I have these blogging struggles. I really do. Not about writing, as I could write, write, write. But more about NOT allowing me to get caught up in the numbers aspect of blogging. That’s not me.
Yet, I found myself wondering about what makes readers come and go.
You’d think I wouldn’t care, right? Yet, I’ll be wondering if it was something I wrote — was I not serious enough? or funny? is my grammar bad? my pictures not high quality? or what? Somehow I get as insecure as a lanky third grader wishing to be picked for a team for kickball.
So I started to ponder the reasons behind the insecurities. Comes down to those old struggles about fitting in and being noticed. Those traps. It’s ironic that the outlet that I love so much has the very traps that I’ve struggled with since I was the lanky third grader mentioned above.
So instead — I’ve decided to focus on what I do have, the truly important, and what I love about blogging. Those truths?
Many of my followers have become my friends.
Truly friends.
Friends that I trust, that I love, that I am grateful for.
It’s not about the numbers.
Really.
It’s about the relationships.
And I’m grateful.
For you.
Truly friends.
Friends that I trust, that I love, that I am grateful for.
It’s not about the numbers.
Really.
It’s about the relationships.
And I’m grateful.
For you.
It’s a strange thing, blogging. Strange how it makes me look right at my heart.
22 comments
I know what you’re talking about. I haven’t blogged for long, and try not to think of numbers or care, but when someone stops commenting etc.; I do wonder why and hope it isn’t something I have done, or should do etc. I remind myself that it really doesn’t matter and that there are so many great blogs out there, and only so much time in a day in which to read them. I have to be selective about what is good for me to read at any time… and so does everyone else. So I TRY to let it roll off my shoulders, and forget about it.
PS I love your blog. 🙂
I had one pull out about a month ago. I don’t know who it was. Thinking about the why made me feel like I was in junior high again. I guess we do want to be popular. 🙂
Sorry I don’t get over here much. I intend to. But I won’t pull out of your line up.
Teresa
So true to know it’s NOT about the numbers !! I felt sad when I noticed for the longest time I had very few followers !! Then I said to myself the one’s that do follow me I am thankful for and those that choose not to follow that’s okay too !!! It can make one wonder what their doing wrong in the blogging world. But I shook it off and remember I really blog for myself !!
I know how you feel. It is odd how we transfer some of the things from the real world, being afraid of not fitting in, not being noticed, into the blog world while it should be more about what we have to say and share than about how many people follow. If you touch one person’s heart, if you one person enjoys reading what you write, if just one person notices that she or he is not alone, then I think it is totally worth it (even though I struggle with the same thoughts you have).
Have a wonderful and blessed Sunday,
Kate
I feel the same way. Why do we get so insecure about this? Even though I don’t blog to make an income, it still becomes this enormous popularity contest! Thanks for putting things into perspective again.
I completely understand. We are putting ourselves out there and when one leaves it’s almost like we’re not good enough. Stay the course – keep writing, and know that there are probably a dozen more you don’t even realize are folloing you!!
And I’m slowly getting away from “follows” and leaning more to subscribing!!
YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH!
Stef
You know, I was just thinking along the same lines. I started my blog for myself and yet I’m so worried about everyone else. And the funny thing is, I write better when I’m not worried about everyone else.
It’s not just you. I lost a follower yesterday I all those thoughts came to me as well. It made me feel very insecure about me as a blogger and then I had to take a step back and relax a little.
I think you’re post are great. 🙂
wow…so many of us can relate to this. i’m glad to know that it’s not just me.
and i thought i was a pretty laid back secure grown up. until i don’t get many comments on a post.
i hope that we can all learn to be happy with ourselves and worry less about what others think.
thanks for this encouragement!
chasity
I thought the same thing when I just lost a follower. But you know what, I don’t even know who it was. If it was one that I consider a “blog friend” I would have noticed and been hurt. I am glad it wasn’t 🙂
I lost a follower too a couple months ago and asked myself all those same questions. It can be a struggle for me to keep blogging in focus. I enjoy it. But, I have to remind myself that it’s not a popularity contest.
