What I Love/Hate About Blogging
I’ve had a couple friends ask me about blogging lately, so I thought I would give you my take as a semi-new blogger.
First of all, what I love about blogging:
1. I love that it forces me to put into words what I am learning. (Perhaps it is the effect of the Charlotte Mason method on my life?) I am a very artsy type person, so this whole write-it-using-correct-grammar thing is not my cup of tea. (You may have noticed!) I actually hated grammar in school, and I am sure it showed.
My daughter, Rebekah, is my resident grammarian. She usually emails me(when she can take it no longer!) to tell me in a gentle way that I have made an error. 🙂 She likes to call them “fun facts.” They look like this:
Rebekah: “Mom, fun fact: “in case” is two words not one.”
I love her so!
I know that I have learned so much by reading the writings of others, so I am putting down what I am learning for the benefit of others.
2. I love that there is a world wide potential to tell people about the gospel of Jesus Christ. It can be used as part of the great commission with little to no effort.
3. I love the women I have met blogging. It is unreal that you can develop friendships online, but indeed you can. It is neat to read their “hearts” on their blogs.
4. I love reading your comments. There. I said it. 🙂 A note of encouragement is always a blessing.
Okay, and now for what I hate about blogging:
1. It can be a time waster. A big one. Like a black hole that draws you in. You need to be careful to set a timer or you and your family will loose out!
2. Blogging (especially for income) means that you naturally network. And I am not a huge networker by nature. In fact, it feels a little seventh gradish, if you know what I mean. So, I tend not to do it unless I have felt a genuine connection/friendship with another blogger.
I am also squeamish about promoting the blog because I am just not that awesome in my own eyes. And I figure that if God wants it to grow, He will see to it. It is that whole sovereignty thing again. Yup. It infiltrates all of life.
3. I tend to feel insecure when I see bigger, better bloggers who are networking their way to a gazillion followers. {Not literally, but that is what it seems like.}
I guess that it is that little “snare of compare” that women struggle with. I have to remind myself that it is okay to be where I am. It is okay if I am not asked to join in the latest blog party of this or that.
And if this were one of my kids writing this very same thing, I would tell them that
a) it is their own fault for not being friendly enough, and 2) to stop with the pouting. So, there you have it.
Do you have a love/hate relationship with blogging? Do you struggle with the same things? What advice would you give a new blogger?
I can identify with most of your points, especially about networking – I’m challenged to give my blog to God and trust Him to do what He wants with it, whether that is small (as now) or big. Thank you for sharing.
I’m so glad you wrote this. I often evaluate my small little blog and wonder why I am doing it…or look at others well organized, well followed, consistently updated blogs and ask myself again what in the world am I doing??? I wonder how other women have time to do all they do on their blogs and read other peoples blogs while I struggle to get out a post every few weeks and hardly ever get to browse other’s blogs. But just as I probably learned on the playground in elementary school, I have to realize that God made me as I am. He has given me precious moments each day that I will be held accountable for. What a challenge in dependence it is to seek to continually commit each moment of my day to God and ask Him to show me how to use it. I would love to exercise my creative juices more and often have things I would love to blog about running around in my mind, but no time in which to get them down. One day it will happen though. For now, I’ll just wait. (at least I had time to get all the thoughts I’d been thinking about this topic down. It does much to solidify it in my mind.)
Oh, Emily. Your kids are so young right now. Your time will come! I promise. Did you read Joy Forneys post that I linked to about being too busy?? Jot all your ideas down in a little book so you don’t forget them and sometime, you can write. Can’t wait to see you in a few months. 🙂
You make me smile. 🙂 Who doesn’t like comments?
Anyway, as to blogging, my blog has been in the back of my mind for 2 years (yes you read that right). It has been actively in the planning stages for a few months before starting last week. Crazy, huh? (I’m a methodical person when it comes to starting things like this.)
But, I wasn’t going to start until both Brian and I felt like I could be 100% me…It will always be a struggle to be sure, wanting others to like us, comparing, etc, but I know who I am now, and am ready to be that person online.
It also sort of came to fruition when I realized how much I have learned, and the passion I have for other moms not to be overwhelmed. Having a purpose helps.
I have actively watched the blogosphere for over 4 years… You learn a lot.
In the end, I’m glad I waited. It will, of course, take awhile to get a readership, but authenticity is always more important.
And those are the thoughts from 1 week of public blogging, though I’ve blogged for family and friends for 4 years. 🙂
Thanks for your thoughts! 🙂
I enjoyed reading your post and I could relate to many things you have shared. This is the first time I have been to your site and I am glad I stopped by!
Yes, I, too, have the same shy thoughts and what I have to say isn’t impressive, but then I remind myself that I am not blogging/writing for my benefit, (after all, I know my story!) It’s all done for the ONE TRUE NAME. He is my Social Networker and SEO Miracle Worker. He will grow His ministry (my blog) in His timing. Thanks for sharing your heart.
