Finally!



I finally realize why I feel the need to post on a daily basis. As I sat here contemplating “ to post or not to post” a tiny light bulb went off in my head. Oprah calls this an “a-ha” moment and it certainly is. My conclusion – I love community.

As a new mom and a newlywed I rarely get out anymore. I don’t like talking on the phone and basically I am a homebody. I hate to admit it but I have been this way for at least four years. And it is so unlike me. I rarely get out of the house – except of course to run the requisite errands. I am perfectly fine curled up with a good book or watching a favorite tv show. Top that off with a glass of wine -nirvana.

But earlier this year I realized there has to be more to life and decided to get fired up about something. So I decided to volunteer. I became the Captain of my Community Watch and offered to do more work with Mocha Moms - glowing embers but no fire. And then the idea of starting my business took off. My enthusiasm was evident – from idea to creation of website took me all of two weeks. And then I added blogging to the mix. Fire! A four alarm blaze is burning now.

Blogging has changed my life in ways I never could have predicted. The sense of community is beyond anything I have ever experienced in my life. I opened a fortune cookie that said “You are welcome at any gathering” and I thought how true. I am quite gregarious. But the thing about blogging is that we all are welcome at every gathering. Our blogs are an entryway into each others lives, political views, religious believes, fascinations, childrearing, you name it and it is out there. We are welcome.

The sense of community for me goes beyond just visiting blogs. I love the openness of the bloggers that I contact directly. As a new blogger half of the time that I contact people I have no idea how “big” they are in the blogging world. And in my experience no matter how “big” or “small” a bloggers reach is – every last one has been gracious enough to answer my questions.

Perhaps it is the nature of social media but I have never met a more helpful group of people in my life. I joke all the time about this underground network of individuals that I have stumbled upon and am now a part of. And I know I have truly been missing out. All I can say is I am glad that I have found this “secret society” and have no plans on leaving anytime soon.

My daily posts enhance this community for me. By posting on a daily basis I increase my ability to interact with you. Having conversations by email and discovering new blogs really makes my day. I love it. Of course I don’t want to burn out. But as many bloggers say “this is my therapy” and I enjoy it more and more everyday.

If you are in interested in starting your own blog, you can find some helpful tips in this Free Blogging Guide. Before I started blogging I did a ton of research, this guide should start you off in the right direction! I hope you too find joy in blogging!

Comments

Found you from SITS...great site!!
Unknown said…
i agree! blogging allows me to connect with women who are at the same stage of their life as i am. so many of my friends are single without children and just don't care/understand my struggles as a mom. my bloggy friends offer that support.

speaking of community, i responded to Michelle over at Occupied Mind of Mom. I saw you commented and were interested in how it played out. I'm the Kelly she was talking about b/c we went to high school together. I just thought I would let you know so you could follow up.
http://theoccupiedmindofmom.blogspot.com/
Unknown said…
You go, girl. So glad I've met you and become your friend through the blogosphere!
Love,
Jlo
T.Allen said…
I'm pretty much a recluse, so blogging is like having company without leaving home or letting enyone else in! It sounds bizarre, but the safe distance has allowed me to uncover truths about myself as well as others, and like you-I'm going nowhere! Thanks for sharing Renee, always a pleasure!
Annikke said…
I enjoy blogging and connecting with people too. As a mom, and a woman, there are so many people going through the exact same things as I am and I learn about myself more and more! It is a great way to connect!
Amazing_Grace said…
I've been a stay at home mom for 17 years. I volunteered at my son's school when he was little and I am very active in my church. I've taught CCD/Sunday School for ten years which I love doing. Think about being a Sunday School teacher at your church. It's a lot of fun and teaching children about your faith is the best part of all. :)
Anonymous said…
Well put! And inspiring. I think this is why many of us enjoy blogging. It does create a sense of community, belonging that we are missing in modern society. And the lovely part is the ability to be yourself. There's a freedom to just be that doesn't seem to exist in the 'real' world.
Anonymous said…
You hit the nail on the head - again!!!
Anonymous said…
Hey, I can totally relate. I blogged about this the other day--the therapeutic qualities of blogging and the overwhelming sense of community and support--can't be beat! I am new to blogging as well, but I find that something is missing when I miss a day.

BTW, your cakes are amazing.
I agree! I think we all just sort of have a need to be heard - you know it?

Holly
Patricia said…
I just wish that I could find the time to blog daily, or even weekly for that matter. Managing my business and taking care of my two kids leaves me little time for anything, but I'm trying.
Anonymous said…
just stopping by to check on you- and I'm SO GLAD you decided to post something today anyway;-)

I think that COMMUNITY IS ESENTIAL for your sanity- regardless of HOW you get it!!!!
Kristen Andrews said…
I am right there w/ you I don't like talking on the phone much either, it may be because in my prior career I did a lot of phone work!
Heather said…
Amen. I couldn't agree more. Blogging is how I get a big chunk of my adult interaction.
Anonymous said…
I'm a homebody too. I work outside of the home so when I get home I like to hunker down and enjoy it :) Hate talking on the phone... I'm too much of a slow thinker.

