Blogs: Friend or Foe? Blogging is popular these days. For most, it’s a fun type of virtual scrapbook. A way to record how the children are growing and family activities. For a few it turns into a full time business!
I love to read blogs and find it brings out the best and worst in myself. On the positive end it motivates me to try new things and opens up possibilities I never thought of. On the negative end, blog reading turns me into a self-critical; consumer driven; time wasting; ungrateful mess.
I see all their beautiful decorating, their amazing thrift store finds, and children activities and look around and feel pretty dissatisfied with my life. It’s almost as bad as the HGTV syndrome–where a crew completes an entire makeover in 24 hours and I think my husband and I should be able to do the same. Only to get it half torn up in the same amount of time to emerge dusty and tired, irritated with each other, and not sure what to do next.
As a blogger the same good and evil is present. I love looking back over the pictures of my children and trying new things. But lately I’ve spent too much time comparing my blog to others–the amazing ones I like to read–like The Nester or Centsational Girl. And to be honest the comparison has put me into a funk. These ladies are amazing! And my blog just isn’t in their league right now. (I know because I get about 100 spam comments per post and 3 or 4 real ones, lol.)
When I look at my blogroll list, there’s not a frugal living one on the list, unless it has to do with decorating. Part of the reason why, is I’m afraid of the competition. I just don’t have the self-confidence to face pure competition and smile. I’ve also noticed that my frugal blogging peers are often funnels for posting good deals. Sometimes it’s better not to know about something that’s on sale, so I won’t be tempted to buy something I don’t need–no matter how good a good deal it is.
To try to boost my blog into the same level as the ones I admire, I’ve been studying photography skills; new plugins; blog layouts; ways to go viral on pinterest etc. And it’s taking a lot of time. I bought a blog planner and spent January planning out my year of posts. I stopped enjoying blogging. I avoided it because I hated it, only to feel guilty about avoiding it in return. I wish I had a dollar for every time I thought about quitting altogether and just enjoy being a mother. Then I’d have enough money to retire, lol.
But I know myself. As much as I love being a mother and a good clean on my house, I love the social aspects of blogging and the self expression. Our family has grown used to the income from selling ebooks and the menu plan. Then, there’s the emails I get from women who say the books and menus have really helped them. I get one of those notes and feel a renewed interest in the business part of things. If I could just put my blinders on and not concern myself with page views; what my reader’s think or comparing myself to other bloggers and just enjoy. Then I’d have the perfect blend.
What I’m trying to say, is I have a new determination to live in the REAL. To spend time enjoying my family; to appreciate the talents of others without criticizing myself; to blog less often and when I do, to stay true to myself. To show more appreciation to my advertisers without worrying that I might annoy my readers. And to be okay with my amateur picture taking skills and even cell phone photos if that means more family time. I vow to conquer my fear of taking new steps in business. To not let the voice of the rare mean person overshadow the encouraging words of the majority.
You might not notice a difference in my blog at all, but I will. 🙂
