Today’s topic: Jealousy in the blogosphere. Or envy, feeling left out, whatever emotion you want to add to it.
I am not the first to write about this. I’m not the second, tenth or probably even the eleventyhundredth to type out my thoughts and feelings about blogging jealousy. I am also pretty sure that many people have written about it far more eloquently than I am about to.
I need to because a reader sent this to me, and it really touched me because I can relate to a lot of it.
I hope this doesn’t come off as mean, but I am eaten alive by jealousy of your blog and other big bloggers. You have so many friends and so much traffic and I even though I check your blog almost obsessively, I also have so much envy that I am beginning to think it is unhealthy.
I try to comment on blogs and still only have a reader or two. You’ve never commented on my blog and while I understand that you have a lot going on, I still get hurt, but then I feel like a pouty kid on the school bus and am ashamed. I’m actually crying here. How stupid is that?
It seems like so many people I read have success after success while I try but seem to fail. I expect it from some of the snarkier bloggers.
I can’t even seem to get the attention of the nice bloggers.
You aren’t the only one that I am talking about, but you are the place where I can vent this anonymously and get it off of my chest.
I really admire you and think that your blog is wonderful. I hope that this didn’t come off as too mean, I am just having a hard day.
I felt for this commenter. So many feel this way, and it can really start to eat at you and sour your online life. It got me thinking about my own feelings of inadequacy and jealousy that I struggle with. There are a few salient points that I would like to talk about, if you don’t mind.
Having traffic doesn’t make negative feelings like inadequacy magically disappear.
I doubt that there are many bloggers out there who would label themselves as “popular,” and I certainly don’t classify myself as that. I am very aware that I have awesome and loyal readers and commenters AND I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR IT, but it doesn’t mean that I am not critical about myself. On those down days when I overanalyze everything I start writing “The List” of things that are negative.
I could go on and on and ON about the things that I think I am inadequate at or have been excluded from that good friends have been privileged to enjoy. And it stings and sucks sometimes. I am so genuinely excited and thrilled because all of them truly deserve it, but I am human and want to participate, too.
When I first joined BlogHer in 2006, everyone was at the height of conference excitement. Even though I was happy for those going I also wanted to make badges that said, “I’m NOT going to BlogHer, and you all can just BITE ME!”
I hated that I wasn’t going and hated how jealous I felt of those who jetted off to Chicago. So, I made a plan. I worked and saved. I reached out to people that were going. I did everything I could to prepare. That doesn’t mean that it was not without trial, but I was DETERMINED to have an amazing time despite the situations that can sometimes flare up when you put 1,500 bloggers together. I wanted to have an amazing experience. And I did. It was one of the best times I have ever had, and it was more so because I worked so hard to make it happen.
The best that we can do as bloggers is to realize that EVERYONE has feelings of negativity, jealousy, inadequacy, the key is to try to make those turn into motivation and to not let them keep us from our goals.
Most bloggers have many more failures than successes. Also, don’t take it for granted that awesome things just “happen” to bloggers. You may not know the full story.
I fail much more than I succeed. Not that I haven’t had some successes with blogging, I have. I’ve had speaking opportunities, been in media and even got invited to The White House. These are huge accomplishments that I recognize are not going to happen to everyone, and I am grateful that I got to experience them. I am proud of the things I have achieved. I would be sad if I hadn’t, because I invest a lot of time and energy into it.
But.
I get rejected all the time.
Let me repeat that in case you weren’t listening: I GET REJECTED ALL THE TIME.
There could be loads of reasons for it, and I could drive myself crazy at wondering why, so I just don’t. Or I try very hard not to.
And while the Twitter and online world is full of people who get trips, opportunities and jobs, do NOT assume that a magical Internet fairy descended and plopped the opportunity in their lap. That DOES happen a lot of the time, but many, many times it is the result of a blogger asking or creating the opportunity for themselves.
And as things are wont to do, it could be that through that reaching out, they were put on lists of PR and marketing people as a blogger who is good to work with and other opportunities spring from that.