I like blogging. It also gives me time to digest things before I react to them. It's more my speed. And I do like the sense of community you find in blogging. People who don't blog have a hard time believing you can find that on the internet, but I know it's entirely possible and sometimes it even spills over into your real life.
Debbie said…
I feel the same way. And I am too busy with volunteering so that is not the void. I just enjoy blogging and talking to you all so much.
I totally agree with you Renee! I am very similar to you with being a homebody (believe it or not!) and I love the sense of being around others and interacting I get from blogging!

very nice post!
I can certainly agree with you on the feeling of community. Most of my "friends" are from blogging. I have loved all the great people I have gotten to know and enjoy sharing my life with them. You are one of my newest faves! :)
Petula said…
Yes, it is a great community feeling when one doesn't get out much. Working from home can be an isolating thing. BTW: It looks like I haven't been around in forever... I love the new look - absolutely love it!
Barbara said…
Its wonderful to see how much blogging plays a part in your daily happiness. To be able to connect to the whole world via the click of a mouse will never cease to be amazing.
CaraBee said…
I know that blogging plays a big part of my daily life for the very reasons you listed. I started out posting once or twice a week and now its pretty much every day. The feeling of shared experience and community is so welcoming. It's hard to explain to my non-blogging friends.
ImitationAngel said…
The big thing about blogging is the enjoyment. If it feels like a chore where you have to do it then it will be boring and you won't want to do it. I'm glad that you're finding such joy in the blogging experience. I'm slowly starting to feel the same way.
moosh in indy. said…
I love it. I love that people realize the potential and the community that is out here on the internet and go with it, instead of finding fault with it.
Unknown said…
You hit the nail on the head! I almost stopped my blog until I linked up with the community of bloggers out there! I appreciate all of the support you have given me over the last couple of months! Happy to return the favor. But really...since we are in the same city... we really should meet in person some time! (LOL)
Carrie and Jim said…
The support is amazing in how it can really make a difference in our lives. I feel encouarged and strengthen by other bloggers. I am learning so much about life and how I should handle things. Great post, well written.
I love people all over the place and everywhere I go. Blogging expands that for me. I love hearing more and more perspectives from all over the world and from different communities. I am with you blogging is my contribution to the community and it's my way to connect with a broader world.
Anonymous said…
Nice post! I'm enjoying blogging as well. I still have a lot of things to learn but I really appreciate the community of bloggers who share their ideas and opinions about anything under the sun. It has been only for a few months that I have stayed at home but I have been able to travel around the world and learn about people, places and things from posts. I even gained friends from afar! =) It has been a very interesting journey.
Aracely said…
I agree completely. Every time I talk to my sister I find myself saying "My friend, so and so"
She teases me about blog friends not being real, but I guess you have to experience it to really understand.
Anonymous said…
Couldn't agree more! Thanks for visiting my blog today and I've bookmarked yours :) I've been hooked on blogging for years now and have made so many "friends" along with way.
Anonymous said…
Ah Renee...We are all most thankful that you are a homebody and enjoy blogging.
I also am an admitted blogging addict and I've always preferred the comfort of my home to that of the swanky night life.
You are right; it's a wonderful, supportive group of women that we are fortunate enough to be a part of. I'm quite fond of all of you.
My day would just be incomplete without hearing from you Renee!
Ali said…
Blogging fulfills so many things in my life--friendship, outside connections, community, creativity, documenting my life, and I've found I'm just plain happier:)
Unknown said…
I loove blogging too, and like you I also looove community, keep it up girl!
Anonymous said…
I just love this post Renee and this is how I feel as well. I too am a mother of 3 little angels, married and I feel that, like you, blogging is my therapy. What I found out about myself is that I too love community, and helping moms esp. to celebrate the woman behind marriage, kids and career. I can't wait to read more. Check me out on http://www.thecocktailcafe.com I'd love to do swap articles.
Amarie said…
You described it perfectly. That sense of community is one of the main reasons why I blog, too. I'm pretty much a loner. I work and come home to the family. There's not much time for anything in between. Blogging makes me feel like I'm still connected to other people, women in particular. We all need some girlfriends! :-)
Jenni said…
I agree! It is such a fun way to not only express yourself but meet fun people and CONNECT!
anymommy said…
You hit on it exactly. I have so much fun meeting people and getting to know them this way. In my flannel PJs, with my kids tucked in bed. It's perfect.
Anonymous said…
I couldn't have said it better if I had said it myself!

Stuck on a ranch in the middle of Texas, its rare that I get my 'city fixes' and I don't get to see friends or family hardly at all. I am a busy Mom and biz owner who works from home and most of the time, I'm content with that.

But then there's other times that I want interaction. Feel lonesome. Need people 'like me' to interact with. I love the sense of community that blogging provides...

and I agree, Renee, by and large, the people I have associated with have been UNBELIEVABLE!! I love it- I really do...

And you know what? I have built quite alittle business that I wouldn't have had otherwise by meeting people through my blog or theirs... awesome extra!

... and whats more? I can do it all from the comforts of my couch in my pj's and a glass of wine in my hand! :)
Unknown said…
much like you, i am a homebody, and although i enjoy getting out sometimes and actually physically being around others, the blogging is a big part of my socialization. you stated it so well.

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