Friday, September 10, 2010

Being ok with being this and not that

A long time ago - years - I was really into scrapbooking.  I was pretty good at it, too.  As I got better I began to seek out like-minded hobbyists and found a message board with lots of talented scrapbookers.  They were SO talented, in fact, that many of them were and are the ladies behind the gorgeous, creative layouts you see in the scrapbooking magazines.

I got good feedback from those amazing ladies, and started to think that I could be one of them.  I submitted a few layouts and didn't get published, and that was just fine.  But the thing that started to happen is that every time I thought of scrapbooking, I couldn't get motivated.  It became less about the delightful records I had been keeping for myself and my family and more about the talent side of it - is THIS a layout that could be published?   Is this too boring?  Is it creative enough? 

Pushing myself to be among the top scrapbookers robbed me of the joy I had previously found just in the act of scrapbooking itself.

The same thing has happened to me with blogging, and I've only begun to recognize it.

As you well know, there is a WORLD of talented bloggers.  Some are witty, some are funny, some are Bible scholars and gifted teachers, some are decorating or hair or makeup gurus who know all of the best ways to do those things.  Most are talented photographers, and their posts are graced with magazine-quality photos.

That's a GOOD thing!

But man, trying to come up with a witty, poignant, interesting, scholarly post with amazing photographs to accompany it?  Is not the reason I blog.  When I reminded myself of that, the weight of the world was taken from my bloggy shoulders.  I want to write good posts.  I want to take beautiful photographs.  I want you all to enjoy reading my blog. 

But more than that?  I want to look back at this and have memories that I will cherish always.  The silly, cute, smart, amazing, horrible and awful things my kids do may not be the stuff of the Top 100 Blogs of All Time, but they're top in my heart, and I intend to blog much more often simply to keep them there.

Here's to less pressure!

10 comments:

  1. i agree 1000000000%! Amen to learning our lessons early:)

    i am so gonna love lookin back on my boys on my blog one day(already am) and really that's all that matters. In a way, I am sure some of those really "talented" bloggers must feel a lot of pressure to perform or entertain their masses--that would be an awful feeling and I am sure it sometimes takes the joy out of it from them sometimes!

    i love your posts. you always have heart and that's what matters.

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  2. Emily! So what I needed to hear! Thank you!!!!

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  3. Good, because we want to hear about what is going on with YOU! We don't care how fancy it is, just share your life with us.

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  4. Yeah!!! Emily's blogging again!!! I've Misse reading your blog- you're witty, amazing, talented because YOU'RE YOU! Don't give up, there's lots of us who want to know ll about what's happening in your life! HUGS!

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  5. Heidi, how sweet! Thanks! Lisa, I'm so glad. :-)

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  6. Emily, I can totally relate. I got into the same self-defeating slump a while ago. I would always worry about measuring up. I didn't want to list all of our recent activities or pictures because they might bore my readers. As I look back at my archives though, I realize that it's about preserving memories, not a contest for the most comments.

    I love your honesty and heart. When your kids have kids they'll love how they can relate to what you had to say as you were raising them. What a special gift!! I'm happy that you're back in action!

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  7. oh i love this! i love reading your blog because i love the person you are, the real person you are. i hear what you are saying i have sometimes thought oh i shouldnt blog about ___ becasue that might be boring, whatever it is my blog lol. it is like my scrapbook, since Lord knows i may never finish those either lol

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  8. Emily, you are talented and witty and I love reading your blog, you write in such an honest and real way. I think you are a wonderful writer and I love reading about your thoughts and life. You are a great photographer too! This was a great post.

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  9. Agreed..I blog for my kids..I rarely get any comments and I really had to get over that. It now only bugs me when I get a little maniac ( think PMS time).. i've started only blogging school stuff once a week and one of two posts every few weeks with non school stuff. For me it's not about numbers it's about memories!

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