Bloggers are human. (Even the really popular ones.)
Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day to work with. Everyone has varying levels of time that they can put into blogging, and despite the fact that you may read every syllable that a blogger publishes or even e-mail them or tweet them to death, you can’t know the hows or whys that go into why or why not someone does or does not read you or comment on your blog.
I used to read and comment on the blogs of everyone who commented on Looney Tunes because at the time I was capable of managing it. I am sad that is no longer the case. I may and I may not read you. I can’t read everyone as much as I GENUINELY would love to, even if it was just to make everyone feel as happy as I do when someone reads me.
I think that I am like a lot of people who blog. I have different, mostly unknown, reasons why I read the blogs that I do. I also change them frequently and lurk much, much more than I used to. After thinking and pondering blogging balance and how to achieve it for a long time and logging in to my Google reader and seeing THOUSANDS of unread posts, I did something radical and DELETED IT.
It has had good and bad points.
Like many bloggers out there, so much of it is just an issue of time. I have had to cut way back on my online stuff to tend to in my real life stuff. I always feel so bad when people feel neglected, and I need to stress that I try my best. I can fall short at multitasking things like e-mails, comment response and even thanking people for the things that they do and send me. Boo on me! Truly, though … I don’t mean to hurt anyone and I truly, truly AM thankful.
I think most people online feel the same way, some are just better (or more able) to express it often.
Promise.
Every blogger out there was a “newbie” once.
Not having readers can suck a duck. Some people really are fine with it and either turn off comments or just find an inner peace that they truly write for themselves. (I am not one of those people.)
However, with some exceptions, pretty much all bloggers start at the same place. Where you have no readers except for a handful of people that you have to force/bribe/promise your firstborn to to get them to read your blog. I went months and months with my sister being my only reader. Hell, even Dooce started out talking about a carton of Carnation milk, and I am pretty sure that no one was clamoring to read THAT post when she hit the publish button.
Everyone was a “Conference Newbie,” too. So, if you are gearing up to attend your first BlogHer or social media event or party, whatever … you aren’t alone.
All of this can be scary, but look around you. Hundreds of thousands of people have all started out and forged ahead and YOU CAN, TOO!
It’s human to want to be noticed by people you admire.
I am not going to lie and pretend that I am not thrilled to my very tip tippie toes when a blogger I admire that has a big following actually notices that I exist. I wish that I could say that I am immune to it, but I would totally be lying due to the fact that just this morning I ran in circles like a rabid dog on meth screeching, “She likes me! She likes me!!” when a huge blogger who I adore (and thought maybe, MAYBE might have my name ring a bell when I tackled her at BlogHer and that I want to totally make out with on a regular basis) wrote me an e-mail telling me that she loves my blog despite just being a lurker.
(She obviously doesn’t mind humungo run-on sentences and over abundant use of parenthesis.)
I realize this may look like bragging, and I don’t mean it to be. I would not mention it at all except to illustrate the point that I can totally be a star-struck DORK when it comes to people whose work I admire.
All bloggers are not equal, despite what the fairy tale says. You may never get to be one of the A-listers. And to survive and keep blogging you have to be ok with this to some degree.
The words and writings of some bloggers carry more weight in the blogosphere. That is just reality, friends. It doesn’t mean that as a person they are worth more than others, but I can’t make the blogging world into a Marxist fairy tale where all bloggers have the same status.
There ARE bloggers that are AWESOME and they have masses of people who read them that think the same thing. To pretend that there are not “A-listers” out there is as stupid as thinking that they are all condescending writers that are incapable of paying attention to people that don’t have equal readerships.
There are ALSO some bigger blogs that are popular, and I really have no idea why or how that happens. I chalk it up to everyone having different tastes.
This is just a reality that everyone has to come to grips with and find a way to deal with it in their own way, or you will make yourself miserable. You may not end up being an A-lister or have thousands of hits and fans on your blog, but I promise that if you persevere, you can take away so many positive things from being a blogger.
