You know how you read that “lead in” sometimes? The thing about _______ is_______. Well, I’m seeing disclaimers or comments about bloggers and/or blogging more and more frequently.
So, I thought I’d write today a bit about blogging — or if I may be so bold, bloggers. It seems that every blogger, now and then, writes a post about why they blog or why they’re not blogging — apologizing for not doing so and explaining how life’s gotten in the way.
So, here’s mine. I blogged for a number of years — pretty much every day or so, early on. I, too, thought life got in the way of blogging when I wasn’t able to blog. I apologized for it from time to time. But last year, right about this time, a very sobering reality hit me over the head like a ton of rocks.
The reality was that blogging had gotten in the way of life — not the other way around. Blogging, reading, researching — reading, reading, reading — looking, looking, looking at stuff everywhere online got in the way of living. It got in the way of real learning and it got in the way of real loving. And so, today I can genuinely say: The thing about blogging is that it’s filled with unintended consequences.
From the beginning, I wanted to be a good blogger. I wanted to both inform and entertain, encourage and inspire. I still want those things. But I want them to be products of inspiration not compulsion. And so, when I blog, you’ll know it’s inspiration and not compulsion. Though I just might occasionally feel compelled to write something. ~wink~
Bloggers often feel a measure of guilt for not living up to a preconceived notion that blog writers have an obligation to produce something witty and informative every morning. There’s this unspoken expectation that bloggers be at once fascinating and creative while writing blogs that appeal to the masses. Every blogger soon discovers that one cannot possibly do that — at least not for more than a week.
Better blogs have enough personal anecdotes to fulfill readers’ desire for authenticity and personal identification — but enough generalization to assure anonymity of the blog subjects. People want to identify with or see themselves in blogs — so long as no one else does.
Then there’s the great skill of mixing reality and humility, a bit of sorrow, a bit of humour — with a bit of cheeky cynicism thrown in to add spice. In the end, all these are integral to a really good blog. Trouble is, most of us are too busy living to spend enough time blogging to be that good.
Hello Mrs Spurling,
I thought about this for several days before I answered. You are right that blogging can get in the way of real life. I sense that from some of the ladies I read from. I think the thing is that for some of us ladies we don’t have someone in real life to turn to. One of the reasons I was excited to join our church last year was because I thought it meant having Titus 2 women. I still can’t make out if there is that structure at our church. It is small and the older women work. It leaves women like me still searching for a Titus 2 woman to help us. I loved coming to your blog, learning and growing in Christ. I always knew you were needed at home though. And I suspected that the time would come that you wouldn’t be able to blog any longer. There are a handful of blogs that I read with each one serving a purpose. You are the mother to us motherless ladies. I know the time has come that I take what you have blessed me with and use it for the good of my family and God. If you don’t get around to blogging anymore then know I am thankful and appreciative of what you have done at your blog and website. May God bless you always.
Ouida Gabriel
This post expresses in such wonderful words the feelings I often have about blogging. Thanks for your transparency and for the reminder that it’s the living – not the blogging – that truly matters.
Thank you for being so honest Pamela.
Much Blessings,
Marita
Dear Pamela, this post touched me profoundly.. blogging had taken up too much of my time. This issue was on my heart. This blogging taking up too much time which is for living, is so true for a lot of bloggers that I have linked it to my own blog. Thanks for your wisdom. Love in Christ, Glenys
I like it, Pam! I love to blog and feel that it’s a creative outlet for me. I love to write but don’t do much of it. Life does often prevent me from doing it as much as I’d like but I am happy to be living it, even if I’m not managing to record it regularly.
Thank you, and blessings to you and your family!
Very good point…
Love,
C~