I’ve been doing this blogging thing for a little over a year now and it’s turned out to be nothing like I thought it was going to be. When I first jumped into this, I was going to be a funny mommy blogger. I was going to be a devoted reader and commenter on other blogs. I was going to network like crazy, go to conferences, interact with PR folks, become aligned with brands, give away great stuff, get nice little perks for me and my family and I was going to develop a community of great readers while highlighting all the things I think are important in the world of being a mom.
I got great readers. So, that part worked out pretty well.
It turns out that I’m not good at the part of mommy blogging where I write about being a mom because I’m too cautious about my family’s privacy. I’m not great at networking online (unless you count Twitter). I read other blogs but I never have time to comment. I don’t often respond to the comments I get on my own blog. I don’t get invited to events much and when I do I usually turn them down because they cut into family time or they’re during working hours. I don’t get a lot of PR offers and I don’t seek out PR opportunities, mostly because I discovered I don’t like doing reviews except about ridiculous books and tv shows. I don’t get free stuff and I sure don’t get the sponsorship opportunities that would let me go to big conferences. I don’t have a hook or a niche. I don’t craft, or cook, or garden, or sew, or take great photos. I don’t travel, or hike, or camp, or take on major physical fitness challenges. I’m not on any kind of journey that I can document.
All I do is think.
This blog has become where I come to think things through. This is my space for when I’m intrigued or confused or angry about events bigger than myself. This is where I let loose with all the opinions that ricochet around in my mind and do it without apology. This is where I say my piece and ask “Can I get an amen?”. And this is where the “Amen!” comes.
I don’t know most of you except for the names you use online. I don’t know where you came from or where you’re going. I don’t know where you lay your heads at night or what you dream about when you do. But I know that you come to this space and you read my thoughts and say kind things about my words. And I can’t thank you enough for that.
I’ll never be the blogger who can offer more than words. But if you all can continue to be the readers who accept that words are the best thing I can offer, then I’ll keep writing them. Thank you for reading. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thanks for writing! I have spent the last couple of years feeling so disenfranchised with our political system, and much of our society in general. Other than not liking Laurie Berkner (ha!), I love that I have found an articulate, intelligent, F-bomb dropping voice that echoes my own.
Muttering Mama said it best…I am glad you are here. Thank you!
If “all you do” is think then you are already doing a heck of a lot more than most bloggers. 😉 I like reading and will keep reading. Thank you!
Keep on writing and I’ll happily keep on reading. Happy anniversary.
I mostly like words and people who think. I’m also ok with not getting a free candle or laundry soap too.
I think Twitter and the interwebs would be a darker place without you, babe 🙂
I love what you write and I like how you think. I don’t care much for the “free give-aways”, or recipes or whatever else those other bloggers are doing. Keep doing what you’re doing. I look forward to reading your blog every day. For me, you write what I think, so it’s a win/win. So what if you don’t comment back? I’m not one of those people who needs a comment for my comment. Your blog is great just the way it is 🙂
But you see, that’s perfect. That’s what blogging used to be: a platform for thinking and writing. A diary on the web. The niches and the PR and the conferences and the giveaways all came later.
If it makes you feel any better, I’ve been blogging for 10 years–ulp!–and I don’t have any of that stuff either, because I never had a need to do anything other than write about whatever I felt like, whenever I felt like it.
So here’s to blogging for the sake of blogging!
The reason I started following your blog and read it is because you think and that is the reason I keep coming back. Thank you for thinking and telling us your ideas.
It’s not that you just think of topics, it’s that you take the time to both form and share your opinion. So many of us feel like ranting about a subject whether vital or nonsense but you actually take the time to inform yourself and your readers.
Blog on!! We’re reading!
Keep writing what you write. I come away from your blog feeling more informed and also I laugh a little with you and I get angry when you do. Sometimes, You put words to how I am feeling, in a perfect way.
I agree with Casey, the web would be a dark hole without you.:-)
We all need a place to think!! ANd I love your blog…whether you reply or come back to mine…you’re a great read, good for a boisterous laugh, and make me contemplate my view on things!! I think that’s a success!!
I’m that kind of blogger too. And those are the kinds of blogs I read. I like to think the creme rises to the top.