My Big Reward from the Blogging Community

Reflection. Contemplation. Trepidation. Am I too wordy? Or am I too pithy? Am I making a fool of myself? Or even worse, am I embarrassing my family?

I experience this range of emotions and question myself prior to publishing a blog/vlog. Every. Single. Time. And although I have seven months of experience blogging it has not gotten any easier. But I can say one thing, my final words to myself are always “Stop being silly! Do your thing girl and don’t worry about the rest!” This affirmation and confidence in publishing is based on my experience as an avid participant in the blogging community.

By being true to myself each and every time I interact with this community my fear of posting is washed away. Because like it or not, by being Renée all day, every day, everyone that I connect with knows what to expect. I write about my family, my life, things I like, and social responsibility. My blog has been referred to as a Mommy Blog that is a hodge podge of things. I believe that aptly describes my blogging style.

Yes, I am a mother but I am person too! In my space I write about all the facets of my personality. As a result, my blogging community is vast and wide – I don’t exclusively interact with bloggers from just one niche. I (virtually) hang with Mom Bloggers and Tech Bloggers, Marketing Bloggers, Fashion and Entertainment Bloggers, Conservative Bloggers, and Liberal Bloggers, Daddy Bloggers and strictly Video Bloggers, the list is never ending for me.

And this is my greatest reward – relationships. Blogging has enabled me to connect with people in a way that I haven’t done since my school days. My world has opened up to include fabulous people from all walks of life and corners of the world. I have the benefit of finding commonality with people where on the surface there is none. For that I am grateful. On a daily basis I get to enjoy the rewards of interacting with new and interesting people. And although we may not agree on all (or even most) things, we share a love of blogging and I recognize that I can learn something from every person/blog I encounter.

And so, when I finally hit the magic button and publish my posts, I do so without trepidation. My community accepts me just the way I am and has taught me a valuable lesson.

I must accept myself too.


This post is my entry in the Mabel’s Labels BlogHer ’09 Sponsorship contest.



Comments

Unknown said…
I second that emotion! But you already knew that! Love you girl!
Anonymous said…
I am the same way!! I don't post of often to my blog because of my blogging-fear!! I must get over that-and, by the way...I love your blog!
Aria said…
I don't suffer from the fear thing so much, but what I DO DO that is the same, is blog about all kinds of everything hodge-podge style... makes SEO a little crazy, but ya know, honesty and fearlessness in our writing is what makes blogs enjoyable... I'm not sure how, but the general public can (almost) always tell when you're lying. We can't change who we are, Renee, we can only put ourselves out there with the hopes of finding people who are as varied (and semi-psycho) as we are!
PS. Thanks for all the twitter updates from Blissdom ~ that was absolutely awesome of you!
Dori said…
I am like you in that I do a hodge-podge type thing with my blog. The main focus of my blog is my life as an expat and how this American girl gets along across the pond, but normal everyday life surrounds all of that too :)

I love your post. You have a great blog and the great thing that shines through is...you! Keep up the wonderful work.
Anonymous said…
Great job! Good luck with the sponsorship contest. :-)
Mandy said…
Good luck! Well written. :) I have made some great relationships as well. Definitely worth it.
Green said…
Love you and your posts!
Anonymous said…
I accept you. That's why I keep coming back. Keep doing what your doing. I love meeting and communicating with my new blog family.
Kristen Andrews said…
your posts are always sooooooooo great what in the world would u have to worry about.
Blogging for me cures my ADD Ive said that many times and I love covering and talking about different things on my show! Its all fun and I love the networking aspect of it! Take care my friend!
Oh, amen to that, my love. Amen to that!
CaraBee said…
What a beautifully written post! I'll keep my fingers crossed that you win!
Anonymous said…
Wow - did I have that conversation with you this weekend? Because I too worry about the personal stuff I put in my posts and how my kids will hate me when they get older. Well, in this world of MTV and MySpace maybe they won't hate me...but they will still need therapy.
So happy I got to meet you at Blissdom! You're so right, the best part of blogging is relationships. I've met some of my best friends in the past few months of blogging. That's pretty incredible.
Radical Selfie said…
Love this post, Renee! It is evident that you are simply doing "you" and that is always appealing; we can agree/disagree with you, but there's always an adoration and a nod of approval so-to-speak, for the simple fact that you are brave enough to share, and talented enough to draw us in with your words.

*In my best Brooklyn, NY accent* Keep doin' ya thang, Ma!

Execumama
Great post and glad you had fun at Blissdom! Listened to the gals over at the CC and Sugar Jones had no voice- you must have had some fun!
Unknown said…
Great post - glad I found your blog and I think your company name is the catchiest I have ever heard!
Barbara said…
That's right girl! We accept every part of you and we love you. You are an inspiration to us and (for some of us) you were the hand that reached out and touched us when we first began our blogging journey. We wouldn't have you no other way!
I have felt that way for so long but finally realized I had to be myself no matter what. I got tired of censoring myself and it was the best thing I could do! I love reading your blog and have enjoyed getting to know you. It really is amazing the relationships you make in the blog world. I think you are awesome and you just keep doing what you are doing. We love you!!
Anonymous said…
Excellent post! I think you hit just the right notes on your blog. Not too much information, just enough to make us feel like we "know" you. Great job and keep up the great posts! :)

Tara
http://theyoungmommylife.com
The POSHpreneur said…
You are a beautiful person and have every reason to be very proud of your posts! GOOD LUCK with your entry!
jmt said…
What a wonderful post. :) I feel the same way, but you put it MUCH, much better.
*Tanyetta* said…
I love this advice:

***“Stop being silly! Do your thing girl and don’t worry about the rest!” ***

I love your blog. Keep on keeping on Renee! I know that I was so blessed to have met you last year and wish we were on the bus cutting it up again! Fun times!
Anonymous said…
I'm glad that you're being yourself. It's something we all should strive to do rather than looking at our "numbers", etc. Great reminder!
Mary said…
Couldn't have said it better myself! Very nice.
Anonymous said…
It was very interesting for me to read this post. Thank you for it. I like such themes and everything connected to them. I would like to read more on that blog soon.

Bella Benedict

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