Recently, some blogging experts have written about things you shouldn't do on your blog. One of the no-nos is not having a focus, being all over the place with your posts.
Um, that would be me. I think I'm what is termed a "hobby" blogger.
So, I've been thinking about what focus I could have in this blog. I'm a mom, I work full-time, I love food and the beach and the natural world and music, I like thinking about how to make my house more comfortable and more reflective of me and my family. I like to go antique and thrift shopping.
But it's hard for me to see how I would focus on any of those facets exclusively. I joked with A that maybe I should start a blog called "The Timid Gardener." Because I realized that part of the problem may be that I love to think about stuff I'd like to do and projects I'd like to tackle (like planting a vegetable and herb garden), but I rarely get much beyond the thinking stage.
I need to work on that.
I remembered, though, that some of my favorite bloggers are women who write about their everyday lives. They don't have giveaways or point to daily coupons and deals. They write about their kids and their jobs and their marriage and their families and how they spent their date nights and holidays and vacations. They share recipes and movie and book reviews and they ask for advice.
Now, I love the focused bloggers, too. Their posts are full of amazing photos and insights and beauty. They post nearly every day (how do they do that?!?). They have thousands of readers. They have sponsors and go to blogging conferences. I'd love to join them someday. I'd love to be that knowledgeable and passionate about one thing (besides my son) that I could write about it every day and have it be helpful and interesting and compelling to others.
But, in the meantime, my everyday random life is my focus. It may only be interesting to my family and friends, and that's okay. That was all I hoped for when I started this blog. But if you're not a blood relative or real-life friend and you still like my posts, welcome to the Fieryboots family! I'm so glad you're here.
Now, I have a confession to make ...
My name is Kristen, and I'm a hobby blogger.
7 comments:
Sweetheart,
human beings,bless them, are very adept at creating rules. These rules are usually for others to follow. There are rules for everything, all created by the Rulemongers of the Earth.
Did you know that it is still illegal in Massachusetts to take a bath in the Winter? There is a town where it is considered bad form to glue the doors of the local High School shut on Graduation Day. (I remember someone speaking out very eloquently against this policy).
It is your blog and you should do what you damned well please on it. Tellwiddem!
Now, see, over the years, I have gone from random blogging to focused blogging with the focus being on compassion International. I love the organization and feel very fulfilled by the posts I make, but it does seem to put myself into a box, so to speak. I think I need to be mindful about posting about other topics as well. I love your blog!
Dad: Thanks for the support. I think it's more about what I want to do with the blog, and for right now I'm happy with it.
Michelle: Thank you! I really like your focus on Compassion and how you also weave in updates about your family. It's a nice balance. And, you've inspired me to get writing to my Compassion boys more often.
p.s. I love your profile pic!
I could completely relate to your post! I write about so many topics and things, I couldn't have my blog focus on just one thing. To me, my blog is like my journal, I write about things that are important to me and things I think others will gain something from. I, too, and a hobby blogger and proud of it! :)
Melissa: You said it so well! I think of my blog as my journal, too. I also like to think of it as a scrapbook and album of my son's life.
Hobby bloggers unite! :-)
There's no right or wrong. And, biased though I am, I'd rather see a photo of R than a coupon any day! xoxo
I like reading yours already. Just reading this first one! :)
Hobby blogger. It is then :)
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