I have a confession…
I am envious. I have - *GASP* - Blogger’s Envy!
It sneaked up on me really. Being a new blogger, I never expected it – there was no warning ahead of time.
I was very excited and proud of myself for finally deciding to take the (BIG) step into the blogosphere. It was such a thrill to see my words in print – on the internet – out there for the entire world to see! What fun it was to (semi-)design my page!
Then came the followers! And the comments, ohhhhh the comments! What a RUSH to see people actually reading what I write! And LIKING it enough to comment!
And then I started to find other cool, beautiful, interesting, funny, informative blogs to follow. That’s when IT showed up. Oh, IT was very tiny at first – nothing I couldn’t handle! But the more I read, the more I searched, the more I followed – IT grew…
…and grew…
In record time, I began to feel like my blog wasn’t good enough – not pretty enough, not interesting enough, not hip enough, not, not, NOT!!!
I really had to step back and put a wall up between me and this monster that was growing by the minute. Why did I feel the need to be “approved of”? Why did I feel like my blog was any less than anyone else’s blog? Why was I so obsessed with what my blog was NOT, rather than being happy with what it IS? Not that I’m against improvement – but the essence of my blog needed to reflect MY life, not be a copy of someone else’s.
My blog is: REAL
My blog is: UNIQUE
My blog is: ME
And isn’t that the way things work? We begin to do something that makes us feel good about ourselves - something that we are passionate about, that gives us a sense of purpose - and then we allow little lies to creep into our head. The green-eyed monster is in there, telling us we aren’t good enough; that what we’re doing has no significance.
But me…I’m tossing that monster out on his bum! I refuse to listen one minute longer. We all are unique…we all have our very own interests, talents, and tastes. Just because perhaps only 1 out of every 10 people like my blog, that doesn’t mean it’s *bad*. It means that ONE person was touched by my words. And if ONLY one person was ever touched or influenced by me in a positive way, then it’s all worth it!
So, indeed…DO look at other blogs. DO explore and change and grow. But DON’T let that little, tiny, itty-bitty, green-eyed bugger try to change YOU. We need YOU to be YOU – there is no other like you!
16 comments:
I'm visiting from the Lady Blogger's Society tea party and I loved your post on "Blogger Envy!" As a relatively new blogger, I understand what you're saying and battle the same feelings. I try to remember how much enjoyment I get from all of those other blogs and, like you, try to just be myself. I've added myself to your follower list and will look forward to visiting your blog often. Annie Joy
I loved, loved, loved this post! I think all of us bloggers feel this way every once and a while!
Don't listen to that little, negative voice. I think your blog is very cute, unique and I'm your newest follower. :)
Stopping by from LBS!
I, too, am stopping by from Lady Bloggers Tea - and as a fellow "Chaos" lady - I absolutely LOVED this post, and the idea of being YOU. So true. So important. So why I started blogging. SO THANKFUL that I read this - WAY TO GO!!!! Oh, and I'm a follower now - so I'll be back!!
Visiting from Lady Bloggers and loved your post on blogger envy!
Hey y'all!
@Annie - thank you for visiting and posting! It's so good to know there are other newbies out there with the same feelings! It's been a crazy day running around with the kids, so I only had a chance to take a VERY quick look at your blog, but I LIKED what I saw and am planning on taking another trip over there this evening.
@Leslie - thank you for your support and words of encouragement! It really helps to spur me on. I just got back home from running around buying school supplies, but I will definitely be heading over to check your blog out as well!
@Leeanne - it really IS difficult to fight off wanting to be like the "big girls" of the blogging world, isn't it? But I have to keep remembering that they were all new to this, too, and it's probably been a lot of work getting their blogs to the wonderful state that they are. Thank you so much for stopping by. I'll be checking in on yours this evening as well!
@Tightwad - haha, it feels a little awkward addressing you that way - at any rate, thank you for stopping by and commenting. I'm honored that you took the time. I'm heading over there to see you soon!
What a great post! It's so true, and so hard to not envy. Its all in remembering why you started blogging in the first place!
*wondered over from Lady bloggers! :)
Rebecca - thank you so much! :-) I went over to your blog and totally love it...I REALLLLY want to try the Sketchbook Project!!! Thinking about it...I'm not a great artist, but I DO love to dabble...could be a ton of fun!
Hey hey now... just be YOU. It is your blog - it's the realness of you that makes your blog unique. that I have to say. Cheers from the Tea Party.. oh, and Hello :)
I know that feeling! It almost makes me feel like I'm in high school again...lol! I think on some level we equate comments and followers with acceptance. I suppose the question we each have to answer is "Why do you blog"?
Your blog is great, BTW. It looks good and has great content and is refreshing!
Being relatively new to the blogosphere myself, I loved this post. The blogging journey is an incredible one and I personally am just enjoying the wonderful people that I am meeting on the way. Looking forward to following your blog!
Good Morning Lovelies!
@myfingerscrossed - thank you! I will definitely have to keep tabs on myself, but so far I am really enjoying being ME - probably for the first time in my life! A little sad, huh?
@citymouse - wow...the compliment from you regarding my blog means a TON, because I totally LOVE yours! And yes, that is a GREAT question..."why do I blog"? For me it's a new, creative outlet and a way to share life with others. Not so complicated, so why do I try to make it complicated? lol
@zippychix - I know exactly what you mean...I am having so much fun with this, and every single person I've come across has been so great! I'm going to a conference in October and I am SO pumped to meet face-to-face with other bloggers. I'm heading over to your blog - the name has me curious! :-)
Such a great, and thoughtful post. I'm always battling with the green eyed monster who rears it's ugly head every now and then. But then I ask why I'm blogging, what I've got out of it, and what makes me different :) I tend to get more jealous about pretty layouts than I do posts now, but I suppose that's life haha!
PS. Stopping by from SITS
Chaos Sister! Thanks for your comment on my blog!!
p.s. To answer your ?? - I did go and see Eat Pray Love on Friday, and I LOVED IT!!! ... wrote a little thing about it here: http://fromchaoscomeshappiness.blogspot.com/2010/08/eat-pray-love.html . . .
So true!
Great Blog <3
Come check us out when you can :)
MommyReview.com
Cheers - Randi
I found you from the Lady Bloggers Society and AM so glad I did!!
I absolutely LOVE this post! I've been blogging for just a little over 3 months. I have this vision of what I want. I jumped off Blogger and moved to a self-hosted WordPress blog. I like it much better. I'm working to my goal, but did need to take a reality check and remember that although I love readers,
Thank you for the reminder I am doing this for me and it is MY blog. I needs to reflect me and my life.
Hey Stef! Thank you so much for your comment...you know, I really wasn't sure if I was going to post this particular blog, cuz I thought it sounded a little like I was fishing for compliments, but it looks as if I am in very good company with others who feel some of the same as me... hey, I'm headin' over to check you out soon!!! Hugs!
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