Know yourself. Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.- Ann Landers
So I read this quote and think...you know...its sooo true!
We as writers, bloggers, humans we all over analyse ourselves. We all have those days, moments, posts where we are like...Hello...am I worth it? Am I really someone that should be writing? I know continually I am faced with that plaguing feeling of failure. I also know that throughout my life, there have been many upsets and let-downs (and I’m not just talking about breast milk). I have endured enough sacrifice, pain and embarrassment to ensure that my children shouldn't have to. It is these experiences, that have shaped me for who and I am today. After all of this though, I have yet to really know myself ...and, well...that's just what this journey of blogging is all about.
I really wanted to share this piece with you all because I have been reading so many of your posts that are asking these same questions...am I good enough? Am I strong enough? Is anyone reading my blog? Am I funny enough? Before I hit Publish Post, I always have that fear in my tummy. The same fear that I had handing out invites to a party, or asking someone out...and you know what? I really need to wrap my head around this thing.
As a writer, we are only as good as our last post. Someone told me that, and I was like, really?? Well I only got 3 comments and one was from my mom...what does that make me? I then started to analyse this more and have come to terms with it. We are only as good as our last post - BECAUSE WITH EVERY NEW ONE WE GET A CHANCE TO REINVENT OURSELVES! Fuck ya!! How cool is it that no matter what, we can always reinvent ourselves. It’s like having a facelift, without the surgery. Like Botox without the awkward stage...and what's even better is that you can smile and everyone knows you are smiling!
I think that going out with a she-bang each post is something to really try to do. If we let it all hang out, then we are keeping to our true form. If we offer a real experience, and add our own personal seasoning of sarcasm and wit, then that is a true life experience. There are many reasons why I read the blogs I do as religiously as I do, and it's because of these things. Each one of these writers has really such a great way of expression. They have their voice. What they also do is stay true to their passions, be it weight loss, eating right, working-out, being sarcastic, making people laugh or riding their bicycle. No matter the content, it's always true.
I know it's not easy finding our voice, I too am still searching, modifying and refining; however, I do know that the one thing that will always make your voice "your own" is by staying true to yourself. I am always looking at ways to improve my writing skills, my readership, my audience and more but I do know that if I stick with it, and keep having such wonderful friends here as I have met on this crazy adventure, I'll be just as good as Ann Landers' Dog if not better!
Have a great Sunday Friends!!
15 comments:
If it counts, I like your style...about being worthy, just enjoy what you do, and even if there is only one person who likes it, and if that person is you, it's worth ;)
Dropped by from SITS.
I write what is on my mind, no matter how insignificant it might be to anyone else. I've seen people allow others to define them and it becomes a mess. With writing and blogging, sometimes you just have to get things off your chest that you don't necessarily want to discuss with anyone else. Discussing certain things with others leaves room for criticism, interruption, changing of the subject, etc. Here, you can get it all out before anyone has a chance to disagree. If someone doesn't like something I write, too bad because I've already released it to the masses LOL
But that's just how I look at things...I don't believe that I am only as good as my last post because there is so much more to me than this blog :)
Brilliant post, Danon!
I too doubt myself. Every. Single. Time. I guess that's all part of it hey?
PS. Send me your email at mummytime(@)gmail(.)com so I could tell you stuff about advertising and sponsorhip. K. Mwahs.
Fantastic post.........I myself just write about what's happening in my life right now, or how my day went, or that funny thing that happened on my way home from work............I started blogging because I wanted a place to write things down about my life and a place where my friends could come 'sneak a peek' at what's going on with me........most of the stuff I write about is about 'absolutely nothing'.......and who knows if anyone even reads it.....but it makes me happy, regardless - so who really cares .........and some of my posts are so much better than others - but that's the way it will be, won't it? ................ it's become so much more for me, now - since I've become friends with some wonderful on-line ladies.........who would have ever thunk it!
Love this post!
Stopping by from SITS...have a great Saturday!
This is pretty much the same place that many of us hang. I find some blogs downright intimidating.. Do I have my own dotcom? No... I use blogger... Do I have a designer template...no... I snitched it from some free blogging template website....
If I start comparing myself to the success achieved by Pioneer Woman or Julie & Julia.. I will go mad!
Without exception, everypost I have ever written, with the intention of 'gaining comments' has been a dud.
Oh and I love how you 'whore out your blog"... that made me laugh out loud.
Popped over from SITS
I'm back!!
I am hearing you!! I feel a little fear everytime I hit the Publish post button. I was wondering if anyone will care to read what I post. Another thing is, Writer's block mostly hits me. Get the feeling wanting to write, but none is in your head. And then after exerting so much effort and pouring your heart on your write up, u get a few comments. Before, it affects me somehow. I worry that everything I write should be polished and well written. But now, its okay tho. For blogging is like a journal for me. A journal that i can share with everyone. They may like it, or may not give a damn. But at least, as everytime I write something about my life, i unfold and discover the "unknown me". What I really like, love, hate etc. I have a general blog. I write about everything. And through that, I discovered that I really want to cook, eatout, and travel!
Hope you have a great week!!
Stopping by from SITS - very encouraging post! you're right - we all feel like that sometimes. Thanks!
Amen Sista! Great post. It is normal to doubt. It is being a great blogger and a woman to not believe the doubt.
Amen. Self-doubt is a killer. Rising above and moving forward is the reward. Believe in yourself and what you have to say on any given day and before you know it - you'll have a following on the blog that will make you smile.
Followed your link from Lady Bloggers - blog on! :)
It's your spot to speak however you like, don't ever feel as though you don't deserve to speak up in the world! We all deserve that. And you rock!
Stopping by from SITS to say Hello! Loved this post.. we all face it and struggle with that insecurity! Hope you have a great weekend!
Self-doubt is good sometimes, however, as we grow and learn about ourselves and others doubt turns into hope.
Love the post.
Mary
Hey there, stopping by from SITS. It's funny, my last blog post has me worried about what people will think since I haven't been writing as much lately. But you're right, it's not about pleasing my readers, it's about being who I am. Thanks!! :)
Have an Extraordinary Day!
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