I Blog For Fun, But It Sometimes Includes Responsibilities: My Response

Posted: September 2, 2011 at 11:09 am

I just read one of the best posts that has ever crossed my Google reader from Lisa.

 

Aka my home-girl, internet soul-mate, long-lost “sister”, and one of my very best friends.

In her post, she shared her deepest thoughts on the Healthy Living Summit. She put it all out there and opened up some great discussion on blogging as a whole and the way bloggers approach their lives and blogging habits.

I read through the comments and nodded along to the wide variety of perspectives people shared. I started to type my own response in a comment there, but then realized I would overtake the comment section quickly and instead opted to post about it here.

Lisa discussed a few main things in her post:

  • feeling too caught up in blogging over experiencing the city, conference, and friends
  • the pressure of fitting into a blogger box
  • no “right” or “wrong” way to blog
  • caring about the people

Reading her post was an interesting experience for me. Why? Well, I find myself affected by all aspects of her post and the comments.

I am one of those bloggers that blog often and regularly. I did manage to blog a few times while at the Healthy Living Summit. I pull out the camera frequently and put my fair share of time into blogging. I do these things with a smile on my face. And, for the record, I never once felt bashed by Lisa. I know she knows me well.

I know myself well too. I know that I:

Live First.

IMGP0906-1

Sure, I blog often. But over the past almost two years I have gotten it down to a science. I have figured out the tools that help me blog quickly. I know the ways I can organize my posts so that I can write more effectively. I allow blogging to fit my life and my schedule…not the other way around.

The only reason I have things to blog about is because I go out, make connections, learn lessons, and share life. I simply choose to turn around and use my time to share it here with all of you as well. I appreciate that Lisa emphasized that those she knew kept up blogging (including myself) still had a blast and experienced the conference, including the fun sight-seeing her and I shared!

No “Right” or “Wrong” Way to Blog.

I blog frequently. I post 2-3 times a day. Do you know why? It’s not to fit in a box or because I think I “should”. Oh, heck no! That would send me running in the opposite direction faster than you can say “asparagus”. It’s because I love capturing life and having a place to lay out the things that inhabit my mind. Or my bra. Winking smile

IMGP1051-1

My writing style prefers the shorter posts. I get overwhelmed trying to put everything I want to share into one post. I hate bypassing moments of life because I don’t feel I have the space to include them in my blog. With Makenzie in school, I decided to take Braedon’s morning naps to blog more.

Some might disagree with that but it’s an outlet for me. It gives me the chance to talk more about things I may have otherwise put off discussing – like my mom’s MS relapse or silly moments with the kids. I will never become a blogger that shares every meal or all the tiny details of my day…and that’s okay.

And it’s also okay if I want to blog more to have more variety on FFF for people to choose what they feel like reading – a motivational, personal post or a goofy, daily life post. It’s what works for me and what I enjoy. I don’t expect readers to catch every post…but I like the idea that you all (my wonderful friends) can have options and I can write what I want. Every blogger has to find that balance for himself or herself.

Sometimes blogging carries responsibilities.

IMGP0696

Heather brought this up in the comments. Part of why she attended the conference was to help develop her blog and also the Healthy Living Blogs website. She needed to spend time keeping up with responsibilities related to the work of those two things. I did too.

I attended the conference first and foremost to have fun with my friends. And you bet I did!!! I don’t think anyone can argue me having a good time when you look at all I did:

However, I also attended the conference to speak, represent Love Grown and their fabulous company, and to broaden the reach of FFF. Why?

My family is number one to me. Peter & I agreed that me staying at home with our kids was very important to us. I stayed home. I fell in love with blogging. Then, only through God’s will, the blog began to grow little by little and allow me the opportunity to do something I love, while still being at home with my children, and also help support my family financially even the smallest bit. I can’t avoid what I feel called to do and know is right for my family & I. So, yes – blogging involves some responsibility and work on my part…but I wouldn’t change that for the world with what it offers me in living out a passion and supporting my family all in one.

I’m going to stop here for now. I actually already had a post in mind for next week that related to the importance and value I put on relationships with blogging. If you attended our panel discussion, it relates to my response to the question from Ashley about the numbers side of blogging. You’ll want to stay tuned for that one!

  • Share ANY thoughts you have on this discussion! I’m looking forward to reading them!

Tags: , ,

 
55 Comments to “I Blog For Fun, But It Sometimes Includes Responsibilities: My Response”
  1. I love this. I agree – family and life come first. And like you said, without getting out there and living, what do you have to blog about 😉 I think it can be easy to compare ourselves with other bloggers, but in the end, you have to do it your way, in a way that works best for you, and I firmly believe in honesty.

