Psst. Hey. Yeah, I’m talkin’ to you. I have a question. It’s okay, no one will ever know we’re having this conversation. But I need to know something. Do you ever get the feeling you spend too much time blogging? Or reading other blogs? Commenting on blogs? Commenting on others’ comments? No, just me? Okay. Nevermind.
I love bloggin’, I do. I am a little addicted, it’s true. Why am I rhyming? I haven’t a clue. (Stop rhyming and I mean it, does anybody have a peanut?)
Here’s another question for you, Dear Reader, that’s been on my mind awhile. I’m curious–What does your significant other/roommate/friend/dog think about your blog? Or do they even know you have one? My husband does know I have one, but he sure as heck doesn’t understand why I have one. He considers it a public diary. And why on earth would I want perfect strangers (oh, now that was a good show, Balki Bartokomous!) reading every stupid thought that creeps across my brain, like the ones in the previous parenthesis?
If I let too much time pass between posts, I feel a little panic. Not the holy-crap-my-hair’s-on-fire panic (thank you, Charles, for your humorous post) but I’ll admit to a little anxiety. Then I curse my need to blog. What is wrong with me? I tell myself I will not blog for a long long time, dammit! I will take that break. I need that break.
But what if no one ever reads it again? (after this post, I might be well on my way to that point) I can go two to three weeks without writing, happily reading all the other terrific blogs out there. Y’know, stalking people in a semi-sane way. I know the blogging world will go on just fine without my posts (sniff, sniff) I don’t need to blog, right? Yeah! Who needs acceptance? Who needs understanding? Who needs comments? (Me, me and me, yes I admit it)
So I tell my husband, I have to blog soon, I just have to! He answers me with his patented “rolling of eyes while looking completey disinterested at the same time” look. I won’t even have something good or meaningful or profound to say, but I just have to get some words out and have someone read them or…or…this is the part where I question again why I blog in the first place. Validation?
Yes, please. Connection? Okay, sure, I’ll take two. And so here I am, right now typing endless babbling thoughts and sending them into the blogosphere (I prefer the term, blahgosphere).
Why do I blog? Blogging is therapy. It’s fun. And it’s free.
I guess I don’t need any more reasons, you see.
Thanks for reading my rambling ol’ thoughts.
And nothing rhymes with thoughts
— or naught?
Why do you blog? What is the most important thing you get out of it? I promise you don’t have to answer in a rhyme, I swear.
She's A Maineiac 
I don’t read a ton of blogs. But I definitely “need” to write from time to time. It’s how I get IT out. Whatever it is. And recently, my blogging has taken on a bit of a mission- to get particular information out there.
I really enjoy reading your writings and musings! I wish I wrote as eloquently as you. But I guess that’s why we each have a different voice when writing.
And thanks for cracking me up this morning. I REALLY needed it today.
Now your blog I consider to be very eloquent! informative and from the heart. You can tell you’ve put your deepest thoughts and emotions into your words and I learn something new every time.
I hear you on that strange feeling of needing to “get it out”. Like purging. I suppose that’s a good reason why I do it, too. I let it flow, get it out. It’s done and over. I feel better.
You are very welcome for the laugh. I rambled so much in this post, good to know you got a chuckle or two.
To me, blogging is a way to connect with like minded (and not like minded) people from all over the world, without having to get out of my pajamas and go somewhere.
Blogging is a way to publish my thoughts and photos, without having to watch my family yawn in boredom.
I read lots of blogs – they are a window to a world that is both very big, and very small…
Margie, my family yawns at my photos and thoughts all the time! Oh well. Good thing we have each other and our blogs, I suppose.
I do love the fact that I can sneak a peek into someone else’s world from the safety of my own home (and usually in my pj’s and with a cup of coffee…) It is fascinating especially to see other countries I’ve never been and probably will never see except through someone’s blog.
Seriously…you and I were seriously separated from birth!
That being said, I thinks we’re married to the same man. The only time my husband “reads” my blog is if I read it to him.
I suppose I like blogging because it’s a small insignificant way to write and be read…self-published, if you will. I enjoy writing and it is a wonderful way to stroke my creative ego.
