1. Individuality and community.
Blogging gives us the best of both, lets us develop our self in the nest of “the collective heartbeat”. (Anne Lamott)
2. The freedom.
Anything goes: some days this is my own TED stage or talk show. On others, my stand-up. Sometimes it’s my notebook.
3. The empowering.
You can take yourself as seriously as you want to and ask others to.
4. The humbling.
You remember you’re just a leaf in the forest. Let’s keep it real.
5. The immediacy, the organic exchange.
6. The traffic.
The comment board is the interface of lives and a place where people can lend their perspective to expand yours.
7. The pay-out.
It’s the immigrant ethos. You sight unchartered space in blogosphere, nothing in your pocket. You stake your ground, work hard, and can build something of worth.
8. The low maintenance.
Comb my hair? Figure out which top to wear? I can blog in my bathrobe behind my smiling avatar, ever presentable.
Forbes.com
9. The low cost.
I got the premium plan to keep the ads away, for your sake and mine. I felt vandalized when they started popping up. There is no motive for my writing other than the joy and I’m not here to mark out a trail to a pretty place that empties your wallet. Anyway, at 27 cents a day it beats spending on gas and an overrated drink at Starbucks to enjoy friends.
10. The Efficiency.
I’m all set. Honey, no need to write anything for my funeral. Just pull up the comments for the eulogies!
I had to laugh when I read number 10! 🙂 Very efficient indeed. – For me there is a number 11: finding loads of good blogs to read! If I had not started blogging, I would never had started hopping around here. And lazy old me reads more than she writes mostly…
One can never read enough. =)
Loved #4. #10 creeped me out !
HA HA HA HA HA. The thing is, I was not joking.
Numbers 8 and 9 were my picks. I hate (no loathe is a better word) the ads on most blogs and am beginning to hate the essential oils that cost $100 a bottle. They can be beneficial, but why does every and her mother sell them?
Try adding the word ‘girl’ in there. LOL
We use oils. =) But I wouldn’t sell them.
A surgical nurse I met when I first transferred to perioperative nursing went heavy on trying to get me to join the ‘sales team’. I bought some lavender, then avoided her until she stopped asking 🙂
Hope you at least used the oil!
I did! I’m just all work when I clock in – she was killing my work buzz! ( There was also one I applied on my neck for a thyroid condition I have.)
Lavender’s supposed to destress you but she stressed you out. HA!
Love the post, Diana. A great perspective on blogging.
If my comment gets through to you, use it to convey any thoughts about my last two posts that some how blocked you out. Hope it soon gets corrected.
-Alan
A, I just tried to reply on your board multiple times and though it wouldn’t take it after the first time (said it’s a duplicate), it ate up my words. I don’t see ’em. Commenting should not be this difficult for anyone. You really need to contact the forum, get this fixed. So so sorry you’re in the chair, dear friend.
I’ll check with the forum, Diana. Thanks for your empathy, Diana. But, don’t be sorry about the chair. If not for polio, I would not have been blessed by so many that have touched my life.
-Alan
I’m down for #1, 2, 4, & 5, but draw the line at #10. Friends don’t let friends blog irresponsibly. 🙂
LOL. Nuh uh. You’d better not stop commenting. These are priceless gems you guys are leaving me and it’s not my fault my funeral’s laid out efficiently thanks to them.
No, you’re stuck with me. I count on you for entertainment and wit. 🙂
Oh gee, no pressure. You also have the Sunday comics. =)
Grrrr….
Oh my, you make blogging like a course of study at a University. 🙂
HA HA HA HA. I LOVed school.
I’m afraid I didn’t take school seriously until I got the bug to study at middle age, now I want to drink in all the knowledge I can lay my hands on. 🙂
And do your homework, from the looks of your hard-working blog. =)
I’ll probably crank up my story telling next week. Got a lot to do but will try to fit it all in. I love writing. Cheers!
Ha, ha! Very true!
=)
I never really looked at blogging this way, you are so right on! Thank you Holistic Wayfarer 🙂
Chuckle.
Ha ha! Love that NY whit and candor, D. 😉And what a treat to hear from you again “so soon.”
