I've told this story before a few times but I know I am always curious to learn how and why people started their blogs. Since I have a lot of newer blog pals, I thought it might be fun to again share how I found my way into Blogville. I'd love to read your stories too!
Years ago I was googling something about monograms. I don't remember what exactly but I know I used the word monogram in a google search. And found Monogram Momma. I had no earthly idea what this website was but I was hooked on her great tutorials. I don't think I had any clue what a blog was at that point. I thought it was a craft website of sorts. But then over a week or two, I popped on rather frequently and realized she talked about her life a lot too. What was this mysterious website thingy?! Then I noticed that she had links to other places (or she did back then). Stores perhaps, I thought. I am always on the hunt for fabulous grosgrain ribbon so I clicked on Grosgrain Garage. Assuming it was some sort of magical grosgrain ribbon shop. It wasn't. Still isn't, though she does sell some very fabulous things. It was another website thingy. Honestly I didn't understand what I was looking at. I found Mel and Cloggsy and others, several of whom no longer blog. Eventually I realized these were blogs. It took me a loooog time to figure that out though.
So after reading for a few months, I decided I wanted to play with the cool kids too. Like everyone else, it was slow going at first. I never knew what to talk about and was nervous as all get out. I didn't know anyone who blogged so I figured no one would ever find this thing. I gave it a terrible name if I hoped to stay anonymous though. Ha. So a few months into blogging, I finally confessed of my sins...I tease...but I did finally tell someone. My Bestie. She thought I was nuts at first. But of course read. And got hooked. And started her own blog shortly thereafter. That's how we roll. It was the same way for Myspace- which we have both since abandoned for Facebook of course. Though while that subject is on the table, there were some things I liked a lot better about Myspace than Facebook. Moving on...
The thing about me remaining anonymous was of course a bust after I told Bestie but we both did a fairly good job at keep our blogs between us for a bit. Until eventually some of our friends mentioned that they read our blogs. Which freaked me out. Not that I said anything terrible. But I still felt very nekkid. It took me a long time to come around to people I know in real life reading this little blog. It's so dumb sometimes. And I whine. And I sew. A lot. All of my dorkiest things are displayed on the blog. Geeze, come to think of it, why do y'all even read?! But a year or so ago I came around to the idea and now I don't really care. For the most part. Sort of. No, with one exception (the kids I advise), I don't care. And if they found out, I would probably be fine. I hope. I don't know why they would read anyway. Oh but I also started telling people about the blog. I think all of my friends at least know about it. Most don't read it, even though they know. Which is fine. Except when I have to repeat a story four times. And then I just want to say, please just go read my blog.
I've thought of quitting 100 times. I've thought of going private, starting a new (and truly anonymous) blog, turning off comments and deleting old posts. But in the end, I am still here and still plugging away. I used to worry about writing a fabulous blog post so much that they all turned out flat and boring. Now I just type. Usually add some photos. And still read many of the first set of blogs that got me started. Except now we are all on FB too. And I've met a few fabulous bloggers in person. One has even become a dear friend- like in person friend who I see regularly. That blog post is coming soon. But this blog shows the truth about me. Maybe not the whole truth. A girl has to keep a few things private and personal. And really really wants to avoid the nasty comments that have come her way in the past. But this is me. Win, loose or draw. And I honestly cannot imagine my life without this blog. It's part creative inspiration, part recipe box, part secret shopper, part drug (Lilly Pulitzer) dealer, part circle of best friends, part diary, part mass email to keep my IRL friends up to date in my life and part therapy session. It's a little online sorority where we pop our collars and serve cocktails and make pie in monogrammed aprons that we bought on a budget. I love it here!
So tell me, what brought you to Blogville?
22 comments:
I adore this line: "It's a little online sorority where we pop our collars and serve cocktails and make pie in monogrammed aprons that bought on a budget." I don't remember why I started blogging - I googled something about fashion and found my first blog (Friday Style) and read that for a few months before I started thinking about starting one of my own.
Lisagh was one of my first blogs, too! Do you remember Preppy Cafe? This is my third go at a blog (ahem)...still trying to find my voice.
"It's a little online sorority where we pop our collars and serve cocktails and make pie in monogrammed aprons that bought on a budget."
YES! I love it! Thanks for sharing your story
I started a blog because I liked your blog :)
I love you call it a online sorority. :)
I started because I found other blogs after my bestie started one to keep us up to date on the family. And I felt like I needed to contribute since I kept reading and taking recipes and hints from others.