  2. Great post! All that you’ve said about blogging truly does come across in your posts. I love your honesty and insight and that’s why your’s is one of my favorite blogs out there.

    I’m new to this whole blogging world and so far I’ve loved it. It’s not about the numbers for me, but I see it as an outlet that I need to balance the rest of my life and gives me something that is just me. I hope that never changes.

  3. Khushboo says:

    I love this post and share your views. Live life first, then blog…not vice versa! As much as I love it, I try to be an efficient blogger and maximise time while posting- I remember when I first started, i used to spend hours editing making sure it sounded ‘right’…rather than altering my text and indirectly who I portray myself as, I just go with it and end up getting my posts done way quicker. Blogging is far more enjoyable now!

  4. Tina- I think you said it best when you remarked on the fact that you can’t avoid what’s best for your family. And only YOU and hubby know what that is. I love coming here everyday!

  5. Being a great mom is a big part of what makes you a great blogger. Thank you for this post. I have 2 ittybits and get the stresses as well.

  6. Well said. I think everyone has a different reason to blog, and a different way of doing it. Sometimes it’s hard to remember not to judge other people by the seemingly outward choices they are making- there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes!

  7. This is a great post! I love your insight on blogging. As a new blogger it really makes me feel more confident about my decision to be 100% me in my blog, as well as being more comfortable with entering this fantastic realm!! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  8. Jess says:

    This is what makes blogging right for YOU. As you said, blogging is different for everyone and that’s the way it OUGHT to be. It’s your blog, your corner of the Internet to do with it what you want. If blogging 2-3 times a day suits you and you LOVE that style, then by all means, do it up! If you’d rather only post a few times a week, when the opportunity strikes or a good thought springs to mind? Go at it. This is what makes blogging so personal, it’s yours, your style, you you you. Not one size fits all.

    • Tina says:

      Exactly!!!! And what fits each person’s blog can change with time too. I know I had times where I posted once a day because it fit that time of my life best. As B gets older, I don’t doubt I will go back to posting less again. It’s good that it can change and flow with life. 🙂

  9. Great response sister!

    I am so glad that you didn’t feel bashed by me–honestly I was afraid that people would feel that way–but you know that’s not my intention—I love every single one of the bloggers that blogged all weekend–the way they blog doesn’t affect our friendship or the person they are–because we all rock. Heck, it doesn’t even affect their blog–because I ENJOY and LOVE their blogs.

    I just simply wanted to say that I realized I couldn’t live or blog that way. I just don’t work that way.

    And YES–Heather, you, bloggers who make a living on it–I realize they are in a while other ballgame than I am in. You DO have respsonsibilies and I underestood that the whole time.

    Lastly–I honestly never thought much about you and your blogging during the conference. You blogged when you were breast pumping–may as well—you can’t do anything else! 🙂 haha.

    LOVE YOU SO MUCH. Thank for this candid and honest discussion regarding my post.

    • Tina says:

      Yep – didn’t feel a single drop of negativity from your post at ALL. I just love that you opened up this side of discussion and how it is different for everyone and different things suit us differently. I adore you and everything you blog about (obviously – you’re my favorite) and how you always hit the nail on the head.

      Your post didn’t come across as anything bad to me. 🙂

    • Denise says:

      Anybody who can blog while breast pumping has my vote as the best multitasker ever – Oh ya, I remember that comes with being a mom:) I bet you are a great mom.

  10. I love this post Tina! I love my blogging time and it is definitely an outlet where I share my life, my food, my passion (or search for it!). At first I felt so much pressure to post at least once per day, but quickly I found that I just couldn’t fit it in and as a result my posts were quick, not well thought out and no longer enjoyable. I’m looking forward to your post next week!

  11. April says:

    Hey, I remember that pic being taken! 🙂 Funny enough, I totally just had the granola I got from that very bag for breakfast today, it must be fate! It’s so great to see people’s truer thoughts on the whole experience coming out now that we’ve all had a few weeks to process it all.

  12. lindsay says:

    i think you do a great job at balancing this. Some people just have the “knack” for writing as well as time management. Others might take longer, like myself. Lisa had some great points as well. Its funny you talk about this because I just posted about my “blogger grace points” today.
    😉

    Live first, well said!

  13. Great post Tina! Blogging is really just like life, you have to do what makes you happy and works for you. There isn’t a right or wrong way about it. Thank you for sharing!