I’m keeping my foot out here while I can before I go under next wk with the new school yr. Happy new yr, V!!
Back at ya, D!
Simply loved your straightforward, honest and some humorous thoughts about blogging! 🙂
Thanks. =)
I have really come to rely on the virtual friendships.
Hmmm. That is an important commentary on life as we know it, Cindy.
It’s crazy, isn’t it? Like pen pals only faster and more of them.
I was thinking in writing this, that it can be like texting with 100 people at the same time. But it’s richer than that. The immediacy (of response) is self-authenticating, that is, reinforces the validity of the relationships.
I’m glad you included #2. When I started blogging, the primary advice out there was to blog to a niche — food, politics, book reviews, etc. yeah, but, that’s not me. I’m all of those things and limiting to one area would have made this much different My blog is me, warts and all.
Absolutely, M. There are few real rules in blogging.
It is for sure, that “collective heartbeat”. Thanks for your words. They matter, D. ❤️ 💛 💚
So sweet.
Xxx (I don’t know how to do the heart, ha ha ha. Really should learn by now.)
Nice!
I hadn’t thought of having blog comment eulogy – interesting. When I started blogging the advice I got was to stay w away from controversy which I couldn’t do – specially this year.
You go looking for trouble, don’t you? =)
Low cost alright. I do think WP is reasonably priced and we could all try to do away with less coffee and force ourselves onto more sleep 😂 Humbling is also so true. You are nor just yourself when it comes to blogging – you be a part of something bigger too.
” a part of something bigger too.” Exactly, M.
I SO agree with every single point you’ve made Diana, and so well stated. Loved it. Bravo. xx
Ha ha ha. Vindicated on the last point!
Saving this for those days when blogging feels hard and I can’t remember why I keep doing it. Thank you 🙂
=) This – at the height of the new year? Well, it’s good to be prepared for discouragement!
Well, we all feel like we are doing it wrong sometimes. Or we forget our reasons and wonder if we should keep going. I just like to store up inspiration to get me through the rough patches 🙂
Sounds smart to me.
So very well stated…🤗✨
Thanks. =)
You’re welcome ✨
I blog in my underwear and a ratty old tee shirt but no one will ever know that.
*choking on the drink*
REALLY didn’t need to know that but your secret’s safe with me and Brad and Jan and Stormie and…
Number 4 got me 🙂 thanks for the reminder D 🙂
WhAM. Ha ha ha ha. Anytime. 😉
Reblogged this on Gail's Blog and commented:
The urge to blog sweeps me away until a little voice in my heads asks, “Why are you doing this?” “Shut up, do I need a reason?” “It just seems others have a larger purpose like promoting their livelihood rather than merely a passion for composition, the longing to be understood and the need to make sense of what goes on in my twisted mind. It seems so narcissistic.” This is my inner dialogue. Holistic Wayfarer’s list of best things about blogging expands on this beautifully.
I’m so glad the post freed you from your doubts, Gail! The longing to be understood and to understand make us human. Thank you for the reblog.
Xx
HW
And the fact that you have great things to read.
I’m thinking you mean from your site…? =)
haha! You saved the best for last! #10–so fun! I am about out of space for photos so am going to have to break down and (gasp!) go premium. Twenty-seven cents a day? Thanks for figuring that out, Diana. I can spring for that. While I blog in my bathrobe and bunny slippers. 😀
Right? I have friends who spend $4 a day on their morning latte (and they have to spend time getting dressed)!
I love your sense of humor Di, your last statement, although so true, cracked me up!!! ❤ xo
Heh heh. Oh, I meant it. Feels nice being prepared. LOL.
🙂
Diana, you are so smart and so funny. I adore number 10. It’s the best thing I’ve read in a long time.
“10. The Efficiency.
I’m all set. Honey, no need to write anything for my funeral. Just pull up the comments for the eulogies!”
Yvonne x
If I can entertain with just words and don’t need to make a fool of myself singing or dancing, will do!!
Sounds like a winner to me.
You hit the nail on the head. I usually smash my thumb or a finger.
Ha ha ha. Actually, I’m quite clumsy. A bit more coordinated with the words.
