Thursday, April 21, 2011

2 Years of Blogging

Yesterday was the 2 year anniversary of Holly Goes Lightly. This is a major feat for me! I rarely stick with ANYTHING more than, say, a week. For instance, I’ve been making curtains for our playroom. I have three up. There are four curtains still to be made. I started 6 months ago.



Because it’s my blog’s anniversary, I feel obliged to mention how often I consider quitting. Do you want to know why? You don’t care and you think I’m full of it? Maybe so, but I’m going to write about it anyway.

1. I have a rather humdrum life: The most interesting thing that happened to me this week? I found a $40 bra I’d been missing for two years wedged beneath my dresser. John had always found its sudden disappearance mysterious. After I pulled it out, Ella immediately put it on her head and ran around the house screaming “Minnie Mouse!” And I was so happy to be reunited with it, I let her. In other words, life is a little dull around here. Which doesn't help for making interesting blog posts.

2. I’m horribly self-conscious. Which is an extreme form of narcissism. And narcissism is something that shouldn’t be fostered. A friend recently wondered why I never mentioned her in my blog. To which I got all excited- “You don’t mind if I mention you in my blog???” Because, I’ve found, some people don’t like their name or picture spread all over the internet. I don’t know why. In defense of what may seem to be extreme narcissism, I’m very sensitive about respecting others’ privacy; however, it limits my writing to me, my husband, random people at the supermarket, and my dog. As Caleb gets older, I have to be more careful about what I say about him. He deserves to have his privacy respected, too. This is really just a small part of a major discussion about sharing one’s life in such a public way- the ethics behind it, etc.- issues that fester in my self-conscious brain. (Case in point- take a look at this blogging nightmare.)

3. My readership is down! Way down. Fizzling. For several reasons: 1) My domain change debacle, 2) fewer posts being published, and 3) I dunno. Fading away.

Of course, there are some lovely things about blogging. Some days, I feel like telling everyone, “YOU should have a blog! It’s cathartic! A great outlet! We could be bloggy buds!” Here are some of the reasons I stick with it on a semi-regular basis:

1. Connections all over: I love the friendships I’ve made because of this blog. I won’t go into specifics, but I’ve met (virtually and in the flesh) some amazing people. And the blog has opened up doors to actual writing jobs, which is crazy and strange and great.

2. Maintaining a habit of writing: Having a blog forces me to sit in front of the keyboard and write SOMETHING. This was always my biggest obstacle pre-blog- just sitting down and doing something.

3. One clean, well-lighted space: I clean the house, decorate it, change things around, and within 30 minutes it becomes completely trashed. I love having this little corner where I’m entirely in control. I AM THE BLOG ADMINISTRATOR. I can come and go as I please, and everything stays just the way I left it. And that is a wonderful thing.

Anyway, thanks for reading. The readers of my blog are far superior to the readers of other blogs.

11 comments:

Tracy H. said...

I love reading your blog Holly! Happy 2 years!

hokgardner said...

I've always known I was superior, but thanks for confirming it. : )

Anonymous said...

Holly, I LOOOVE your blog. It always makes me laugh so hard. I hope you always write it because whenever I see an addition, I immediately read and usually end up with tears from laughter. Keep up the good work.
-Cara Abbey

Toaster said...

Happy Blog Birthday! :)

Amanda Gibson said...

Happy Blog birthday! I always check your blog - cuz you're always funny and cute.

Crystal said...

Your life is not humdrum. Because it is very nearly mine, and if yours is humdrum, then that means mine is, and well, my self-esteem is too tired from picking up Legos to handle that kind of blow.

Elizabeth said...

Congrats on getting to 2 years! I love reading your thoughts on the world around you.
also
Hoppy Easter to you and yours.
Ex

Holly said...

That's it. I'm making threatening to quit a yearly tradition- just for the encouraging comments. :)

Johanna said...

Love your blog, and you were awarded the Versatile award at http://www.momstreehouse.com/, congrats

Debbie said...

I would be so sad if you stopped blogging! Your Dad told me about your blog and now I read it all the time. I think you're funny and witty and your blogs are FAR from being humdrum. And of course where else would I find funny things to tease John about when I see him (which is almost never). Please never stop blogging!!!

Julia said...

Congrats on 2 years of blogging...sounds like it has opened a lot of doors for your writing. Hope your spring is going well.