The Joy of Blogging

Did you see the article in the New York Times entitled "When Blogging Becomes a Slog"? You know there is something in the water when it warrants an article in the New York Times. 

I have been sad to see some of the top bloggers find blogging too much and press the pause button. One of the first hints of trouble in blogland was when I read about Erin's plan to embrace the Slow Blogging Movement  on Design for Mankind a few years ago. Erin had been blogging for years and found she wanted less - less keeping up with the internet and more story-telling from the heart. Then there were lots of rumbles about how other social media was taking over and spelling the death of blogging. And most recently, I was sad to read about the blogging break that John and Sherry from Young House Love (one of my faves) needed to take. They were finding it difficult to produce as many posts following the birth of their second child in April. I read YHL daily so they have been sorely missed. Even more disturbing, however, were the negative comments left on their blog bashing them for everything from their taste in decorating, to their attitude, to the supposed decline in quality of posts. I have yet to understand why someone would read a blog they didn't like and appreciate and take the time to write a comment stating their opinions.

When I started blogging four years ago things seemed a little different.  Blogging was more relaxed, the relationships seemed more like you were chatting over the fence with a neighbour. Over the years I've seen things change around blogland.  I've noticed things are more competitive, more perfect, and busier these days. Now a blogger is expected to not only create quality original posts on their blog, but also keep up with all the social media platforms as well. When the expectations are so high it can only lead to burnout and frustration.

At the same time I see lots of bloggers wanting to change things - make it simpler and more personal. I don't know where blogging will be in 10 or 20 years, but I do know that there is lots to love about blogging.

I've recently embraced Pinterest and love it as a place to collect ideas and inspiration. I love to follow some of my favourite bloggers on Instagram and get little glimpses into the day-to-day business of their lives (okay I'll admit it, I'm nosey). I don't really know much about Twitter and I avoid Facebook as it is so confusing and there is so much negative stuff on it. Like blogging though, all these social media platforms to a greater or lesser extent allow you to tell a short story, post a photo or two, document projects/life/inspiration, and engage in some interaction with followers. 

So what does blogging do well? Why do I keep blogging? Where is the joy in blogging?

Blogging allows for a place to write about what I'm creating and to find inspiration at the same time.  Blogging (unlike with other social media) allows you to expand on your ideas, to tell a story, to teach something, to put a personal spin on the inspiration. 

This past winter was a difficult one for me. I blogged like it was my second job right up until my father passed away just before Christmas and then I stalled. I had ideas, but no energy to focus them into a post. The weather was terrible and our dog was sick (and then passed away) and I just seemed to need to cocoon. My husband and I spent our time (when we weren't at work) engrossed in watching Korean dramas together. We shored each other up together in our mutual obsession with a nation on the other side of the world and with actors and actresses we didn't know. When summer came and life settled down, I was ready to blog again. I realized I had missed it, I wanted to take pictures with a purpose. I wanted to go through the creative process, and do fun projects around the house, and make things pretty on purpose. 

Blogging for me is just a hobby so I'm not under the pressure that John and Sherry from Young House Love are, but in order to remain motivated for over four years I had to ponder what engages me and makes me want to blog. Here's what I came up with:

1.  I blog to learn - I love learning new things, whether it be computer skills, photography, or how to do things. I love that blogging pushes me in new directions. For many posts I Google background information about the history of a town or house or area so I'm learning something new. I'm often having to learn a new recipe or craft that I want to make for the blog. I love being a life-long learner and blogging encourages me to do this.

2.  I blog to be inspired - There are so many ideas out there. It can be overwhelming and humbling, but it can also be so inspiring. I challenge myself to find new ways to do things, new recipes to try, new ways to decorate the house, new solutions to problems. I love putting my brain to work.
3.  I blog to be motivated - It gets 'er done! Yay for being motivated. I'm really slow at finishing any project, but blogging has helped me set goals for myself and light a tiny fire under me to get them done (still slowly, but not quite as slowly as before).
4.  I blog to be creative - One of my greatest joys about blogging is how much I have learned about photography. It gives me a purpose for taking pictures of all kinds of random things like cookies and mushrooms in the forest and pretty clouds - so I can share them with you. I love figuring out new ways to do things and trying to challenge myself to come up with yet another advent calendar or front porch decoration or sideboard arrangement. I love getting those creative juices flowing.
5.  I blog to remember - Seriously, I have such a bad memory and blogging helps me remember what we have done and when things have happened. And probably the most important thing blogging helps me remember is the recipes I have made. I love that search button on the sidebar and use it to find my recipes all the time.
5.  I blog to connect - I love the interaction from blogging. I'm not the best at keeping up with the blogs I read and leaving comments, but I do enjoy the interaction and get satisfaction from getting to know people all over the world.

What's my take-away from all this pondering. First, I do like blogging for all the reasons I listed above.  Secondly, I should try shorter posts - one picture and a few sentences - since that seems to be the modern modus operandi. Blog like it is Instagram. And finally, I need to take the time to leave comments on blogs that I visit. You never know when that blogger friend just might need to know that they were doing a great job and are appreciated.

What are your thoughts on the state of blogging?  Why do you blog?