I’ve been at one of those silly proverbial crossroads with my blog. It’s just a blog, right?! It shouldn’t, on occasion, be the bane of my existence. Yet, it is. More often than naught lately.
I’m not looking to make a fortune from my blog. I don’t think I have the kind of blog that does. It would be nice though, no?
All I care about is being able to write my stories, whether they be about my life or lives I make up, and be validated. And interact with my wonderful friends that still feel they want to come and hang out with me here and on Twitter.
This is the one place in the world that oozes of me. Only me. Not the me that is quantified by this person who is called mommy and wife. My voice. My words. My thoughts.
But I’ve been feeling like I’m working so hard with my blog and to no avail. No growth. Stagnating in every sense of the bloggy world word.
Until today.
I got an email from Jennifer, at Playgroups Are No Place For Children. She informed me that my post, When Every Little Bit Of Hope Is Gone, Move Along that I wrote for the Tide Loads Of Hope carnival at Blog Nosh was the first of three posts that were going to be featured on Blog Nosh.
A post that I wrote.
Featured?!
Me?
That post that was a part of my life. Real. It happened. It was a moment in time that defined me as the person I am today.
Strong. Determined. Brave.
It felt like I received a huge paycheck when I got that email from Jennifer. Because my life and my words were appreciated. They made sense. And they could give someone else who was about to embark on that same journey I made, all those years ago, hope. That things do work out for the best. You just have to be strong enough to take that deep breath, jump and have faith that there will be a net to catch you.
So, If you’ll excuse me. I won’t be shutting down my blog or making it private after all. I’ll try my hardest not to worry about how many people are reading me. I’ll try to ignore the stats and comment numbers. Because, as I’ve said way too many whiny times, it’s not the quantity. It’s the quality.
I have the best friends in the entire blogosphere.
I’m lucky. VERY lucky.
I have the best blog in the blogosphere. Because it’s mine.
And I’m being featured in Blog NoshMagazine. Which is such an incredible honor.
So, while I’m standing at this proverbial crossroad, with my chest puffed out in pride, I’ll take my chances. I’ll go continue on the road that I was on. One that is frustrating, discouraging, annoying, dramatic and all sorts of other adjectives. Because the rewards are rich in jewels such as you, my gems of friends and in high flying ego boosts like featured articles.
Because yes, it’s just a blog. But it’s all mine.
And right now, I’m just really, really proud.
And I am proud of you. That’s fantastic. It was a great story, by the way. Congratulations!
First of all, the important stuff: CONGRATULATIONS!! You definitely deserve to be featured and get the recognition
I so understand how you feel and what you’re thinking! I, too, try not to watch how many people subscribe to my blog, or how many comments I get. I, too, am writing first and foremost for my own sake. But the truth is I *do* look at my stats and comments and feel like I’m such a little blog, a little voice, so why am I bothering? It feels great to get some recognition once in a while.
So before you think I’m stealing from you, I just opened up my laptop to write a post about recognition and making changes and deciding what I’m doing in the blogsphere. I just redesigned my blog, so the post goes along with that. I’m going to add a link from my post to yours, both because I think it’s funny that we’re both on the same topic today, but also because, if I can give you a little more recognition (such as it is) for your absolutely FANTASTIC blog, well, then, why not? 🙂
.-= Michele´s last blog ..HOUSEHOLD AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: Quick Templates to Manage Your Life =-.
That’s awesome– you should be proud!! And that post? Was amazing. I had no idea. xo
Congrats Melissa. You totally deserve it babe.XO
.-= Brenda´s last blog ..Not my proudest mummy moment =-.
You should get recognition like this, you have a fabulous ‘voice,’ and are an exceptional writer. Congrats!
.-= Tara R.´s last blog ..Reality of an empty nest =-.
Congratulations, honey! I’m glad you’ve stuck it through. I would hate to see your blog go all disappeary.
(What? I’m not allowed to make up words???)
.-= TeacherMommy´s last blog .."Remembered Grace": {W}rite of Passage Challenge #1 =-.
THAT’S awesome girlfriend. So so so awesome. Congrats. You deserve it.
.-= OHmommy´s last blog ..Looking into my daughter’s eyes =-.
Am so SO proud of you! YAY! Can you sign my boob?
.-= Aunt Becky´s last blog ..Doing My Inner Drag Queen (semi) Proud =-.
Hey there! Remember me? Your buddy from Twitter? The one with the short circuited Blackberry?!
Great job!! Congrats on your achievement and your blog is looking SWEET. So professional. Puts my blogger shlock to shame.
xoxox
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I’m so glad BlogNash was so smart because we would miss you.
.-= Janet´s last blog ..Of Pups, Spaceships, a Pumpkin Patch and Marriages and Things =-.
You SHOULD be proud. You always entertain me and make me smile…I love your blog. You deserve to be featured in someone else’s space…good for you! Congratulations, honey!
.-= The Retired One´s last blog ..Travel Observations =-.