Been doing a lot of thinking lately....dangerous I know. Regardless, I have been doing it. Ever since that incident which resulted in me opting to remove one of my posts. Having done that, it has made me really reflect as to why it is I started blogging in the first place.
I started blogging as venue for me to talk about my life. About being a mom, a wife, a sister, an aunty and a RN. When I first started writing I spoke primarily of my life as a RN and issues that I was faced with. Then I started talking about me and my life and I realize that I couldn't separate any of those characters as they are what makes me, me.
I never wanted to offend anyone. That is not my style. I am not quick witted. I write from the heart. I am a passionate person. I write what I feel, to bad I didn't have the courage to speak my mind to those that I should have. I wrote instead. Maybe by writing it would give me the strength to either deal with the matter at hand or to just let it go. Regardless, writing in the blog was therapeutic for me.
I perused the Blog world. I read some of the most wonderfully written and creative blogs imaginable. I visited sites on a regular basis and made some really fine blog friends.
Then things started to change. Was it because of my little incident, I am not sure. Maybe a bit. But there is more to it. I was finding it becoming very competitive. A silly thought I know. I have always been a competitive person. But I am not wanting my blog to be competitive, and yet I am feeling as that is what is happening. Not my site...oh no....my blog is nothing to write home about. But it is me. I compare my blog to others and I think I am not doing a good enough job. I am not creative. I have difficulties figuring things out on the computer side of things and hence limits what I am able to post. That bothers me. And I feel I have lost my perspective on why I blog in the first place.
So I have opted to take a time out. To evaluate myself again to determine if this is even an arena for me to be using.
Thank you to those that have read my blog on a regular basis, you know who you are. Take care all. Who knows maybe our paths shall cross again. Cheers!
33 comments:
I obviously missed something...teach me from not having time to visit blogs in the last couple of days!! Oh dear, I'm so sorry you feel you have to take time out...always remember thatt your blog is just that..YOUR blog! It doesn't matter what others think, it's a way to express yourself and your opinions...please don't let anyone run you off!!! Hopefully your time out will be a short one! You take care of yourself, I don't like to see anyone hurting. xox
I agree with PEA. Your blog is YOUR BLOG, and can and should be anything you want it to be. The beauty of this arena is that you aren't obligated to read ANYTHING. If you don't like what someone has to say, move on. There's no need to be ugly or hateful or even snarky -- there's plenty of room for everyone here.
Mary Anne, I hope you'll reconsider, or at least not make your break a permanent one. You seem to be a very darling person, and I have truly enjoyed your posts, especially the ones with pics of the area in which you live. :)
Take care, nice lady. Don't let anyone run you off. YOU matter!
Ditto....but I know what you mean too...but do remember....it is your blog and you blog for your reasons and yours only.
I hope you come back soon as I enjoy you sharing your part of the world with us.
Don't you dare leave us!!! I love your blog and what you say here. As you know, I've doubted mine a few times and was encouraged by those who reminded me that it was for ME.. for me to write what I wanted, and if someone else didn't like it then they could hit the next blog button.
I always enjoy stopping here for a visit. I have no idea what post you are referring to, I guess I missed that one. I have never been offended by anything you have posted. In fact, what you post gives me more insight to the life's of others and I love reading about your life! Hope you don't stay away long! Hugs, my friend!
I tell you what, I deleted my blog at one time and regretted it. It may be impossible to write a blog with your heart and not offend someone. But, the point of blogging for some is to put out to others how you feel about things. I personally don't think my blog is as good as others, but I won't change it because it's about ME. I enjoy coming over to your blog. Please think about it :)
You must do as you see best, of course, and not be pushed -- either way -- by people telling you to go... or to stay.
But -- I read somewhere that there's 70 million bloggers on line. If it's just 70 million of us standing on our soapboxes and shouting "look at me!" -- if that's all there is, I'd understand why you'd be looking for the exit.
But I think it's a little more than that. I think you can get more from it -- and give more to it -- than that. I wish you the best as you work through this.
Good luck.
Oh, Mary Anne, just when I found you....please come back when you are feeling up to it.
I found your blog via Skittles.
I don't know what to write. I am not creative in the writing field, I can be somewhat boring. I started blogging to keep in touch with my children. I have 3 but only one keeps tabs on me. I threatened to stop because of this but the one that reads it threw such a fit I kept on blogging. Then my uncle found me followed by my cousin, I kept on blogging.
I know what you mean by competition, finding other blogs that are far more superior (or so you think). I considered a creative writing course but then I realized something. If my one child, cousin, uncles, and the friends I have found blogging like it enough to keep reading and commenting then I will keep on blogging until I stop traveling.
