Affirmations of Why I'm Still Blogging, After All These Years

 

Blogging, while medicated or under the influence of fluish-like symptoms, can cause serious injury to your reputation and be awfully dangerous to your blog traffic.  Then again, I'm a mom of four, I am used to getting screwed!

Mini-me snapped the pic of me, while we were both home and feeling fluish this week, thinking it was totally cool how I could blog with one hand and hold my fluish-looking head with the other.

I'm talented like that.

You may be surprised to hear -- I know, I sure as hell am -- that I started This Full House nearly 6 years ago, at a time before statistics and SEO's ruled the blog world, and the only measure of real value was the blogger's story, itself.

Not today.

Nope, in some circles, using the words "mom" and "blogger" in the same breath is enough to get stuff thrown in your face and I'm not just talking poopie diapers or dirty laundry, either.

"Oh, those silly mom bloggers!"

I come from a long line of story tellers and -- although, my grandmother and most of my female ancestors never made it passed the 4th grade -- I'm sure my mother's life would have been a whole lot easier, if she had a blog.

Being able to blog out her frustrations, finding strength in a community that thrives on imperfection and acknowledging simple moments of joy, or peace in knowing that she was raising children who love her, anyway.

You know, the sort of stuff that we moms sometimes forget and some other people, who think we're just a bunch of suckers drinking from the same juice bottle, need to be reminded of.

[blank stare]

Like, how the word "momblogger" is making me feel like a total LOSER!

Make no mistake, I am very proud of my blog...really, it's like I'm birthing another child, over and over again...but, I don't start each entry with the idea that THIS WILL BE THE BLOG POST THAT SAVES THE WORLD (although, it would be nice) or, have any illusions that everyone's going to love absolutely everything I say, write, and/or do.

I sure don't.

Although, there is a special place in heaven for those of you who, you know, know that sometimes I am invited to go places, try new things and -- especially, if I haven't found a way to break it...yet -- I write about the really cool stuff I think other families (like mine) would like, too.

But you sort of like me, anyway, right?

[heavy sigh]

Blogging is just not as easy, as it used to be.

If you've visited with me (even once) then you know that I am clumsy, forgetful, easily distracted and just try too gosh-darned hard to be everything, to everyone and, more often than not, end up feeling like a horrible person/mother/blogger.

Aaaand, I'm okay with that. 

Because, at the end of the day, I know that there will be at least one person who will be able to relate and it makes me happy to know that a self-professed dork of a momblogger (like me) made anOTHER mother look AND feel good.

Today is NOT one of those days.

I have admired Jennifer James (the founder of the Mombloggers Club) for a long time, from a distance, of course because...well...any woman who can hang with 3,100 other mothers and, you know, still look good is someone I shouldn't be standing too close to, anyways.

[sucks in gut and adjusts bra strap]

Guess what?  Apparently there IS an increasing competition to rise to the “tipping point” ranks of the mom blogosphere (her words, not mine) and if a person like Jennifer is feeling it, well, that's when I start thinking, you know, perhaps I shouldn't be so hard on myself.

Aaand, most especially when people start calling you a "momblogger," neither should you!

Being a mom is hard -- I've got 4 kids who don't like me very much at the moment so, trust me, I know -- but, blogging in today's fast-paced world of statistics and adsense, well, it's damned near impossible not to feel like a loser.

Until, I read Jennifer's post.

[slaps forhead]

Her affirmations are brilliant and I feel compelled to share them and add a few of my own, spaced slightly next to hers, of course.

Here are 20 affirmations for busy mom bloggers perfect for times when life seems to go a little too fast and blogging seems like it’s more of an obligation than a gift.

1. I love my blog.  [More than cake and ice cream, sometimes]
2. My job as a mom blogger is to be true to myself.  [Keeping it real is what I do best - see picture above]
3. There are plenty of opportunities for everyone.  [Unless, you're saving the world and then no one other than Batman, or John Connor can help -- both brilliantly casted by Christian Bale, by the way]
4. Meeting new mom bloggers is an experience I treasure.  [As evidenced on Flickr and Facebook]
5. Mom blogging is a cherished gift.  [Paired with a glass of wine, it's a freakin' miracle]
6. I am a great blogger.   [At making OTHER mothers look good]
7. I am not afraid to challenge myself as a blogger.  [Every...freakin'...time...I...click...publish]
8. I have an influential voice in the blogosphere.  [At making OTHER mothers look good]
9. I am grateful for my blog.  [Every...freakin'...time...I...hit...publish]
10. I am thankful for each and every one of my readers.  [All 3 of you]
11. I am appreciative that my family supports my need to blog.  [So, I made them their own blog]
12. Every experience I have had as a blogger has been worth it.  [Even the bad ones]
13. I am thankful for my ability to write.  [But, according to my husband, could do it with my toes if I had to, they are THAT long]
14. It is gratifying to know I am chronicling my life’s journey for my children and grandchildren.  [I would have loved to see what my mom had to say, she would have made an AWESOME blogger]
15. My blog is my personal sanctuary.  [Paired with a glass of wine, Twitter and blip.fm, it's freakin' nirvana]
16. I will do my part to make the mom blogosphere a nurturing community.  [By holding an open house, every week, and sharing brilliant blog posts, like this]
17. My blog is an extension of myself, not my whole self.  [Yeah, but it's pretty much mostly me]
18. I will cherish every comment.  [All 3 of them]
19. I love being a creator of good content.  [But, prefer writing stories]
20. I am a mom blogger and I love it.  [Even though some might STILL feel that it is an oxymoron]

Hello, my name is Liz and This Full House is more than "just a blog," it's my story and I'm sticking with it.

