Monday, April 16, 2012

Lately I Find Myself...

Lately I find myself wondering if my sh*t stinks...
Why don't I receive as many comments anymore?
I knew it would happen but it really stinks.

Lately it doesn't bother me as much I thought it would that i don't get as many comments.
Comments don't make my blogging experience...my experiences makes my blogging.

Lately I have been wondering what does it mean to have a successful blog...
Does it have anything to do with validating our popularity in blogland?
Or are we all addicted to the validation we receive from our peers?
Or do we just like the encouragement and support from our peers?
Which comes in the form of comments!

Lately I've felt a little sad because some blogger friends are not 
blogging anymore or as much because of the pressures of life and or pressures of blogging--
that makes me a little sad because you become attached to people and their lives...
Blogging should always be fun and something you do for yourself and NOT anyone else...

Lately I've been wondering about blogging...
Lots and lots of different thoughts!

Lately I find myself continuing to enjoy blogging
because it's fun and a creative outlet for me!


Question of the Day:
What do you find yourself doing lately?


33 comments:

Newy said...

Lately, I have been focused on my play. Writing/directing and producing is hard work. I eat, sleep live and breathe this play right now. I am trying to blog more and try to read through my feeder, but responding is a challenge. Forgive me. :(

Desiray said...

What makes a person a successful blogger sis is when you touch the heart of the one person See when we look for an amount of people commenting we think that is what brings success. When I started blogging five years ago I thought the same thing but it wasn't until God showed me it's not in the numbers it's in who you touch. it could be that one person who probably never comments but read your posting everyday.

I hope this encouraged you today, for blogging is never and should never be about us it should be about who we are touching, when it becomes more about us then we aren't making a difference and we should always strive to make a difference in someone else...AMEN

Quiana said...

Just read a great post about this by Jonathan Acuff which really helped me: http://www.jonacuff.com/blog/how-to-stop-worrying-about-your-blog-traffic/

I kinda brought it up on a reply to Chronicles of Pookah's Mom's recent post too when I wrote that just hunkering down with tunnel vision is what's worked for me: http://chroniclesofpookahsmom.com/2012/04/perfection-a-rant/#comments

I've always seemed to give people the benefit of the doubt meaning you never know what's going on behind the screen both bloggers and readers. Maybe there are some major struggles they're dealing with? Who knows!

kita said...

I am still here sorry for not leaving many comments but I do read. Blogging is a full time job and it takes a lot. I make sure I blog though as a diary of sort when I first started I didn't get any comments until about 6 months into blogging it was ok because I knew from my google analytics that someone was reading it and that's good enough for me.

ericateal said...

Hey hun!! Hugs to you. I'm still here and reading daily with my reader however as you know I've been quite sick and busy as ever in my daily life. Having a full time job and life at home makes responding/commenting quite the challenge sometimes. I'm sure I'll be back in the groove of things soon.. in the meantime I'll be enjoying all the good reads and features you provide :)

Mimi said...

Maybe its the universe! I have been having a time over here staying on top of blogging. AS you know I am trying to build my business, potty train and a whole plethora of other things. It stresses me out when I can't get around but I have to put my family and other things first and blog when I can. If I'm not commenting know its crazy busy and I'll be back when things slow down!

Blogging is fun. I think we lose sight of that when we start doing it for the numbers. Do it for you and know that people are reading even if they aren't commenting!

Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama said...

I'm right there with you!! I have had a VERY hard time blogging lately and I feel like I have a million blog posts all locked up in my head :) We love you and your blog is insanely awesome with or without comments :)

Lauren said...

I totally feel you in this regard. With having Elyse, and still trying to get our schedules figured out...blogging has just taken a back seat.

Please know that I'm still reading your blog, sometimes it's just on my phone or on the fly & I don't quite have time to comment as much as I'd like!

Amanda said...

All great questions, and trust me, we all wonder about it all the time. Lately, I have felt like I've been neglecting my blog, when in reality, I haven't. I hope the lack of comments doesn't deter you!

Natalie said...

I don't get many comments and I am ok with it. I blog for myself, not for other people. I have been doing many mini blog hiatuses these days, being a mom keeps me so much busy so blogging seems to always take a back seat.

Heather said...

I'm sorry to hear you haven't been receiving as many comments. :( I get down when that happens with some of my posts, too, but I'm trying to get better about not taking it personally. It's hard, though, and even though my personal blog is "just of fun," it's hard not to get caught up in follower numbers, comments, etc. Keep doing your thing, girl! Your blog is awesome.

CeCe said...

You always seem to get a ton of comments...well more then me so maybe that's why I think it's a ton! I try not to get hung up on the comments. I have before and it ends up making me feel crappy. I also feel sad when bloggers stop blogging and part of it is probably b/c of pressure they put on themselves. I try to focus on blogging for me first and foremost. Even it it's just once a week and even if there are no comments. Nice to hear I'm not the only blogger who sometimes feels unpopular.

Fashion Pad said...

You posed some really good questions. I see it like this: I know that we all are career women, whether we have a 9-5 or are stay at home moms. As a result, we do sometimes have to place our focus on our personal lives because they take precedent. I know I have been slackin with my comments and blog visits because life is hectic at the moment. Additionally, my blog comments have decreased quite a bit as well. But u know what, I've been here before and i don't seek validation for something I LOVE to do. It's annoying but i take it in stride and continue to just do me!

LifenotesEncouragement said...

Hey, yoru sh*t stinks (because thats what its suppose to do) but your blog doesn't; NOT IN THE LEAST.

You are one of my faithful commenters, but I dont get alot of comments, and i'm fine with that.
I wasnt always, but I am now.