Just don’t give up.
It will probably never be enough. At least some of the time.
Humans are not meant to be stagnant — very few can stay in one place without continuing to reach or strive to other levels. Blogging is no exception. If you have a 100 readers, at some point you will probably want 200. If you get 20 comments on a post, you will aim to get 50. This is not a bad thing. Having goals is good. It makes people grow and succeed.
Like most things, just try to keep it in check, because you also want to be happy where you are and have fun.
There is downside to popularity.
Your mother was right about that. With more traffic and exposure comes, well … more traffic and exposure. You have more obligations, more people to care about, to worry over, to e-mail, to read, more haters, trolls, and people who can be so fugly and suckass in their comments it would make your eyes bleed and your skin fall off from the ugliness of them.
Your words can be mocked and patronized. You can make people so damn angry over the slightest comment or opinion. It can get ugly to the point that you are scared to write ANYTHING and agonize before hitting the publish button for fear of who you will piss off.
The bigger you are, the more weight your words carry and the ramifications of an opinion and how you state them can be effing HUGE.
Friends and family can get hurt or irritated or angry, and sometimes it can get to the point that you don’t recognize who you are writing about because you feel like you can’t write about ANYTHING for fear of fallout.
It isn’t fun. No, not at all.
Luckily, this isn’t constant, and most people learn to suck it up and deal and create boundaries pretty damn fast about what they are comfortable writing about.
Still, be careful what you wish for.
At some point, Loralee will run out of finger strength, lose her balance and fall off the soap box, or just get to the damn point and finish this post already.
The point of all this VERY LONG rambling is that we are all in this together, and you aren’t alone. Everyone has jealousy. It is to what level you allow it to reach and what you do with it that matters. Just don’t let it get out of hand. Take action, do what you can to remedy the situation, talk to people about it! If you are having jealousy to the point of it really causing problems, that sucks. Mainly for you, because that is the person it will ultimately hurt the most.
“The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves.” -William Penn, Some Fruits of Solitude, 1693.
Ok, I have never heard of this Black Hockey Jesus guy before reading your post, but seeing how he called everyone fucking nuts, I’m going to read him. Because it’s true…we’re all fucking nuts, including myself and I just admire anyone who says fuck on their blog.
Now I must go take picture of myself in a bra.
Loralee, you are more than words. This is an awesome post. Lots of juicy perspective for me to think on during my bloggy vacation.
Queen of Shake Shakes last blog post..Payton for President 2036
Oh – I love the dancing video. Thanks for listing it.
As for the rest, I am impressed that you took the time to write so much. I come here because I like your attitude and the way you write about it.
Sorry, but you are going to Blog Her, and you are asked to talk, so many people are impressed.
Please, just keep writing and ignore the comments (well, not this one obviously)
JoeInVegass last blog post..Nsensone?
Someday I’m going to post about being a little blog-commenting fish in a huge sea of commenting fish. It’s not easy being commentor number 53 *sigh* but maybe, in some small way, my words have some effect.
So, I say: I have no desire to be admired by throngs of people. I know I’m great, and sometimes have funny things to say. Too bad if the rest of the world doesn’t know it!
Erin Taylors last blog post..My Red Shoes- a haiku
Jenny, Bloggess:
I am so glad I finally made it over to your blog. My hell you are freaking hilarious.
Thanks for the future link. I am really glad that you enjoyed it.
I went through that whole, “HOW can I faithfully comment and not have them come to my blog” thing, too.
Links and EMAIL IS THE KEY. You nailed it on the head. There are very few emails that I don’t respond to. I also try to visit when someone directly links to a post. They took the time. When someone takes the time to email me through my contact sheet I often make the time to respond.
Again, that is when I can and who knows what will happen in the future. I think that everyone just tries the best that they can.
I am so excited to meet you as well!
Tiff:
It is all kinds of awesome if Australia isn’t so established. You are on the ground floor, baby! HEE!
