Jul 29, 2010

Why blog?

Recently several of my blogger buddies are either closing down their blogs or taking a break. This has led me to ask myself the question, "Why do I blog?"

I have seen some of the comments around the blogosphere, and I know that some people set a goal of reaching fifty or more followers. Others get discouraged if there are not frequent comments made on their posts. Sometimes bloggers run dry in their creativity and just need a break. Most of the time I think it is a matter of life just getting too busy to keep up the way they want, so they just give up. I'm sure there are other reasons that people quit blogging that I'm not aware of.

I started blogging in February of 2009. Blogging has opened up a whole new world for me. I really feel it is a gift from God. I've always wanted to write, but never really had an outlet. Blogging has become a very inexpensive hobby, and has blessed me with new friendships from all over the country, and once in a while, from other places in the world as well.

I've learned a lot along the way. One of the hardest lessons I've learned is how public the blogosphere is. I've learned this is not like writing in a personal diary. I've regretted some of the posts I've written. Hopefully I've learned to use greater sensitivity. I think blogging has sharpened me and has made me think more about my potential audience, not just about myself.

While I enjoy comments, I don't find my self-worth in whether or not I receive them. I once thought it was important to have a lot of followers, and it was exciting each time someone new showed up on my page. Soon I realized that it was more meaningful to me to have a few blogging friends who I connected with fairly regularly than to have 40 or 50 faces on my page who I really know nothing about.

My daughter-in-law once told me that more people read your blog than you are aware of. They just don't leave comments. I have found this is true...Every now and then I run into someone who tells me they read my blogs, or it comes up in a social setting.

I'm sure there are as many reasons that people blog as there are different personalities. And if you maintain more than one blog, usually it is because each serves a different purpose or a different audience. My main blog, "life between the buns" is a documentation of the stage of life I am living right now. I try to think how blessed I would be if I had access to this kind of information about my own parents or grandparents. It sort of says, "this is my life" and maybe someday my children or grandchildren will be interested in what my daily life was like.

My "mistress of my domain" blog zeros in more specifically about my personality as I am basically a homebody and have loved being a wife, homemaker, mother, and now grandma. I also enjoy mentoring younger women and while I'll never leave a huge mark upon the world, I enjoy passing on things I've learned on the homefront. The title comes from an in-depth Bible study I took years ago, and have actually taught a few times, called The Five Aspects of Woman. It was a life-changing study for me which helped me once and for all accept who I am as a beloved daughter of God, and revel in my femininity. (I think I'll blog about that sometime!)

The third blog I have, gingersnaps and black licorice, is basically a tribute to my dad, who left me the gift of many notes of his life story in his own words. Family was everything to him, and this blog is my way of sharing it with anyone who might be interested, especially family members and posterity.

So, I'm curious. Why do you blog?

8 comments:

Judy said...

I blog because if I did not I would have NO IDEA what happened yesterday.

Jess said...

Hi Friend,
I am sooooooooo glad that you blog and that God introduced us!
You write wonderfully and bless so many! Please pray for me as I head north for this "She Speaks" Conference in Concord, NC. Maybe next year we could go together?

Blessings and ((HUGS))!

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

HI JACQUELYN,
I BLOG BECAUSE I LOVE IT. IT GIVES ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE MY LIFE WITH OTHERS. I BLOG BECAUSE IT REMINDS ME OF WHEN I WAS A KID AND I USED TO HAVE PEN PALS AND A MAILBOX WITH LETTERS ALMOST DAILY. I LOVED THAT!! I HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED WRITING,
AND THE DISCOVERY OF BLOGGING HAS JUST ADDED A NEW FUN AND CREATIVE DIMENSION TO MY LIFE. I LOVE BEING A HOMEMAKER AND I THINK THE HOME IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PLACES ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH, SO I LOVE ENCOURAGING AND SHARING WITH OTHERS NEW DISCOVERIES AND IDEAS FOR MAKING HOME A BETTER PLACE FOR YOUR FAMILY OR IN OUR CASE OUR HUBBIES, AS I LEARN NEW AND EXCITING IDEAS FROM OTHERS. I TOO, FEEL BLOGGING IS A GIFT FROM GOD, AND I FEEL THE SAME WAY YOU DO ABOUT SPECIAL FRIENDS THAT WE MAKE. IT JUST THRILLS MY HEART THAT THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER
PRECIOUS CHRISTIAN LADIES WHO ARE AT THE SAME STAGE OF LIFE. IT TOOK SOME TIME OF ADJUSTING, BUT I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS STAGE OF LIFE!!
AND I LOVE THAT YOU BLOG TOO, YOU
ARE A NEAT LADY AND I ALWAYS ENJOY YOUR POSTS. KEEP ON BLOGGIN' GIRLY!!
BLESSINGS, NELLIE

