One Year Ago Today
“Our truest response to the irrationality of the world is to paint or sing or write, for only in such response do we find truth.” — Madeleine L’Engle
November 2, 2008 was the date I sat down, wrote this post and hit the oft-dreaded publish button for the first time, claiming my own little spot here on the interwebs. I didn’t have much of a clue about why I was doing it or where I was going with it. I now have a pretty firm grasp on why I do it but still not the slightest idea of where it’s going.
I have learned quite a bit over the past year through blogging.
I’ve learned that pretty much no matter what I write about there is at least one person, and usually many more than just one, who reads it and comments or e-mails me to say they’ve been in the same situation or feel the exact same way. I’ve learned that I’m not alone.
I’ve learned that it is possible to develop relationships with people who follow my blog and whose blogs I follow. We have gotten to know each other. Admittedly, we never really know exactly how well we know each other since our primary interactions are through what each of us chooses to expose on our blogs and in our comments. Much can be hidden. The same can be said for people we know in life though. Some of the friends I’ve met through blogging have become facebook friends too, some I communicate with regularly via e-mail, one I have met in person. Some turned out not to be friends at all and/or not who they want people to believe they are. Some lost interest in my blog or I lost interest in theirs. Some stopped blogging and have disappeared. They have all touched me in some way and all taught me something about life or about myself.
I’ve learned a ton about social media. When I started out I had a MySpace account and one e-mail address. Today, I’m on virtually every social networking site there is. I can’t even remember all that I’ve signed up for. MySpace has been completely abandoned. Facebook is private and used primarily for people who I actually know, except my public Facebook Page for this blog. I have an endless number of e-mail addresses. I even know a little about search engine optimization, especially that anyone claiming to be a SEO guru, is in fact, NOT.
I’ve learned that there are multiple cliques within the blogging community. There is always some controversy or other brewing. These always seem to bring out the worst in people, the catty in-fighting hurts us all. This is especially true amongst “mommy-bloggers” which is, unfortunately, the category under which my blog most likely falls. I try to ignore the nonsense. It usually blows over pretty quickly and isn’t nearly as important as anyone involved thought it was.
I’ve learned that blogging is extremely time consuming and much easier to keep up with when not employed than when working full time. I’ve learned that doesn’t bother me and that I somehow find the time because I love it so much.
My most popular blog post by far is Narcissistic Mothers. My least popular post is Are Credit Scores Obsolete. I guess there a lot more people trying to understand their parents and narcissists than there are interested in credit scores or the mortgage industry. Or maybe there are just a lot more professional bloggers out there talking about credit scores and the mortgage industry so my little post didn’t cover any new ground.
That about sums up what I’ve learned this year and I hope to learn even more over the next year. Thank you to everyone who’s reading!
As always, thanks for stopping by!
Happy Anniversary!! Glad we got to meet through blogging.
Thanks Les, so am I!
happy blog birthday! wow, a year. that is something. do you know how many bloggers start a blog and then never write more than one or two posts? well i don’t know how many either but it is a lot…
this is a learning experience. like you, i have found an interesting community of people and have learned from them. (you being one but don’t get the big head!) i hope you keep walking and keep writing.
consuella´s last blog ..hitting the wall
Well, thank you! I have learned from you too! I’ll try not to get big head.
Congratulations, Cyndi. Quite an accomplishment. I’m still on the first year learning curve re blogging. Glad I found you.
karen
Karen Walker´s last blog ..Weekend Wrap-up
Thanks Karen, glad I found you too!
You have learned much in a year! Keep on writing. I am grateful for you!
Mark´s last blog ..What Is Your Purpose?
“you say it’s your blogger birthday…nannananannanana….it’s my blogger birthday too….annannaanannna”
I did not realize that we started blogging about the same time. I started a my blog last year this during this week as a way to deal with the emotions surrounding my 35th b-day. It is not the blog I have now, it was a much darker blog (can you imagine). I converted it to my current blog in January…ANYWAY – (stop the rambling and get on with it), When I found your blog I latched on because you came across like a pro and always had thoughtful posts.
I enjoy reading your blog, it and you, are responsible for introducing me to many other great blogs (and people).
Happy blogger birthday~ cheers to many more!
Tammy´s last blog ..Trick or Treat
Happy Anniversary!! I had no idea my blog was “older” than yours!
haha You’ve done a great job, I’d never have guessed! Congrats!
Christina´s last blog ..Beef and Broccoli
Happy Birthday!
How grateful I am that you are writing and that I know you this way. How in the world could I bear this world without people exactly like you. People living on the edge of the learning and growing curve of life are my favorite kind of all.
Thanks for the magic you share every day!
Dawn´s last blog ..My Neurons are Smoking
Happy Anniversary to you!
I love blogging. In so many ways, I feel like it has saved my life.
Happy writing!
MommaSunshine´s last blog ..Rough Night
Thank you all! I’m so happy to have met each of you.
Oh! Just in time to get a thank You from you
Happy Blogiversary Cindy!
Your blog is better than a candy, anyday
Wish you continue this roll
till i meet you at northpole
I love blogging too, like mommasunshine said, it has saved my life and a lot more. Good to have Angels like you around.Cheers!
swapna´s last blog ..consolation
And a poem too?! Thank you!
oh how i wish i could post that image on my site right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
she´s last blog ..I’m Baaaaa-aaaack
Go for it!!!
I just started reading your blog and think it’s great. Your recap of the year is also helpful. I have to restart posting more frequently on my blog and your post is giving me a boost. I keep procrastinating because of my perfectionist tendency. I want it just right so I get a certain response. But as your post illustrates you can never predict which post will be the most popular. So I just have to get writing and stop worrying.
I look forward to reading more. . .
Well, thank you and welcome!
Love the image….God love the “lurkers” who never comment! I don’t think many people realize that we can see exactly who comes to our pages, LOL. Happy Blog-versary to you!! Mine was in May or June, and I didn’t even think to acknowledge it. Shame on me!
I’m so glad I stumbled across your little piece of the web. You’ve brought much insight and encouragement to my life over the last year. Oh, and I’ve had lots of fun sharing my JM obsession with you:) I SO wish we could go to the Battle Studies show together!!
Jess´s last blog ..Polaroids