"I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life;
to put to rout all that was not life and not when I had come to die, discover that I had not lived." ~Henry David Thoreau

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Contemplation

I have been thinking about this for quite some time. Tonight while I was brushing my teeth, I thought about it again.

I am thinking about quitting this blog.

I am not sure that I will, but I'm thinking about it. I am not sure if anyone reads it anymore. I used to have more readers and the numbers have dwindled over the years. I have been pondering the exact reasons for keeping this blog. Why do I write? Is it because I have an audience? Do I like the comments? Do I need the recognition from random people who are reading? Or do I write because it's for posterity and a way to document? I think it's the latter.

Something you should know about me is that I run from trends. I mean, I RUN THE HECK AWAY from them. When something gains popularity, I often times [unknowingly] run the other way. Even if it's something I really love, I tend to run. I don't know why I do it. Maybe it's the non-conformist in me. And my dear friens, blogging has gained such momentum since I started this blog almost four years ago and once again, I am running.

I use this blog as my family journal, for the most part. And I've come to realize that I can't be as vulnerable as I'd like to...a least not with it being public for anyone to see. But then again I hate having a private blog. So, I am trying to figure out exactly what avenue I'd like to take to document the comings and goings of my not-so-little family in our little corner of the universe.

But for now I haven't quite got it figured out.

13 comments:

Brittany @ My Decoupaged Life said...

I use our personal blog simply for posterity reason because I print them out into a book. I mean, I guess I hope I have readers and i know there are those few friends and occasional family members that read so I guess that helps too. No matter what, blogging should be fun so if its not fun don't pressure yourself to do it.

Ute Family said...

First of all, Garrett IS perfection! What a little doll! Second, I read your blog!
Third, I only blog for journaling purposes as well and I say if you're not being as vulnerable as you would like, then you can can do one of two things (I've contemplated the same two things as well):

-just do this journal for yourself, go private and don't tell anyone. It's for you so who cares if no one else reads it.
-or you can keep doing what you're doing and blog for the world to see but when you do your blog to book (not sure if you do that), it is then that you plug in your more intimate journal entries.

For example, when my dad died, I didn't want to write about it and post pics for everyone to see (WAY too personal) so when I was making my 2010 blog book, I plugged in pics and my thoughts for our own family journal that I have printed each year because obviously I wanted to remember that day. I do this all the time throughout the year!

And these are my thoughts :) Good luck!!!

Audrey said...

If it helps, I still read.

I started a digital journal a few years ago, which is just a word document that I can insert pictures into, etc. That might be the way to go if you're looking for something in which you can be more brutally honest about life.

Bel said...

I think thats the million dollar question we all ask ourselves at one point or another. I remind myself that its for my posterity and the printed books I make. Maybe my kids won't eve appreciate the books much either, but when I am 70 yrs old sitting in my rocking chair they will be pure gold to me :)

Living My Dream said...

Well... I for one love your blog and check regularly to see if you have updated. I know what you mean... But I love to journal and found this to be the perfect way to do it and be able to print it off into a book for my family. I journal for my family. Don't really worry about who is reading it but if it can help someone else, then all the better. If I get a vote... keep it open! :)

Miles and Bex said...

I know a lot of people giving up blogs. I hate to blog but love the end result. My kids look at our blog journal that I get printed out every week. It is one of the few activities they do together and not fight. So if you don't print it out, then I think it is a waste of time but you should print it out!

Janice and Jessica said...

I love reading your blog and following your family. I have been reading it since you were pregnant with Lauren. I would hate to see you quit because you write so wonderfully and from the heart. If anything, make it private, just for you but keep at it. In years to come, you will be so happy that you did. My "baby" is 21 and getting ready to be married and I have forgotten so much. I wish there had been blogs years ago. Even if only posting sporadically, I would have recalled more than I do now.

Carli said...

I read!

Mike, Jules, Gabee and Izee said...

"V", isn't it funny. You think no one is reading your blog, but, in actuality, everyone has stopped leaving comments.. I cannot tell you how many people stop me to say that they're proud of me, and are obviously reading my blog. MANY people read your blog, "V", we just forget to leave comments. I would personally miss it and agree with the other girls. I have my "personal" journal and my blog.

When my mom died, we kids learned that she had kept a written journal. We found it about 10 years ago. SO VERY COOL to read about her personal struggles with my dad (who I learned could be a real jerk of a hubby... who knew??) and also how she struggled with cancer and all of her personal thoughts regarding leaving my dad and her kids behind on this Earth.

If there were blogs back then, I am positive she would have kept her personal journal "personal" and her blog for all to see, including her kidlets...

KEEP IT BABY!!!

Mike, Jules, Gabee and Izee said...

Of course, I think the question might more likely be, "I have five kids now, when in the heck am I going to find the TIME to blog", rather then, "Am I going to keep it"!! XOXO smile

Gina said...

I read too! But I understand all the dilemmas. I used to enjoy blogging more-when I had more time to do it! I love it as a way of keeping in touch- and I've tried facebook, and the one sentence thing just doesn't cut it for me!
I agree-lots of people are reading, but not commenting.
Good luck figuring it out, but keep blogging at least occasionally!

Jess said...

Hi "V". Just writing to tell you Congratulations - we got your announcement. Man we miss you guys. BTW - I think it's great that you blog for posterity and I love writing - totally clarifying and therapeutic. we are coming to visit in july what does you calendar look like the first two weeks in July> love you Jess

Jess said...

fyi: email me - i don't check my blog regularly or call us! 573.442.9066