I could spend my whole day writing, blogging, reading other blogs, checking stats, etc. Keep writing…I love reading your blog!
haha! My husband has NEVER ever read one single thing that I have written. Blog post or short story. I love the man dearly, and we are very connected and close, but there’s just something about him reading my blog that makes him feel like he’s reading my diary. Plus, he just doesn’t get it. Why I do it in the first place and who are all these strangers reading about our private lives. So I don’t blame him for it.
And, yes, the self-publishing thing is a nice little jolt to the ol’ ego! When else will I ever be “published”??
You are not alone. I don’t really feel guilty about the time I spend blogging, just about the time I spend obsessively checking my stats and trying to make them go up each day.
Sigh, me too. I admit it, I check my stats every single day. It’s fun and interesting to see what people are reading! (okay, it’s a little pathetic, really, how much I check the stats-very obsessive, but I’m okay with it…)
I started blogging because I was told I “should” as a noob author. I continued blogging because I realized the people who were commenting on my blog were people were their own complex, painful, uplifting, beautiful stories, and that by continuing to blog and comment I became a tiny, tiny part of those stories.
This post actually made me laugh, because its timing was perfect. Ba.D.’s comment about me being addicted? He’s constantly reminding me it’s OK if I don’t check “my” blogs twice daily. No one’s going to come after me with a pitchfork and/or Rush Limbaugh if I accidentally miss one of their posts. I understand he’s right, on some level. But as an introvert, I’m able online to foster a degree of connection that’s hard for me in person. I love people. I’m not shy. I love interacting. But in the real world, face to face, I get tired quickly and need to go replenish my energy bar.
Here, I get to be interconnected in a way that allows me to see through all these others eyes without feeling lame for saying, “Love you, but so tired now, must rest!” Ba.D. does get that, even if he teases me sometimes for treating blogging with almost the same gravity as I do my job. :p
Deb, I read on facebook a bit about you wanting to post and I related to that feeling so much. I am often analyzing why I do things (I’m a Virgo and OCD, a terrible combo hehe) And I always question why I write. Why I blog.
And yes, it’s OKAY if you don’t check twice daily. I know that and you know that. (but in my case, I still check!) Now I certainly don’t want a pitchfork or Rush coming at me *shivers* LOL! This probably comes as a huge surprise to you, but I am an introvert, too. Yes! Whoddathunkit? What you said makes perfect sense. I also find face to face interactions draining sometimes. Here I can come and go as I please and connect when I want to connect with someone. All very good points as to why I blog! you put them in a much clearer way than I did, thank you!
And as for Ba.D. teasing you about treating blogging like your job–if only we could find a way to make money doing this, we’d be golden! (other than putting ads up all over the blog…but I’d blog for 20 bucks an hour, no problem…)
I love blogging. Writing novels or short fiction is so solitary. With blogging, the gratification is IMMEDIATE!. I post and someone reads it…right away sometimes. It’s wonderful! I need it.
My husband thinks I am having an affair, and i guess I am.
Absolutely, notquiteold. I love the fact that as soon as I click publish, I can get a response (or not…depends on the day) And it is a big boost knowing I connected with someone or made them laugh or cry. And it does feel like an affair. I feel like I have to sneak onto the computer sometimes just to get on my blog. And my husband will walk in and “catch me” and give me That Look, like he’s saying, “you’re on there again?”
Lately i have been slacking both writing my own blog and reading others. I think I blogged 2 since June! I read here and there when I actually get to sit down. Summer has been crazy!
Why blog? Alot of my FB friends (other moms and dads) kept telling me I need to blog all my tales of debauchery. It took me a couple years, but I vowed on New years of 2011, that i would give it a go. it was my New Year’s resolution. I threw my hat in the ring and loved it. I love the friends I’ve made, the feedback, the camaraderie, and yes, I’ve even found a great deal of amusement in the hate mail comments too. It’s another way to connect. And be heard. My motivation was 2 fold, 1. an outlet for ME, something I do to give myself purpose other than my current volunteer position as chief executive boogerwiper at the department of poopery. 2. To document my children’s childhood, their personalities, my love for them, their mischief, what endears them to me etc. i am an older mother, I’m 45. If I m not always around to tell them i love them, I’d like them to be able to read it.
For the record, i think you have a great blog – so keep going! And dont feel guilty!
