Why do we read blogs?
Is it to be entertained? (The
Bloggess) Is it to commiserate with other parents? (Blue Eyed Bride) Is it to live vicariously
through a friend? (Anna Mazurek
Photography) Or is it to envy the writer and their talents and wish you
could do things they do? (Young House
Love)
Why do I think we read blogs? Because it's socially acceptable
voyeurism. We get to peak into people's lives that we may otherwise not be privy
to. From the safety of our computer screen, we can stalk intimate details of
someone's daily routine through their inner-most thoughts and, sometimes, even
photographs.
A friend of a friend keeps a small blog that's meant for her to document
life moments and share them with close friends and family. She isn't trying to
sell sponsorships or develop a huge national following. Yet, she recently posted
a comment that really made me think... that she wonders whether reading other
blogs helps or hurts. Is it worth her time to read posts about people traveling
the world or adventures of a stay-at-home-mom? She is in a position many (many)
women are in these days. She has to worry about work, a toddler, a husband, a
house, family, friends, etc. Finding the time to blog is (I'm sure) insanely
difficult for her. Finding time to read other's blogs is probably the same way.
Can reading other's posts make you feel inadequate in your own life? Or
just in your own blogging?
I don't post as often as I would like. But the thing is, writing is a
priority for me. I have been blogging since way before it was cool; since back
when it was done with something called "paper" and a "pen." Oh yeah, and I
didn't let other people read it either. I have kept insane documentation of my
life since 8th grade, which has yielded giant tubs in the attic full of paper
diaries and printed copies of my private blog that I have kept since 2004.
(Which still to this day routinely gets 4 to 5 posts a week that are different
from the 3 entries I try to post here! I have a lot to say. LOL) While my
priorities in life have changed dramatically since Bimmer has arrived, the truth
is, I would write whether anyone read it or not. Because of that desire, I make
and find time to post. I may forgo a nap or lunch to write. More realistically,
I "write" entries in my head for days before I actually type them out, so I have
a pretty clear idea of what I want and need to say, so writing them is a much
quicker process.
As for feeling inadequate that my life isn't all rhinestones and glamour
like some other bloggers I read? I suppose that's all in the eye of the
beholder.
Because to me, having a loving husband, a beautiful and healthy daughter, a
cute house, amazing friends, and a supportive family is the equivalent of
rainbows and unicorns.
Now off to sprinkle some fairy dust for inspiration on my next post.
Me & Bimmer getting some blogging done
1 comment:
Huh..I read another article on a blog like this this week. It was talking about whether or not blogs create a "Supermom" mentality in women. Do we read all these blogs and then feel inadequate because we aren't growing our own food, sprouting our grains, making homemade bread, yogurt and baby food every day, exercising and making priority for quite time with God. Is the point of blogging to document our lives or for others to come and say "Oh look what she does. Isn't she awesome?!" I'm not sure. I know I don't blog as much as I'd like to, but usually with 3 (and a half) kids, my household duties, spending time with Steven and battling my depression, I just don't always feel like it! hehe..but I like to write when I can, and I like to read other blogs. But like you I think we all just need to be content with our lives and stop living vicariously through people we don't know!
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