I'll develop blog crushes and read back through all the archives and go crazy for their blog style. Then subconsciously I'll start incorporating some others' style into my own. Sometimes I want to be a popular creative blogger, one that other bloggers reference and quote and feature. Sometimes I want to be a profound and introspective blogger, one who is constantly inspirational. Sometimes I even want to be a hipster blogger (and really, who am I kidding with that one?). All that wanting to be something else inevitably leads to a blog rut and I don't know where to go. I get so caught up in trying to be what I love that I stop trying to be what I am.
While I like it when other blogs inspire my own, I don't want to forget the purpose I had for my blog when I first started on July 5, 2006. My first post ever included this paragraph:
My blog style will inevitably change as I continue writing; I mean, I started blogging almost five years ago, and my style—what I write and how I write it—has developed significantly. And all along the way, my blog has become more and more me, which is exactly how I want it to be. As I've grown up, so has my blog.I love words and minutiae is one of my favorites. It is what I frequently think of as the little bits of life that create a person. That is really what these blogs are right? The chronicling of the little bits of our lives that mold who we are, where we're going, why we do what do, and how we act is how I apply minutiae to my life.
What I love most about blogging is that I come to know myself better and become more comfortable being me. I learn that I can love other blogs far different from my own and still love my blog for what it is. I learn more and more all the time that being me is enough, and that's a liberating realization.
Even with 156 million other blog voices out there, my blog voice doesn't have to drown. My blog voice is mine, and it doesn't have to be anything else.
8 comments:
I like this post. Miss you :)
I know what you mean! Sometimes I think it would be so fun to have a blog like this person, or that person. It's hard to feel like your blog is totally "you" but those are the blogs that are fun to read, where people are real! I love your blog BTW! Perfect balance of real and interesting and always very thoughtful and well-written. :)
I know exactly what you mean Charlotte. I think it is one of the worst things about blogging...losing yourself in the shuffle. I have times when I find myself writing in the voice of someone else. I can actually look back at posts and think "oh...that is when I was writing like so and so..." The only thing that I notice without fail is that trying to write in my voice other than my own puts me in a slump (just like you!) and leaves me feeling lost. Starting over and trying again is the only thing I have found that helps. :)
So beautiful and so true.
Also, I wish I was a hipster blogger too :-).
Charlotte, I have often felt the exact same way. Also, I feel I should confess: I've been blog stalking you for the last two weeks.
You might not remember me, but we had an English class together freshman year, and then we were both in History of the Book with Royal Skousen. Didn't talk much, but I always liked you. And I love your blog.
Charlotte! Thank you so much for you comment! I had the chills when I read it. I feel like our feelings are so similar. It breaks my heart to see the change in the world and that because I put my husbands career before my own I am somehow seen as weak. I am excited to have a new blogging friend. Nice to meet you and guess what... I think you are strong for your sacrifice and for supporting your husband. Keep in touch!
I love this post and it's affirmation. It's so easy to feel intimidated or diminished by all of the other blogs/people/lives out there. Really easy.
i too hope that as I continue to write i will define my voice.
I can totally relate to this entire post! Totally.
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