Spin Cycle: Blogging

I started blogging last May. Which I think, in this world, still qualifies me as somewhat of a beginner.

The biggest surprise to me about blogging, besides of course the gargantuan, never-before-imagined chunk of time it steals from the rest of your life, has been the wide range of people I've gotten to know, my bloggy friends if you will.

I remember when I was growing up and got to high school, how surprised I was to find I now had friends two or three years younger than me. Or older.

Before this, kids of every age in the neighborhood may have all played together, but in school your friends were generally found within your own grade. At least mine were.

Parenthood was another great friend equalizer. I had my kids a little on the young side compared with most of my friends, and I suddenly found myself in playgroups, Gymboree classes, and PTA meetings with people considerably older.

They were people whose opinions and ideas I highly valued, but had to admit would probably never have gotten to know if we didn't have kids the same age. Of course, as time went on, I started to become one of those older moms, and many of my newer mom-friends were younger than me.

Well, the blogging world has been like that for me, except times a hundred.

I tend to choose my favorite blogs based on the tone and quality of the writing. But I never would have thought in a million years I would so enjoy following blogs by women who still had small children or were enduring pregnancies. I was so done with all that.

I would have put money on the assumption that I wouldn't really get into blogs that centered on fashion or cooking. My biggest interests lay elsewhere.

But it soon became ironically clear that the people who would become my favorite bloggers could write about almost anything and I would read it.

Because they're clever, interesting, and fun. Whether they're wrangling horses or toddlers. Whether they're barely 30, well over 60, or my very own age.

Like most of you, I have bloggy buds from all across the country and many places around the globe. You know who you are. That's right, I'm looking at you.

Who knows how long I'll go on with IslandRoar. At least once a month I stop and consider whether or not I should quit.

But for right now I'm going to keep on keeping-on.

Because otherwise I'd just miss you all too damned much.

To read more on how bloggers feel about blogging, go visit Sprite's Keeper, a blogger extrordinaire. And let me give a shout out to Geri over at Fab over Fifty. She's featuring IslandRoar on her page of favorite blogs! Thanks Geri!

 

 

Comments

[Mrsbear]

I do value the friendships I've made through blogging, they were completely unexpected.

And I also go through my own bloggy angst every so often, quit or keep doing it. So far I'm sticking with it too. ;)

[Erica@PinesLakeRedhead]

You better keep blogging! The Island is one of my favorite stops in the morning.

I feel that bloggy friends have fewer barriers than we would in the physical world. I enjoy the far and wide friendships I've made as well.

[SuziCate]

I'm so glad you will keep on getting on! I'd miss reading you to much. You are my Martha Vineyard source, and ONE day plan to get there and meet you in person!

[Jan]

I could have written this - when I began blogging, I actively sought out bloggers of my own age and experience, and I found them. However, a great many of them have dropped off of the radar and I find myself reading the blogs of people who are younger, older and/or of much different life experiences than myself and loving them.

And like you, I stop every so often and wonder if I shouldn't stop - blogging is a HUGE time-suck - but I find I really don't *want* to. I simply enjoy this too much.

[Sprite's Keeper]

Don't quit. PLEASE don't quit. I love your voice. I can't believe how much I've grown just by reading other people's experiences, whether they be younger, older, or barely out of their teens. The world is a fascinating place and the ones I come back (like yours) to are the most interesting people in it. You're linked!

[Heather]

Oh no no no, you can't quit! Slow down maybe, but no quitting! Your one of my most favorite peeps!

I sometimes find it amazing I have friends in other countries, that would never had happened in real life.

[Kristina P.]

When I started blogging, I never thought about the social side of blogging. I have met women who will be friends for life.

[Arwen]

I just want to say that I love your writing. I don't always comment, but I really enjoy your writing style.

[Twenty Four At Heart]

Did you know the average blog only lasts 18 months? I find that so surprising. I love the sense of community blogging offers. I have friends all over the world now and have met the most interesting people. I love it! : )

[TheKitchenWitch]

I honestly understand the urge to quit! I think about it at least once a week.

But I can't bring myself to do it because I love my new community of writers and friends.

I just found you! You can't quit now! :)

[Mama Badger]

Let's face it, you can't quit. Because we know where to find you.

I completely agree. I never would have imagined all of the people I've met blogging. Or all of the people who care about what's going on in my life, or what I have to say!

I think we all have something in common, even if that thing isn't age, or kids, or location. It's just a little something that gets the relationship started, then it takes off all on its own. Then we keep going back because we're different enough to be interested and excited by each others experiences.

Hmmm, now I need to start thinking about this spin, huh?

[Linda at Bar Mitzvahzilla]

It's a very weird thing for me, Maureen, but sometimes I start reading blogs and I hear exactly what I needed to hear that day in a spiritual sense. It can be quite uplifting. The whole thing is so massively time-consuming but the like-minded people I've "met" on line have really enriched my world.

