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Why do we blog? On fear, inspiration and writer’s block

by Writer of Words, etc

I’ve noticed while reading other blogs that one of the persistent worries people have is that they don’t have anything exciting to write about.

Often times I see phrases like ‘my life is boring, routine and not interesting’, or variations of that.

Well, I think we all get sucked into that mentality, don’t we? For the most part, life is pretty routine, for all of us.

So why is it that some people find things to write about daily and maintain interest in their readership, while others struggle to come up with something they consider interesting enough to write/blog about and share with the internet?

Well, honestly, I don’t consider my life particularly interesting, either. I mean, I’m a SAHM with the odd work-from-home job, I have two busy kids who need chauffeuring and feeding and parenting all day, and life is busy and sometimes hectic but not really all that exciting. Or interesting.

But my fingers want to type. My brain is never quiet. I have thoughts, constantly.

So I log on to WP and start typing. Some of my posts never see the light of day. Other posts are drivel at best. Sometimes, there’s likes and comments, sometimes not so much.

They (the experts – who exactly are these people?) say to write blog posts that are helpful to the readers. Here is what I’ve found:

My most researched, well-prepared posts get less views, less comments and less likes than my ramble-about-what-happened-the-other-day posts do.

Why is that? Is it because this blog is not monetized?

I have no ambition to monetize this blog. This blog is about me typing my thoughts out, like a brain dump, and encouraging dialogue in the form of comments. I have made many internet-friends through my blogs over the years, some of whom I email with to this day. There is friendship and kinship and an appreciation of like-mindedness that feeds my need to blog about my life through my readers and my internet-friends.

So for example, I’m writing about some personal struggle and I might get some comments from places like the American deep south, the New York region, the midwest, and sometimes the west coast. I get comments from fellow Canadians. I have several, but at least two regular commenters from the UK. There are also readers I see from Australia, New Zealand, and India, as well as other places were English-speaking people reside.

Isn’t this fascinating?

When these kind readers comment on a particular topic I write about, I think to myself:

How cool is that, to get perspectives (or a commiserating ‘I hear you, it’s like this here too‘ view) from around the world?

It is kind of remarkable, isn’t it.

And what’s more, as I continue to read and search through tags to find other like-minded people, I have come to realize that the baby-boomer generation is into blogging.

I’m a GenXer, so the baby-boomers are my parents. And it’s those parents (although not my parents) who are blogging about their empty nests, about their adult children, about life in retirement.

I find this amazing. The internet has connected so many of us in so many ways, something which pleases me. I respect these people who have already walked my current walk, reading and commenting (and reminiscing) about the things they’ve already gone through. And now, they share with people like me what life is like for them after their chicks flew the nest.

I started a list of interesting bloggers who are around my generation and older, which was ignited by this post, written by a new blogger friend I made who happens to live in the UK. I may go pick her brain again, and see if we can collaborate on a new post, to see if we can find more people who are just like us: parents of older kids or empty nesters dealing with the next chapter: re-discovering who we moms are as individuals, and how to navigate the next milestone when those minions of ours move on into the teenage years and beyond.

Isn’t it similar for you? Why do you blog and share?

Or, why do you hold back?

Do you lurk, that is to say, read but never like or comment? It’s OK to lurk, I sometimes do that too.

But most of all, I try to reach out. It’s hard to share sometimes, especially when you’re an introvert (and so many of us are). It’s hard to come up with the right words, or to maintain the right balance of what, or how much, to share.

It’s the introverts who seem to like the social aspect of blogging because of its implied buffer…

There is much to ponder. My advice? Keep blogging. 🙂

 

33 thoughts on “Why do we blog? On fear, inspiration and writer’s block”

  1. Thanks for the advice. It’s been a few months since I’ve posted anything! And it’s weird because I love to write! I suppose I just needed a break. Hopefully I’ll be back soon… warm regards

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. Wow, this post resonates with me. I’m an introvert, introspective, I like to read and write and blog. I like connecting with like minded people via blogs too. I feel like I’m a bit of an odd man out because I seem to be in a minority, a guy who struggles with anxiety. But I could be wrong. Anyways, thanks for sharing your perspective. Take care!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  8. My most researched, well-prepared posts get less views, less comments and less likes than my ramble-about-what-happened-the-other-day posts do.

    This is SOOOO true. And I don’t think my everyday stuff is boring so much as I hold myself to a high standard because I know I can write better than some of the shit I produce at times.

    My first blog was very “journal” style. And I made a lot of connections through it. I find myself returning to more of that here. I write for ME, first and foremost, because it helps me process things. But I write for the sake of creating something, too. It’s the only real art form I practice anymore and I try not to overthink it too much. I used to worry so much about what people were thinking about what I wrote, because I know a lot of people who read it IRL. But now, maybe it’s age or wisdom or both, but I’m getting better and not overthinking this stuff as much.

    Liked by 5 people

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    2. Oh wow, I this! I am trying to not overthink in the same way. I hope what I blog will connect with and benefit others in some way. But I write mixed topics to whoever. And I write for me mostly to process my thoughts. I have a private journal. And my blog is sort of a public journal. I’m at jasonjournals.com. I am trying to write in my natural voice but it’s challenging.

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. If you want feedback and dialogue a good way to find like-minded people is by searching hashtags. So if I ramble on about family life I might use #momlife, if I write about anxiety I might use it, or #mentalhealth, then look up who else wrote on that topic. This is often how I stumble on new people with similar experiences. I’ll check out your blog. I too write to process, as do many others.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Pingback: ‘You’re lucky I can’t see you right now’: Text Rows with my Husband – Middle-Aged Warrior

  11. I am still to post my own first blog post.

    Sure, I‘ve blogged on niche blogs, but my own domain? Under my own name?

    It‘s still empty.

    Wanted that to be populated for Bratislava but it didn‘t happen. Not sure if i5 ever will. Even if I think it should.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Sometimes you just have to start. Write the first sentence. You have a gift with the way you write…you can reach further what with all your know-how by blogging and combining with fb and all the rest of the social media. Blogging is not dead. Nice to see you here in my comments Andrea! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

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  12. I really struggle to rustle up a weekly, never mind a daily post but I do love it when I get a thought thread going with someone through posts or comments. I’ve also come to realise that one person’s routine is another’s fascination. I love to get an insight into other’s lives through their blogs. You don’t really get to find this stuff anywhere else. I’m a very amateur blogger compared to most I read, including yours, but so what? Blogging has helped me to say that. Woo hoo! I find this whole blogging thing very therapeutic and quite addictive. Keep writing! Blogging’s good for your health!!

    Liked by 4 people

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      2. I think so. I remember changing the wording. Claudette, I think I put my comment in the wrong spot but never mind. Your post is fascinating to me and so are the comments. I feel I could do a PhD on this topic! (But life’s too short.)

        Like

  13. I only blog when I have something interesting to share, and it’s ususually based on my photography. I don’t care for the blogs that post about how to make your blog better. I just do my thing and if people like it, great.

    Liked by 3 people

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  14. I’m not sure who “they” are, either; but whoever they are, I’m absolutely positive they’re full of shit. I don’t mind some informative blog posts, but that’s not why I read most of the blogs I read. I read the stuff I read for the connection, the humanity, and sometimes entertainment. Ven the informational blogs I read have the human personality in them (otherwise, they’d likely bore me to tears). I write what I write because sometimes I just need to word vomit; other times, I’m hoping that someone else can learn from my mistakes.

    I’m glad you write. If you didn’t, I wouldn’t have found you😁

    Liked by 3 people

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