I took this blog private for about a week and only two people asked me about it.
I'm still considering either going back to private and issuing invites (really, it is kind of a hassle) or just quitting (which I doubt I'll do). But, I need time to decide what exactly it is I'm doing here (blogging).
I could list many things here about what I'm thinking . . . but it's best if I don't. A blog (like Facebook) is just another means to reach out to others, I reckon. I find it, some of the time, a weird relationship.
6 comments:
I only read from Google Reader, if you go private, I don't get the posts. I can't keep up with all the blogs I read if I don't go Google Reader.
In the past when I've quit for a while, or taken breaks, I've found that I blog for many reasons.
some of those are:
-to get things off my crazy mashed up mind
-to share ideas--to get them off my crazy mashed up mind
-to have that no so alone feeling, Hey, we all love comments!
It's funny though, I get the most comments when I'm in some kind of turmoil. When I write a well thought out, prayerful post, I get only a few comments. You are right, it's a funny relationship with some. If I don't leave comments on some's blogs, they quit leaving comments on mine. I just don't have the time. One person--her and I have been talking about calling eachother for ages, she has tried a few times, but I haven't, I hate talking on the phone....and well, she, I think quit reading and commenting on my blog because of it. OR she's just busy, like me.
Like all of us. It's hard to say, it's hard sometimes to take it to the next level. I have the numbers of 2 lovely ladies who have babies with cleft lip/palate problems and I still have not called them. I DO want to, it's just time and well...nervousness to take it to the next level. Will they hate my voice? Will they hear my loud crazy kiddos in the background and think "she's nothing like her blog"
This just goes to show that we all need eachother. We need that interaction.
I know MN Mom has like a million readers, but I find it funny when she comments and when she doesn't.
On my blog and on other's- I always wonder why she picks the posts she picks to comment on. I love hearing from her, I just find it interesting. I catch myself wondering. AND for a long time, I hoped every day she'd comment on mine...now, well, if she does, she does, if she doesn't she doesn't , who cares? I'd still post the same things no matter who comments.
When I start worrying about comments and people following me, it takes the fun out of it.
I only added "followers" to my blog sidebar to make it convenient for people to add themselves. I never "follow" I just add them to Google Reader, which is the same thing I think.
The numbers are inaccurate anyway, I think half of those "followers" have gone and moved away!! Hardly hear from any of them!!
And the google Reader numbers are completely different.
For me, it boils down to, I post for me mostly. (I'm so selfish)
The others (other people) part of blogging is a bonus!! It's been a treasure for me, I've met some incredible women, including you!!
Here's the thing. We ALL worry about comments because comments are a way of connecting and it feels GOOD to connect. And yet...and yet...there are a hundred different ways to connect with people and often, inexplicably, it's not the people who are actually IN our lives that we're looking to connect with.
You know what I mean?
The other day I was going through my blog's archives with the kids and we were looking at all the Wordless Wednesday pictures. I told my husband, "I'm so happy that I blog! The comments don't matter--it's the family archive that's important." He kind of smirked at me and went about his business...and sure enough, a day or two later I had a two-comment post and felt those same-old, same-old insecurities come back.
A blog is public. For that reason, we feel--at least I do--that lots of people should comment because lots of people (potentially) can read it.
And yet...and yet...people are busy and people are shy and people are maybe not reading that day. Is that okay? It HAS to be, doesn't it? I've talked about this problem--this "high expectation" problem--with lots & lots of bloggers, bloggers with a readership in the 1000's and bloggers with a readership of, well, considerably less than that...and the response is always the same. In the end, the comments don't fill you up. Only God can do that.
Connections are still made, Sarah, and we never know who we may touch. NEVER.
And I still have my beautiful little cross-stitched flower and I still love it and I still think of (and pray for) a faraway mom in Oahu when I see it.
Enough said? Goodness, I hope so. :)
In the end, if I'm behaving better, why on earth not blog? :)
Margaret, thanks! I need these kicks in the backside! :)
Uh, never in a million years, would I think MN Mom would comment on this post....hope she didn't take my comment the wrong way?!!
Totally cracking up, Jamie Jo!
I've been reading from Google reader and so if someone doesn't write I just figure they have something better to do. :-) I never knew you went private. Count me as one who would miss you because you are like a breath of fresh Hawaiian air, my dear. ;-) you are most unique and one of the few bloggers I sincerely hope to meet in real life.
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