Today is my blogs anniversary. I’ve been writing here for one year. So, it seems only fitting that I share with you what’s been going on inside my head regarding it all.
The blog world is tricky, because when I started it, it was simply for me to create the habit of writing on a regular basis. I had no idea that people outside my circle would ever read it. But you came, and then you, and then you…and then I realized that there might be a few people actually getting something out of my thoughts. Suddenly, I became even more inspired and challenged. It drew me in to write more and more, to the point where if a day went without writing I didn’t feel whole.
But at times over the last year, I’ve seen myself getting caught up in the ‘blog world’ of it all. What with all the self promotion, number of followers, contests, reviews and such. And while I don’t think those things are wrong, it just started to make me feel a bit empty. As if I was missing the whole purpose of why I started my blog in the first place.
The blog can be so ego fulfilling and even at times, unfulfilling (such as when a follower leaves). It’s never been my desire to use my writing to feed my ego, but in being human….and well let’s be honest, in being me (the attention & spotlight seeker), I find that at times I struggle with it.
In the midst of all this inner turmoil, I found myself reading the following by Rebecca in Girls Gone Child:
‘If we want to “write for ourselves” we should do that… in a diary. But as long as we’re hitting the publish button we are writing for other people to read and even respond. We must remember that the blogosphere is not a collection of monologues but dialogues. That every time we go public with an idea or story we are inviting friends and also strangers to participate, respond, feel something.’
Reading this really struck something inside me. Because I knew it was completely and utterly true for me. This was exactly what I needed to read, because this was in essence, the reason I have the passion to write. And it’s the reason I have always had the desire to publish my writing. For a week I kept going back to her blog, reading and re-reading that quote. I tossed it back and forth in the waves of my thoughts, I wrote it in my journal. And then it hit me. That responsibility doesn’t begin when I have a published book, it happens when I hit publish. Right here, right now, on this very blog.
Writing is incredibly special. In fact, to me, it’s sacred. It’s my way of thinking, of feeling, of healing…of breathing. I always told Jimmy, I have never cared if I made a penny for my thoughts on paper. All I have ever wanted is to make a difference.
While contests, reviews, and followers are fun, (and will at times still be a part of this blog)…they pale in comparison to the reason I write.
I want to create smiles and laughter on a day you didn’t think it was possible. When you’re hurting, I want to create tears of healing, hope and assurance. I want to inspire…be it in life, in parenting, in marriage, in fashion (call me shallow)…
All these things I want to give, so as to prove we are not alone in this. To show that there is at least one person out there sharing a piece of your story. And that there is one person willing to be honest, willing to open up, and willing bare it all.
That person is me. Anxiety, green socks, and all.
My writing is my heart and my soul.
I am My Writing.
Welcome to my blog.
Welcome to me.
© 2009 “Le Musings of Moi”
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i think a lot of people will relate to this. congrats on the success of your blog, you deserve it!
I can totally relate to this. For this reason, a few months ago I started my own little private blog. Just for me and my thoughts… not for anyone to approve of or comment on or make me feel good about. But i love all of those things too, hence Lacey in Love.
I love your blog & I’ll be here reading no matter what you publish!
Happy Birthday/Anniversary(I hate the word blogiversary and thank you for not using it!)
I love this.
And I love getting to know YOU!
Happy Anniversary! To your blog and to my marriage! 😉
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary- I will be coming upon mine and so this really rings true for me too! Good thoughts as always!!!
wonderful post!
Happy Anniversary! I just had my 200th post and was happy about that. (200th post giveaway on my blog)
I love that I have found your blog and I love how witty you are (and beautiful). You have such fun ideas.
Thanks for making my days more interesting!
Wow, well written. Congrats on ONE YEAR!
I can totally relate to so much of what you said. Good job
Great post. Congrats on your blog’s one year anniversary.
Great post Summer!
First time here. Nice to get some real thoughts for the first time.
I’ve always enjoyed your blog. It has a good balance and your voice shines through.
Happy Anniversary. Your blog for me is my relatable source of entertainment. Its like I get to be outside looking into a lot of the same events that happen in my own life. And I get to laugh, cry and breath a sigh of relief that it’s not just me! Glad to have “found” you!
Happy Day!!!
Keep on Keepin’ On!!!
-Summer (the other fabulous one…hehe)
Congratulations! Your blog is awesome and props to you for keeping at it! I hope it’s paying off. =)
Great post! So glad I founf your blog. Happy one year!
Oh Summer, you really spoke to me in the post. I loved it.
