March 6, 2013

Blogging with intention

Do you remember why you started blogging?

I started blogging to share our life in Alaska.  It made sense at the time, and I never expected it to become such a large part of my life.

But somewhere along the line, I forgot why I share.  I want to share the little stuff.  The stuff I want to remember.  I usually post what I think may be of interest to you crazies who keep coming back (I say that with love), but there's also stuff that I specifically want to remember.  I've been intentionally taking a lot of pictures with my phone this last week or so because there's so much I don't want to forget.


For example ^ 
Every week, "K" brings in Rice Krispy treats for the other kids.  Her dad brings in 3 boxes at lunchtime.  She passes them out and always makes sure I get one.

How awesome is she?  How awesome is her father for doing that and for coming in once a week to eat lunch with her?  It's things like this that I don't want to forget.

A lot of my favorite posts are the completely, totally random ones.  
The ones that don't fit with anything else.  
Or my first Let's Talk post from August.  I remember I got the idea for it just because I had so many random thoughts shooting through my head on a Saturday (when I took the delightfully sunny picture) and I had no one to tell them to.  Necessity is the mother of invention I guess.  So now I tell you random things at least once a week. 

If I go back and read this post from April 2012, I remember what deployment was like.  It's like I'm right back there again, and it makes me so grateful for where I am now.

This post that informs you about Alaska is something I'll always have to look back on to remember this "special" time.  (lol)

I'm so happy I documented some of the stuff I did with the kids last year.  Last year was my favorite year when it came to teaching.  I never want to forget it.  (History, exasperation, and how wonderful they really were.  Oh, and we can't forget that trip to Seward.)

I think I get caught up in the "Oh, I need a new recipe!" or "Ahhhh, I need to find something funny to post!", but that's not why I started blogging.  

Natalie wrote a post about how your readers want to read "you".  Not giveaways, not guest posts, not link-ups, but "you".  Because, after all, that's why they're there in the first place!  

Why did you start blogging?  Do you ever go back and re-read your old posts?  


11 comments:

  1. I don't reread my old posts, but I started blogging to share me and my outlook on some stuff, even just one liners. And I still do that. I think I've held mostly true to why I began.

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  2. I sometimes will go back and read old posts...it's funny that I haven't noticed a difference from then until now.

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  3. I revisit posts sometimes. It's fun! I started blogging waaaay back when to complain about things... mostly my mom. I was 18 ;). Then my blog evolved into a deployment blog, and then to the one I have now.

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  4. Such good advice - readers want to read YOU, not all that other junk. I read that post from Natalie that you linked to, and I think it's awesome.

    And I love your blog. Just sayin'. ;)

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  5. I'm glad to be one of your "crazies" haha! :)

    I agree that readers want to read you. I started participating in link-ups as a way to start to blog more regularly. It gives me something to look forward to, and it gives me a purpose. On the other days, I try to share a recipe or what's on my mind. Since I've started to try to obtain sponsors, I understand the value of the occasional guest post to help them promote their blogs. BUT there was a blog I stopped following awhile ago because EVERY DAY was a guest post. What's the point of blogging if YOU are never the one blogging?

    I always enjoy your posts, no matter what the content! I always feel that you let us read you! :)

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  6. Stopping by from the walkabout linkup and am your newest follower. I would love for you to stop by my blog and follow along.
    xo,
    Angela

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  7. I love posts like this. It's such a great reminder. I fall in that blogging trap so much. The "I need to post something this week!" or "What sort of thing have I made that I could share?" I do need to just share my thoughts and my life. Things that go on with us and not worry about everything else. Thanks for the reminder :)

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  8. I don't go back, because the pics horrify me. But I should. Sometimes I feel that reading those old posts reminds me of my voice. I'm so glad you started blogging, because I'm so happy to know you!

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  9. Sometimes I go back, but its usually to find a specific thing. I like that I have things documented. I love that thing that your student's dad does. I hope that is something he continues.

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  10. That dad is adorable what a sweet thing to do!

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  11. I love re-reading my old posts! I know for a fact that I am my own blog's number one reader! My own idea in blogging has been to always write something that I enjoy reading--I figure that way I have a guaranteed audience, me! I think it's a good perspective to write what you enjoy rather than trying to predict what other people will enjoy reading...

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