Hierarchy is a reality but I think that the stuckupittyness is MAINLY a myth. Sure there are ALWAYS bitchy, lame or rude people but you certainly don’t have to be an A-list blogger to be THAT kind of person. Some of the most arrogant bloggers I’ve encountered only have a handful of readers.
At the end of the day, they’re just people.
Sus:
PLEASE tell me it was because of the red shoes from Payless. (I love that so many of us are going to be hanging out at BlogHer with them)
I love Jen, she is all kinds of awesome.
Finding that balance is almost like the Holy Grail in the blogging world. I am not sure that it can ever really be done to a satisfactory level…Like most things I think it ebbs and flows. Sometimes you’re more present online, sometimes in real life.
I won’t stop trying to find it, though.
Meredith:
Awe, thanks. I have truly been there. I have been at this for awhile and it has been a hard, bumpy road for me. But I love it and at the end of the day I really think that I would still do it even if all my readers just went away (You know, after a long and intense recovery of laying in the fetal position in my bed and consuming vats of Ben & Jerry’s).
Queen of Shake Shake:
I think I have only said fuck like, twice on this blog. I use it as a cue to my readers that I have reached Level RED on my pissed off meter. I don’t use it often because well, my mom and some family check in. Cowardly but come on…It’s my MOM.
You and BHJ seem destined, IMO. He is fun. He’s no Backpacking Dad, but he’s fun. (HAD TO DO IT. HEE.)
You had soooo much to do with this post. But you know that. Wink.
JOE: You are a sweetheart. Seriously. I loved this comment. I really wasn’t bothered by that comment in the least. At all. I had been wanting to write about this topic for awhile and it seemed like the perfect time to do it.
ERIN: Little bug, like you could ever be insignificant. EVER. I know that people feel like after 50 comments, what is there to say or that their comments don’t matter. WRONG. I read (and sometimes re-read and re-read again) every.single.word.
You have always had a great attitude. I guess it comes down to the fact that I have always been a performer. I LOVE making people laugh, or cry, or just entertaining people. (I also like the applause at the end for a job well-done. I’m human.)
Also…there is throngs of people and then there are “THRONGS” of people. I would never in a million years wish to be Dooce. But I do like having a following. I can’t lie about it.
P.S. Glad you checked reality and went to one blog. I do not know how you did it for so long!
Wow, what a really awesome post that was! I am a newbie blogger myself, so it was very inspirational to read! Everyone has to start somewhere! I just really admire you for responding to that anon comment.
HeatherPrides last blog post..Meet My Killer
I have serious blog envy toward you. I’m sure a large part of it goes to the fact that I have no life. Whatever, your site rocks. It gives me something to laugh about and cures some boredom :).
So THIS is why you were up so stinkin’ late/early last night/morning! Well worth it — amazing, honest post.
I officially LOVE you. Add me to the list of your stalkers. And since I’ll be one of the “Not Going to BlogHer” Bloggers, you’re safe this year. But next year … I may have to tackle you.
mommypies last blog post..Twitterho has a dream.
Honey, I’ll always be your dirty urinal whore.
Sarahs last blog post..A Birthday
Wow i never knew there was so much drama in the blogosphere. I don’t blog so i skimmed though this post. But i wanted to tell you that the video of you dancing in Cache Valley was great! It really put a smile on my face! Thanks!!
HEATHERPRIDE: Everyone was a newbie. Everyone has struggles, but if you are really a blogger than you have something else in common with us: We all LOVE it.
ALLISON: Yes, but YOU get to hang out with Gail and Amy so I am all SORTS of jealous of you. (AND OMG you turned into a totally HOT person. Talk about ENVY!!!!)
Mommypie: You are completely lovely. I swung by your place a little earlier but lurked because I haven’t had much time to talk on blogs (My dad is having surgery tomorrow and so I’m struggling keeping up with the comments here lately!) but I will definitely read AND tackle you back at BlogHer ’09
SARAH: Could you at LEAST make “Oily Boy” Loofah and Bathe AFTER you are done playing with him??? ;)
JENNIFER: Thanks for stopping by! Blogosphere, nothing. If you want drama, try serving on the PTA. (Three-term president, here. It can’t TOUCH blog drama in some ways!)
