Enough about me, let's talk about me (and my blog)
Thursday, August 01, 2013As you've probably noticed, the frequency of my posts has dropped off over the past couple of months. I used to post a few times a week. Now, once weekly is a stretch.
There are a lot of reasons for this. It's summer, it's nice out, and I have things to do and places to be that don't involve sitting in front of a computer. I'm busy. I started a new job, and on top of learning the ropes of a new workplace, I'm still feeling it out a bit, getting comfortable there, and being a little more cautious about what I share online.
More than that, I can't decide exactly what I want this space to be about, what I want to share here. I don't have a niche. I will never be a style blogger or a food blogger. I don't want to be a mom blogger (no offence, mom bloggers, you ladies are wonderful). I don't have a cause, or a real passion, or a skill. I have hobbies: running, cooking, outdoorsy stuff. But they're just that - hobbies. I'm not an expert. As much as I love going out and trotting a few miles, I have no marathons under my belt or running expertise to share.
And I'm aware that I'm very much not anonymous, which brings a whole new slew of concerns, from pervs to employers to relatives. I feel like I have to hold a lot back - more than I would like to - and that's frustrating. There are stories I would love to tell, and not being able to do it (or talking myself out of it) is hard.
So what's next?
Part of me wants to spend more time on blogging, to do it "right". Actually get a design and make this A THING. But then I'm hung up on where to do it. Stay at this address or start up again somewhere fresh? Abandon ship altogether? Take a break? I don't know. I love writing, when I actually make the time to write, which is why I started this blog in the first place. The idea of quitting blogging altogether makes me sad. But it was more fun when I could just, like, go to town and actually share what I was thinking and feeling, whether or not that was a smart thing to do. It was absolutely more enjoyable and more authentic.
I will definitely be giving some thought to what I want this space to become, and whether *this* space is where I'll stay.
So what's next?
Part of me wants to spend more time on blogging, to do it "right". Actually get a design and make this A THING. But then I'm hung up on where to do it. Stay at this address or start up again somewhere fresh? Abandon ship altogether? Take a break? I don't know. I love writing, when I actually make the time to write, which is why I started this blog in the first place. The idea of quitting blogging altogether makes me sad. But it was more fun when I could just, like, go to town and actually share what I was thinking and feeling, whether or not that was a smart thing to do. It was absolutely more enjoyable and more authentic.
I will definitely be giving some thought to what I want this space to become, and whether *this* space is where I'll stay.
17 comments
It's tough, for sure. You know that I gave mine up months ago and I'm still unsure if it was a permanent leave or a temporary hiatus. You're an entertaining writer, no matter the topic of the day. Good luck finding the balance you're looking for!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I know you know what I'm talking about :)
DeleteI getcha, Amy! My blog has been stopped, started, deleted, and brought back a few times. It's mainly where I post my playlists for my radio show now.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how I came about your blog a few years ago, through Ben Boudreau's. At the time I was searching out for a link to home because there seemed to be a league of cool east coast bloggers out there. When I found your blog, I was like "Oh cool, she's from NB too! She's hilarious!" The cool and interesting side of social media allows you to "connect" with people who you otherwise may have never encountered, but are glad you did! I can understand how that is a two-sided coin though, because really, how much of ourselves do we want to put out there?
I wish you luck in figuring out the next step! I will say I've really enjoyed your blog thus far. You're a cool gal! :)
Thanks lady! It's a tricky balance for sure. And now I'm sad all over again that NOR no longer exists.
DeleteI'm feeling the same way right now! Things were definitely different before all kinds of people I know "in real life" read my blog. I felt freer and could write about anything without wondering what people would think. Now the question is -- what do we do about it?
ReplyDeleteI don't mind my friends reading it - not sure how I feel about coworkers and family. I definitely feel torn!
DeleteI know exactly how you feel and I'm kind of going through the same thing. I don't really have a "niche", I like to write about various topics that cross my mind. I don't have talents (just hobbies) and I'm not really an expert on anything. Ugh I just dont know....lol
ReplyDeleteLots of bloggers don't have a niche, which is cool...but they all have a unique style and I'm not even sure I have that! I guess "be yourself" applies on the Internet as in real life :)
DeleteI, too, am feeling the exact same way. There are so many stories I want to tell but I can't because I will surely offend people. It's times like this that I wish I could just write without consequence...and when I miss LJ!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I miss the days when LJ was a thing! It used to take up the majority of my day, haha
DeleteAmy,
ReplyDeleteThis Blog is TOTALLY doing it right. It's totally A THING. This is one of the nicest Blogs I've ever visited and it's because you aren't JUST a food, fashion or Mommy writer. You've shown in so many ways that you can be a hardworking, active, "hip" mother and wife without putting your own needs aside. You've inspired me to run, be better organized, be more creative in the kitchen AND... You've really helped with the baby fever situation, in painting such a pretty picture of how sweet it is to raise a little one. I don't know what happens behind the Blog, but what you share with us is inspiring, funny and very relatable - which keeps me coming back.
I think it's normal to reach a point where you question, "to share or not to share", but if you are doing what makes you happy without making yourself look like a psycho, I say keep it up, even if it's only now and then!
:)
Thanks so much for your kind words! :) I am so flattered that someone considers me a hip mom...I am so going to rub this comment in Eli's face when he gets big and starts calling me lame!
DeleteI couldn't have said it better Rachel!
DeleteAmy...I feel that your posts are the conversations that we'd have if I lived closer! (even if they are sometimes censored ;)
I hear you! I get annoyed when "real life people" friend request me on Instagram. It's almost like I can't really be myself, if that makes sense? I have to sensor it so I make sure I'm not oversharing or I'm not putting up something that might get the snarky girls I know from gossiping. Sidenote: my mother in law requested me on Instagram. I am completely ignoring it/pretending I didn't see it/don't know how to work it. It has gone too far. Parents ruined Facebook (ha! I sound like a 14 year old) & I am not letting them into my Instagram feed. Seriously, so many days I want to post a Jay-Z lyric with an F-bomb in it but I have to refrain myself because my mother, grandmother, MIL, etc are my friends on there. You get the picture. I swear, by reading what I just wrote, you would not know I'm a 30 year old mother to an almost 2 year old. LOL.
ReplyDeleteAnyway - I really enjoy your writing style & you are very relateable, I have a little girl the same age as your son. Just keep doing what you're doing! I enjoy hearing what other people my age (with kids the same age) are up to! :)
Yes exactly! I have said all along the day my parents get Facebook is the day I quit Facebook - maybe that's the incentive I need to quit. My Twitter is private for that very reason. Sometimes I just want to say things that don't necessarily mean anything and I don't need people reading into it and trying to decipher any code messages. And I feel the exact same way as you...as in, how is this even an issue for us as adults? But it is!
DeleteI've struggled with this the past couple of years too - I think it's just the "age of the blog" mellowing out. I definitely had the same feelings of "but what do I really KNOW about enough to share" but what put the nail in the coffin for me was the anti-anonymity factor. Especially once I realized how much more exposed I was marrying someone who had a good amount of online fame. It kind of made me put up another wall to protect ourselves, and now that we're having a daughter, to protect her. It doesn't help I had my identity stolen online a few years ago! Nowadays I write in a private journal, because I really enjoy writing without having to filter what I'm saying.
ReplyDeleteI have one of those Q&A A Day five-year journals. I love it because there's a prompt every single day, so I never have to make an effort to come up with something to write about. I definitely struggle with how much I should share about Eli. On one hand, it's hard not to go into way too much detail, but I want to protect him at the same time. Tricky balance for sure. Some people seem to have it figured out but I'm still trying to strike that balance.
Delete