You know the saying about switching churches but you still won’t be happy in your new church because the church isn’t the problem – you are?
Well, I have met the enemy and I am it.
Not at church. But in blogland.
Over the past few weeks I’ve come to realize a few things about myself. And I think one of the things I’ve learned is that my struggle with blogging has more to do with me than it has to do with blogging. The blogging struggles are just symptomatic of other things.
So, as you might have guessed by the blog redesign (still in progress with a few tweaks needed), I’m not going to stop blogging.
I have to say I feel mighty embarrassed admitting this. I’ve been pretty sure for a few days that I wasn’t going to stop. And I’ve kind of dreaded writing this post because it is kind of embarrassing to say, “I’m stopping!” and now coming back and saying, “I’m not!”
I know I’ve been my own worst enemy as it pertains to this blog. I’ve made my blogging more complicated than it has needed to be. Part of my personality is trying new things out and because of that I’ve made it harder than it needs to be. My dear friend and maid of honor, Katherine, once said she loves living vicariously through me because I’m such a risk taker. When she first said that I thought she was nuts. I’m not a risk taker. But that’s because I equated risk taking with bungee jumping and hand gliding and going on vacation without all your hotel/inn/bed and breakfast rooms booked in advance. But she was talking about a different kind of risk taking. Emotional, vocational, and/or interpersonal risk taking. Oh, yes, that is me. In that sense, I’m a big risk taker and some of it shows up on this blog. A healthy dose of my INFJ personality shines through as well. (I think David laughs every time he reads my profile because it is so freakily accurate!)
This blog has evolved quite a bit over the past two and a half years. It changes because I change. I’ve changed so much and my life has changed so much in that time period. Reality is that I’m going to write about things from my life. What I find interesting. Things I’m thinking about and reading about. Things I’m dealing with in my own life.
So I’m not going to allow myself to feel obligated to keep doing something just because I’ve done it in the past, including feel that I have to stick to certain topics or categories because that’s what I’ve written about in the past and so people expect it because my blog is “that kind” of a blog. I’m going to do what I enjoy here including writing when I want and what I want.
I’m going to keep selling sidebar BlogAds. Contrary to what some might think, I don’t take every ad offered to me. I’ve turned down a couple of hundred dollars in ads in recent weeks. One was a very lucrative one-week ad for a ministry I have already publicly said I no longer support. (I have no idea why they wanted to advertise here.) Another was multiple ads for a “Christian” organization. When I reviewed their website there was something that made me uncomfortable. I also didn’t like the fact that you had to register in order to see 99% of their content. So I rejected those ads. I pick and choose and go with my gut.
I’m also going to keep doing PayPerPost ads/entries. We’ve discussed that before here and I know I lost a number of readers over that decision. I’ve read some negative comments elsewhere in the blogosphere about this decision. I don’t have much to say beyond what I’ve already said. But I will say this. I read all kinds of blogs and I wouldn’t stop reading any of them because they did PPP. Maybe I’m just more of a capitalist than the average blogger or blog reader, but I think if a blogger can put out a quality blog and make some money at the same time… more power to them. I also know that there are almost no blogs that I read every word the blogger writes. I don’t have time or the interest to read everything they write. I’m not delusional enough to think that everyone who comes here reads everything I write. So if people see something here they don’t want to read, I’m not offended. Hey, it’s a free country! So if you don’t like the ads, just cruise on past them. But I’m not going to stop doing something I enjoy and can benefit my family financially because some people don’t like it. If someone chooses not to come here because of the PPP issue, then go in peace and find other blogs that meet your needs.
So I can imagine some of you will breathe a sigh of relief and joy that I’m not quitting. Some of you (including Karen) will say, “I KNEW she wouldn’t be able to quit!” Some of you will delete me from your Bloglines or feed. Some of you will roll your eyes and keep right on reading because I make excellent fodder for your tortured blogger discussions with your friends. Whatever your response, I’m going to keep blogging.
Have a lovely evening! 🙂
Hip! Hip! Hooray!
🙂
I’m so glad that you’re not going to stop! I love your insight. I think that you need to write about the things that are close to your heart that is what makes your blog so special. As far a PPP it is wonderful that you can make a little money and bless people at the same time! I really feel like you would not advertise for a product or a company that you did not agree with!
YEAH!!!!
Yay!!! I was so happy to see this post last night. Of all the blogs I read, your blog is my favorite. You have so much wisdom and your posts really get me thinking. Plus I think your little girl is adorable.
I’m so happy you’ll be here still. Your new design is beautiful.
I remember reading you are thinking about homeschooling, and it’ll be great to talk those things over too. We have a daughter, 7, and a son, 5, and love homeschooling.
I got a little thrill as soon as I saw your new design. Could it be? … Yes, she is continuing to blog!
I read the INFJ profile. That sounds very much like me! No wonder I am always thinking I know exactly what she means as I read your blog.
I have deleted at least 5 blogs so far. My current one is on shaky ground. I’ve already deleted most of the “personal” stuff. But, I’ve saved it all in Word and a part of me wants to put it all back and continue.
I’m so glad you are going to continue!
Welcome back! 🙂 Well, not that you went anywhere! I wondered, because you kept on posting, and it didn’t seem like you were drawing to a close. 🙂
Sallie-
I’m so excited you’re going to continue! I love your site and your blogging style. With all the effort you put into this, I say earning a little money with it is great. I would hope most readers wouldn’t mind a few pay per post ads now and then.
In Christ,
Erin
Sallie, I’m so pleased!
I had just recently added you to my “Food and Homemaking Links” because I enjoy what you do at your site so much, but took the link down when I read that you were closing your blog. I will put it right back up!
