I've been blogging over a year, and I have to admit, I look at some people's blogs and think, "Wow. They have sooo many followers. WTH?" But at the same time, I read others' blogs that I used to love, and I AM SICK OF SEEING GIVEAWAYS AND SPONSOR ADS. Where is the content?
Sometimes I have even wished that I had started blogging anonymously so I can say whatever the hell I want. I wanted my blog to be just that - whatever I wanted it to be. It's hard to do that when people know who you are. Everyday, I have considered deleting my "followers" gadget because I don't want to get to a point where I write just "for" the followers. It's like a seal of approval there on your page. People click on your page, and they are like, "Oh, she has 700 followers, she must be pretty good." or "She only has 35 followers? She must suck." It's easy to get lost in the mix.
I am realizing that I don't ever want to be a slave to my blog. I don't ever want to feel like it's something I HAVE to do. I want to only write when I feel like writing and I have something to share. Sometimes my posts are heartfelt novels ... sometimes they are bitchy rants ... sometimes they are something that I found to be funny. My blog is MY SPACE and to me, it's therapeutic - it's like freeing up some space in my brain. There are already SO MANY places in life where you are told exactly what to be, or at least are living under the expectations and consequences or rewards of others. Screw that.
But, the beauty is, reading someone's blog is a choice. There are some blogs that I used to love that I am just sick of now. Sometimes I go for weeks and I'm just not feelin' like writing anything. Sometimes I have so many ideas, I can write 5 posts in one day. Sometimes I feel like things suck, and I catch myself monitoring what I say because I don't want others to think I'm a pessimist bitch. But, this blog is mine. I want it to be just for me. And if people enjoy stopping by for whatever reason, then awesome.
To those of you who read, I am so glad you do. I am glad it brings a smile to your face, or makes you think. I have so many people tell me that they can hear me saying the words aloud as they read them, or that it makes them feel proud to be a real southern girl - not pearls and monograms and sororities and sweet tea and all the shit that non-southern people think a southern girl is. Those, to me, are the biggest compliments of all.
So, to other bloggers, and readers alike, what do you think? Do you feel like blogs get too swamped with trying to "make it"? Yuck.
4 comments:
I LOVE IT! Go GIRL! Very well said! I love my rants every once in a while! but notice I always try to keep it fun and correct due to the very few followers that I have! But forget it! Its My Blog, My space, and very therapeutic for me.. whether its fashion, poems, recipes, my rants, pics... Its my space! and yes I must agree I have thought about deleting my Follower button too! It feels like competitions with other bloggers..lol... but its okay Im enjoying myself! Thanks for sharing this.. and I am glad I stumbled on your cute blog... I am now a follower
Jackie ;))
great post! i agree with you--don't be a slave to your blog. write what you like. some of my fav blogs have less than 50 followers:)
Hey! Stumbled across your blog through Amber's. Absolutely love it. You crack me up and leave me wondering how/why we never got to know each other in school...
Blogging is suppose to be enjoyable, so do what makes you happy. I understand sensoring yourself cuz you have ppl that know you read your blog! It's a tricky fine line.
I know exactly what you mean about sponsors and giveaways un fortunately it ruins there blogs. Some people it doesnt (I think rockstar diaries is a good example of a blogger who does advertising well). I font mind ppl montenizing their blogs but sOmetimes it just gets out of control!
Most of my blog reads are people who don't have a billion followers... It's fun to connect with other people rather getting lost in a fangirl crowd!
Excellent post :)
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