I like blogging. I like updating family and friends on our comings and goings and the growings of our daughter. I like to see what other people are up to and I think it is a great way to keep in touch and memorialize our lives for posterity.
However, for me, it has also led to blog envy. You know the feeling. You look at someone else's blog and their pictures are so much better than yours, they have more applications and bells and whistles, their background changes more than once a year, and their family life seems so much more interesting. And they get a lot more comments on their posts. Ultimately I am left with the feeling that I need to blog more, blog bigger, blog better!!
Additionally for me, after looking at other blogs, I usually feel that I am not doing enough with my life. I don't have a business of selling my own hand made baby clothes and accessories. I am not a professional photographer. My home isn't coordinated with the seasons in changing decor. I don't even know how to use photoshop so I can't create my own baby announcements, valentine cards, Christmas cards, etc.
In a humorous moment, I imagined this conversation taking place with my mom (tell me if it sounds like other conversations you have had)
me: mom, my blog isn't beautiful
mom: now why would you say that...I think your blog is lovely
me: well, nobody looks at my blog
mom: how do you know they don't look at your blog
me: because they don't comment
mom: that is probably because they secretly like your blog and they are too embarrassed to tell you
me: but mom, everyone else's blog is more fashionable than mine.
mom: it is not about what a blog looks like on the outside, it is the content that matters.
me: but I have looked at other blogs and they get at least a dozen comments a day, no matter what they post
mom: Rachael, your blog is very special. Nobody else's blog is quite like yours and someday, other people will realize all that your blog has to offer.
I am alone in this? Does anyone else feel this way too?
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21 comments:
haha, I get in that mode sometimes and have to tell myself, "Anne, your life is just as good as those other peoples. Remember, they probably only post about all the really great stuff. Right? Please say Im right"
And just so you know, I have had blog envy of your fun life there in Seattle so dont worry :)
I LOVE your blog. And I am a faithful reader. One day when I get up enough courage to have a blog, I hope it will be as good as yours. :)
I think there is a cycle with blogging, at least for me. I go in spurts. At first I tried out all the whistles and bells, and now I just stick with a plain colored background and switch out the header every now and then. I figure why complicate something that is meant to be for me?
This is not to say that I haven't ever had blog envy...just to say that it ends...and I move on and realize that it just for my sake anyway, so if no one comments, I am OK with that. Maybe it will get that way for you, too.
I might not have blog envy, but I constantly have "cleverness" envy. Because I laugh out loud reading your blog, and somehow I just can't achieve that on my own.
If you really want to do little picture cards and stuff, you can use an online program like picnik (free), and you can do a lot with that. It's not photoshop, but it's better than nothing. That's how I did all my kids' valentines. (my version of photoshop no longer works with our new computer)
Oh, and one more thing. I am totally copying you. RIck and I don't have a babysitter for a V-Day date, so tonight we are doing a date night IN. Love the idea. You are brilliant.
I'm right there with you Rach! Don't worry, I will always faithfully follow your blog. And I personally envy at time your wit in writing. I still remember us having a conversation about this at my apt. one day...I think near the time Chase was taking the LSAT. Anyway, I changed my perspective in how I approach my blog and others because of your perspective. There will always be someone with a "better" looking life. Because of you I've learned to love the life I have :)
i totally hear you! i think sometimes people read others' comments and think, yep, that's what i would have said, so they leave it at that. i know i've done that before. i want you to know though, that i always love reading your posts, even if i don't always leave a comment. you have the greatest humor in your writing. also, i love your blog and the black and white damask. i think it's so classy, and that little anna of yours is adorable. and that's all that matters, right??
My dear, dear Rachael. This may be partially my fault (and maybe some other faithful readers). I check twice a day to see if you have any new blogging. I am a true, blue fan, but I don't comment much (kinda more like a creepy, silent stalker). I can see that this blog should be a two way conversation, and so I will start commenting regularly right away.
I LOVE reading your tales and I think it's good to keep it simple. No need to change the background too often, just keep us up to date.
Of course, I adore the pics of Anna. But one of my recent (non-Anna) favorites was your book list. I love that your topics vary and I love that it's not all for show (like the people who only blog Disneyland & Hawaii; you know the ones). It's honest and pure and from your heart.
XOXO, TT
I love your blog and I too read it on a regular basis. Your little Anna is so so cute and I love reading about life happenings.
I sometimes have blog envy as well... I try to stay up with what is new in blogging but things are always getting better and other peoples blogs are constantly getting cuter.. oh well.. it is the content that counts!
you're on my google reader :) i love your blog! and at least you have a background. mine is white, and it NEVER changes. sometimes i want to give up blogging, because i'm not sure if people read it! but then i find 13 more things to blog about. at least you have a kid :)
Your blog makes me laugh. It is fresh, and honest, and so...YOU!
KEEP BLOGGING! We will try to be more appreciative fans!
Did you take that beautiful picture of your baby girl in the header of your blog?? I love it! It ties in nicely with the name of your blog. I've only taken a second to look, but you also have really nice blackgroud blur on some of your other photos and nice light. I'm impressed!
I was going to comfort you and all until I saw how many responses you had to this post. I only had this many when I announced our pregnancy, lol. Also, as a side note...I read but only comment when I feel the need. Which means, I 'sometimes' comment.
You're so funny. Trust me I feel like that all the time. Everyone around me seems to have these amazing talents and I feel so plain jane and boring. One of the things I really love about you/your bog is that you are so masterfully articulate. You have a way of expressing things that people can really relate to but don't know how to say themselves. It's something that I really admire about you and that's one of the many things that makes your blog so fun to read. Plus I'm always so impressed with the pictures you guys capture of Anna and I don't think I know anyone who has possibly read more books than you in the past 6 months. All things that make you anything but boring.
Totally. I echo every comment you made.
ok, most of the time I'm holding at least one child when I am checking blogs. I so wish I could leave a great comment, but I'm usually typing with a maximum of one hand and that makes for illegible comments. But I love your posts.
And amen to your feelings. I comfort myself by remembering that blogging is just as much for me as it is for others. I love to look back, it's like a journal. Plus Anna is a dolly, and I love her pics, so keep them coming!
Too funny. I have never changed the background, rarely post on my blog, and accrue far fewer comments than you. So hopefully the uber-lameness of our blog inflates your blog esteem.
I *do* plan on doing more once the bar exam is over...
I totally have the same feelings as you. And that's one of the reasons I love to read your blog--you're so real. I feel like I relate to your posts almost more than anyone else's. So thanks for sharing your true thoughts, and for putting into words what so many of us feel.
I read your blog, even if I don't comment. But I'm no super blogger. My philosophy is spend most of my time living life, and a tiny amount of time documenting said life. For what it's worth, I think it's never a good idea to try to keep up with "the Joneses":)
You have one of the best blogs I read! And yes, I feel blog envy all the time, mostly it's about content rather than layout. Sometimes I just don't feel like my day it interesting enough to blog about. But if everybody didn't blog because of that, then very few people would blog!
And thanks for the posts. They often make my day!
Just so you know, I read your blog every time there is an update- but I read it at work, and work blocked blogspot so I can't comment unless I remember to get on the computer when I get home- but I DO read it and laugh and am excited to still be kept "in the loop"!
Oh please. Let's remember that my blog still says I'm getting married in two weeks...and we are about to celebrate our 3 year anniversary. So let's not compare and talk about who should have blog envy. ;) Besides, I adore your blog! :D
You have pinned down my love/hate relationship with blogging. Blogging is supposed to be fun, not add stress to our lives . . . sometimes I forget that. I love your blog - I am a follower!
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