[Follow-up posts on: Marketing to Moms]

© 2009 This Full House and This Full House Reviews - All Rights Reserved.

Comments

[Jennifer James]

OMG -- is all I can say! Thank you! This absolutely made my day.

I loved this post from the very beginning and when I saw my name, my jaw dropped. I'm so glad my post touched you.

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Hi Jennifer,

Aaaand, how cool are you for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment!?!? Thanks for making me feel like less of a loser, than yesterday anyway :)

Hugs,

Liz

[sam {temptingmama}]

Excellent Liz! Fantastic post!

It is getting harder and harder. The term mommyblogger now make me cringe; I hate it. I hate that everything has become a competition and will probably suck the joy out of writing for a lot of people, if it hasn't already.

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Thank you sam!

I agree with you. Personally, I don't have a problem with the term "mom blogger," because it is a community that I subscribe to in many different ways. Being a mom and a blogger are two distinctions that are very difficult to begin with, on their own. Put them together and, well, it amazes me when I can put two somewhat coherent sentences together without drooling all over my laptop. If anything else, people should respect that and need to be reminded every now and again. Especially, other mothers who happen to blog. Like me.

[Jenn]

And this is why I love you even more. Tell Garth (not his real name) that I am going to marry you, so there!

I REALLY needed to read this, my friend. Thanks for posting it. The joy for me has been sucked out time and again because of things you have mentioned. Thank you for reminding me why I do it and why after almost 6 years myself I need to keep doing it.

I may just cut and paste it and steal it as my own. (That is allowed, right?)

Mwah! NEVER stop blogging. We self proclaimed dorks must stick together!

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Hey Jenn,

Cut and paste away, my friend!

Hugs,

Liz

[Headless Mom]

You, Jenn, and BusyMom have done such a great job with this. Reminds me of why I blog!

Now off to read Jennifer's post-apparently the flame for allof this fire!

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Hello Headless Mom!

Thank you so much for taking the time out to stop and read my mini-rant. I took a big risk and stepped out of my comfort zone to post it, so thank you for that!

Hugs,

Liz

[patois]

Always a good idea to pay attention to one of those motivational posters every once in awhile. (Although I hate the freakin' Soar Like an Eagle one.) I think this is great.

[Courtney-Giftmommy]

Love it, love it, love it! I'm a "new" blogger and have such respect and admiration for mom bloggers! I started my blog 1 month ago after having my 3rd daughter in December. I love to juggle alot at once, but I've really learned the act of juggling since starting my blog! I love it and sometimes all I want to do is sit there and write,write,write! Thanks again for the great post! My favorite part...

My blog is my personal sanctuary. [Paired with a glass of wine, Twitter and blip.fm, it's freakin' nirvana]

[Amber's Crazy Bloggin' Canuck]

What a fantastic post, my dear! I think to be a mommy blogger for an extended period of time, you do need to be true to yourself and your voice. In the beginning, I was running myself ragged trying to comment and become a part of blogs that I really couldn't relate to. Now, I'm happy with my little niche and only write when I feel prompted to do so. It's my blog, my schedule!

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Hi Amber,

Thank you for taking the time to visit with me -- feels like we're sorta kabitzing over the picked fence, even though it's really from across a few dozen states :)

Hugs,

Liz

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Nice to meet you, Courtney -- you're welcome to visit, anytime...preferably, in your pajamas, where showering (or, brushing your teeth) is optional :)

Hugs,

Liz

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Hey patois,

Yeah, one person's motivation is another person's irritation. Personally, I like the one with a kitten that says, "Hang there!"

Hugs,

Liz

[Nancy]

I'm glad I've found your blog. You're very entertaining. :)

[Tricia]

great article thanks for sharing but forgot the most important thing. HAVE FUN. and smile. YOu don't always have to write, either. I pic of your favorite desert or just of a pedicure you so deserve makes for great writings too. New to blogging :)

[kyoot]

I really enjoyed reading this, and it is exactly why I started blogging, as an outlet, the outlet is what it's all about, because no one will remember that I baked a apple pie once and got it to look right. :) And the kids, because without them we'd have nothing new to right. Without blogging, my kids wouldn't have memory books. They might not want to see it all later though... :)

[Kimberly]

Love it, Liz. And love you too!

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Hey Kim,

Right back at you, since your post was what inspired me to just shut up and blog in the first place!

Hugs,

Liz

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Thank you kyoot -- please feel free to send me that pie recipe :)

Hugs,

Liz

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

You're rigth, Tricia -- I video blog on Mondays and post pics on Wednesdays....just for fun :)

Liz

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Thanks for taking the time out to visit, Nancy -- I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, and the fact that I make other mothers (like you) look good :)

Liz

[Daisy OK]

6 years! I'm impressed. Mine has only been going for three; I'm a veritable infant in the field. Not sure I'm ready to do affirmations at this point.

[Suzanne B (Crunchy green Mom)]

HEY......

I have long toes too... Wanna try a post together JUST typing with out toes and see how it turns out? 200 word minimum, add pictures and a hyperlink.... Time it?

Wow... that would be an odd post....

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Hey Crunchy Green Mom,

SNORT-- did you know that I snort, when I laugh, real hard, too!?!?

Hugs,

Liz