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August 7, 2009 /

wide legs

I’ve been having such a hard time writing lately. I don’t know what my problem is. It’s like I think I have to be in some kind of magic creative mood to write and every time I sit down, I’m brain dead so it doesn’t happen. Of course when that magic moment does strike daily, after my morning coffee, I’m often off driving around town running errands or cleaning house or making breakfast or something so all kinds of posts get written in my head and nothing goes on here.

I’m thinking the best tactic to combat this is to just write anyway. I don’t have to write epic posts that end in sentimental twists. You guys are probably sick of that format anyway. It’s okay to just ramble off any old thing off the top of my head. I don’t know why I put so much pressure on myself.

Wait, yes I do. It’s because there are so many other great blogs out there! Back in the day when I started writing there weren’t very many blogs at all. I wasn’t all that concerned anyway because nobody even knew I existed. Now we’re in all these social communities and there are professional writers to compete with. I just can’t do it.

I think about giving up blogging all the time but that would be such a loss for me. How could I turn my back on such a easy job that has gained me meaningful relationships with friends and business contacts that are a dream to work with? Not to mention, the ads on this site pay just well enough that I would miss them if they stopped. So I guess I’ll plug on through.

And now I’m going to lop this off the top of my regular post and for once post the lopped off part instead of the real post. I do this all the time, did you know that? I start out my posts with long rambling apologies and then I just delete them because who really cares about the meta stuff? But today I’m going to just post the meta stuff because I have no time to get to the real post. But I should get to it soon. It’s about Sea World.

17 Comments

  • OMSH

    August 7, 2009 at 5:42 pm

    Blogs aren’t about writers or creative geniuses. Blogs are the personal daily ramblings…it’s what connects us. I personally love a good random rambling.

  • Kuky

    August 7, 2009 at 7:37 pm

    You know what helps me? I blog for me. I think about how much I like going back and looking at pictures of Isabelle. Or something I’ve made. And sure there are good writers out there, and I think you are one, but then if I make it about my enjoyment then it’s not a competition. It’s just doing something I enjoy.

    And sure I get the blogging blues I guess I’d call them. But then I look at old pictures of Isabelle and remember why I enjoy doing it so much.

    Maybe take a break? Or post to Flickr only like you did before. Get a breather and some distance and you’ll miss it again. :)

  • Kate

    August 7, 2009 at 7:40 pm

    Oh my gosh, I started a post the other day that started with the sentence “I can’t compete.”

    And it’s true. There are so many talented writers out here in the blogosphere that I put pressure on myself to try to rise to their level. And it’s just not possible. So instead of *just writing*, I post nothing because it’s not meaningful, or inspiring, or even necessarily creative. I’ve got to stop thinking like this because it’s the ramblings of my fav bloggers (like you) that keep me coming back. Sure, I love a thought-provoking post as much as the next person, but I feel so much more comfortable reading the ramblings. I *get* the ramblings. So please don’t stop your’s. :)

  • Jennifer

    August 7, 2009 at 8:04 pm

    It’s obvious when you read my blog (that is barely hanging on) that I am not competing in any way with all the great writers out there. I want to try to make myself write more. When I look back on the days that I would write an entry every day, I love to read about Emily when she was MOLLY’S age. That is reward enough!

    I love rambly.

  • Bee

    August 7, 2009 at 8:33 pm

    Your blog has always been and will always be one of my favorites. Your honest, open style of writing has always made so much sense to me. I get a huge smile on my face everytime my feedreader says you’ve got a new post, and just seeing a picture of your precious little Bug is enough of a post on the days when writing seems to hard. Your adorable crafts, your cooking, your adventures with your wonderful little girl, and your ability to be completely honest with your readers about your struggles and frustrations makes you one of the best bloggers there has ever been.

    Keep your chin up!
    And feel free to let yourself skip days or weeks if it’ll de-stress you. You’re not obligated to write! We as your readers are just happy to hear from you whenever you have a moment to write a post :)

  • The Bug

    August 8, 2009 at 7:57 am

    I ditto everyone! There – I didn’t even have to have an original thought! I especially like the pictures of Bug (since we share the same nickname), but I also like reading about your angst – it’s what makes us sisters after all.

  • Melissa

    August 8, 2009 at 8:26 am

    Your readers just love reading you, regardless of whether your post is a literary masterpiece, pure creative genius or just plain old rambling. You’re just keeping it real, yo! Don’t put so much pressure on yourself, we love your blog anyway.

  • Emme

    August 8, 2009 at 3:33 pm

    I’m just starting to blog again after starting and stopping a jagillion times over the last
    9 years. And I feel an enormous amount of (ridiculous, self-imposed) pressure to be brilliant in every post, which is just all kinds of silly. I am glad you wrote what you did in this post, and thanks for inspiring me to post again today after a decent break! Also? I really love your blog and have been enjoying it for probably the last 5 years, and I hope you stick with it!

  • pinky

    August 8, 2009 at 3:43 pm

    There are so many blogs out there, but I don’t read any of them :-)

    (you have a genuine voice, whether you “have something to say” or not. you don’t have to complete with anyone, you are wonderful!)