Once upon a time I had a really successful blog on politcs called WoozleDen (you can read it at The Way Back Machine). Of course that was before they were called blogs. Anyway, I shelved it about 6 years ago.
Just recently I started a new blog, this time on wine. And it is kind of crappy still, I admit it. I haven’t found my voice yet. It is part of the company I just founded so I have been hesitant to say anything that might make someone uncomfortable. I’m working on changing that because, quite frankly, I want it to be more interesting to write.
Still, you have have some patience, and hopefully it works out. And maybe it doesn’t. Either way you need to have fun.
I think that is key.
Steve from winescorecards last blog post..Viognier and wedding cake – perfect together
I LOVE THIS POST. OMG. LOVE.
Ok, so can I tell you something I’ve told nobody? I don’t really LIKE blogging. I don’t. I mean, I DO, but not really. Does that make sense? Of course it does. It’s because of all that shit up above you pointed out.
And also
I have the exact same feelings. I used to be jealous but I just don’t have time any more. My stats? Suck. They’ve been going downhill for a year now. Oh, you know, about the time I had my son?
And (god, hi, long comment, sorry)
I think of you as a friend. Every comment you send or every tweet I think, “OHH! Loralee!!!” and get all giddy. But I suck at actually clicking over to read. I hardly comment. It’s not love lost, it’s just, well, time, honestly. And it sucks and I’m sorry I’m not better at coming to say things or replying. But I squeal when you write and I adore your stuff. I know it doesn’t count as traffic, but it’s one more real person who loves you. I hoep that means more.
Mrs. Flingers last blog post..Inspiration
It’s true. I think most bloggers have quit their blogs at some time or another, because they didn’t receive as much feedback as they felt they deserved. I have.
And also–I’m sorry about your technorati thing. I don’t even have one, I don’t think.
Camilles last blog post..{The Dog Ate My Blog Post}
I wanted to leave a comment for your other posting but the comments are off. I really want you to know that I found your blog and “Her” was the first post I read. It moved me in ways I can not explain. I have a good friend who lost her baby boy and it inspired me to be a better friend and it helped me understand her.
I am sad that you were not picked to read your post but it is an amazing piece of your heart!
This is brilliant. As a C-list or so blogger, I’m caught between occasionally feeling a little jealousy that I’m not as “popular” as some bloggers, but at the same time feeling overwhelmed at what I already have.
Blogging is my part-time job, but at times it’s like an entry-level full-time job where you work 60+ hour weeks to prove yourself to the management so they’ll like you and possibly promote you.
I’m also lousy at returning comments, e-mailing, and I can’t read nearly as many blogs as I’d like. But I do what I can and each day hope that I don’t hurt anyone’s feelings, and try not to take any coolness from others personally.
And yeah, I had to ask to be on Alltop, too. I’ll admit to being a little pushy to get some of the opportunities I’ve received.
Christinas last blog post..I’m Talking Politics Today & I’m On TV Tomorrow
AWESOME. I hope you won’t mind if I link to this soon in a fave posts lately kind of post on mine. Seems I’ve seen several blog jealousy posts lately, and yours really is the ultimate answer to all of it. LOVE this.
Kazas last blog post..Cocktail Hour!
Wow, you really hit the nail on the head with this one.
A blogger I used to like and admire a great deal told me once that the secret to blogging had to be “Blog like no one is reading.” Of course, when I did that and a post happened to be about said individual, that all was blown to hell.
Some posts flop. Blogging relationships come and go. I used to have a (what I considered to be) good following of a select group of readers… I don’t think a single one of those people read my blog anymore, or if they do, it’s on a very, very rare basis. It’s like a cycle of friends: they are there for a time or a season, and then things change.
But that doesn’t make it easier.