  14. Perfect. I think we all have to “blog” in whatever way feels best to us. For me, I only have time for it about 3 times a week, others can do it everyday. And it does bring joy to me, I enjoy every minute of it!

  15. KitKat says:

    think each blogger blogs for a different reason and for me, I’m happy to blog about my life when and how I want to. I love going to read different blogs that I know will post multiple times a day, partially because it’s their job, but it’s easy to tell by what they write, that they love it. At the same time, I also love reading the more sporadic posters.

    I love reading Lisa’s perspective on blogging/HLS this morning and I’m really glad you took the time to respond. I do think that some people forget that blogging is a job for some, and that of course comes with responsibilities. BUT, it’s a job they (you) love, how rare and lucky is that?! 

  16. jobo says:

    Great response!! I read Lisa’s post this morning and loved every word too. And love every word of YOUR response too. I love your approach to it, it’s smart, it is down to a science and best of all, every post has so much thought and perspective, I am constantly amazed!!!

    • Tina says:

      Whenever people comment that they have no idea how I come up with stuff to post I always respond “It’s Him”. No joke. God gives me thigns to write at just the right times. I was actually beginning to post something else, but then saw someone tweet about Lisa’s post. I clicked bec I wanted to read it and then felt compelled to write this instead. Just 30 or so minutes later…BAM I was hitting publish. I fully believe God works in this blog and gives me what He thinks needs to be said. 🙂

  17. Lisa’s post was awesome! And so is yours :). I think the big thing for me as a fairly new blogger is to remember to live first! It is so easy to get sucked into everything- commenting all the time, reading all the time, statistics, writing posts every so often. It gets kind of exhausting. But, when I remember to live my life first and foremost, blogging falls in place and is absolutely wonderful.

  18. What a beautiful post and topic!

    It is so important to understand that EVERYONE BLOGS DIFFERENTLY. There is not one “niche” that we all fall into– some blog a few times a week, others a few times a day. That’s the beauty of it all — so many differences in one blogosphere 🙂

  19. Lisa says:

    I don’t think my comment will be well-received. But in the year and a half I’ve been blogging I’ve noticed that it’s very clique-ish and some have a highschool vibe to it. I’m 32 and so don’t care about that stuff, but it’s easy to feel excluded and “not in the cool kids club.”

    I’m not judging any bloggers out there, or what they blog about, or why they blog. I’m just saying that the feelings that a lot of other bloggers have are valid. The exclusion is there. The snobbery is there with certain people. And sometimes it’s hurtful.

    So my answer: I stopped following the blogs that felt like they were part of the “cool kids club.” The bloggers that just don’t feel real to me, that only post the happy, shiny view. These are the bloggers that rarely respond to questions or comments. I comment on a post that I am interested in and want to start a dialogue with the writer. When that writer never responds on their site or twitter I lose interest.

    I’m not saying this to be mean (and I’m not including you and Lisa in this!). And maybe I feel this way because I’ve never gone to a blogger conference and met everyone in person. Maybe?

    Anyways, my two cents.

    • Heather says:

      i just want to chime in and say your comment is well received by me 😉

      also – it’s well written, honest, without bashing/being extremely rude, harmful or hurtful. WIN!

      I understand that there is a sort of “high school” stigma that can be found, as you described. And i give you MAJOR credit for realizing that you were the one in charge of what you were reading, and removing the blogs you didn’t like from your life. Your answer, as you put it, ROCKS in my opinion.[aka: NOT being part of the “high school” stigma]

      As for your comment “And maybe I feel this way because I’ve never gone to a blogger conference and met everyone in person. Maybe?” i want to share that there were SEVERAL bloggers I didn’t think I was going to like/get along with until I met them. Once THAT happened, I was like – Oh. wow. totally misjudged that one. Maybe I like this person as, you know, A PERSON, and not as a blogger.

      Once I realized it had happened a few times in a row, I thought “ummm… maybe it’s me” – I still may not read their blogs, but I enjoyed meeting them, spending time together, and now occasionally correspond with them via twitter/email/etc.

      • Lisa says:

        Thanks for responding, Heather. I know it’s not a popular opinion. I’ve sort of danced around the topic a bit in other posts/comments. I wasn’t trying to alienate or judge any of these bloggers I’ve chosen not to follow anymore and I’m glad it didn’t come across as mean. 🙂

        I do think you make a great point about pre-judging someone based on their blog and then meeting them in person. I’m glad your mind was changed!