I really liked this post, missy miss. I started my blog, not even for myself, but to keep in touch with multiple relatives. And sometimes I still get caught up in the “blogginess” of it all, having met so many wonderful people who are NOT relatives and yet still care about what I write. Sometimes it’s overwhelming, and sometimes I feel like turning the whole thing off for good, and then I read something like this and it reminds me where my head should be.
Happy anniversary, Summer! I HEART YOUR BLOG!
I know I’m one of those people who have just recently come to your blog, I’m not someone who you originally stared writing for but I just wanted to let you know how much I LOVE reading your writing – you are an amazing writer and I hope you don’t quit!! You are funny, witty and so creative!
Happy Birthday/Anniversary to your blog!!
This blog totally hit home for me. I’ve been considering deleting my blog. For a number of reasons. One being that I don’t feel like my writing gets… appreciation? on here. I feel like people only comment if I comment to them. It’s become more of a game then someone appreciating my writing. This kind of put things into light for me though. Thanks for posting it. And happy blogoversary!
I too, have gotten wrapped up in the world of the “Blog”. But at the same time, I also keep my own personal journal. It’s a way for me to keep my own thoughts seperate from the blog, that are just for me. I also try to set time apart from both to just write, and sometimes it’s nice to push them all into one.
I think you have a wonderful blog, and today your words were very, very wise. Well, not just today, but you know what I mean…
Happy Anniversary.
What a great post summer. I have to admit that I get sad when I see other blogs with large groups of followers (that just keep growing!) and wonder if what I am writing about even matters. I guess I have to keep in mind that as long as I touch at least one person or write something they can relate to or laugh about, I am doing what I set out to do.
Thanks for being a very wise friend (in blogland and out).
Happy One Year Old!! You’ve got a great blog, and your writing is wonderful.
I can so relate to this post because I too started mine mostly just to start the writing habit again. It’s become so much more than that, and so quickly, and i don’t know that I like that…
Standing O.
So well written and so true for many of us. I’ve been thinking a lot about this too and sometimes look back at old posts to make sure I’m still the same person. I don’t want the followers and giveaways and outside opinions to change my writing.
You are lovely.
Whew – for a minute there I thought you were gonig to say “been fun – au revoir!”. Now get back to that writing 😉
Well Happy Blogaversary to you! I love your writing and I’m so glad I’ve met you through this bloggingn experience! Keep on doing what you do!
And thank you for your sweet comments along the way!
btw…I am still with Blogger!
I totally relate. Congratulations on your one year anniversary. I have been thinking about this stuff too and that quote was perfect. I write because I want to but sometimes, when I don’t get a lot of comments, I get bummed. Then I have to rethink why I am doing this. And if I reach even one person and make them laugh or think, then its one more than I would have reached…sitting on my butt watching TV. Right?
I love your blog!!! I’m glad you love it too!!!
Happy anniversary! I’m happy to be included in those that get to read your thoughts.
Happy Anniversary on your blog and why you write your blog is very inspiring.
Happy Anniversary! That is an accomplishment…truly. You have to love this to keep up with it and put it all out there like you do. And I know what you mean about sometimes getting caught up in the “shallow” parts of blogging … it can be easy to get sucked into that and it can be a bit draining. I keep trying to find a good balance. I find I do my “best” stuff when I just write from my heart and write about what I want … not what I think people might want to hear. I think people respond to authenticity in a blog more than anything .. well, that and good writing…and you have that in spades!
Happy Blogiversary!
keep ’em coming…love your writing!
Happy blogiversary! I hear your thoughts and heart loud and clear and it is beautiful = ) .
I am very encouraged by your thoughts on this. I am new to this blog land and I am trying to reconcile what I want mine to be. Thanks for sharing!
love it! happy anniversary!
Well written! And your posts do bring a smile to my face! And I just discovered your blog yesterday. And I’ll be back, lots and lots! 🙂
I read that from Rebecca, as well. I also love her blog a lot.
I love to write, it’s my passion, and I love to connect with other moms through blogging.
And congrats on your blog success. 🙂
Happy blogiversary!
Writing is very therapeutic for me! I often forget that others read what I write…gets me in trouble…
Wow. I just discovered your blog, and I’m in love. I SO agree with everything you said. I actually just started my own blog, and one of my biggest things was that I always want to inspire and to create value for people (not just “here’s what I did this weekend). I had been wondering when I could start getting more personal, and just decided to go for it! Posting my first *very personal* post tomorrow 🙂
http://www.20somethingcupcakes.com
So beautifully put. Glad I found you. 🙂