First, a note to my fellow bloggers: Yes, I’m ratting us out. But much like you do each day, I’m writing down the random words that pop into my brain, and sharing with the masses.
I’ve been a blogger for almost eight years. My first foray into the blogosphere was on Xanga (shout out!). I found that people enjoyed my daily musings about almost nothing. In time, I had amassed a few thousand followers (at its peak), was a continually featured blogger and found myself craving the blogging spotlight.
That brings me to my first truth about bloggers: we’re attention whores.
If you had told my 15-year-old self that I SEEKED attention from others, I would have thought you were crazy. In “real life”, I’ve always been a shy, hide-in-the-corner-so-they-don’t-talk-to-me person. But there’s something about a forum where you aren’t seen, but heard, that really appealed to me.
I found myself documenting EVERYTHING—from the food I ate to the places I went—and writing about it. That brings me to my second truth about bloggers: family and friends dread becoming blogging fodder.
My husband would roll his eyes when the camera came out. Most date nights he’d preface with “this better not show up on a blog.” …well, it usually did.
But I had valid points to make! My life is important! Hello, third truth about bloggers: we’re egotistical, and show-offs to boot.
Our blogs are our soapbox. We have a voice, and we’re screaming to be heard! We’re awesome, and amazing, and gosh darn it, we’re not going to stop blogging until everyone knows about us.
When I found out I was pregnant three years ago, I made the decision to put my blogging life on hold. It was surprisingly easy, considering how ingrained blogging had become in my daily routine. While I journaled for myself (and my unborn son), I took a blogging break.
Then, after having my son, I decided the only way to lose the weight was by blogging (about my diet and exercise, of course). I documented my weight loss—35 pounds—on blogspot for the world to see. This time, though, while my desire to be heard was still there, the “attention whore” seemed to have been tempered. I wasn’t planning my day around how many blog posts I could squeeze out of it. Of course, the blog was all about me, and it was my place to tout my personal success. But it was also a place to share the success of others, and inspire them to lose weight as well. It was a magical time.
Two months ago, I decided to start a new blogging venture. Since it’s still getting off the ground, I’m back to milking my day for post ideas, but I’m turning to my crafts and recipes to bulk up the blog. Yes, I’m still craving attention, but I want to see if I can make this hobby of mine into something bigger than a small blogging forum.
Every blogger can identify with the truths I shared, but to what degree is on them. We write to be heard, so of course there’s an amount of attention-seeking that comes with it. And yes, our life is the foundation of our musings, but what else would you continue to enjoy writing about? People love to read about other people’s lives, and more often than not, ego comes off as confidence. I hope that’s the case with me.
Yes, I want you to
read me, and
“like” me, and follow me… but I’m not going to go to desperate measures to get you (
except for my giveaway. HAH!). Keep reading me or don’t, I’m just glad you’re here now.
First, a note to my fellow bloggers: Yes, I’m ratting us out. But much like you do each day, I’m writing down the random words that pop into my brain, and sharing with the masses.I’ve been a blogger for almost eight years. My first foray into the blogosphere was on Xanga (shout out!). I found that people enjoyed my daily musings about almost nothing. In time, I had amassed a few thousand followers (at its peak), was a continually featured blogger and found myself craving the blogging spotlight.That brings me to my first truth about bloggers: we’re attention whores.If you had told my 15-year-old self that I SEEKED attention from others, I would have thought you were crazy. In “real life”, I’ve always been a shy, hide-in-the-corner-so-they-don’t-talk-to-me person. But there’s something about a forum where you aren’t seen, but heard, that really appealed to me.I found myself documenting EVERYTHING—from the food I ate to the places I went—and writing about it. That brings me to my second truth about bloggers: family and friends dread becoming blogging fodder.My husband would roll his eyes when the camera came out. Most date nights he’d preface with “this better not show up on a blog.” …well, it usually did.But I had valid points to make! My life is important! Hello, third truth about bloggers: we’re egotistical, and show-offs to boot.Our blogs are our soapbox. We have a voice, and we’re screaming to be heard! We’re awesome, and amazing, and gosh darn it, we’re not going to stop blogging until everyone knows about us.When I found out I was pregnant three years ago, I made the decision to put my blogging