[Terry]

I love that I met you through blogging. I just hate the word so much. Like you, at times I think I will quit but then I would miss you too much. I get so much out of this. It is very strange indeed. I'm a newbie too. I began in late August. Don't know what it is, but I feel supported, even understood.

Thanks for being there!

A virtual Hug from me

[lisleman]

Please keep blogging even if it's only once a month. I've learned more about your island (well I guess it's not totally your island) and also the sharing of views and memories.
I find blogging in an amazing thing that opens you up to all type of people and places. But it does suck your time.
The sprite's keeper spin thing is a good motivator.

[Gretchen]

I too have been amazed by the incredible diversity in the lives of folks I follow. And it IS a great equalizer. I live such a strange, left coastish existence, I'm seldom around anyone who isn't just like me. So I think I had ideas about what people with different lifestyles are like. And WAS I WRONG! I'm also amazed by the quality of the writing in so many blogs. And the talent in general! I love finding a woman on a farm somewhere in the Midwest who is an incredible photographer. Or a poet. I really love it.

[BumbleVee]

I find it's like an extended family but, without the actual bullsh%* if ya know what I mean.

Also, the friendships are easy ... more casual ... and from a safe distance... ... you don't have to listen if you don't want to..or you can comment and say what you want as well... whereas mostly we have to bite our tongues when we are in close personal friendships and relationships.... this is easier and better most of the time.

I find myself changing my blogs that I visit over time.... some I used to visit have become morose, or the writers have become depressed and seem to be looking for too much stroking or sympathy.... I don't have time or inclination for it. I've been through hell and back in my life...and I've moved on. I just want to kick them in the butt rather than pet or stroke them....so, I move on from their blogs as well.....

I enjoy the fun blogs... the interesting...the crafty ..the ...well, lots of things really....but, I've given up on the depressing or the whining..... unless it's in a fun or cynical or cleverly written manner ...it's more comedic then and I enjoy a good laugh....

[Krista]

I'm sure glad that you keep on blogging! I love reading you and have enjoyed getting to know you. :o)

[LPC]

I am always so glad to be reminded that someone as nice as you exists. That said, it's your time to spend as you wish. I'd miss you though, if you left, your voice and your kids and the Vineyard, all.

[Erin@theLocalsLoveIt]

Your one of the first blogs I go to....I need you!

Like you, I love the diferences umong us and what each of us brings to the table (monitor?).

[Erin]

I am coming up on 2 years. I've been hit or miss about keeping mine up, but I always like to go around visiting in my google reader. So many interesting people and stories out there.
I hope you stay around for a long time. xo

[Gropius]

Hope you keep it up. Always enjoy what you have to say and how you say it. And yes, it's been so phenomenal to get aquainted with people all over the globe. You start worrying about folks when you haven't heard from them in a while. And if anything, blogging reinforces how similar we are instead of how different. It's a great experience. And, as you mentioned, a little time consuming. Eeek.

[Corinne]

I came over after seeing one of your comments on Queen of the Park... just yesterday! Don't stop blogging! I also have many moments where I want to throw in the towel, but the community of bloggers I "know" keeps me coming back.

It really is amazing, the variety of bloggers out there, the amount of good reads.

[Kate at And Then I Was a Mom]

I'm even newer at the blogging thing than you (last September), but I think I know exactly what you mean. You find yourself getting wrapped up in the lives of people you will probably never meet in person, feeling genuine concern when they suffer or tangible happiness when they succeed. Complain about the intrusion of technology though we may, blogging is one thing that, if done "right," can really forge connections.

That said, I could probably write a novel, work my way through the entire canon of French cinema, or possibly save the world in the time I spend blogging, reading, and commenting.

[foradifferentkindofgirl (fadkog)]

I sometimes think of blogging as a little like high school, only the people you come to know through their writing are cooler and more fun to hang out with then many of the people I actually went to high school with. It is a truly fun and diverse world out their to discover.

[dreamfarmgirl]

I know what you mean about the diversity of ages and geographic locations of blog friends. I feel like I've got pen pals all over the world now. Such a cool way to live outside our own little lives. I'm hooked! I hope you don't leave (though I hear you on the time sink). You are one of my favorites. And one of the few who is my same age. It's weird, not too long ago someone from our NY office was telling me about how he takes a house in Martha's Vineyard in the summer and I replied, Oh, I have a friend who lives there year round -- before even thinking it's a blog friend!

[kathryn]

You are the cat's meow, sweetie....and I don't know what I'd do if you ever stopped blogging! You are one of my all-time favorite reads and I would have to hunt you down and make you tell me what you'd eaten for breakfast that day...just so I could get some kind of Maureen-fix.

