For the past few weeks I’ve talked about blogging struggles but there’s a GOOD side to blogging and I want to make sure I also point that out as well.
ICYMI: the first two topics – 5 Truths/Tips About Blogging & 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Blogging
Despite 8 years of highs and lows, this is still my favorite hobby and I would feel lost without my little space to express myself and chat with all of you.
The 5 BEST Things About Blogging
1. You Will Expand your horizons! I haven’t traveled a lot in my lifetime and never outside the US but now I’m friendly with people from all over the world and people with very different life experiences from my own and it’s been amazing and educational. It’s always good to step outside your own world view.
I’ve even received gifts of home baked Christmas Cake from a blog follower in England and chocolates from Finland.
2. You Get To Challenge Yourself! I’m SUPER shy, very phobic, and have panic attacks. Blogging has pushed me so far out of my comfort zone and has been the best thing that has ever happened to me on that front. Am I completely over everything? No, but I’ve gotten on planes to attend book cons, been in ginormous crowds at those cons, contacted authors & publishers, organized and held events on my blog, Things I could never imagine my scaredy cat self doing. It helps that so many other bloggers are the same way and totally get it and support you.
3. You Can Get Creative! Another thing I NEVER imagined myself doing. I don’t consider myself creative at all. I never cared to learn anything artistic – but here I am…8 years later…searching for clip art, making my own headers and banners, taking bookish Instagram pics. And I have so much fun with it! Do I waste a ton of time doing it and ditching half of what I come up with because it’s crap?? YES! But I still love doing it. It’s an outlet I never considered for myself. And crafting reviews/posts is it’s own form of creativity. No matter the type of reviews/posts you write – they are stamped with your own style.
4. You Become Part of the Bigger Picture! Sure, you aren’t the author but you are still an important part of the process which is totally mind blowing to me sometimes. You’re a tiny piece of the puzzle that helps get the word out about books or products that you love. That anyone would ask me to review their book or if you’re lucky get your review blurbed, or in my case, have my name in the dedication of one of my favorite series is still weird to me.
I also beta read for a few authors now which is Mind. Blowing.
People who have supported me through real life struggles – like the long, tough illness and eventual passing of my father, losing several of my pets, a few years with my own health problems. It’s been my blogging pals who have been there for me. Just checking in through Twitter, or DM’s, emails, texts, sending cards but always letting me know that they were there.
I’ve met several of you in real life and and many have quit blogging or even following blogs yet our friendships remain.
So yeah…blogging can be stressful and time consuming but I can’t think of any other hobby of mine over the years that has brought so many good things into my life.
What are your favorite things about blogging – or even if you aren’t a blogger – has anything positive come from following blogs?
Oh that's so true how it widens your horizons! Before blogging, I think I only had one friend who lived outside the US. Now I talk to people all over! And I'm so glad it's given you a creative outlet and shown you that you are creative :-) And definitely the friendships are the best part!
ReplyDeleteMe either and now I know people from South Africa, England, Finland, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, Guatemala...all over the place!
DeleteThe creative part kind of surprised me. It was born more out of necessity (not having the $ to pay people to do what I wanted) than desire.
Love all of these so much. I'm so glad I started blogging - especially for the friendships.
ReplyDeleteIt's weird how people you've never met just *get you*. It's an awesome support system for those days where real life is getting you down.
DeleteOh, I just love this... so very, very much.
ReplyDeleteYes. Blogging is a lot of things. Not all of it good, but in my case (and it sounds like in yours, too) the good very heavily outweighs the bad. I'm glad you're still with it, that blogging has allowed you to step far outside of your comfort zone, form connections, and experience things you wouldn't have otherwise. Also CHOCOLATES FROM FINLAND! I bet they were delicious <3
Uhm, also this? "have my name in the dedication of one of my favorite series is still weird to me" <------WUT??!! That's pretty eff'n neat, momma!
Hope you have an awesome weekend ahead! XO
I've had a few moments were the bad outweighed the good but once I refocused and dumped what caused stress and embraced what works - it became fun again.
DeleteAnd damn! If you can get yourself some chocolates from Finland DO IT! They are so good!
lol - yes, my name is in the dedication of Outpost by Ann Aguirre. And it's VERY cool
Yes! Love blogging. I was feeling lost after I had my kids and stopped working. I just didn't click with the other moms. But I clicked with blogging and the community. Helped me stay rooted and have a good feeling for myself.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way. It's weird but true - that I can relate more to all of you guys, that I haven't met, than people in my real life.
DeleteI'm glad you found that too Grace!
Meeting new people :D And I am, not shy, I am just a real introvert and will rather spend time on my own, but with online friends and can be alone and be with people lol.
ReplyDeleteMy aim is still to be quoted in a book, I just need to learn to write something smart, eh, not me
"can be alone and be with people" So much this!!! I am shy but I also just don't like being around people a lot. I like being on my own more.