I had wanted to write for 30 years. About time, no?
I started it as a form of keeping a journal, but it's gotten a little outta hand and I think it's time to shut it all down. It just isn't going in the direction I had originally wanted it to.
Remember the show Doogie Howser and how Doogie would keep an online journal? That's all I really wanted to do with it. I will admit, I have met the most wonderful people blogging, but it's all cyber friends....I really need to get out and make some face to face friends because blogging has become too easy for me.
I've had three blogs in my life-- one was just intended to be a diary sort of thing. One was a way for me to humorously bitch about things that annoyed me. The final one, the one I work on now, was originally intended to record things I'm doing to improve myself and my life... but I've sort of lost my direction. I know what you mean when people you don't know read tell you they read it... I always have this moment where I wonder if I've horribly offended someone.
I think I really enjoy blogging because it gives me the chance to be honest.
I started my blog over 2 years ago? Not sure why? Maybe b/c my sister had a blog and my mom had just started a real estate blog?
geez that sounds like me.
I love reading why (and how) others got into blogging! Your descriptions really capture the allure.
I started reading Preppy Cafe (no idea how I tumbled across that) and that led to Pink and Green Girl and the rest is history.
I began blogging at the urging of a friend while I was expecting Gillian Grace. Little did I know that I would become hooked. Now there are days when blogging seems like more of a job than a hobby, but I'm learning to balance mommyhood and the responsibilities of blogging one day at a time! When the time comes that I'm dreading typing up a post, I'll know it's time to call it quits!
Hope you have a great week!
When I quit my job a few months ago, I had many goals in mind on how to improve and find myself. My sister suggested I blog about them and my progress. Eventually I got around to starting. So, yes, similiar to what you mentioned, I was (and am still) nervous about what to say, remaining anonymous (even though I have the link on my Facebook page,) and yes, it's been a very slow start.
like a year ago, I was googling something on the LP warehouse sale... and I came across a ton of blogs, talking about what they bought at the sale, etc. I started reading those blogs, and others for about a year, until I decided to finally start my own! I had so much fun reading, that I decided to join in the party!
It is an "online sorority." That is so funny. I am just getting started and am not 100% sure why I started. I think I needed to write about some things at first and now I just enjoy the habit of sitting down and writing (did I mention I just started). ; )
I'm your newest follower!
To keep track of my recipes, I did expect that anyone except my friends & family will start reading it...
I started blogging to keep a record of some of my projects- and it's kind of taken over my life! I'm hooked. Thanks for sharing your story.
Wow. This is one powerful post Miss Crocodile, touching a nerve for so many of us, in different yet similar ways.
You and Lisagh were both blogs I found early on, and I'm so grateful to have stumbled onto you both. You were (and remain) the cool kids, providing inspiration while inducing admiration at the ease with which you posted. (Or so it seemed.)
My very favorite line in this post? (Which is just a beautiful piece of writing, BTW.) "And I honestly cannot imagine my life without this blog.' Thank heaven for that, for I truly can't imagine my life without you and the PPC playing a role.
Sending you a big smile,
tp
You are amazing and I am so proud to call you my bloggy friend! You are right, we have a great little sorority of amazing ladies and friends, and I will gladly pop my collar and share some pie and a cocktail with you any day! Your little slice of the internet always brings a smile to my face, sweet lady!! xoxoxoooox Kisses!
For me it was to meet fellow preps but mostly to show the world I exist. That's a beautiful thing to me. To just exist in a state where you can be yourself without pretense. It's funny you should add that because my next post entitled 'observations' is somewhat...well not really about that. Good Post Girl.
Good question! I was at home, in Saudi, on maternity leave, with a husband who was away a lot for work, and felt like I was disappearing behind all the walls and veils. So for me - a connection with people 'outside', to have a voice, to tell stories you'd have to see to believe, and therapy! And it's been fun :)
Hi there!
One of the first blogs I began reading by recommendation of a friend was Dooce. like you I wondered what it really was then a year ago I moved overseas and I felt lonely and so far away from home that the same friend who recommended Dooce told me, girl start a blog, think of it as your journal (but online...and everyone was going to read it!) But I'm still here a year later, blogging away. and I love posting, sharing my corner of my home to friends and all.
I actually just started blogging (and already love it! although I have a lot to learn)...and have been interested in blogging ever since I started reading your bestie's (and my friend too!)
http://www.bufordbetty.com/
blog. She actually linked me over here today!
:) Pammy
http://pammyblogsbeauty.blogspot.com/
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