Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Blogging Conundrum

So, obviously, I have not written a blog post, a REAL blog post in quite some time.  I have, actually, done this quite deliberately and quite purposefully.  Truth be told, I have learned a few things along the way the last six to seven months or so, and it has affected my desire to post.

1.  I am not sure what of myself I actually want to be out in cyber space so publicly.  With all of the social media that's out there right now, life, it seems, for most people is lived pretty open and public.  However, if you put something out there, it's likened to making an announcement in a crowded room....people can overhear and are free to comment.  I am still in the midst of an internal debate with myself about what I actually want out as public knowledge. There are people who read my blog (not any of my 'subscribers') that I honestly don't want reading my blog.  Ultimately, what I want is real relationships with real people, not people reading about me and believing that this is actually the same as being in my life.

2.  I am still not sure what, exactly, my blog is about.  Sometimes I post stuff about myself personally.  I have posted links to articles that others have written, or even written blogs myself in response to one thing or another going on out in the world that I felt I had something to say about.  This lack of focus of my blog has been the major reason why I have blogged in fits rather than consistently.

3.  Sometimes, saying the same thing over and over gets redundant.  Life is in constant change and my life is no different.  However, some of the major themes of my last few years of blogging have not changed much.  Even I get tired of  writing about the same things.  If my blog were more of a "day-to-day" in the life of Erin, it might be a different story.  Then, I would post about the mundane things that change, rather than the "big ticket" items. 

4.  Sometimes, no a LOT of times, I am really intimidated by the blogs of people that I subscribe to. Some of those blogs are even listed here should you chose to click on them.  I am not a missionary to a third-world country.  I'm not raising a huge family and writing all about the cool crafts or lessons I am teaching my kids.  I am not ministering to inner-city kids every week.  I am not...well, you get the picture. 

Sometimes when I open my blog and I start reading through my blog roll, or when I click on a blog that I have "favorited" on my computer I start to wonder, "What the heck am I doing that I would even write about?"  Speaking as someone who has struggled most of her life off and on with significance, coming face-to-face with all that others are doing is well, frankly, discouraging.  The last year or so has been a real journey for me in coming to terms with being OK with just being ME...with no other adjective to add on.  There are many days when I just know that coming to my blog to post is going to be a battle of comparison.   For this reason, should I continue to post, I might drop the blog list on the side.  We'll see.

There you have it, cyberspace and my 11 readers.  If you have any thoughts or feedback, I'd love to hear. 
Blessings,
Erin

3 comments:

  1. I have some of the same problems with regard to 1) consistent focus/topic and 2) only blogging about big events or themes, and not about day to day life, and 3) feeling less good at blogging (and life) than some of the other people out there.

    I decided that I keep blogging because the purpose of my blog is to have a place to update friends/family who care to know (even though it also updates people I've never met who stumble across the blog on other people's links), and because it is nice to be able to go back and review the things that have "mattered" to me across the years.

    Whatever you decide to do, know that I enjoy reading your blog (especially now that the words are orange instead of yellow which is easier for my old grad student eyes to read) because we just don't get to connect that often and I miss you. And I want to be "beside" you - even from before as you and I each traverse this journey the Lord has for us. Love you sister!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the feedback, Tiff....though I am not sure why it was yellow and now it's orange as I haven't changed anything in regards to my settings...maybe your computer??

    Anyway, I will take what you have said into consideration, for sure! Bless YOU sister.
    Erin

    ReplyDelete
  3. Erin,
    Sadly, we don't keep in touch via email, snail mail or phone, while I know we both desire to. Life is crazy busy for me and we are worlds apart. BUT, I do love that I can stop by your blog and read about a Real, down to earth, loving and genuine woman, cousin, friend and Sister in the Lord.

    I for one, think your blog is great. I love reading what you write. You cause me to stop and think. I also like to reread some things over again, but said in a different way. It helps me chew it some more and get to know you in a new way.

    I struggle with my blog lots of times, as I really think what I have to say is quite boring to the rest of the world. But, my family and friends who do read it, enjoy it still.

    I say, keep it up. Stay genuine and just be cautious what you do blog about. Make sure you are doing to please the Lord and not man.
    I love you cousin!

    ReplyDelete