Facebook, etc.
So here I am, with Theo being three months old, realizing I skipped the month of November entirely on this blog. In seven years of blogging, I don't believe this has ever happened. Admittedly, Facebook has filled in for blogging on a daily basis. Firstly, it is much easier, now that I have an iPhone, to whip out a little update with a photo. The same thing would take much longer to blog, unless I find a way to blog from my phone. Secondly, frankly, the blog world is a very different landscape than it was. It is far less of a community, and like so many other parts of society, has become corporate. Little blogs disappear, readership centers around the "famous" bloggers, who either have 5 billion comments, or closed comments. Most the popular blogs now are part of the bloggers' marketing package for their other business pursuits, which is very smart, but lacking in the community blogging once was. We hear about many of the blogging "get togethers" that contain the same famous bloggers that all know each other, while thousands of us are "spectators" now at the community. It seems to me, Facebook has replaced the "virtual" community that blogging once was. The downside is that some of my long time blog friends are not on facebook, or I haven't found them. I personally have my privacy settings set very high, and that makes me difficult to locate. I have kept my friend list small on purpose, so it is intimate, and truly full of my friends. Now, if any of you want to be on facebook with me, let me know in the comments and we'll figure out how to find each other.
The other problem with the blog decreasing for me is that my attention span is shrinking. I think of status updates of 140 characters or less to get my point across. I miss delving into something for a paragraph or two, focusing on an idea for more than a few moments. Thus, the blog continues. The thoughts are still there, in a fractured sort of way, but I haven't allowed myself the luxury of parsing and collecting and then putting forth these thoughts. And I miss it.
So, while Facebook has filled a gap for me, to be sure, and I am grateful for that, I want to continue blogging, but sadly, not so much as part of a community, but as a tool for me to organize my thoughts and work out ideas that rattle around in my head.
I also plan to spend more time with my "In Real Life" community. I have been, actually, and it is good. When I have gone through the joys and sorrows of life, there isn't a big blogger response or outpouring of support. But the people in my real life? So supportive and good to me! I must make some notable exceptions (you know who you are!) of blog friends that reach out to me in "real life" ways, and you are primarily why I am unwilling to let this place go. I consider you part of my real life.
For the random reader who comes here, and likes what they read, I so welcome you. I love "meeting" new people, or reacquainting with those who I haven't heard from in a long time. But the purpose of this blog has entirely changed through the years. I was looking for a community seven years ago, and I found it. And like so much of life, things have changed, and my blogging has changed, and my purpose for blogging has changed.
Anyway, I intend to keep this up, trying for a weekly reflection post, and then adding in to various blog groups such as {pretty, funny, happy, real} at Like Mother, Like Daughter, or & Quick Takes Friday at Conversion Diary.
So anyway, that's where we are now. I am working on a post right now called, "Birth Story, pt. 2", which is the rest of the story, so to speak, and the effects of pregnancy and birth in the months following the physical fact. I have had ripples of "birth effect" after all nine of my births, and it is sort of like a dirty little secret. Especially since my births have been by the book, normal and fairly quick! Anyway, that post will be coming soon, and I am looking forward to finishing it.
I also have a post in the works about the difficulty and uniqueness of my life as a mom of 9 children, with all ages and stages. Talk about feeling pulled in all directions!!
So, hopefully this space will continue with a smaller quantity, but higher quality. Again, for daily connection, let's try to connect on Facebook. My email address is in the side bar, also.
The other problem with the blog decreasing for me is that my attention span is shrinking. I think of status updates of 140 characters or less to get my point across. I miss delving into something for a paragraph or two, focusing on an idea for more than a few moments. Thus, the blog continues. The thoughts are still there, in a fractured sort of way, but I haven't allowed myself the luxury of parsing and collecting and then putting forth these thoughts. And I miss it.
So, while Facebook has filled a gap for me, to be sure, and I am grateful for that, I want to continue blogging, but sadly, not so much as part of a community, but as a tool for me to organize my thoughts and work out ideas that rattle around in my head.
I also plan to spend more time with my "In Real Life" community. I have been, actually, and it is good. When I have gone through the joys and sorrows of life, there isn't a big blogger response or outpouring of support. But the people in my real life? So supportive and good to me! I must make some notable exceptions (you know who you are!) of blog friends that reach out to me in "real life" ways, and you are primarily why I am unwilling to let this place go. I consider you part of my real life.