Really enjoyed this! I could relate to all of your points, particularly number 8 on low maintenance. Who doesn’t love a calling that allows for bathrobe attire and uncombed hair?
“Who doesn’t love a calling that allows for bathrobe attire and uncombed hair?” I’ve ferreted out another one! HA!! Feeling better with each confession.
😉
Loved it 🙂
Great. Thanks.
I’m with you with all Ten of these! If I were to add an 11th, it would be something to do with the Creative Outlet. Anyway, I wish you much blogging pleasure during 2017
Denzil
https://lifesentences.blog/
Thanks, Denzil. Maybe you can write your own. =)
It’s great to share your experiences with others in hopes that it will ultimately benefit their lives!
Thx for reading. =)
It seems to me I am old school person. Paragraph #8 is definitely not for me.
A man of self-worth!
I can embrace all 10 points, right there with you. Very thoughtful and introspective summary of the essence of (not-for-profit) blogging!
Ha ha ha. That’s perfect. I am a non-profit 501(c).
I couldn’t have said it better!! Thank you for sharing your thoughts – loved this! I’d like a canvas print, please!! Seriously!!
Uh…you’re welcome to blow it up. =)
Wonderful assessment. Thanks. I especially like 7, 8, 9 and 10.
#10 She was the Dragon Lady of Grammar. She’s now correcting the angels. 🙂
SHHH!!! They won’t let me in!!
🙂
I can blog in my bathrobe behind my smiling avatar, ever presentable. // the accuracy of this at the moment 😉 😀
Ha ha ha. So comfy!
As always, you are so real and practical! If I ever contemplate scrapping my blog, I will re-read this one!
I don’t see you ever doing that, Debbie. =) Your handprints of love are all over it.
Ahhh… you are so sweet (in addition to being funny and articulate!)
If I had to pick one it would be 2 but they’re all true. Nice list!
Whatever works for you. =) Thanks for your time, DK.
D., you’ve tapped into some of the greatest benefits of blogging – and one item I had to smile about was #9. The ads were the one thing that truly bothered me…seemed to taint what we worked hard to create. And for which one should not have surprised me knowing your humor: #10 is absolutely perfect, a great friend, fantastic writer, and philosopher – we’ll miss her so much 😉
Of course you too would feel violated by the ads and that your art was being vandalized. It’s the romantic artist in us that would shell out to protect our work than monetize.
As for #10, laughing. It is nice hearing I will be missed, ha ha ha ha. Although again, leaf in the forest. We all come and go.
Lots of great aphorisms on blogging, HWF! Loved some of the metaphors..blogging like a low-cost activity that’s comparable to digital immigrant. Wow. Yea, true re last one for euologies…or at least, we hope those comments will still remain true.
Just keep them coming and I will die a rich woman. 😉
omg how is your blog so amazing just wow
If it is, it’s thanks to enthusiastic support like yours. =)
Great summary Diana, I often think it’s great that I can just write what I want and publish it – the modern power of creation 🙂
This was a great read. I myself am new to the blogosphere and am starting 1to share my experience.
Welcome to blogosphere. You are off to a great start commenting and sharing yourself.
Thank you I’m swallowing my pride an admitting that I DONT know it all!! An believe it or not its bloggers like yourself that motivate me. Thank you for the reply
It’s an ongoing journey. I didn’t feel like I was really getting the hang of it ’til my first yr through. Have fun. =)
Ha ha! Love them all. Especially # 10.
Thx. Meant it! =)
I love them all, and would add # 11.. the discipline of writing
InDEED.
Happy New Year D! I like your list. #4 is my fave.
Says a lot about you. =)
Wish you joy and strength this yr, Steph.
Xxx
D.
Likewise💗💟💗
I agree, Starbucks is overrated. Another enjoyable post!
You are one of the truest treasures in our blog community! Always genuine, and also selfless and you speak your mind, straight from your heart! Happy New Year my sister to you and your family. God bless!
Hi Wendell,
I do hope you and yours have been well. Good to hear from you again. I appreciate the generous word and hope it’s a year of renewal for you.