        And I just have to say I have met a blogger in real life and would consider her a good friend now! I love the blogging world and would love to meet more of my faves. 🙂

    • Tina says:

      I can understand that and have felt the same lack of response on occasion…and you’re right. It’s frustrating! I won’t read blogs where I don’t feel I can get any connection with the blogger either. That’s why living and the relationships are always #1 and always will be #1 for me. I love that you brought this up! 🙂

      • Lisa says:

        I’ve become much more discriminating in what blogs I follow/read. In the beginning I loved the community and finally felt like I was finding people like me! Yay! I collected blogs to read like I was collecting baseball cards. Then it started wear off and I realized that I was reading blogs simply to read them, even if I didn’t like them or agree with things they wrote about. It was a good thing to purge the list down to a handful of excellent ones that I look forward to reading every day! And a connection is a must!
        🙂

  20. I read both your post and Lisa’s post and nodded in agreement with both. Even though you wrote very different posts I think one thing was clear – you were being true to who YOU are. And like snowflakes – no two bloggers are alike 🙂

    Thanks for sharing your side amd making me think. A lot.

  21. teresa says:

    Wonderful! I absolutely do this because of what it does for me. I love to write and share and it’s somethign I can manage while taking care of my child and my family. I can’t imagine doing as much as you do with it, but you seem to indeed have it to a science. Your energy and love comes through. Your love for blogging and your love of blogging. It makes this a really uplifting place to visit.

    • Tina says:

      Thank you SO much for that comment. I hope if nothing else this space can be an uplifting, genuine, friendly place to visit. Love having you all in my life! 🙂

  22. Susan says:

    I think the internet is FULL of blogs of all genres and how or why bloggers to what they do is no concern to me. So long as I get to open my Google Reader and read great ones like yours that are interesting, make me think, and make me feel good 🙂

  23. peacebeme says:

    great post Tina. I love your blog. I don’t like the three meals a day type of blogs, but I will how frequently you post. You have such a variety of topics and so some time each day I can find one that applies to me, even if there are others that don’t.

  24. Totally love this post and everything you said. For some reason in the healthy living blog world there seems to be a lot of pressure to blog a certain way or act a certain way… maybe because we are all girls? But really we can all blog differently and we should! There is no right or wrong way to blog whether you blog multiple times a day or just once a week. There are so many genres beyond our little niche online and they all do it differently too.

    I love that you put your family first. That’s what we all should be doing. Blogging is AWESOME but it’s not the end all be all of our lives. The real world is much more exciting. 🙂

  25. janetha says:

    Just read Lisa’s post and now yours–Love what you brought up and the points you made. You are wise beyond your years and I am happy & proud to know you and call you my friend. Thanks for your words–every time you write them.

  26. Hilary says:

    Great post! (and can’t wait to go read Lisa’s too)…I also loved your HLS presentation. I agree that there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to blog, and it’s good to not fit in a “blogger box.” I’ve also personally been struggling with/thinking about since HLS just WHY I do blog, and what I hope to get out of it, since I’m currently not making any $ out of the deal. I think (not pointing any fingers here, just thinking of myself), that blogging can become very self-absorbed if I’m not careful. And, for sure, getting caught up in the blog world can mess with your head!

    • Tina says:

      I always say $$ can’t be the motivator. You have to have a reason to blog. I ask myself – if I wouldn’t make a cent off my blog…would I still do it? If that answer ever became “no” I would stop. Plain and simple.

      I also love the quote “never give up on something you can’t go a day without thinking about”. That’s my passion in blogging…that’s why I do it. The passion.

      It takes time but you should only blog about the things that set you on fire and when you feel compelled. That’s when it stays fun and has a purpose. 😉

      • The thing about the money aspect is that…well, to me, blogging seems that it could be “fleeting”. Such that it seems there’s more ‘negativity’ on it at times – and of course other times not! But I think that society as a whole needs to step away from technology and the computer…know what I mean?

        Like, experience these things – and NOT feel compelled to HAVE to write about it or analyze it or share it…sometimes that’s how we grow…and, well, LIVE. For real.

        I don’t know if that makes sense…but I recommend the book “The Digital Diet”. And even just watching and reading “Eat Pray Love” made me think how strong and monumental it can be to just be alone with your thoughts and experience the little, and big, things simply as they are.

        Have you ever read “Living Oprah” or “The Lost Girls”? some great points in those books…

  27. Anna Marie says:

    Your blog is great! It is so uplifting and motivating! Your positivity is contagious!

  28. […] I Blog For Fun, But It Sometimes Includes Responsibilities: My Response […]

  29. I agreed with everything Lisa said, and also everything you said. I agree, there is a fine line between living and blogging and up until recently have I only figured it out.