By the way, I love your blog. Your writing touches me. You express so eloquently many of the same things that I think and feel but struggle to put into words. Thank you for that.
Oh I can so relate. I’ve not only lost a follower or two hear and there, but I’ve lacked in comments from time to time. I can get caught up in in whether what I write is worthy of reading, or why people aren’t comment, or following. But I have to remind myself that I blog to bring glory to God. It’s not about other people. For every follower I’ve lost, I think I’ve gained 2! You are amazing and I love your blog!
Oh, Rachel… I know exactly how you feel! I’ve lost followers too, and I always wonder why they stop following. But it truly doesn’t matter! I really love this post. Thanks for the encouragement. :o)
— Much Love,
Lindsay <3
This whole blogging revolution is unknown to all of us, and I think we have no way of knowing what kind of hold it takes over us until we’re knee deep in it! 🙂
Awww..it IS such a common and human feeling to want to be affirmed and accepted! I really have enjoyed reading your writings since I came across your blog a couple months ago.
To put into perspective a bit, I’ve actually wondered where you’ve gone because I haven’t heard from you in a while! And I’m sure it was nothing intentional, but when it comes to feeling good about ourselves, we always seem to assume the worst {that we’ve offended, we’re boring, we’re not good enough, etc.}
While I’m sure it’s great to be a bandwagon blog, there’s also something to be said for a quiet corner of the web in which people can come to connect, be inspired, encourage, and BE encouraged.
I hope you have a blessed week Rachel!
Funny thing that you write this. I was feeling the same way. I was actually thinking of pulling out of both my blogs. I didn’t want to be part of the blog world but then like you said I have started to have some friends out of it. I have some that have lifted me up in times when I needed a push. It’s not about the numbers I agree.
Thanks for sharing Rachel!
~blessings
Dorcas
ditto. some days i want to quit but then i’m reminded that it does help me to be reflective. plus, i’m glad that i met you! : )
How do you know that somebody left? I’ve had friends leave on FB and I don’t even know who it was…it’s okay! You write from the heart. You write for yourself and for your family…if others are helped that’s fantastic. If they leave, well it’s their loss!
Continuing to pray!
Psalms 91:14-15 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
Prayer Bears
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Why do we care? But I’m guilty of it. Somehow we link our significance with who or how may people like us. It’s just not true. I like you, friend. I like getting to know you. But that doesn’t give you significance either. It’s so easy for us to forget Who truly does.
Just stopping by to say hi. The title for this post on my dashboard got me curious to read more. 🙂
You know, I think all of us can get caught up in the whole numbers thing with blogging, I catch myself doing that from time to time. When that happens, I have to step back and reevaluate what’s really important. At the end of last summer I even decided to get rid of my BlogHer ads because it made me feel like I was trying to be someone I wasn’t. My goal for my blog is to keep it about the things that are important to me and my family and just be real. These are journals of our lives and I want to just be who I am.
I’m super thankful for friendships made through blogging and I really consider so many people friends, rather than “followers.” I really wish they’d come up with a different name for that because I just hate calling people my followers. 🙁
Hi Rachel! I am so glad I have met you! Your words have brought much encouragement to me!!
It can be very hard blogging sometimes, but I pray that God will strengthen you & continue to give you a desire to serve HIM through your blog!
Blessings,
Jessica
I like all the commentors before me notice when I lose a follower but I think more than that what is hard for me is that I have 79 followers but maybe get 3 comments on each post…that is hard for me to reconcile…but then I remember I’m not blogging for anyone but me…it has been such a theraputic tool for me this past year, and a great way to ‘scrapbook’ when I don’t have the time or energy to really scapbook 🙂
I’ve followed your blog for a while and enjoy reading it, I need to do a better job at commenting 🙂