I know you have valid reasons for not posting, but can I say, I am very happy to see you here again?! I do miss your posts over at your blog! but I totally understand. Summer has been crazy this year. I think with the kids both going back to school, I might post more, but it’s nice to have that break.
“current volunteer position as chief executive boogerwiper at the department of poopery”
Okay, you have to know that this cracked me UP. And, WOW! What are the odds?! I have the exact same job as you! I hear you on being a mom in her 40s. I originally started this blog to document things about my kids while they were growing up so they could look back on the memories.
I’m with you. I spend a lot of time reading, writing and checking stats. I do feel the need to write after a certain amount of time as well. My significant other doesn’t understand at all and she rarely, if ever, reads my blog. We all need help, don’t worry, you’re not alone.
Jason, mine never reads it either. Maybe that’s a good thing? I’ve used my husband as the source of humor more times than I’d like to admit. And yes, we do need help. Maybe there’s a support group for wordpress bloggers out there? I’ll bring the coffee and donuts.
I stumbled on the blog of a gent from Portsmouth, England, while looking for WW2 Navy information. He liked me to a Navy Chaplain with a tremendous knowledge of WW2, he linked me to a total nutjob over at AFrankAngle, and the rest, as they say, is history. And it is a full blown addiction – almost 20 blogs subscribed, over 100 post notifications in my Inbox every morning. And I post on ALL of them, everyday. (And yet strangely, I’m still alive … ) It gives me the social life I lack in this backwater of a backwater town, it gives me many a chuckle, and it lets me annoy SO many people. (And yet strangely, I’m still alive …. ) So, in rhyme…..
“I keep my friends in a world online.
They’re always there for me, every time.
We laugh, we cry, our lives we share,
And little by little, we all start to care.
They do so much for sanity each day,
And are kind to laugh at my silly wordplay.
So if you think this just feeds your addiction,
You also help many others. FACT, not fiction.”
Prose and poetry – how’s that work for ya? 😀
Hmm…yes, strangely we’re still alive! (love that) well, now John. You know what I’m going to say: Start a blog. Do it! You are too hysterical and thoughtful in your comments not to share your wit and wisdom with everyone. Then I can come and comment on your blog and be even MORE addicted! great, just great. 😉
That poem is Just. Simply. Perfect. (and I don’t break out the super short and punctuated sentences for just anyone y’know….)
Hi,
I find the blogoshpere is a great place. I have learned so much about other places in the world, and “met” some great people from different corners of the world. I find I learn something new constantly, and I hope when people come to my blog, that they also find something they didn’t know. I feel blogging opens up the world for a lot of people. 🙂
Mags, that is so true. I do cherish the people, like you, who I have connected with who live so far away. It’s refreshing to see things from different perspectives from all around the world. See, you’ve made me feel better about blogging and reading blogs. Thank you. I’ll be sure to tell my husband that it’s all good! 🙂
SaM, To blog is to connect with sincere people. I really don’t worry about running into real “mainiacs” yet. In every case, everyone has been encouraging, civil, gracious, sometimes humorous, usually thoughtful and thought provoking…I certainly have neglected my fb except for birthdays. I feel more engaged to everything around me wondering if it could develop into 100, 300, 500 or 1,000 words. I think the engaged thing is extremely important if we are going to be available to real live folks and experiences. Yes, keep writing.
That’s true, Georgette. Most readers have been respectful and encouraging (encouraging my addiction…ahem…) I have had a few “mainiacs” leave me lovely negative comments from time to time, but then I get a good laugh and delete, delete, delete. I rarely get on facebook. I post pictures here and there for my in-laws who just moved to Florida and that’s it. Don’t miss it at all. Yep, blogging is my new addiction.
haha I know what you’re going through! But I’m so happy you’re blogging and reading blogs 🙂
I guess I’m lucky in that my husband was the one who encouraged (nearly insisted) I start a blog so I’d start writing again (what I went to school for – creative writing). I’ve been having so much fun that I wish I’d done this a long time ago!
P.S. – Was that a “Princess Bride” reference (“…does anybody have a peanut?”)? I love it!
I am very happy to have found your blog. You crack me up all the time. I can tell you went to school for creative writing. Me? well… I majored in psychology. I know. I probably shouldn’t have admitted that.