    My favorite quote is: Blog what you live – don’t live to blog.

    You amaze me every day. I’m so grateful I can call you one of my friends!

  30. Emily Malone says:

    I love your blog, Tina! Your enthusiasm and organization with your writing gives me hope that I will be able to figure out how things will change for me once I’m a mom. Not to mention, you are obviously a wonderful mother, and it’s refreshing to read about your experiences with your kids.

    • Tina says:

      It was easier this time than after M because I knew what to expect, but it’s definitely doable. I know you will get into a groove too…and I’m here whenever you need any support! 😉

  31. Hey Tina! This was a wonderful post. I really enjoyed reading it. You really balance things so well and have wonderful priorities.

    I’m excited to see what you write about my question from y’alls session.

    Have a wonderful weekend!!

  32. Liz says:

    My brain is on overload from reading Lisa’s post/comments, and now yours too 🙂 This stuff gets my blood flowing.

    One of the things I love most about your blogging style is that it’s so completely transparent (I know you talked about this a few weeks back). But somehow, because of that transparency, we (or at least I) know that you are a blogger in control. Sure, you post frequently, but I get the feeling you’d pull back and reevaluate in an instant if didn’t feel you were sharing meaningful thoughts with us, or if you felt “life” was suffering because of your blogging. As would the rest of us in our own jobs.

  33. Sana says:

    On any given day, you can find my reading through my own blog. Yes, I read my own blog because it makes me happy to look at all the things I do with my friends and all the yummies I eat. Sure, I do blog for the 50 people that read my blog but I blog for myself, so I can remember the moments that I have lived 🙂

    • Tina says:

      I so relate to this! I love having my blog to look back over things. In fact, I would say blogging helps me pay even more attention to all the details of life instead of just going through the motions. When I think of capturing things to share on the blog it makes me stop and really take it all in. Hmmm….perhaps you just sparked another post idea! 😉

  34. […] I Blog For Fun, But It Sometimes Includes Responsibilities: My Response […]

  35. GirlonRaw says:

    Hey Tina, would love you to blog about how you manage to get blogging quickly down to a fine art, especially as a fellow good mummy. I aim to blog 3-5 times per week but even then, usually my blog posts aren’t massive but they do usually take a good hour or two including uploading and playing around with photos.

  36. Google says:

    This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
    I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post.
    Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!

Leave a Reply to Tina

(required)

(required)


 

 
Catch Up With Recent Posts

Announcement Time

Posted: November 23, 2011 at 7:47 am

Well, I have had a whirlwind of a few weeks over here. I missed all of you so much! I can’t express enough gratitude for your patience while I got some important things sorted out. Some scary things. Are you ready for the announcement? Here goes! I will no longer be blogging at Faith Fitness […]

88 CommentsRead more →

Self-Love Reflection: The Road Not Taken

Posted: November 20, 2011 at 11:47 am

Hello FFF readers! Nice to meet ya! My name is Carissa and my husband and I blog at Fit2Flex.  Well, I blog…he consults! We are both certified personal trainers with a passion for healthy, active living and clean eating.  I am also studying to become a registered dietitian, a race announcer, and a runner.  Stop […]

24 CommentsRead more →

Healthier Eating For Kids

Posted: November 19, 2011 at 10:56 am

Thanks to Plum Organics for sponsoring my post about tips for baby feeding magic. What if you let baby choose what’s for dinner? Check out their cute "Quest for Yum!" video and see what happens! As parents, we want the best for our children. We help them to feel loved. We strive to teach them […]

14 CommentsRead more →
 

Announcement

Posted: November 17, 2011 at 3:36 pm

Hey, everyone! I wanted to pop in and say I am working on some new and exciting changes.  As a result,I may not be posting as much during the coming week.  Please stay tuned for the big announcement! Love you all! And still feel free to find me on Twitter and Facebook for the time […]

21 CommentsRead more →

Where The Change Happens

Posted: November 16, 2011 at 7:54 am

It’s kind of funny. I become a certified personal trainer and the first workouts I turn to this week come from someone else. The book came in for me at the library last week and, after flipping through it, I couldn’t wait to give the circuits a go. Making The Cut includes a lot of […]

79 CommentsRead more →

From Beginning To End

Posted: November 15, 2011 at 11:53 am

Good morning! First off, thanks for the many congrats yesterday. Love you all bunches for the tons of support you have given me in so many things this year. I hope I can return a little bit of that love through this here blog as well. So yesterday I had my first parent-teacher “conference” for […]

55 CommentsRead more →