life on hold. It was surprisingly easy, considering how ingrained blogging had become in my daily routine. While I journaled for myself (and my unborn son), I took a blogging break.Then, after having my son, I decided the only way to lose the weight was by blogging (about my diet and exercise, of course). I documented my weight loss—35 pounds—on blogspot for the world to see. This time, though, while my desire to be heard was still there, the “attention whore” seemed to have been tempered. I wasn’t planning my day around how many blog posts I could squeeze out of it. Of course, the blog was all about me, and it was my place to tout my personal success. But it was also a place to share the success of others, and inspire them to lose weight as well. It was a magical time.Two months ago, I decided to start a new blogging venture. Since it’s still getting off the ground, I’m back to milking my day for post ideas, but I’m turning to my crafts and recipes to bulk up the blog. Yes, I’m still craving attention, but I want to see if I can make this hobby of mine into something bigger than a small blogging forum.Every blogger can identify with the truths I shared, but to what degree is on them. We write to be heard, so of course there’s an amount of attention-seeking that comes with it. And yes, our life is the foundation of our musings, but what else would you continue to enjoy writing about? People love to read about other people’s lives, and more often than not, ego comes off as confidence. I hope that’s the case with me.Yes, I want you to read me, and “like” me, and follow me… but I’m not going to go to desperate measures to get you (except for my giveaway. HAH!). Keep reading me or don’t, I’m just glad you’re here now.
Comments (14)
Ah, but the other side to blogging about your day is it helps you gain a little perspective when things are going wrong. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been in the middle of a frustrating day and thought, “Well, at least it will make a funny blog.” It’s amazing how those few words can help you relax and see the humor in a situation that two seconds before had you wanting to scream and beat your head against a wall.
Nice to see you back, Jen.
@saintvi - Oh, I definitely agree. I LIVE for the “we’ll laugh about it later” moments. It makes everything feel more manageable during the stressful times.
So glad to see you back!
Dear Jen,
Came over here from a recommendation. I rarely blog anymore. I started building my online universe (http://www.allthingsmike.com) back in the late 90s when I was in my mid forties as a way to resurrect my artistic leanings, since I’d spent most of my life up till then ignoring art and literature, and concentrating on my career.
I attempted to create about a dozen different blogs on blogspot, while I was still pretty popular as the moderator of the ElectricPoetry Group on Yahoo Groups in 2003. I’m single, and have weekends free, so spent most of my Sundays online. One of the gals in my poetry group introduced me to Xanga in 2004. I liked the editor a lot better than the one on blogspot, even though I couldn’t tweak the code as much.
From 2004 to 2007 I was popular enough to keep me busy, although I never attained “xangalebrity status”. I would sometimes create a parody post ”engineered” to knock Dan (thetheologianscafe) out of the top spot. Which usually worked!
Most people will probably remember me for my letter/comments. They were unlike most of the comments in the blogosphere. After a while, however, I felt I’d pretty much said all I wanted to say. (My blog alternated between the the sections of my already established personal website, feauturing poetry, prose, art, photography, and my video “internet movies.” )
I seem to have less time to blog nowadays than I used to, so I can “disappear” for months at a time. Yet, sometimes I might immerse myself in Xanga, and post regularly for a month or so.
There has always been the conundrum of “do you blog for yourself or to gain attention.” I always said I wanted to create something that went viral, but I’m far too verbose for the average internet reader’s short attention span.
Keep on blogging.
Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool
(and sometime blogger.)
That was funny and truthful. I agree, I am a attention seeker/whore myself.
Good to see you again Jen.
Your little man is a cutie!
I am not a comment whore. A comment slut maybe.
@Aloysius_son – good, because I like comment sluts.
It is good to see you around here.
Might I suggest you take up a blogging name over there that is a little shorter and catchy?
@TheTheologiansCafe - I agree, and have been working on it. I was waiting for my URL purchase to go through, but I think you’ve persuaded me to just go ahead and do it.
I’ve missed you, Dan!!
Welcome back.
We are definitely the crazy people who think people care about the insignificant happenings in our lives…
All truths!
WOAH! where the heck have I been? Welcome back from your hiatus.