Monday, June 13, 2011

Blog Stalking

Blog Stalking: To read and/or follow someone's blog without leaving a comment or making it known you're following.

If you're here, chances are, you've done it. You've stalked a blog or two in your day. No worries, I've stalked a few blogs myself. Ain't no shame. And lemme be the first to say, that if you've ever stalked my blog, why thanks. I simply love attention knowing that perhaps something I have written has been beneficial or at the very least, mildly entertaining for someone.

I know a lot of people blog to keep family members informed of the "goings on" in their lives. Not me. I mean, it's great that my family can read this and know what's happening in my world. However, this blog is not the "Emma's Family Blog" nor a digital scrapbook of sorts. It's just whatever I feel like writing.

I originally started blogging after I was divorced. Blogging gave me an avenue by which to channel my anxiety, even if I didn't necessarily blog about the divorce. I was entering a new chapter of my life and while realizing that I am writing my story now, it was only natural for me to blog. Additionally, I am an insomniac. I would sleep a few hours at a time each night and anything more than 4 hours total was "good". So -- I had lots of time to blog.

That being said, I had tons of time to read blogs too. And read them I did. I would read blogs for inspiration, for entertainment and for validation -- to know that I wasn't the only one kinda like me out there. I met some of whom I now consider my closest friends via blogging. A few I would even go as far to say we're "kindreds". For realsies.

I probably followed close to 150 blogs on a daily basis. And I quickly gained a following of approximately that many in return. But then - something happened. Yep, the F word happened. Facebook.

With the rise of Facebook, many bloggers abandoned their posts on the blogosphere and as a result they also stopped following. And not only did they stop blogging and stop following, but they stopped following ME! I know, right? Who would ever want to forsake this li'l gem I've created here?

Then I started back at school and as my schedule changed, my family needs changed and so did my world of blogging. I have not been able to post as often as I'd like, nor have I been able to follow as many blogs as I'd like.

I've finally went through my blogroll and deleted the blogs that haven't posted in over a year (unless they are super-duper friends) as well as the blogs that no longer serve a purpose for me anymore. So, if I have stopped following, please do not take it personally or think that I have not enjoyed reading your blog. It's just that my needs have changed and my reasons for blogging are a bit different now. And of course, by slimming down the blogs I follow, I will have more time to leave bloggy comment love on the ones I do read.

I am not naive enough to believe that everyone who started off following me still does and I realize I may lose followers over this. I mean, this isn't my first rodeo. I know how it works: You gotta give love to get love. I have a bloggy friend I met a few years ago and we both started blogging about the same time. She has over 1,100 daily followers and she probably spends every hour of every waking day reading and commenting on blogs, for the pure purpose that those bloggers will read and comment on her blog in return. What a comment whore! haha. Just kidding! But she did tell me recently, "If you had been following more blogs, then you'd have more followers by now." I was all, "No. En. No." I don't have time to read even HALF that many! Sheesh!

That being said, thank you to those who are still reading and following. I totally heart attention the friendships I've made! Even though I am also a Facebook addict user, I will always blog so long as their is a forum by which to do so. I am a writer. It's what I do.

Nuff said.

4 comments:

Puphigirl said...

I know I need to be better at updating my blog. I used to write once a week, but now, I don't know, I don't feel creative. I guess I haven't decided what my blog is to be. Is it to update family, to vent, to express my creative side...? This is the same reason why I find it hard to journal daily.

Vickie said...

Facebook pulled me in too, he he;)

I started blogging to make money but realized that wasn't going to happen. So I got rid of the Google ads. Then for a year, blogging was a drug for me. It made me happy. I was a little addicted to blogging. But sometime last year I just burned out. I only post when I have to post a card for my DT responsibilities. I knew my friends would stick with me. They are with me on facebook;)

Hey, I love the tint that is used for the picture of your kids in your header. Which tint is it?

Susie said...

I am still here:-)

Debbi said...

THIS is when I truly know we ARE "kindreds" (and yes, I am totally sure and you know, humble and all that junk to know that it was OBVIOUSLY *ME* you were talking about--- as if anyone else was as kindred as *I* am to you!!! ) lol

ANyways. I shoulda wrote this myself-- it's the same post I write in my head, with the hopes that someone will "get it" and know I'm not PURPOSELY avoiding people/old bloggy friends.

But you, my dear, are both my BLOGGER girl, *AND* my Facebook Girl! That, my friends, is REAL internet love!! :)