It was fun and interesting for me to read many introductory blogs from my fellow Holidailies participants on (and around) December 1. One thing that struck me was a common theme that seemed to be running through our first-of-the-month blogs. Many of us are bloggers who aren’t blogging. We started our blogs 10 or more years ago, maintained them for a good while, and then let them lapse. There are varied reasons for this for different people. I think the factors that resulted in my blog’s neglect included moving back to California, having kids, and changing blogging platforms. Many old sites that used to host blogs and blogging communities are defunct, and with them went a sense of community that many of us had, visiting each other’s blogs regularly. I’m glad I was able to transport a lot of my content to WordPress, but it’s not the same around here. Having kids affected a whole host of habits I used to have, for what should be obvious reasons. There are just not enough hours in the day and days in the week to work, maintain a house, and take care of two kiddos. If I’m not out of time by the end of the night, I’m out of coherent brain cells. I suppose I should also blame short-attention span social media distractions for taking up my time (because they don’t really engage my brain cells).
Another theme I saw in a blog I read that I feel I share is somewhat related to the desire to remain under the world’s radar. Maybe not completely anonymous, but at least innocuous enough to not draw negative attention from anyone who would do more than start a flame war. Which, by itself, is something I can barely survive anymore. My flameproof suit shows much wear, enough in spots that I get singed and stung more easily than I like. Sure, I’d love to share stories, ideas, and opinions and learn about what other people think and why. Is it worth it to debate back and forth, either in a civil manner or not? Sure. I can withstand a few flames still. Is it worth it to receive menacing messages or personal insults, or anything more severe? Not right now, it’s not. Not during a time when I’m focused on my work and family. Maybe if I decide to dedicate my life to writing, researching, reaching out to people, or actually trying to influence other people. Possibly then. But not when blogging is supposed to be a good outlet, a good funnel for my scattered thoughts, and a good way to keep in touch with others. So, I think I’m happy to stay under the radar, for now. Which doesn’t mean I won’t continue to post opinions and political thoughts and rants about how hypocrisy sucks. I’ll still do that. But you know what else I’m going to do? Something I’ve never done before. I’m going to post a picture of myself. Most people who read this blog would recognize me. It’s not a big deal if a few “strangers” could someday do so also. I don’t know what I was trying to accomplish by trying to stay out of sight for years. I think it’s a fallacy for any of us with any significant online presence to think we can stay anonymous to everyone. And you know, I’m ok with that. For now. I may delete this blog tomorrow. Ha! But I’ll bust out this little pic my hubby took of me earlier this year when we were hiking around Jack London State Park. Which, by the way, is an awesome little spot in itself to walk and hike and take in some nature. But, if you are a fan of the author, it’s a fantastic place to visit. Learn his history. See his home, the ruins of his dream home, and the beautiful home his widow built after he died. The Park just re-opened The House of Happy Walls home, and I’m looking forward to going back to see it again in its new design. Great little State Historic Park in northern California. Relatively easy for little kids to walk around, and they host some fun events throughout the year.
And with that, I bid you goodnight. Here’s looking at you, kids.
I’m right there with you. I miss the community I had when I started 14 or so years ago, and having kids has slowed me down. You mentioned staying under the radar, which I suppose has also been true, though in a different way from the one you mention. I work in education, and I got burned many years ago when a student used a blog post I’d written to try to get me in trouble with the administration. That only sort of worked, but getting a little burned was enough for me, or at least enough to make me more cautious.
Kids have definitely slowed me down! And although I always try and keep the world at large in mind when I write anything, it’s hard to imagine being idiot-proof enough to withstand attacks or out-of-context cuts. Sorry to hear that.
I’m going to post a response to this, but I’m really feeling what you say here. Unfortunately I think Facebook killed the blogging/online journal stars in general, along with most of what I liked about the internet. And we are also living in a crazier, more savage world.
I think I can blame Facebook for taking up enough of my evening computer time to keep me away from my blog. And it’s not like I really need to see one more cat meme or post about an adoptable dog every night. But there you have it.
I’ve had some sort of online blog for almost 20 years. I used to write quite often, and now it’s just sporadically. I let my blog go as the kids got older and we got busier. I’ve been trying to revive it over the past year but it isn’t quite the same.
I feel like mine can be almost the same again, if I put the time into it. The hard part is regaining the community.