Two Years Of Blogging
My blog is two years old today. I have written 192 posts, taken hundreds and hundreds of photos, and bought way too many books. I have sat down countless times convinced that I have nothing to say and frequently found that somehow the words keep coming. I have planned excursions solely to have something to write about. I have written blog posts in my head in the middle of the night and woken the next day mourning the words that I should have written down.
I post less frequently than I did at first. Every new toy loses its novelty after a while and I don’t have quite as much time to myself lately. But somehow, I keep coming back. I like having a place to put my thoughts. I like having a record of things we have done and places we have been. I love having a place where it is always perfectly acceptable to talk about books. It has introduced me to books I had never heard of and made me think about what I am reading.
There are a few things I have learned about my blog and my readers over the last two years. I’ve learned that posts about being a parent rarely do well but I keep writing them anyway because well, I am a parent and if I can’t vent about it on my blog then where can I? Neither do straight up book reviews, surprisingly enough, but that is fine because I am not good at straight book reviews. However, a post with a list is pretty much a sure success. I’ve learned that people like to know a bit about the person behind the blog. I’ve discovered that sometimes it will be the post that breaks all the rules of what you think people like to read that will be the most read and commented on. I’ve learned that I need to write what makes me happy whether people read it or not.
I’ve watched blogs come and go and readers come and go. Someone will comment on a few posts and then I will never hear from them again. Some posts will be popular, some won’t. At first, I worried (because that is my default setting) thinking that it was my fault, that I was doing something wrong. But, in time, I realized that the online world is ephemeral. That sometimes you catch an eye for a moment, a day, a week. Then people move on, intentionally or unintentionally, and that is okay. But for all of you who come back post after post and week after week, thank you. Thank you for reading, thank you for commenting, thank you for preventing me from speaking into a void.
A few of my favorite posts from the last year.
In Defense Of Fluff
Book Review–The Home-Maker By Dorothy Canfield Fisher
18 Comments
Michelle Ann
Congratulations on two years! I think you have the format right – unto thine own self be true. I wish you many more happy years blogging.
jllee656
Thank you. It has been a fun two years and a bit of a learning experience.
Tanja/the Red Phone box travels
congratulations! I have enjoyed many of your posts:)
jllee656
Thank you. I enjoy reading your blog as well.
Lucy
Beautifully written. I too have a book blog and have experienced many of the same feelings. Keep on posting!
jllee656
Thank you. I liked your post on preserving. It is something I always mean to try. I could have sworn I followed your blog but somehow I haven't read your latest posts. I am following by email now.
Carolann Chambers
Congrats on two years of blogging! I agree with everything you say here. It's funny how the posts you don't think will be popular end up getting lots of comments. I think that you should continue writing about anything that is interesting to you, and the right people will follow! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, I love reading your blog.
jllee656
Thank you. I think that is one of the things that is so interesting about blogging. You never know what is going to strike a chord with someone else.
Debbie Rodgers
I've read many anniversary posts on blogs but never one as thoughtful and insightful as yours. I'm glad you keep coming back – I look for you every day in my inbox.
jllee656
Thank you! What a lovely and kind comment.
Sarah Rooftops
Happy blogging anniversary! I don't stop to comment as often as I should, but I'm still here reading.
jllee656
Thank you. I could say the same thing about your blog. I read every post and frequently comment in my head. I need to actually comment….
Katrina
Congratulations! I also used to write posts that I thought people would like but now I stick to doing what feels right for me. Often people pop up and make a comment and then keep quiet for ages, although they are still visiting regularly.
jllee656
That must be one reason I so enjoy your blog. Who you are seems to come through so clearly.
Hamlette (Rachel)
Happy blogaversary! I kind of went on an unexpected leave-of-absence from the blogosphere over the summer, but I'm catching up a bit now, and happy to be reading your posts again 🙂
jllee656
It is nice to hear from you again. Summer is the perfect time for a break from the blogosphere. I hope you enjoyed it.
jbistheinitial
Happy blog birthday! Your comment about liking to have a record of things you've done resonated with me – it's what keeps me blogging even when I'm disenchanted with it.
jllee656
I do like having that record of things done and thoughts I have had about things. I know I could record it all in a journal but I also know I wouldn't do it. The blog makes me feel a bit more accountable and, in the long run, I like that.