For once, I’m determined to get my posts ready for the week. It’s Sunday afternoon and I’ve been glued to my office chair, staring at my computer for several hours. What the hell am I doing? the sun is shining and I’m inside my kitchen writing. (No need to tell me I’m crazy, I already realize that thank you.)
Fortunately, I find a blog post that resonates with what I’m thinking today and it’s called: “5 ways fear can mess up your blog,” by Tess Marshall from The Bold Life.
Tess points out “5 ways fear steals your joy and what action you can take in order to enjoy life and the blogging process.” Please hop over to read her great advice.
1. You obsess about the competition.
2. Your content Lacks pizzazz.
3. You Doubt Yourself.
4. You’re unmotivated and stuck.
5. You want to give up and quit.
“Become aware of how many times in one day you wish for a better and bigger blog and all that goes with it?
Now estimate how many times a day you say to yourself,’My life is great just the way it is today!'”
Of course Tess is right, but once you get bitten by the blogger bug, it’s very difficult to erase it from your mind; especially when you’ve been asked to join a panel and speak about “Beyond Blogging” at the Orange County Branch of the California Writers Club.
Last night I set a romantic table next to our fireplace. I had candles, roses in a vase, and champagne flutes ready for our dinner. With the kids gone, my husband and I can finally have romantic dinners at home. As we sip our champagne with some smoked salmon appetizers, I ask him, “Do you think I’d spend as many hours in front of my computer if we moved back to Ambergris Caye? (Photo at the top is from Ambergris Caye where we lived from 2004-2005. This is Victoria House, a beautiful resort on the island.) Before he has time to answer, I say, “I’m sure I’d blog and spend hours on my laptop.” In a way I’m scared Gutsy enough to admit that blogging and writing is my obsession, but since statistics show that women outnumber men in the social media world, perhaps society has created a new female disease that requires a new form of treatment.
So my question to you is: “Is blogging messing with your mind?” If so, in what way?
This question is for men too. Please ask your friends and share.
The simple answer is yes. However, I have never done anything that I enjoy as much as blogging. Even if no one is reading it, it is a place I can lose myself and feel stress free, at least for a while.
I hear you.
Good question – and thanks for the link to a good article too.
I used to be obsessed with getting more readers and more stats, but soon realized that this was silly.
I write as an outlet for myself, my creativity as the writing I do at work is strict and confined. And I photograph what I want to… so I'd say that blogging is a joy that helps me see the small wonders of life (via my photography).
@Barbara
Glad to hear your honesty. I agree it's fun, otherwise why share.
@ladyfi
I know your photography is a passion and I also see how many people appreciate it.
I'm much in agreement with ladyfi. I find myself looking at things as good material for my blog, sort of ranking them as "blog-relevant". Two examples come to mind. I was asking my sons if they knew anything about the actor who plays Flo in the Progressive Insurance ads (they did not). Less than two days later, I read an article in the WSJ that featured her, Stephanie Courtney, as one of several Funny People behind famous ads. That got me thinking of all the commercial auditions I've been on, and how acting is hot around Oscar time.
So, tomorrow's blog on doctoreclectic.com will be on that subject.
I also learned that Bill Cosby was made an honorary Chief Hospital Corpsman a week ago. Since I spent 25 years in the Navy Dental Corps, working half the time with Hospital corpsmen and Marines, that will show up in the near future.
Blogging expands my mind. Is that messing with it?
I think Tess's was thinking about me when she wrote that article! So true! Like Barbara and ladyfi though, I'm starting to be very happy just writing away and not fixating on how what I do compares with anyone else. Blogging rules!
Stephanie
Hi GutsyWriter, It's been awhile since I commented, but this topic interested me today. I have always blogged for my own entertainment. Why would I have seven different blogs if not for my own entertainment.
Yesterday Cheryl featured me on her blog here: http://cmashlovestoread.blogspot.com It pretty much covers my answer to your question. Feel free to visit her blog and read the interview she had with me. Then again it isn't a requirement.. ; )
I identify with all five notes about fear messing up your blog. Yup; the story of my life. And my blogs.
The reality is, however, that my mind is already a mess, and blogging brings me closer to sanity. A bit closer.
But I'm sure you have already figured that out for yourself. 😉
I may have to check into a blogging rehab facility. Sure it messes with my mind: I think about it too much, spend too much time on the computer, but I enjoy it. Writing my adventure tales and finding photos to illustrate them is not only a creative outlet, it is also a kind of escape.
When it comes to subscribers and stats, well I wonder, why have not been discovered yet?! Surely I have a fabulous blog! Surely people should find my stories riveting!
So there you have it: I've become delusional and mad. That's what blogging is also doing to me 😉 Soon my dh will commit me to mentioned blogging rehab facility.
I did not expect blogging to be this much fun or addictive. I think about posts when I'm supposed to do something else.
I think blogs are an extension of ourselves and I'm enjoying the freedom of this does not have to be "perfect".
Challenging for me to write something that is quick, unedited and that sometimes seems to post itself.
Yes, No, Maybe.
My Alexa score drops and I mope. I lose one Feedburner subscriber and I want to know exactly why. I get one new link and I want to go out to dinner to celebrate. I need to get a grip.
At the same time I am as energized and eager to start the day as when I began my own business 25 years ago. That's a good feeling to have.
So, my answer is yes, no, maybe.
@Doctor Eclectic
Yes, it's good to keep getting ideas that can make us grow and share with others.
@Stephanie
I'm sure we've all felt that way about blogging.
@Gigi Ann
Glad to see you again and that you're still managing seen blogs. I need to read your interview before I can comment.
@Miss Ssdie
Glad that blogging brings you joy and sanity. At least it gets you out and about.
@Miss Footloose
I know what you mean. That agent is just waiting for you, making you do all that extra work. I shall be the first one o purchase your expat book.
@Antares
Glad you're enjoying. Was curious about the comment that it does not have to be "perfect." Do you have to write for a living too?
@Bob
Just visited and love the idea that you're offering a free e-book on retiring, and what people should start doing 5 years before. Can't wait to read it.
My answer is not at all..
I just enjoy writing what I want, when I want…I like to read my comments when someone puts one…and if they don't, I really do not care. I enjoy the process of chronicling the moments, pictures, places, people…that I want to remember in the future and know that it is my life, and only that which I choose to share is what goes into my blog…
By the way, My husband and I stayed at Victoria House for a week…it was an amazing little retreat from our crazy life. We love to scuba dive and Belize beckoned. We so enjoyed our time there..
Thanks for bringing back that memory!
BG
Something like that 😉
I blog for myself. If I feel like it than I do it. If I don't then I take a break. I don't blog for the sake of advertising and or a huge following.
I actually read all of my followers posts so the more I get the more time consuming it would be!
I'm not a computer person per say. All I really do is blog,read blogs, and the bookkeeping at church.
My daughter got me into blogging as a way to relax after having two strokes. She thought that it would keep me still! Silly girl!
I do love to blog though but truth be told, if I never had a computer, I'd be good. I keep myself pretty busy! Love Di ♥
Everything messes with my mind but blogging is the one things that shows results 🙂
Hi,
Thanks for linking to me and sharing your wonderful space here. I could be a lot further than I am with my blog but I’m not willing to give up travel, family, hiking, movies blah blah. I feel like I’m picking up speed because I’ve been at it so long. I’m also playng less between now and the end of the year. My daughter is a flight attendant so I’m not good at saying, “someday” when we can travel free. Anyway that’s where I’m at in my life:)
Thanks for sharing the travel aspect as well as family life. If I had more travel opportunities, I’d take them too.