So, there you go. Either plan on being forced into telling me what you've eaten every day for the rest of your life, or keep blogging and have a much greater variety of subject matter.

The choice is yours. (Insert Jeopardy music here.)

I can wait.

[jessica]

if you seriously consider stopping you better speak to me first, second and third. I adore you and no matter how we connect, I want to stay in touch for a long time to come

[Dorothy Stahlnecker]

I so understand what you say, I can't figure out how come this is so wonderful...and just keeps getting better...I love knowing about so many and so much about different ways of life..it's amazing..

Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com

[Ocean Girl]

Maureen, if you started last May then we are of the same exact age. I started in May too:)

Lately, I have thought of where was I heading with blogging. I have not been so inspired. I can't quit because I have built up this blog. And I love my blog tremendously.

And I also think we count on each other more than we realised it. Like I can tell you, if you stopped, it would be a real bummer.

[Jane]

You took the words right out of my mouth - and said it so much better than I. And like others have stated here - don't go! We love you so! And I'm just getting to know you. But I understand what you mean about the time it takes and the wonderful people you've met. I've discovered so many amazing people whose friendship now means so much more than I imagined it would. Blogging allows us to know each other so intimately. When people abandon their blogs or stop commenting - I feel like I've lost a friend.

[Rachel @ MWF Seeking BFF]

I started blogging only two weeks ago, and already I'm floored at how many people I have "met" just by commenting and emailing. It's funny, because my entire blog is about the difficulty of meeting new people and the tiny intricacies of social relationships, and now blogging has added an entirely new dimension.

Thanks for this!

[Diane]

I know what you mean about the time investment and questioning whether or not to continue blogging. Sometimes I wonder if i invested this much time in nurturing friendships with people right here, might life be equally as nice, perhaps better?

But I'm still blogging too. Albeit slightly less frequently.

[Peggy]

I'm so glad you're keeping on keeping on. I need my Island fix!

[Kristen @ Motherese]

Clearly we're on the same wavelength this week. Reflecting on blogging, wondering why we do it, and finding, ultimately, that we would miss the connections we've made if we gave it up.

Speaking of giving it up, don't you dare! I'd miss you and your lovely, lyrical voice far too much.

[Tracie]

I think about quitting every other day as it is so time consuming but every time I take a break I miss the whole process.

I went to a Diversity Training today and told someone that I never felt like I fit in anywhere until I started blogging. I can't give it up because the blogosphere has become my second home.

[suburbancorrespondent]

Amen to that - I'm amazed at all the interesting women there are to get to know out there!

[~The South Dakota Cowgirl~]

don't you dare quit! i love reading what you have to write, and believe that you should totally write a book. now i think i may have to go to bed before i ramble on too much. or maybe i should see if i can come up with something coherent enough to write a spin cycle myself. i haven't spun in weeks.

[Lisa]

I can't believe you've only been blogging since May and you already have so many fans! Cool! I hope you stick with it! Oh gosh, what a lame comment. It's too early for me to be attempting comments! :-)

[Stacy (the Random Cool Chick)]

I can absolutely relate - I've been amazed at the wide range of people that have morphed into friends in the blogosphere. I'm in an odd place, most people my age have high school or college age kids, my kid is in first grade. But the camaraderie and friendships formed by reading other blogs that I can relate to, age is simply a number. I've run into that 'continue or quit' mode, too - but like you, I'd miss all the connections I've made so far and would rob myself of future connections as well.

I'm glad you're you and that you are continuing on, because I truly enjoy reading what you have to say, and consider you one of my special Bloggy Friends! :)

[Jill]

I wonder about continuing as well. My blog is just so all over the place. I'm not even sure why I started it. I think it was because of my husband and friends. I was always getting endless calls about places to go, restaurants to visit, music to download, hotels to stay...now, I don't get those calls anymore. They just read it on my blog...and I think I miss the phone ringing...just a little.

I enjoy your blog so much. I tend to be a very visual person. I don't read too many "writer's" blogs. Maybe two. You have such a lovely voice. I hope you continue.

[Soundbounder]

I only found your blog this winter, so as a newbie, I hope you keep going with it.

[Rowe]

Ditto everything you have said, Maureen. I think it is an excellent way for people to connect (though, in a strange sort of way). It's not like the joy of a face to face conversation - I liken it to reading letters from friends on their travels. Even if they are friends you have never met or most likely will never meet or aren't really your friends in the conventional way of having friends. It's a bit like the old fashioned way of pen pals by snail mail times one trillion the effects.

[Casey]

Aww, I hope you were looking at ME?!? I feel the same way. It's funny how many people of different ages I've found and now I feel closer to my bloggy pals then I do to most of my real life friends. I like it.

[Casey]

And btw, you're one of my faves so don't go quitting on me.