One of the wonderful things about blogging is that a blog is *your* home, where you can experiment, you can do whatever you want. My own blog is very “miscellaneous” (it’s even in the title) and I enjoy that you cover a wide range of material here. I’m never quite sure when I visit whether I’ll find a religious discussion, a parenting topic, a recipe, or a link to an interesting article. I like that! So I hope you’ll keep doing whatever you feel like as your blog grows and evolves. And I’m all for capitalism, if you can see a return on your investment of time here, go for it. 🙂
Best wishes,
Laura
Ads, payperpost…whatever! Doesn’t bother me a bit! I’m just THRILLED you’re sticking around. 🙂
Well, we’re delighted to get to keep you around. And don’t feel badly about changing your mind. I routinely tell my 9-year-old son that it’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind. Welcome back.
One word: YAY!!!!!
Okay, I can’t just keep it to one word. Seriously, this is YOUR blog for you to keep however you want to keep. For me, blogging is a way to express what I’m thinking and feeling. I’ve often decompressed from my very stressful job (both my nursing job and my mothering job). I haven’t written a new post in quite awhile, mainly because I’m too busy writing papers for school. But then, I don’t blog for others to read, I blog for me. And that is how you should blog. What is right for you. And as for the ads and the PPP, that is entirely up to you…your decision. Who am I to demand that you have your blog the way that I want it to be? That would be like me walking into your physical home and demanding that you decorate your house the way I think it should be done (or worse yet, that I demand that you raise your daughter the way I think you should!)
Life is too precious and too short to worry about trying to please everyone. Keep your focus on honoring God, honoring your husband and daughter and being true to yourself. I love your blog and your writings. I’m really glad you’re staying.
You dodo.
“The blogging struggles are just symptomatic of other things.” Yes Ma’am, you are so right. You’d be wasting your time somewhere else if you were to quit, say playing solitaire… at least now WE get the benefits.
nice new look.
I am so glad to hear this news, Sallie! I don’t think you will regret your decision, and I think your blog will be more of a blessing to you, personally, than ever before. On a sadder note, I have been wondering about who it was that wanted to advertise here. Was it Vision Forum? (It’s a nosy question, I know, so don’t feel obliged to answer). Things sure must be a mess there at VF, and that makes me sad, because we benefitted from a lot of their teaching, even though we didn’t apply all of it to our own lives. But anyway, welcome back!
Susan
Yay! I’m glad you’ll continue to blog!
Wooohooo! I’ve been away from the blog world for a few days and got a surprise when I saw your new design just before you’re “about to quit”–till I got down to this post and saw you’re not! I’m so happy you’re staying. 🙂
YAY!!! I have been putting off opening your blog for the last few days because I was dreading the.last.entry.!! So I am SO glad I “mustered the courage” today (haha) I think it’s great that you realized this AND had the courage to say “nevermind”. There is another blog I love also, but it is not updated on a regular basis…but the writing style is so wonderful that it’s still worth it to me. I would rather she post two a year than to just stop and not be able to read her at all. Yours is the same way, I love this blog and am so glad you are going to do it your way!
Yay!!! As soon as I checked, and I saw the redesign — I KNEW!!!!! I am really happy, Sallie dear. Thank you for continuing this blog 🙂
I’ll add to the affirmations! I’m so glad to hear that you are going to continue! I love the links posts you do. I’ve found some very interesting information from them!
If you are near South Haven could you possibly give me some restaraunt/things to do suggestions??
Well, I am the one who sent you a negative comment about the pay per post…and I am sticking with you Sallie. Hooray you are still blogging!
Thank you SO MUCH!!! You all are such an encouragement to me. I really meant it when I said I felt a little embarrassed about changing my mind. You are all so gracious to me!
Jennifer – PayPerPost is an opportunity for bloggers to get paid to write posts on behalf of others, businesses, etc. There is a purple graphic on my sidebar that will take you to the site if you want to read more about it. Some people in the blogosphere (including well beyond my blog) have found this controversial.
Twinkling MichelleD – Of course I remember you from long ago. How could I ever forget that blog name? 🙂
Mrs. Nehemiah – Some of the comments were left in other discussions about blogging with PPP and making money on your blog. Although I was referenced in the comments, I don’t think it was the blogger’s intention at all to rake me over the coals. My name came up because that was the way the conversation went. But I am human and of course I prefer to not read negative comments written about me on other sites.
Susan – Ummm…. I’m not going to answer your question directly, but anyone who has read this blog for any length of time can probably put two and two together…
Marianna – South Haven… We’ve stayed at an inn there and had a few meals. Let me double check with David about the names. If I don’t remember to leave another comment, just ask again in another comment to remind me.
I hope I answered all the specific questions. Thank you so much for all the positive comments. I don’t know if I can really express how much you all have blessed me this week. 🙂
Marianna,
Sallie and I stayed at the Carriage House Inn and dined at Clementines while in South Haven. There are a number of nice shops downtown, and a nice pier and lighthouse. The Kalamazoo River channel feeds into Lake Michigan and if you catch a good windy day, the wave swells from Lake Michigan into the river channel are neat to watch.
I love the new design and am very glad to hear you are not stopping a great blog. I love the variety in your posts and the thought-provoking writing. And, the updates and photos of Caroline are wonderful!
Sallie! I’m so excited! I didn’t want to make you feel bad about quitting so I tried not to discourage you from it, but I was REALLY sad about the thought of you leaving.
And it is a woman’s prerogative to change her mind. 🙂
Doing a happy dance!
Oh, and love the new design. Okay I’ll stop now.