I have to say that I understand exactly what Anon was getting at. We’ve all been there as bloggers, and I’m sure in some ways we’ll stay there for awhile. It’s just life. At least life as a blogger anyway. I once said that blogging felt like high school in many ways… and just like high school, someone is always left out of some clique. But maybe instead of trying to get into a specific clique, we should work on forming our own. You never know what group of bloggers you might connect with if you just try.
TCs last blog post..My <3/hate relationship with Facebook
An amazingly real and honest post. LOVED every word and could relate to much of it. It is nuts how your self worth can get so wrapped up in a little weblog no?
Tiffanys last blog post..Eco Wrap – Tutorials and Cool Blogs
Found your post via Mrs. Flinger and SO glad I did. I admire your honesty and could totally relate with Anon’s, as well! I’ve been blogging for nearly 5 years now and I feel it safe to say that I love this community and NOT just for the cool swag. Being invited in and allowed to contribute to heartfelt conversations (like yours) is truly an honor AND Technorati could never take that away from you!
Lizs last blog post..Gone Fishing – Will Be Back Soon, or NOT!
I clicked over from Twitter, what a fantastic post. I’m going to go ahead and admit, this is my first time here, which, how have I missed reading you? Sheesh!
Now, I hope this doesn’t come off as bragging or whatever, but as someone who does get sent products to review, has gone a free trips, and has a few readers, you know what? I’m jealous of YOU because dang, you get a LOT of comments on your posts!
Your PostSecretesque post has 120 comments on it! I’ve never had anywhere near that many organic comments ( as opposed to giveaway entries, those don’t really count). I had to BEG people to leave me comments on my birthday. I would be beyond thrilled if 50 or 60 people thought my personal posts were interesting enough to comment on.
Also, look at who you are rooming with at BlogHer! Ask Amber about sharing a hunk of fried dough covered in apple pie filling with me and my roommates at BlogHer last year. She is a HOOT and a HALF, that one. And Michelle, from Scribbit! LOVE her writing so much. I really hope I find you all in the ginormous crowd of 1,000 people so I can gush over your fabulousness and embarass you into taking a photo with me :)
P.S. The only reason my blogs are on Alltop is because I DM’ed Guy on Twitter and ASKED him to list them. Shameless.
Featured on Good Mom/Bad Mom on the Houston Chronicle. http://tinyurl.com/5p8q7b
Jenny, Bloggesss last blog post..Thanks for the zombies, Jesus!
Loralee – I know I’m late on commenting on this post, but I LOVED it. Thanks for putting it out there. You expressed so well how I feel about blogging. Can’t wait to meet you in SF. :)
andis last blog post..Oh right, I have a blog
Your “Downside to popularity” is the exact reason I stopped wanting or hoping to become “popular”. I am quite content with the community that I have developed with the majority of my readers. Even to say “my readers” sound weird to me. On average I have 10. That is a drop in the bucket but it’s like family and I love that. I wouldn’t want to trade that for all the comments in the world!
Awesome post! I came via Good Mom/Bad Mom.
kaytabugs last blog post..10 friends and a barrel of laughs
What a great entry. Came via good mom / bad mom.
We are still fairly new at Where’s My Damn Answer. Luckily, there are six of us to create content and banter with. At first, that was ALL we had too – haha. Now we’re growing. While I don’t sweat things like being popular anymore, I can totally relate because I used to. You gave great advice!!
I wish I was going to Blogher but I have to sell my jewelry at a trade show and that’s just where the priorities are this time. Maybe next time it won’t conflict so I can meet all the people I stalk/lurk/read in person.
This is the most honest, straight to the point, and some how not at all condescending post I’ve read on this topic.
Feed Reader, please.
(But I’m still pissed I’m not going to BlogHer.)
Miss Britts last blog post..Is That A Light At The End Of The Tunnel, or The Glow From The Flames?
Ha! Emotionally hijacked into reading a blog! That is the best way I’ve even heard it described, and I REFUSE to play into it. Bad form, that.
