Aaaahhhhh...
Dinner out as a couple using a gift card ...
Time relaxing together on the couch at Border's while reading magazines . . .
Coming home to a quiet house with all three kids asleep . . .
What a nice evening!
Bumped into one of my good FLYfriends at Border's who complimented me on my writing here. She has an incredible memory and started commenting on some of the things I've written, things I hardly remember anymore. It blows me away that anyone actually reads this and remembers things that happen in my life, especially since my memory is so bad I usually DON'T! But what blows me away even more is the fact that someone (even if it's just this one friend) reads my blog and thinks that my writing is good. Trust me, I'm not fishing for compliments here.
I read some blogs that virtually every post feels like a potential essay to be published in a magazine (like Anjali's and Lauren's) or some that have such huge followings (like Rocks in my Dryer or The Reign of Ellen) and I think my blog just doesn't compare. And there are some days where that makes me feel inferior, and I question why I'm doing this in the first place. But for me, it always comes back to the fact that while I love having people read (and comment - hint, hint!) my blog, that's not why I write it.
I write so I have an outlet.
I write so I have a record of my life and my kids' lives.
I write so I can connect with other moms out there going through similar experiences.
I write so other mom's know that I'm NOT a supermom.
I write so I can work through my thoughts and feelings that often stay jumbled up in my head.
I write so someone else out there in the blogasphere might say to themselves, "YES! That's exactly what I was feeling too. Now I know I'm not the only one!"
And I write so I can remember what I did last week (I'm serious - my memory sucks!).
I think I just need to remind myself of that next time I look at my sitemeter and see that not that many people stopped by, or see that only a few people commented, or read other blog entries that blow me away with their style and polish. That's not me - definitely NOT polished - and definitely not doing this for other people.
But what about you? If you are reading this and have your own blog, why do you do it? And whether you blog or not, what do you hope to see when you go to other blogs?
And if you DO have a blog, could you make a mention on it to stop by and respond to my question here? I would love to see what other people think about this.
18 comments:
I stop by your blog practically everyday (when I update mine), but I only comment when I feel like I have something to say.
Why did I decide to start a blog? I had already been reading other blogs,and thought it was neat, but when we restarted out adoption stuff I decided to use it as an emotional outlet. I had no idea that I would find so many adoption blogs out there and that there were people just like me...WAITING!
Glad you had a nice 'date night'. I think finding a babysitter is REALLY difficult, and atleast your children were safe. That is whats most important, right?
writing or blogging is kind of like a habit, like biting your nails :-p
I blog because all of the other cool kids are doing it.
Seriously, though, this is the modern day diary for me. I do it because it is kinda fun, I've always wanted to write stuff and because when I put my mind to it and actually THINK about what I write (type) it comes out kinda cool.
It was supposed to be about me biatching about my crappy life. And then I realized that my life ain't so crappy. I have it pretty gosh-darn good. You know what they say, the grass is always greener...
As far as other people reading it, if they do, great. If they don't, that is fine, too. I don't belong to a blog roll and I don't really tell other people (family included) that I have one. Only Dino Boy's mom knows in my family. My other sisters may have an idea I do it but have never tried to find it.
Merry Christmas!
I decided to start blogging because I wanted to make money by writing. Two and a half years later, I've spent $300 on hosting and made $0.
My blog is because I can't keep a baby book to save my life, but I can take 10 minutes or less to jot a funny story for the boys.
And I read blogs of people I like to stay in touch with them without being pushy.
Thanks for the reads!
I write for both an outlet and now as a journal. I am so "memory challenged" these days.
I read Trace's entry and posted my response on my blog here:
http://mamaknj.blogspot.com/2006/12/question-papa-k-doesnt-get.html
Basically I blog cause I like to write, to document my life/my kid's life, and as an emotional outlet. I love when I have readers comment, but really I do it for me.
I like to blog cux I can share with others who are not living near by.....
Well, this is my first time visiting your blog, and I agree with your friend. I really like your writing, and I can relate.
I started blogging two years ago... but it's in German. So my friends here in America never got to read my stuff. And this is why I started my very new blog... in English. Plus I love to see what happens in other people's lives. And I hope to come here more often now. Please come and see me too.
Often your blog is the first one I read because it's so immediate, so artlessly real and honest.
I started blogging on a slow afternoon at work when my boss was out of the office, and more than two years later I'm still going. . . . I'm not totally sure why I do it. Probably to prove to myself that I am a sentient being. I didn't ever really expect a readership. I was shocked when I got my first comment!
Plus, it's free.
I don't stop in as often as I should. I mean, you have an awesome template, your kid's named Aaron, and you live in PA. Maybe we're twins. *wink*
But I saw you'd stopped in at West of Mars, or someone who was visiting you did, so I like to check in with my own visitors. You guys are important to me; you feed my creativity and my motivation and drive. I blog FOR my readers, not myself (that's why I do such a large amount of fiction on it. My characters are more interesting than I am!).
Here's to a great 2007 and more visits to each other's sites.
I blog to vent my feelings about a wide range of things. Being a stay/work at home mom does not give you much opportunity to express your opinions, unless it is to your two year old and they don't really care!
I read your blog when I can. I admire that you are sticking with it. You have a great deal to handle in your life, and the fact that you take a little time out each day to record it is amazing. Keep it going. You have me thinking about starting one.
The best thing I can say about your blog is that you've inspired me to start my own blog! I really am not sure yet exactly what I want to say with it, but since I always seem to have plenty to say, I guess it won't be a problem!
Thanks for the inspiration and keep up the great work! I love reading your blog and following your daily adventures!
I write my blog for me. And I LOVE reading about other moms, to realize I'm not the only one going wacky at times. I stopped looking at my site meeter a while ago. My gal pal, Laughing Sara, was worried about what to write, and if folks would like her stuff. I asked her if it really mattered.
I have learned a TREMENDOUS amount from connecting with others online. I think without blogging, I may have gone crazy last year. Well, maybe I AM crazy, just more manageably so now.
And I think you're one cool gal, ICL and IRL! ;)
I love your blog, Rachel. I know that I rarely comment but that's me. i lurk everywhere. i have my own blog but am not confident enough to let anyone else read it yet. I'm getting there.
i started a blog after i found rosie o'donnell's blog. i kept going because i wanted to write but was too scared to show anyone and thought that little blog bursts would be a good start to getting myself out there. as others have said, it is also a diary, and a memory aid.
I LOVE why you write and I am very happy that you do!
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