Wanda..... said...

Originally while recuperating with a broken ankle and at my daughter's suggestion it was created as a personal journal-like scrap book for myself and family to enjoy. Gradually it became a surprising avenue to meet women of similar interests across the states and other countries. My life has been enriched at a time when I needed it most, my 20 years of joyfully babysitting most of my 9 grandchildren had come to an end.

It's not about the followers, but the true friends that some of them become! My blog makes me feel connected to the world...a citizen of the world. I have learned many things from many, for which I'm thankful. I just blog about my week and nature...I don't think I will run out of things to post about, since I do it for myself.

Pat said...

My daughter started blogging first. I liked the people that were coming to her blog, so I started too. It has offered such wonderful friendships that I never would have had otherwise. My circle is small, a few regulars and like you said, some that I don't even know stop by.
We share similar ups and downs in life. I love that. It has opened my world..literally. My blogging friends help me get through the care and eventual passing of my mother. True blogging friends...like you, are priceless!

Patrinas Pencil said...

it has become my connection to the "outside" world since I'm truly homebound as a 24/7 caregiver. I started blogging out of the blue - I believe it was a 'God thing'. I never intended to begin a blog - had no desire to blog. But He just kind of led me down this road. It has held me up and kept me afloat over the past 8 months since I began blogging. I have precious bloggy friends that are praying for me and my situation. I KNOW they are and that gets me through the days.

Time does not permit frequent updating - or blog reading - but I do it as the Lord leads. I also do it for my kids and grand kids. I want to leave them a written spiritual legacy. I want them to know the thots and pondering that may not be said outwardly - otherwise. Hopefully, my blog will minister to them in tough times - like all of our blogs have ministered to each other.

Patrina <")>><

Lori said...

It's funny cause I have been pondering closing my blog. I've been praying about it and as much as I love writing and reading other blogs, I am finding that I feel badly because I'm not visiting the people I have connected with in the blogaspere or even though I am reading, I can't comment... or writing,which I love to do. In fact I would say that writing and blogging are the only hobby or entertainment type of thing that I have.

I started blogging to record my journey as a grandmother raising her grandchildren as her own. I never thought I would love it as much as I do...but even more I never realized what wonderful connections I would make with people(like you) from all over the place, from all different age groups and backgrounds...all the people I have met through blogging have been such blessings to me.


I've taken breaks from blogging at various times due to my health but mostly due to lack of time...and now because of both. Between working outside of my home and taking care of my little one's and being a wife and taking care of a home, it seems I run out of time, a lot.

Right now, we are working towards me being able to quit my job and stay at home with the little's. It is the cry of my heart since it seems the little's have been with us for almost 4 years now...a temporary thing has turned into something that may very well be permanant.

Until I am able to be home more I may not be blogging much. I miss it terribly but my husband, children and home seem to take up all my energy at present. They are good things and worth it but still it does make me sad.

Now that I've written a book in your comments, I will say, I have missed visiting you here. I hope you and yours are having a delightful summer. XX

Brenda said...

I blog becasue:
1. I love to share my photos.
2. Even if there are no comments, I like the idea that I am sharing.
3. For myself--as a journal of sorts.
4. It helps me organize my thoughts.
5. I pretend that I am a writer. :-)
6. I feel bad when I get very busy and do not read or comment on other blogger's posts.
7. Often other people's posts give me good ideas or make me chuckle or commiserate.
8. Blogging and reading blogs makes me feel like I am a piece in a much bigger picture.