Do you hate it when bloggers blog about their blogs? Sorry if you do, but please bear with me for a minute, as lots of people have asked me about my blog lately.
Why don't I blog as much as I used to? Do I still want to write here? Am I thinking of going in another direction? Is my freelance writing taking over?
I don't know... but I thought I'd share some of the thoughts going through my mind about this whole thing, and see if it gets us anywhere.
Time is certainly a factor in blogging less, but there are some bigger issues at stake here too. The main one is sharing. I've written a lot of personal stuff here over the last few years and, while that has been incredibly therapeutic and I've loved being able to connect with readers over some of those issues, it's not something I'm convinced I can maintain. Life isn't like that for me anymore, either. It's changed a lot. And it's not just about me (who knew!) - as I watch my girl growing up it doesn't seem fair to share too many stories or photos of her online anymore. It's actually starting to feel downright inappropriate.
So the question of how much to share of myself and my family is a big one - and it's blocked me from writing here, or at least from publishing the many drafts that sit at the back of this blog, many, many times over the last months.
My only goal when I started blogging was to write. I just wanted to see if I was any good, and give it a shot. Now it's about more than that. The next step feels imminent.
'Writing Out Loud' was a title filled with meaning for me when I began: it was about living out loud and learning to be myself. It feels now like it was the story of me finding my feet and getting over some bad times - and that story has, I hope, ended. The last few posts feel, to me, like they're wrapping up the story. The upcoming birth of this baby feels like it's wrapping up this story, too. My own happily ever after before moving on.
I've considered giving up blogging altogether many times of late. Sometimes all these issues seem too overwhelming to overcome. I ask myself if it's really worth it. But then, I always come back, I always want more. I write as my job now - a dream I barely let myself believe could be possible when I started here - but sometimes I need to let go and just... Write. Share. Be myself. Explore different topics and ways of writing.
So, what do I want to write? I still shy away from having a niche. I love to write about travelling and adventures, but I also love exploring deeper issues. Over the last few months I've written features about camping, fun family holidays, depression, and innovative businesses. I love that variety, that light and shade of delving into life issues and then the next thing on my to-do list being compiling fabulous photos for a travel feature. I love one minute travelling somewhere with my family to sit down that night and write about, and the next interviewing an intriguing person about a topic that I know will help others. I love writing online just as much as writing for print publications.
None of that is particularly helpful in deciding where to go next in the online world. I don't want a dedicated travel blog or a dedicated anything blog, really. I don't want to limit myself from sharing personal things or funny things or crazy adventures - or whatever is happening in life. I just need to re-learn the boundaries. There are a lot of different sides to me and I don't particularly want to cut any of them off. I don't want to lose the readers of this blog either; all of you have been so kind over the past years.
A bit of space has taught me that I really do love blogging, that it's an absolutely legitimate form of writing and it suits me. The less I do the more I realise how much this blogging caper is where I'm meant to be.
But really, the only thing I'm certain of is to let it work itself out, not make drastic changes until I have made a clear decision. There are answers starting to form in my mind, but they need a little more time. Let's just see where this takes us.
I have no advice, but many similar thoughts. You're a great writer, you can write anything and everything, whether it's on a blog or in a mag or in a book or anywhere else. They don't have to be mutually exclusive.
ReplyDeleteNot unusually I am having many of the same thoughts I have loved following your journey lovely and that blogging brought your friendship into my life makes me feel very blessed. I am thrilled you now write for a job and will follow and cheer for you wherever and whatever you write. Neither of us are the same people we were when we started blogging and who knows what we will be in a few years time again? I'm really glad you shared your thoughts. Xxx
ReplyDeleteAs one who has enjoyed dipping in and out of your blogs, and as one a bit further on in life than you and many of your other followers are (having recently lost Peter, am aware of my own mortality more than previously)might I just say - leave things to develop. A mantra that has served me and the family over the years is "If in doubt, DON'T!!"
ReplyDeleteIf you're meant to blog, it will happen - and if you try to organise it too much, you will lose your spontaneity (that looks wrong, but you know what I mean!).
Just go with the flow gal! Best of luck! Just hope to see more from you - one day!
I blog now I have teenagers and 8 yr old. I don't discuss embarrassing things of theirs and i always ask them to read anything they are involved in...
ReplyDeletebut...
I think we as parents are allowed to have a voice. We live in such a cautious world, "Never say 'No", never discuss them online, no details, no nothing, no baby photos, no birth stories, no pro or against breast feeding, don't whinge, don't say you're tired, or sick of parenting, don't ever let on that it's less than perfect....
I write because I love to write. I only blog a couple times a week, I am not monetised, I just write when something needs to come out.. Lately blog writing seems to be saddled with a whole lot of ownership of "musts, shoulds, coulds, lists, sponsors, havetos, anacronyms and guilt".
Just write whats on your heart, when it's there. All the rest is just the world putting a guilt trip on your already heavy laden shoulders.
I think blogging should be about quality, not quantity. SO what if you don't write something every day, or even every week? Write when you have something to write about. Write about your passions, the vast array of them, don't pigeonhole yourself to be a theme-specific blog. Those of us who read you will read whatever you write, whenever you write it.
ReplyDeleteI understand the part about how much of your personal life to put out there. I'm new to blogging myself, but I have made the call that neither of my little girls will be shown online - who knows if this will change over time, but I'd rather start on the cautious side. Although I'm not a brilliant writer, I do find the creative outlet great. It's a nice grown-up activity in a day filled with toddlers and babies!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this post. The talk about your 'beginning' resonated with me. The talk about where you are now made me think about what may come.
ReplyDeleteI have always enjoyed reading your words, and will continue to do so. Give yourself all the time you need.
Completely understand what you mean. Once your girl (and your next little one too!) starts school, your mind will be changed once again... just a heads-up...
ReplyDeleteWhile I never want to be "defined" by any one thing, it appeared for a long time there (and perhaps still) I was identified as the "loss" blogger. Now that I have passed through that phase, I am floating a little. I write what I want to write, but it doesn't always seem to make cohesive sense and I've probably had a big readership drop-off because of it. Still, I can't afford the energy to upkeep anything that is too taxing (like constantly come up with posts on neonatal loss, which is draining in itself). So, like you, I have answers forming as to where I'm going but still not willing to set anything in concrete.
I probably never will! xxx
I think we are at a very similar cross roads, you and I. I feel the same way about my own blog and then a little bit different about one main thing. I feel like I've lost my way a fair bit with blogging and I wish I DID have a 'dedicated' sort of blog. That my blog was about more than just my opinions. I'm not sure what that could be, but I think somewhere else is where I'm heading. Someday.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, I can't stop writing my opinions... ha!
I hope you find the right way for you. x
I'm in the same position - I'm now writing from home and making a part-time income. The tension in my blog was always "Can she do it?" and now I know the answer is "Yes, she can". But what next? Like you, I'm waiting and seeing.
ReplyDeleteCongrats again on The Age article.
I gave up blogging for a whole seven months. At first I missed it terribly, there were withdrawals. Stopping the blogging voice in my head was the hardest. Then I didn't miss it. I didn't give it a second thought. I concentrated on writing elsewhere and enjoyed the freedom.
ReplyDeleteBut writing is a journey, (as much much as I hate that cliché) and I found myself again blogging. This time I am more at peace with it. If I feel like sharing deep thoughts I will, if I don't I don't. And for now I am enjoying it and my freelancing is taking off too.
There is no right or wrong answer, just do. Just be. But most of all do what you feel.