To blog or not to blog? Is blogging work or leisure? I love thought-provoking questions such as these, recently seen on WordPress, and I’ve been contemplating how I might respond.
I think the answer to both questions is surrounded by one’s purpose. And, what I mean is there are as many reasons to write a blog as there are bloggers. And, likely many reasons not to write a blog. Each blogger probably began with an idea or a unique purpose for their writing. I mean you gotta have an idea! In some cases, to share or chat or find commonalities to others or make connections. Maybe, even to find answers! Example of that is retirementtransition. The author is carefully and strategically reinventing herself with a new sense of identity with her new phase in life. In some cases, blogs are written to teach or inform like Live to Write – Write to Live. I love that blog and am learning a thing or two. (who vs. that, a common mistake of mine) I think my favorite are the learning blogs. Then, there are those who utilize social networking aka WordPress that is then linked to their Linkedin and/or Twitter accounts for their business as in Kate Davies Designs. How lucky to have this resource in which to do so. Her blog in particular, is so beautiful with its photography and equally compelling writing, whether you like knitting or not, it’s a treat. Actually those blogs are the person’s business where patterns are sold, the author advertises the books they’ve written and the like. Oh, and I can’t forget the poetry blogs like O at the Edges I love to read them, too but admittedly cannot always interpret what the author is intending. (And, no, I do not beat myself up about that.)
Over time the original purpose for that blogger may change. Or the topic may grow into more topics or different topics. Oftentimes, as the author’s life changes or shifts, so does the topic in which the author writes. Then, of course, the time one can give their blog, changes. There are endless answers to these original questions. So, of course, I can only speak for me. I am very much enjoying writing posts, find some posts much easier to write than others so when the words are not flowing, the process is a bit more tedious and because the purpose of my blog is more of a journal, it is leisure in format, hopefully informing in content. When I don’t have time, I do not post. Some say more successful blogs have more of a routine of publishing aka. every Tuesday like in Aunt Beulah. The author of that blog doesn’t miss a beat.
There are a scant few blogs that I find are more about the person than the message. I, for one, avoid those and those blogs will remain nameless. These are my observations thus far.
Much like the questions or ideas thrown out there by others, I have one nagging inquiry that I ponder a lot within myself. It is along the lines of motivation, specifically what creates the power or the motivation in anyone’s life to do anything whether it be to blog, to exercise, to read, (as examples)? Why does one run that extra mile when not on a team or rip out their project when really it was already completed. The motivating factor. So, in my current phase of life, retirement, what is the fuel or power that gets a person to actually act on anything? Not the what to do, but the making it happen, the actualization of it. I think about that a lot.
And, I believe I have some ideas. Do you?
Hollyknits 
8 responses to “To blog or not to blog, that be the question”
I am truly honored that you mentioned my blog in your post! Thank you! As a beginner blogger this was so exciting. You also made me think about motivation…what motivates me to do things? I am a huge procrastinator. I thought (and talked) about doing a blog for a year. Yes, 12 months. I talk about increasing my exercise program. I know all the reasons why I should. But the knowing has never made the doing any easier. I am going to explore motivation and habit formation more, especially as I am trying to create new habits in this new life called retirement!
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There are some nice people out there, I am happy to encourage you in your endeavor. One has to love all the lists that are out there regarding what one should do in life. I, like you know what should be done. Now, let’s discuss the one who accomplishes vs. the one who doesn’t.
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You bring up good points! I started blogging to let my family keep up to date with what I am doing – hence the name “whatimuptotoday” – but my family apparently doesn’t care because they don’t read it! Amazingly, other people do, and the blog has evolved, it is much more about what I am knitting, with other stuff tossed in. I love reading about lives in other parts of the world, and apparently, so do people around the world, because my readers are far flung. I also really like the process of writing, and how it makes me think about my day and what I have done, what I will do. Writing the blog keeps me focused on projects – I have many fewer WIPs since I started writing about things – I don’t want to write that I didn’t finish something (pay no attention to the blue scarf and periwinkle vest, if you please). It never feels like work, it feels like having a conversation with a group of good friends. Which, now that I think about it, is sort of what I intended to have happen hen I started it. :-)
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very interesting the notion that writing your blog keeps you more focused and you’ve increased the desire AND the ability to complete projects, a side effect I had not considered. You have developed a nice attitude about writing and it has served you well. So, you’ve answered my pondering regarding bringing your plan to fruition as you’ve said you don’t want to write about incomplete projects so the writing serves as a motivator to get the lead out or actualizing your plan. love it!
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Definitely good questions! Love what I’ve seen of your blog, looking forward to following.
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lovely and I, you… Looking forward to where Sadie has been!
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I love Janet from Aunt Beulah, her writing is a true inspiration to me!
To blog or not to blog is something I have been pondering lately myself. I would much rather write a meaningful post than just some rubbish in my head to get my stats up. Unfortunately, due to my anxiety, I have a tendency to freak out if it’s been a few days since posting and I’m constantly having to remind myself that I don’t have to write posts every day! For me quality over quantity will win every time, I just need to learn the self control aspect of this, which I slowly am.
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You bring up further great points. The stats thing and the pressure of having a blog thing. I try to keep level headed about both. Balance. I truly believe a balanced life is a happy one. The best to you.
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