to yours. For a long time, my problem with blogging was that I approached it as I approach all things and that was to research how to do it "properly". It nearly ruined the whole blogging experience for me! LOL.
Then I realized all the blogs about blogging "properly" are about how to make money, drive traffic and get comments. You sound like me in that the reason we started blogging is simply to share. To write. To get our thoughts out.
If you feel you are doing that then you are already a successful blogger. If you feel like you want to give your kids more privacy you could give them nicknames, save as drafts any really personal posts you've published, or, as you said, make this blog private and start a new one.
I know what you mean about praying for priorities and such. You will figure out your new place - wherever it is.
((hugs))
Remember to take what works and leave the rest!
And I will follow you anywhere because Heaven knows you've followed me everywhere!
Hi, I saw you on Blog Frog and glad I found your blog. I liked this post and your honesty. I can totally understand your frustration with blogging. I too use this as an outlet for myself. But my life revolves around my kids which in a lot of my blogging get dragged into my posts. I hear a lot about safety and security of public blogs. It's an interesting and serious subject. I think it's possible to have a great blog without focusing on your children...and if it's quality musings ;-) which I'm sure yours would be...I would follow you! Blessings to you!!! ~Kimberly
www.stinkerpinker.com
You know where I would be, no matter what!
Did you get my text yesterday?
Sometimes I get disappointed because I feel like no one is reading me, then I remember, this blog is to chronicle my thoughts and feelings for my family. Some day, they will be able to read back on this and know what I was thinking and feeling (mostly). Even though I blog about a lot of things, there are some things I feel are to personal for blogging. The decision is ultimately yours and I know you will make a wise one.
Love you.
I thought about this a few weeks ago. I don't blog very much, and kind of thought it was a waste of time. Then I realized I blog for me, not for anyone else. I love reading yours, and would miss you if you stopped.
I will follow you at another blog too Therese and follow this one as well.
It is hard to know if you are putting tmi on the net when it comes to children. I have often thought about having a private blog and a public one too but just don't have the time. I also want to be a bit more of a witness so leave my blog open for everyone to read.
No matter what others think, do what you believe is right for you and your family.
I will follow you wherever you may go!!! (can you hear the tune I'm singing?)
I never knew there were conventions? Wow! I do have people emailing me asking to advertise their products on my blog and have not done that.
Who is a "big" blogger? Who are the big ones....Pioneer Woman?
Who wants to read that many comments? Now, I like comments just as much as the next blogger, but over 1000 per entry? No thanks!
I blog for me, to get those jumbled up thoughts out of my head.
Good decision, do what is best for you, we will follow, it's you we care about. (although, I will miss seeing that little miss Alex) (and your boys too, of course)
I'd follow you . . . it's not like you are asking me to jump off a cliff now. Yeah? Love whatever you have to say 'cos you keep it real.
I agree about the conventions etc. Silly stuff!
I think you put your blogging in the right direction.
Hugs,
Sarah
Goodness, this seems to be a tough one around the blogosphere lately. I agree, blogging should never be about gaining followers, trying to be a big blogger, etc. etc. If that's what someone wants, have at it. For me, it's about the support and friendships I've found here, but mostly it's about time for me to write (type) because I can. I never started for someone else. I started for me and for needing an outlet to vent about infertility. It has def. become SO MUCH more than that and I'm so greatful for all of the wonderful mom's I've met and admire.
It's up to you. Do what you need to do and be ok with that. But yes, I'd follow you wherever you went!! :) Good luck in your decision Therese!
you've gotten quite a lot of good advice. Prayer will best help you decide what is right for you. I'm sure of it. I've seen on some blogs on their sidebars a little sign that says blogging without obligation since 2007 or 2008, etc. Perhaps you put alot of pressure on yourself to blog regularly ,a nd then if you have writer's block, or don't make the time to write, you end up anxious and overwhelmed. If you take some pressure off of yourself to blog regularly -- (i.e. recipe swap thursday and friday flashback are big commitments perhaps?) -- you may begin to enjoy it more. The part about privacy is also difficult to resolve if you are feeling that way. Pray, and I'll follow you if you start another blog (but i don't do facebook).
Sure thing! I'd follow ya :)
following you where ever you go! You can't get rid of me that easy !
Now...one more thing....if this means you won't be posting pictures of those little darlings of yours...well...we'll have to talk about that!
sometimes friendships come, sometimes they go. iam not a big blogger either. iam just not into it. my sister took a break for a year and she enjoyed it. perhaps that's what you need. a break. i only blog when i feel up to it. i suffer anxiety as well. occasionally, i'll blog about it. take a break. your blog is not going anywhere. if you come back, well we'll be here. you don;t have to shut down your blog. if you do, it was nice being here. take care, trust in Jesus, lean on Him, and He will care for you like He always has. :)
I'm sorry to hear you're stressed and overwhelmed, Therese. I really sympathize.
Oh, and I would follow you, if you'd let me!
I'm not a big blog either but I don't let that bother me. I tend to enjoy the "smaller" blogs better. It's funny that you should write this as I've received a number of e-mails over the past year from bloggers feeling that people mostly read the bigger blogs and ignore the others. They think it's cliquey like in highschool. At times I agree!People get discouraged because of this but I find that people tend to like the smaller blogs more. More personality shines through on these :)
I can understand your concern about your children as I have the same concern. I recently received a VERY disturbing comment on one of my blogs from someone who likes to harass Catholic bloggers. It made me nervous. I saved it just in case I decide to report it to the authorities. I don't understand why people try to scare others.
I'd follow you!....anywhere! LOL! I love your posts, and just know that even though I may not always comment, I do always read!
I would definitely follow you. I don't always comment as I am hurriedly through all my favorite blogs. Doesn't mean I don't care, though. And I understand the need for a little break. I've done it, and it felt great.
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