That was a Princess Bride reference, but I do believe I got it wrong. Most likely it’s “does anybody WANT a peanut?” I am so ashamed as I know every line in that movie.
You crack me up, Darla. I love rambling blogety, blogety blogs. The fact that you referenced Princess Bride was a lovely bonus, too. (Well done on the rhyming, by the way.)
The most important thing I get out of writing my blog is the release – the release of the voices and noises inside my head. The most important thing I get out of reading other blogs is a different perspective and needed nudges.
I wish the stats didn’t matter. I find I become frustrated with the stats. Changes my outlook on writing in general. Do I write to be read – or do I write to release? If I truly write to release, the stats shouldn’t matter. By the same token, knowing someone else relates – okay, knowing thousands relate, is a bit – well, validating. (Does that make sense?)
Lenore, rambling is a good release. Those voices in my head just all came out at once and thank god a few of you understood and didn’t start to think I was cracking from all this blogging.
The question you ask “Do I write to be read?” is one I ask myself all the time. I think I read this over on Charles’ recent post about positive/negative outlooks and writing. Someone said, what’s the point of art if no one ever sees it? What’s the point of writing if no one reads it? Then again, private diaries/journals can be very important. Getting your thoughts out on paper is therapuetic even if (or especially if) no one ever reads it.
I check my stats and I am happy if at least one person is reading. I wouldn’t blog if I didn’t want that! Instead I’d have my little locked-up diary hidden under my pillow until my older brother finds it and reads it and starts teasing me about how I think Doug’s eyes are “dreamy”. Oh wait, sorry–that was a bad flashback!
I blog because I want to
I blog because I must
If I don’t write something soon
My brain will turn to dust.
I blog because it heals my pain
I blog to spread my wings
I blog when my heart is breaking
And when my heart sings.
I read a post I could have written
And know we’ve felt the same thing.
I learn some stuff and laugh a lot
At posts that zip and zing.
I read all the blogs I’m following
I check my stats repeatedly
When the stats are up – I glow.
“I can write” I crow conceitedly.
When stats are down I tell myself
It doesn’t matter one bit
I blog for me, and not for you –
But I’m thinking “I can’t write for shit”.
Hey, that was fun. I haven’t written a silly poem in a long time.
My husband doesn’t know that I have a blog. We’ve just never discussed it. He knows I am on-line a lot, and that I have been spending time writing. He encourages me to write – all the time – so he is happy when I am doing that. I think he thinks I’m going to plop a finished novel in front of him any day now and he is going to be so disappointed when I show him my blog. I was going to let him in on it as an anniversary present. I make fun of him (lovingly, of course) a lot in my blog, so I’ll warn him to keep his sense of humor,
Now THAT is a poem. Blew mine out of the water. Loved it. Well done! I’ve always wanted to end a poem with the word shit.
I should have used your tactic. Never let on that I’m blogging. Just tell my husband I’m working on the next big novel. I write enough for this blog, I probably could have a novel half-finished by now (or at least the first chapter)
I loved ending it with the word shit, too. And “conceitedly” was a stretch. I love reading your blog.
I noticed the conceitedly/repeatedly, too. Brilliant! You are the master of silly poems. I can barely rhyme “peanut” and “mean it” and I stole that one from a movie. and thank you k8e, I love yours, too. This doesn’t bode well for my blog-reading addiction does it?
I’m working on a post about a 12 step program for us…..
Yes! So there is hope? I look forward to reading it (and then going right back to my blogging addiction)
Admitting you have a problem is the first step…..
Too bad it’s the only step I’ll take.
I figured the 12 step program was the 12 steps to the fridge for a fresh drink, then 12 steps back. No?
You must post this K8! That was excellent!
Because if I don’t then who will? Who will be there to feed the millions of little hungry open virtual mouths waiting for me to feed them a nice fat wormy post. Oh. One of the other millions of bloggers. Then I suppose the obvious reason is to ensure that thousands of years from now when future archaeologists recover all this data from ancient hard disks buried in eons of sand and dust they form the opinion that we were all mad. That and the fact that I like writing.
You mean there are millions of other bloggers? That’s it, I quit.