For the random reader who comes here, and likes what they read, I so welcome you. I love "meeting" new people, or reacquainting with those who I haven't heard from in a long time. But the purpose of this blog has entirely changed through the years. I was looking for a community seven years ago, and I found it. And like so much of life, things have changed, and my blogging has changed, and my purpose for blogging has changed.
Anyway, I intend to keep this up, trying for a weekly reflection post, and then adding in to various blog groups such as {pretty, funny, happy, real} at Like Mother, Like Daughter, or & Quick Takes Friday at Conversion Diary.
So anyway, that's where we are now. I am working on a post right now called, "Birth Story, pt. 2", which is the rest of the story, so to speak, and the effects of pregnancy and birth in the months following the physical fact. I have had ripples of "birth effect" after all nine of my births, and it is sort of like a dirty little secret. Especially since my births have been by the book, normal and fairly quick! Anyway, that post will be coming soon, and I am looking forward to finishing it.
I also have a post in the works about the difficulty and uniqueness of my life as a mom of 9 children, with all ages and stages. Talk about feeling pulled in all directions!!
So, hopefully this space will continue with a smaller quantity, but higher quality. Again, for daily connection, let's try to connect on Facebook. My email address is in the side bar, also.
posted by Renee at Saturday, December 03, 2011
11 Comments:
Yes, blogging IS different now--and Facebook is definitely part of that difference. For better or for worse, I don't yet know...
Well - I just wrote a long comment and it disappeared so now you're getting the shorter one. Thanks for blogging, I enjoy it. It's good to have a mentor in my faith and as a mother and that's what I see you as, even if it's not so very often!
I do often wish Facebook would disappear. I'm not always happy with the fact that it pulls me away from my blogging, that I feel pulled between the two audiences. And yet Facebook has helped me to reconnect with scattered extended family and friends. People who wouldn't read and comment on my blog. And yet for the world I wouldn't dream of giving up my blog. I feel it does still have a sense of community even if it lacks some of the immediacy of Facebook. In any case I am very glad for all my friends who are sticking to their blogs. The world would be a far poorer place is all our socializing were reduced to Facebook chatter.
Hi Renee,
I agree very much with your post. I can't give up my little blog even though I often only post once a month and it's not often a "meaty" post but just a small thought that I want to share. I am on facebook if you'd like to add me as a friend (Jennifer Dostalik). God bless you this Advent--kiss your wee little one for me! :)
I for one will continue to check this blog and be happy whenever there is a post. Always enjoy your insightful thoughts on here. I also enjoy your brief posts on Facebook. Thanks for sharing both with us!
Barb B.
I agree as well. Good to see you, and look forward to your posts.
Wow..I just wrote my sad feelings also about the lack of blogging as it used to be..you put it out there so much better than I did, and so much of what I wanted to say. Sigh...it just makes me sad. I will come around and I thank you for sticking with it. Love, Suz Hugs!
You are one of the first bloggers I ever "talked" to when I started my blog. I treasure our connection. And I've actually settled into a blog. Who would ever had guessed? LOL
LOVE your updates! Wouldn't want to miss any of them!
I do have a Facebook. Updated so-so. Look for me! :o)
*Hugs-a-bunch*
The problem with facebook type micro blogging is now we have twitter, linkedin and google plus- so where to start?
I think 'limiting' oneself to prettyhappyfunnyreal and quick takes is a good compromise
Hi Renee,
I don't blog and I'm not on Facebook, but I've enjoyed checking in on your blog from time to time. Your posts always get as close as possible to feeling like we're sitting across a table, sipping tea, and talking. And we haven't even really done much of that. I just really appreciate your thoughts and insights on life. A blessed Advent to you!'- Jennifer Woods
You've touched on so many points that I can relate to. The biggest difference for me, between the two, is the "audience." On Facebook, I tend to "edit" my words because I am friends with such a wide group of people (being military allows me the "opportunity" to meet lots of people. I'm on FB to reconnect with people and stay in touch, not start a debate. On my blog, however, I know the majority of readers will be of a mostly similar mindset, so I can be a little more elaborate with my thoughts and experiences.
I know I'm an inconsistent follower of your blog, just like I'm an inconsistent blogger, but your words always warm my heart when I visit here. And CONGRATULATIONS!!! I, too, had a baby in August, so I know right where you are at. I think it's funny that you wrote about the older kids arguing about who got to hold the baby in the picture. My kids did the same thing on Christmas Eve!
God bless and Merry Christmas!
Post a Comment
<< Home