Blessings,
~jolene
I don’t know anything about blogging, but had to comment about #3 on the dislike. The other day I noticed the 621 likes from FB and thought WOW! I don’t know the relation off that # to how many followers, but it didn’t seem to shabby to me. 🙂
Sarah,
I can relate to nearly everything you said. I’ve loved writing and meeting new friends, but sometimes it’s hard to tow that fine line of balance. You’re right, blogging can become a black hole if I’m not careful, and sometimes (okay, a LOT) I find myself struggling with balance of keeping my family first! I’ll check in on FB, but I’ve made a rule that I generally can’t do anything blog related unless my kiddos are in bed or taking naps. Makes it hard to keep up 😉
I also sometimes feel eeeeehhhh about networking/self-promotion because I want the Lord to be my focus. But at the same time I struggle with comparison to “big bloggers” and the need to compete, honestly. It’s hard to keep things in perspective, and to remember that I’m writing because I love to, and for HIS glory. Getting caught up in the things you’re “supposed” to do to be a successful blogger often gets in the way of being Spirit led, at least for me. I liked what Kara said in her above comment about cutting down on things so that I can write/read what HE wants me to partake in.
I’ve been so blessed by the sincerity of so many Godly women through the blogosphere. It really is possible to develop friendships online…something I doubted in the beginning.
Anyway, I’ve written an essay by now. I love your blog and your authentic, Jesus-centered writing! I don’t always have time to leave comments (I’m trying to do better about that) but just know that you’re a blessing.
Ashlie
Ashlie, I have enjoyed getting to know you online and love that you don’t blog while your kids are up. Smart woman!! Yes, even blogging needs to be spirit led. Balance is always a struggle for me, too, but I think that knowing your own tendencies and weaknesses is half the battle. 🙂
I soooo relate to this! My relationship with blogging is mostly full of love, but there are definitely things about it that drive me nuts!
When the writing is going bumpily, I’m always thinking that I love HAVING written, but often hate the actual writing part! And of course techie stuff can drive all of us bloggers crazy, right?
I’m so glad we’ve connected in the blogosphere 🙂
Yes, the techie stuff is enough to make me crazy. When I was switching this blog over to wp.org I thought I would loose my mind and wondered how I had let myself come so far down the road of computer illiteracy. Twelve years ago, I designed my own site and ran a storefront which involved a lot of techie stuff, but those were the MS Frontpage days, and so much has changed since then with CSS stuff. Oh well. I am so glad to have met you online, my dear Anne with an E.
Excellent post! You are right about there being a love/hate about blogging. I love the ability to connect with other like-minded women all over the world and share my heart and my home and yet I hate that it takes me away from some of the ways that I want to bless my children and husband. I have personally decided to just write whenever the Lord stirs things up and let Him use it in whatever way He wishes. I am trying to do that some with my etsy shop too which could fill all my time with advertising. 🙂 Thanks for sharing Sarah. I really enjoy and appreciate your blog. Blessings!
This was timely for me, as well! Most of your reasons for loving/hating blogging are spot on for me! The wasting time one is probably the one I struggle with most. I have really been praying about my priorities and how I can align my role as a mother/homemaker with God’s plan for me with my dreams and hopes for myself (especially as a writer). Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Leanne. I think we all struggle with the same things. You are not alone. 😉
Okay…
So the fact that I’ve come back 3 times in an attempt to actually comment (family distractions which I know you can relate to)–
Well,
I think that means we are friends 🙂
I even attempted “google-chat” (is that where you wanted us to meet up??? 🙂
All that to say–blogland is a mix of facade and genuine.
A mix of for Him…and the temptation to promote self.
It’s walking the fine line.
I feel like I’m constantly dipping my toes in both sides.
But–overall–it has been a blessing.
Learning to think about what I’m learning each day, each moment…a place to process what He is teaching me.
I will say though–
I need your daughter’s help.
If she has time…I’d love her to mess-up-check any posts she has a desire to read 🙂
I know that without this online realm, you and I would never have met.
Hey–meant to email you anyway–have you read O’Amanda’s latest posts about forming a blog team?
I’ve recently relinquished several monthly contributing spots (pretty much everything except for The Better Mom) because my computer time is sparce and I want to read the posts I actually feel God leading me to read and I want to write the posts He puts on my heart.
But–her ideas make sense…
About forming a group of like-minded-writers who will support each other?
You’d be on my list, if I ever came up with one 🙂
Enjoy camp! 🙂
Love,
K
I clearly should have added more happy faces in the above comment 🙂
You crack me up. I tend to use a lot of smileys, too, because it is hard to know what a person intends in print, so “smileys” are the solution. 🙂 And, yes, I would love to brainstorm with you about blogging! And, we DO need to set up a google chat. I would love to visit. You are dear to me, Kara.
Yes, I love/hate these same things, Sarah! Blogging can be a big blessing, and a big snare. Like all tools, we have to learn to use it wisely.
I have to say, I have met some of the most wonderful ladies via blogging… including you! I treasure the kindred frienships and values. 🙂
personally – I don’t like when you feel like you “know” someone, pretend to be “friends” and find out that it was really ALL in your head. =(
🙁 Yes, agreed. Very deflating!
What an extremely timely post! Thank you 😉