But then, I do want future generations to know we were all mad, so I’ll stick with it. I can do nice fat wormy posts. Thanks, Ape!
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Blogging is writing, and as notquiteold said, the response is often immediate. I don’t understand people who question the activity of blogging, or the desire to connect with readers. Are there musicians who never want an audience to hear what they’ve created? Are there painters who finish a piece and lock it away in a closet? Only one of my pre-blogging friends reads my blog. My sister and my daughter have become frequent readers — and that’s it for the family. Everyone else was a complete stranger fifteen months ago. I think we all have an audience out there, but it’s up to us to go find it. That’s what I tell myself every time I see the rolling eyes or puzzled looks. Keep writing, Darla. You have a lot more to say, and I look forward to reading it.
There must be someone out there who does want to keep their writing private, but it will never be me. I suppose my husband does understand my love of writing. I’ve been writing since I was 10. But he has no clue what this blogging community means to me or why I cherish it so. And I always look forward to reading your writing, Charles!
I blog because of lots of different reasons. One is that it’s my way of being a writer. I tried fiction, didn’t work. I tried non-fiction, didn’t work. I tried poetry, worked for a bit. I love writing but I do best when I’m writing about myself or just wittering. I blog because people enjoy what I blog… and that was quite a revelation to me. I blog because it’s my way of making connections with other people as I have a pretty non-existent social life in ‘real life’.
My husband knows I have a blog and is generally indifferent to what I blog about and I think he’s only ever read it when I’ve asked him to read a specific post. He likes a few blogs by other people, but prefers music-orientated ones which mine generally isn’t and he follows a few political blogs here and there, which mine definitely isn’t! I’m pretty sure he’s bored witless when I talk about my blog which, unfortunately, I do on a daily basis because I just can’t help myself! I also talk about other people’s blogs and that just makes him go and do something else. Oh well, he knows me well, and I know him well, so no harm done!
I’m glad you blog. I don’t comment as much as I could, I know, but I do read. 🙂
My husband appears bored whenever I mention my blog, too. I think now he knows that it’s my “me time” and lets me have it and we don’t talk about it much. Works for both of us. 🙂 I am happy you enjoy my blog, Val, commenting or no commenting. I wish I had more time in the day to comment as much as I want to on other blogs, but I’d never leave the computer!
I saw this in my inbox the other day and thought *phew* she just wrote my post for me! This is something I’ve been meaning to blog about and now all the pressure is off because you’ve captured my life/thoughts on blogging perfectly and now I can move on to the next post! Can I just re-post this on my blog? ha ha
I don’t know why I “have” to blog, but for some reason I do – and my husband gives me the same reaction. There’s no real prize for it and I don’t make a living from it, but somehow I am compelled to keep it going. Just this week I had decided maybe I should give it a rest or give it up, but then somebody featured a toddler activity we did at home and I thought – well, if something I put out there is of interest to *somebody* then maybe it’s worth it.
The real reason, though, is it maintains my sanity (even if it might have me going insane from not blogging enough or not creating what I think are well-written posts). When I started my blog this spring, a little piece of my sanity and my self came back after being buried in too much office work and back-to-back babies. And it reminds me that I like to write. And I like to read. Things you’d think I do as a lawyer, but it is just not the same.
Long-winded comment! Anyway, love your blog, so don’t stop! No pressure or anything 🙂
See, I think I could have written your comment word for word. 😀 I feel the same as you. You nailed it when you said blogging helps maintain your sanity. I’ve been a stay at home mom for so long, I think I forgot who I was or if I had any thoughts of my own. Blogging has helped me reconnect with so many people rediscover my love of writing.
And the same goes for you: keep blogging! I hope your daughter had a great first week at school.
My husband reads every blog post. He’s a subscriber. Of course, that doesn’t mean he understands why I do it. I think he just subscribed in the beginning so I’d have at least one. Sweet man.
I blog because I have to blow off steam about my life and I have to have other people sympathize and give me encouragement. Amazingly, they do, and it makes me a happier and nicer person. I also get the anxiety when I haven’t posted in a while. I think people will forget about me and that is not a good feeling. I love my bloggy friends!
That was nice of your husband, he sounds like a keeper. 🙂 I certainly hope you keep blogging, too!