Keep blogging it is obvious you are doing something right. By the way I like your blog and your photos and I think I will check out your hubby.... but only by blogging. :-)
What constitutes "creativity" will differ from person to person so don't give that aspect about blogging a second though! You said it yourself, that this is just you, being yourself, and that is all that matters.
We all get days when our blogging ideas are quite prolific and then, the next day, perhaps nothing at all comes to mind as something that we can think of to comment about. That's life, isn't it. Good days, bad days, sometimes in between days too.
Do what you are comfortable with is ultimately what will bring you the satisfaction and peace and also, show your own special brand of creativity.
oh don't leave us... this is therapeutic for all of us.. take a break if you need to but please don't give up on us.. you have a great blog - and anyway it's yours not ours.. you can do what you want! Come see me on my blog anytime..I'll try to always have something nice to say. take care!!
:)
Life is short. Do what brings you pleasure and causes no harm. peace.
Hi.
You don't know me. I'm a blog friend of Skittles.
My advice is if you feel you need a break, just step away for a couple of days. Don't delete anything.
Your blog is your space. To say whatever you want. It's your therapy, and your connection to like souls.
Yes, we've all thought about deleting either a post or the whole thing before. You're not alone.
And sometimes when some (expletive deleted) leaves a nasty or rude comment, it's only natural to get upset.
So, again, my advice is to just step away. My guess is you'll feel the tug of the blogosphere and the friends you've met here. They love you and want to keep you & your blog a part of their lives.
May you find peace.
Keep on blogging,
Morgen
I also came via Skittles.
Sometimes stepping back for a moment will lead you to focus on what you really have to say. It often times leads you to why you said it and what you want to do about it. Kind of like therapy, and sometimes, people will come along and give you a tip worth looking into.
I never had the opportunity to read the deleted post which has caused you such descent but remember one thing. It opened a door for you to fix what needs fixing, whether that's with you learning a new way to handle your problem or, with the person who felt betrayed. The door is open now, fix it!
Sometimes that's the whole reason we write, to open up what we keep sealed away, the things that hurt us sometimes fall easier to paper and pen than from our lips.
Take your vacation, it's earned, and when you've had some time you can choose to revisit the blogger world...or not. It's not life and death after all, be thankful for that.
My motto in life is...'this is only a moment in time and will pass'!
Stay well,
JB
I've definitely been where you're at. When I first started blogging, it was an exploration of what is out there.
Then, as people actually started reading my blog, I felt pressure to write what I thought was "good" stuff. Then, blogging became NOT fun.
I admit there were times when I thought about stopping my blog. Many people told me what they're telling you.
It took a long time for me to figure this out, but I finally believe that my blog is for ME and for no one else. I'll continue to write what I want and not really care if anyone reads it, like those first days of blogging.
So, I guess the bottom line is that if you want to continue, that's ok. If you want to take a short break for a while, that's ok. If you want to give up your blog and do something else, that's ok, too.
Good luck in whatever you decide!
You will be missed while you take your break! I hope you stop by and keep reading. And, I like everyone else, hope you take time to reconsider. I love having a blogger friend in Canada! You have been quite an inspiration to me! Hang in there!
Do what you have to do, Maryann, but I hope you come back. I found your blog through a comment you left on mine. I have come back to it daily because your "voice" has been one of the most upbeat and optimistic I have seen and I have frequently needed a dose of optimism.
I,too, suffer from blog envy. I look at other blogs and compare mine to theirs. I have very few readers and sometimes angst over ways to increase readership. IMHO such feelings are normal for a blogger.
I think a blog is a place for a person to express themselves. So what if you happen to be "negative" in one post? Write from your heart. So what if you offend someone? People can't be all sunshine and roses every day. Not everyone likes what we have to say all the time. Sometimes offending someone is the beginning of constructive dialogue.
Skittles sent me with some helpful words of encouragement. And they are as follows:
Blog for yourself, write what makes you happy, thoughtful, insightful, excited, etc. In the end, the onl;y opinion that hsould matter regarding your blog is..........(drumroll)
YOURS!
This is my first time stopping by your page but any friend of Skittles is a new friend of mine, so I'll be back and I fully expect you to be here. And the Dragon means business....just ask Skittles, she'll tell ya'.
:)
hi! thanks for the post this evening... hope your afternoon was ok... I will check in with you soon ..meanwhile take care :)
You know what small town, I'm a fellow kanuk so I know your pain. Don't let one small thing stand in your way of thinking.