Mr Ladys last blog post..Cause and Effect; A Cautionary Photostudy for the Modern Housewife
Technorati has something up its butt. I had the same problem. They said they had some authority ratings that were “too high.” I say, “bite me.” Ah, well, always something, right?
T.
Technorati has something up its butt. I had the same problem. They said they had some authority ratings that were “too high.” I say, “bite me.” Ah, well, always something, right?
T.
TLC@SendChocolates last blog post..Sunday In The House With Me
standing and applauding.
ok, sitting and applauding.
Slouching Moms last blog post..But there’s no traffic light that slow.
Okay, just saw one of your comments and now I’m freaking out a little. To be clear, I wasn’t trying to stir up any drama with my post… It was written from a place of total honesty with ZERO expectations. I figured the few regular readers I had might get a kick out of it, might be able to relate a little. That was it.
I’ve been completely blown away by the feedback I’ve gotten, almost all of it has been very positive, and I’ve been SO grateful for the links (yours especially) and the comments, I really had no idea that my post had rubbed anyone the wrong way. I truly am sorry if it did. Not sure why it would, though.
Anyway, thank you for at least appreciating some of it and sorry you got plagiarized – that bites BALLS.
bejewells last blog post..Blue-Ribbon People Watching Experiences
all right, i just found you through blog nosh, and reading this is great. i’ve SO been there. hell, i still AM there sometimes. but mostly i’ve managed to accept where i’m at. that doesn’t mean i want to stay there forever, but i like who i am and what i write, and i love the readers i have. i’ll keep on networking, being friendly, meeting new folks, and maybe some of them will like me. maybe someday i’ll be a hugely popular A-lister; maybe i’ll always be a decent B-lister. either way, the best i can do is like and respect myself at the end of the day.
now, big group hug! (says the girl you’ve never heard of until today. that’s not creepy or anything…)
Laras last blog post..In Honor of My Mother
you’re hilarious. and very, very honest.
i really appreciated this post. thanks for writing it.
lildbs last blog post..smut blogging.
WOW. So, so true. I love you more than ever, pretty lady.
metalias last blog post..Sticky Fingers
I was just thinking of writing about my very own blog envy when I came across this post. I am one of the little people that after two years of blogging on a GREAT day have 5 visits and I read the blogs that get double digit comments and have no clue what I am dong “wrong” – But then I remind myself that I blog because I love to write. I can’t imagine living my life and not writing.
So while I may only have 1 or 2 readers, and at times it really gets on my nerves that no matter what I do it never gets any larger, I do have the opportunity to write and write and write about anything I like. And it makes me feel good… And then there is the hope of someday…
Robbs last blog post..Road to Jaipur
Fantastic post! And SO true. Hope you had a wonderful time at BlogHer! I did.
This is a fantastic post. Very, very nicely done. I can’t add anything.
We all suffer from jealousy and insecurity. Every one of us.
carmens last blog post..A Reader Asks a Question
I just found this post through mommystory’s stumbles and I LOVE it! I wanna re-stumble it!!! So fantastic and TRUE! Every word was honest and totally true.
Love!
what an awesome post – was just tweeted by @writingroads – love this as it totally tweaked my viewpoint as I have been having a lot of these same feelings along with fighting within myself about growth and direction – thanks
I am so finding this post years late… lol… I linked here from Scary Mommy– and just wanted to say AMEN (2 yrs later)
I think you hit on just about every issue and cross road a blogger faces.
I, too, am here from Scary Mommy. And this two year old post is so relevant for me today. In my 6 months as a blogger I feel I am “mildly popular.” I have a sweet and loyal following but as you pointed out here I’m wanting more. My daily hits and comments are never enough. When I find another “mildly popular” blogger I check to see how long she/he has been doing it, what THEIR blog looks like, how many comments they have, etc. And the quote you had at the end of your post? AWESOME! I’m writing it down and taping it next to my computer. It’ll be my new mantra! So glad to have discovered you!