DeleteI've never been quoted in a book. I've had a few quotes on websites which I think counts but an actual book would be cool too.
These are all so true. Blogging can be exhausting and frustrating but the friendships I've made with true book people more than make up for all of those other things. I hope to attend a book conference some day but I'm shy and an introvert so I don't know if I will survive all of that people time! Though I am getting better since I started doing pet adoption counseling but some nights all of that talking wipes me out.
ReplyDeleteI was worried about that too when I went to my first BEA (I get pass out cold panic attacks) but it was great. You get to meet people but almost everyone else is just as shy and awkward so somehow it works. lol And you really don't even have that much time to talk anyway.
DeleteI did go to another paranormal conference that I didn't enjoy because it was more about making connections and talking and doing things together like games and I can't handle that kind of thing.
Ugh, I would run screaming from that paranormal conference! But BEA sounds doable - someday.
DeleteI loooveee international treats!
ReplyDeleteAnd being a blogger has given me such interesting insight to how the publishing world makes, it's fascinating and I want to know more!
And yes, blogging friendships! <3
You should work in publishing. You would be amazing at it!
DeleteI so agree with all of these! I've met some amazing people in the blog world - either in person or just online, and I totally consider them friends. Online friendships can definitely be real. I also feel like I've read so many more amazing books because of the blog world and learned a lot of new things - not just related to books/reading. I don't imagine myself stopping anytime soon when it comes to blogging.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
There are so many new things I've tried because I've seen it on other blogs and not just books.
DeleteWe have our issues as a community but overall it's been overwhelmingly positive.
I didn't know there was such a thing as free books when I started lol I think we've all had a selfish time or two in blogging but if you're in it for ther long haul you realize it's about more of that.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree about all of that. I like that I've made some great friends too.
ReplyDeleteIf I was relying on people I meet in person, I would never have this many friends lol
DeleteI'd miss blogging too- big time. And it IS amazing how we can meet like minded people all over the world, who love books. I feel the same way about online/ blog friendships. Who knew?? They can be as special as RL friendships (and I shouldn't even distinguish them like that, because they ARE RL friendships actually).
ReplyDelete#s 2 and 3 *nods* so true as well!!!
You're right - they are REAL friendships. Many have crossed over from and lasted way beyond talking books.
DeleteI love your list of what makes blogging so great!! I agree with so many of them too and I just love what blogging gives back to us. Its tough and hard work but so rewarding right?
ReplyDeleteIt really is and it's what has kept me from quitting so many times. There just isn't another hobby that allows you to meet so many people or try so many new things.
DeleteWhat I love about blogging most is that it gives me an outlet. I am an introvert and, as is the case with most introverts, my mind is a very, very noisy place because I'm constantly thinking, pondering, or analyzing. Blogging gives me the opportunity to get the thoughts out of my head and clear out the mental clutter.
ReplyDeleteI'm very introverted so blogging helps push me out of my comfort zone in a way I would never do otherwise.
DeleteI agree, blogging takes up a lot of time, but I don't have friends in real life that get my obsession with all things books like my bloggy friends do. I even have a few that I talk fitness and health with as well as books and it's such a great community! It's given me motivation to get back on a fitness routine as well as inspired me to try new things like running. Never thought I'd be a runner, but I can call myself that now, and it's a great feeling.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your father! Also, I didn't know you struggled with shyness and panic attacks, Karen. I'm happy to hear that blogging has helped a little with that. I think sharing our struggles and hearing that other people go through similar things help to cope. :)
Blogging has gotten me to do SO many new things even if I don't see you guys in real life - I find y'all motivating. I work out daily now and it's mostly because of other bloggers.
DeleteI do! Although I haven't had a full fledged panic attack in years.
It is a wonderful way to connect to people. Some of my absolute favorite people in the world I only know because of the blog. And yes on the support. Yall have all helped me get through some hard losses as well. I'm glad that blogging has brought wonderful things into your life!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely on the tough times. You get the support from everyone and it also gives you something to do to when you're feeling down instead of hiberating and brooding.
DeleteI completely agree with you about all of these things, but like you said, my favorite is the friendships too. I love meeting new people and getting to know them through our blogs. :)
ReplyDeleteBlogging is really one of the best things I've ever done with my life!
DeleteYay, I love this topic! I don't get the whole "internet friendships aren't real" thing. My mum is very weirded out by the fact that some of my favourite people are those I've met through blogging, people who I don't have to hang out with IRL to get along famously with them. Blogging friendships are the beeeest! And meeting people from all over the world is SO COOL. I've definitely learned a lot about other cultures through blogging friends.
ReplyDeleteMy husband didn't get it at first but now even he's friendly with most of the people he's met at the conferences with me lol
DeleteSame here - I know a person in almost every part of the world now and it's totally changed how I view current events.