Know why you blog and keep doing it regardless of comments, and when you no longer want to do it, don't.

Nicole said...

Some days it takes a lot of effort to blog! I find that I can't focus on the comments or number of readers. I blog because I like to write and share my story. And like one person said above-it's that ONE person you might touch. For me, I love your blog because of your faith, and what advice you bring towards faith in marriage. And I always appreciate that you leave little comments on my blog. They don't have to be big ol' long stories-just a short message to say you liked what I wrote.

I think a lot of people say they don't have time for it, because to be a good blogger does take time. You have to write quality material, upload pics, and put yourself out there to other blogs.

Do it for the love of sharing your story :)

Alida Sharp said...

I agree with Nylse...everyone's sh*t stinks but your blog doesn't! I don't have as much time to read and comment as I used to now that our ministry here has grown so much. And I have noticed that when I don't comment as much my comments go down on my blog as well. But like some of the others I am okay with that. I have blogged for 7 years and will keep on blogging even if I am my only fan!

Cam | Bibs and Baubles said...

I've noticed a lot of people have just really slowed down in the blogging world. some people have just stopped blogging altogether. Guess it's true, everything moves in cycles. :)

Rebekah said...

I think everyone goes through ruts with commenting. I'm blogging just about every day but I've only been commenting a few days a week. I just don't have the time right now but I'm working on it! It's all about balance!

Nicole Marie said...

successful blogging...I've thought about that several times in the past couple of weeks. I have fun when I do it and I know thats all that matters.
But I totally understand how you feel about being "attached" to bloggers. I am totally attached to a handful of bloggers and I see them blogging almost all the time, and then I feel shitty because I'm not blogging as much. meh

Monica said...

I think there are like ebbs & flows of blogging comments...sometimes I wonder the same thing when I don't get the usual number of comments. And I definitely get a little sad when people I follow all the time get too busy to keep up their blogging

Anonymous said...

Life gets in the way, I think. I still blog and read but not as much as I used to. I have a baby which keeps me so busy because when she finally goes to sleep, then I try to do everything that I can't while she's awake.

Then I have to catch up on blogging at once and then I'm tired!

Sunshine - www.cancersurvivor26.blogger.com said...

Those same thoughts enter my mind and I almost gave it up but it makes me feel better when I can express myself. Whether no one reads or comments I see this as my for the world to see journal. I realize sometimes people read and may not post so I look at it that way.

www.cancerinthecity.com

Anonymous said...

1st I need to say I subscribe via email and enjoy reading. I haven't been commenting as much or blogging because we moved, bought a house, trying to find a job, etc.etc. so I imagine others got busy too. I got really down at one point too about the comment numbers, and that is when I gave myself a wake up call.
Remember its about you and enjoy it...and its okay to take a break when needed. :)

Stephanie @ henry happened said...

I can so relate! It's easy to get caught up in the comment tally game and forget why you started blogging (because it's fun!).

Sorry I didn't find your blog sooner - your comments came thru on my old blogspot address and not my new one (www.henryhappened.com)

But lately I am totally into make-up. It's been fun to play with since fashion is out of my reach right now (34 weeks pregnant, not my best look!) :)

Mrs. Julius said...

This is so funny! I was just coming to tell you that i have my blog on private right now because i haven't been blogging as much and also because i want to make some changes to it!

I really do enjoy blogging and i do it more because i like to keep a journey of my life and not because i enjoy writing or anything (cuz i suck at it) but lately i've just been so busy with life i feel like i never have time... i really do want to get back into it and once i do you will be one of the first ones to know!

don't worry about comments, seriously i love your blog and when i do decide to read or check out some of my blogging friends i always think of you. and i will also always continue to read even thou i may not always comment.

anyhow, i hope you're doing well and continue blogging cuz you're awesome at it! :)

Monique said...

The weather may play a role in comments. It's been so nice lately perhaps people are more outdoors and away from their computers. For me it's been really tough to getting around to visiting blogs. I just don't have the kind of time I once had with my old job. I hope that this doesn't discourage you. I find that heavy comments comes in ebbs and flows.

Elizabeth @ Love Is the Adventure said...

Lately I find myself wondering what my ultimate goal is in blogging. But lately I have decided that as long as I'm having fun, I'll keep doing it! If it starts feeling like work or a chore...I'll stop.

Theodora Ofosuhima said...

lately I've been thinking the same regardng comments and finding the time to blog. I love blogging because it is an outlet for me but while travelling I can't return the comments and that doesn't help for my readership, i blog because sometimes i need to free my thoughts. currently I am on holiday and it seems as if i am busy more than ever.

Sophia Chang said...

Have you considered blogging less often? You're definitely prolific and I used to blog like 3-5 times a week. I got busy and cut down and my comment count actually went up.

Emily grapes said...

I've seen my comments go up and down too. I have the same questions but really just keep blogging cause its what I enjoy. I hope people read, like and comment but (even though I look at the # of comments I get) don't dwell on it too much cause I'll never have the amount that others do.

But I hear ya.
Emily at Amazing Grapes

Adrienne said...

Aww. I totally understand. It's so hard to remember that you started this for YOU!

LaShawn Wiltz said...

I really understand! I try to blog about 5 days a week, but it's HARD. And THEN, reading everyone's blogs and commenting is a full time job alone! I read almost every post of yours but don't always comment. I'll do better!!

Janelle B. said...

Lately, I have been so busy at work I feel like I don't even have time to breathe! I get so irritated when I don't have time to blog, or read other peoples blogs! For me, I started blogging for myself, as an outlet, and just hoped that I could reach out to maybe one person. It is hard, but I think the important thing is to remember why you started in the first place!!