I still consider myself new to blogging, going on five months- and I find it very therapeutic. It’s fun, it’s creative, and it’s mine. It’s the one thing that I definitely have complete control over. I can’t control how my days go, how efficient I am, or what I get done because of all the unforeseen mom-things that come at me, but the blog- that is mine. All mine. haha! In the short time since I started it, it has already morphed into a few different directions- and I like that. 🙂
True, I do have complete control over this blog, that is why I love it so much! It’s all mine…mua ha haaaaa!!! 🙂
Hahaha! My brain is barely functioning yet this morning, but it’s functional enough to appreciate this :p
Blogging is damned addictive I’ll agree. I have reached the point where if I encounter anything fun or interesting I put on what I call my blogger’s eye, wondering how I can illustrate it etc. And other people’s blogs are like cherries, one click begets another. One reason why I blog is also as a form of diary for the good stuff. I get a kick out of revisiting certain memories and knowing that they can be triggered by a simple click on my blog. Other people’s blogs, I read to learn about different cultures, lifestyles etc and I have to say I’m really enjoying yours 🙂
Thanks, Ramona. I love your line that they are like cherries. Very true. I can’t seem to get enough of other people’s blogs lately. There is something so addicting about reading, commenting and getting that automatic feedback and support. To connect with someone from halfway around the world is the icing on the cake. Thanks for visiting and I love that my old posts (like my dog post) are being read again!
I really like blogging and have become a little addicted to it since I started a couple of weeks ago. I blog about my perspective on high school and post stories of incidents of the day or week or whenever something blogworthy happens. I need a way to make my blog more public because I don’t have a whole lot of views, thats the only obstacle that I’m facing with blogging.
Lilly, it is very addictive. I’ve basically replace my facebook addiction with this one. I really could use some help. 😉
Ya, same with me. My friends on facebook don’t have much interest in reading anything longer than two sentences that hasn’t been abreviated within an inch of its life. 🙂
A lot of my family knows I have a blog, but most of them don’t read it. And now, I’m sort of regretting that I even told them I have one…just in case I want to post things that I don’t want them to read (but of course, would LOVE perfect strangers (great show, yes!) to read. Blogging is such a good want to vent, release some stress – but you don’t always want everyone in your family to know your every insecurity or issue going on in your life. Maybe I’ll start another one someday. Secretly.
See, my family is great because they either a)don’t know the internet exists or b) do know about the net, but choose to have a life and not go on it as much as I do. Some of my brothers actually don’t even have a facebook account (gasp!) So I can feel free to post stuff about my childhood and they’ll be none the wiser.
Ha! So fun going back into your bloggy past. This was just a few months before we ‘met.’ And my, how far you’ve come since then.
My blog hasn’t changed much in these three years, and my original purpose hasn’t strayed much either. I started it to do a bit of ‘journaling’ for Granny who was always my biggest fan until she died later that year. I kept it going because it became more of a journaling for MYSELF — not the details of my life so much but — a way to get a relative snapshot of that moment in time. I still use it in much the same way. It is al.ways fun (for me) reading old posts from way back.
One of WordPress’ downsides is that they don’t have much in the way of ‘Nature’ blogs. Perhaps it’s the sign of the the times, but I feel compelled to fill the void, if nothing more than to satiate other nature types (which I continue to do). Glad that you decided to stick with blogging, Darla! You have always been a great writer and your stories are the most entertaining stuff on the Reader. Cheers!
Hi, Darla. I’m more likely to feel like I don’t spend enough time blogging than feeling like I’m spending too much time, and it looks like we’re posting about 10 blogs a month so far this year. I wish I had more time to read the blogs our readers write, but I’m usually working on getting out the next blog. I enjoy when I’m caught up with questions we’ve answered and can spend time reading other people’s blogs. I enjoy your blog so much I’ve actually started reading from your first blog and I’m working my way through them one at a time. It’s a pleasure. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, feelings, and your life. It’s a gift that keeps on giving. I look forward to reading many more of your posts. Bob
Thank you so much, Bob! Your comments have truly made my day so much brighter. And I can say the same for your blog, I look forward to all the posts. You and Cynthia do so much for so many people I can’t thank you enough. Peace and blessings to you and yours.