As a real reporter, boy, if I let everything people say after my story hits the nes bug me, I'd have gone out long ago.
JB
You can take a few days off but please don't give up. Nobody is perfect. We are still experiecing blogging.
Hi MaryAnn,
Goodness, I know I've missed something! I rely on bloglines to update and it isn't working, so I've been going through each one manually.
For whatever has hurt you, or made you feel sad, I'm so sorry!
My blog is a relaxing outlet for me and a chance to connect with many wonderful people.
Take a break and reconsider blogging just for the fun of it!
You matter to me!
((hugs))
Sorry I've been too busy to drop by lately.
hmmm...
To blog, or not to blog?
I missed the post that you're referencing.
I think blogger's in general have a bit of ego and narcissism all rolled together into their personalities.
So as far as competition goes...
We all are competitive...
Watching our Sitemeters like hawks.
Take a well deserved break. The holidays certainly add a lot of pressure as well.
Hopefully you'll return?
I'll be checking back here...
later...
Hey - I must have missed something too, but I went through the same exact thing. A post I wrote got someone I love in a lot of trouble with their job and it broke my heart and my spirits. My first thought was to quit blogging, but I decided I wasn't going to make it that easy for them. I removed the post they asked me to remove, and kept blogging. I just know that I'll never go to another one of their shows again in my life.
If blogging makes you feel better (relief), then keep it up. We all love your blog and we all love that you post. Even though you may have never thought of yourself as a journalist, journalists run into this problem every now and then and I happen to think that you aren't a true journalist until you've run into these problems.
Remember, keep your head up and don't let someone else dictate what you do, especially if that thing makes you happy.
Mary Anne, I feel like one of my best friends has just stopped being. What have I missed that caused all this?
You can write about whatever you like on your own blog. There is a saying that you know you have a really good blog when you start getting critisism from strangers. It means folks are reading. FORGET THEM! You have so many friends here.
Please rethink this decision and come back to blogging. You have a great blog. I already miss you Mary Anne!
Mary Anne, please e-mail me!
I'm sorry you have decided to take a break from blogging. I hope it's not permanent (as one of the previous commenters said). Please remember what I said to you in my e-mail about the deleted post!
I feel as if I'm losing a very dear friend. I love your blog. You post things that I wish I could post about. You do things and go places that I wish I could do and see. You write from the heart and that's all that's important.
Take care, relax, enjoy the holidays and your family. Hope to see you back here in the blogosphere very soon. I'll look for you and wait to hear from you.
Oh Mary Anne,
I only just found your blog and I come here whenever you update it. I obviously missed where someone was offended by something you wrote, that is so unfortunate, for them. This is your venue, you have the right to post whatever you feel you want to. I know a lot of things on my blog may offend others, but that is me, I shoot from the hip, and I make no apologies for being me. I would hate to see you make apologies for being you. Come back and write soon and keep posting those beautiful pictures.
Mary Anne,
Do what you need to do but please know that you will be missed.
I love reading your blog - there are so many great perspectives...wife, mother, nurse, sister - i relate to it all.
Peace to you,
OncRN
Don't stay away too long. I miss you already.
MJ
Ooooh, I have only just got to know you. Don't go. I agree with Pea ... your blog is YOUR BLOG, to do with what you like. If someone doesn't like what they see, they don't have to come back. If they come back, they obviously like what they see. Not everyone has a blog with all the bells and whistles ... that's not necessary. You just need to be you, and say and write about whatever you want. Don't be chased away, for whatever reason. You obviously have many fans out in the blogosphere, judging from all the comments before mine.
Whatever you decide, take care, and be happy ... Meow
Just popping in to say "HI"!
Well there are lots of folks here that seem to enjoy your blog myself included. I understand the feeling of feeling like your blog isn't quite good enough to keep up with others.. i have felt that myself more then a time or to.. but ya know what. It is our blog and our way of expressing ourselves and if others don't like it they don't have to read. You need to do what makes you happy. If you decided to leave know that you will be missed. And if you decide to come back know too that your always welcome with us. Take care.
Mary Anne, I missed the incident you're referring to, but I have had occasions where I have had to delete my blog and then I missed everyone so much, I had to come back. I must point out, I am number 33(!) of the folks who are telling you not to go away. Everyone's blog is different. You can't compare them. Yours has always been one of my favorites. And obviously it's one of a lot of other people's favorites too.
Take a breather, if you wish, but don't leave the blog world. It is a real community and you have a lot of friends in that community.
Besides, how am I ever going to get my "Qualicum fix" if you don't blog anymore. Hmmmm?
See you soon.
Cheers,
Josie
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